Creative Thought Space |
Johan Wahlstrom | Jersey City, NJ, USA | www.johanwahlstrom.com
Artist, Musician, Composer, Storyteller
What do you think being creative means?
To me it means constantly getting ideas in my mind/thoughts on how to create new paintings. I believe that a creative mind is something you are born with, but you need to practice and keep it updated to not lose it. I also believe that creativity is not only related to art/music/writing/dance etc...a person that starts his/her own business needs to be creative to find ways to succeed with their business. Also, you need to be creative to be a good school teacher, to be a lawyer, doctor, etc. In many other professions I am sure you need this creative mind.
How do you include creativity in your life?
It’s with me every day. I work Monday-Friday in my studio (if not traveling). When I travel I use my camera and my sketch book for drawings. My brain is always spinning around what to do next in my art.
What thoughts do you have as to how your life has influenced your creative imagination, and how your creative imagination has influenced your life?
My experiences so far during my life play a big part in my creativity - travelling, meeting with friends, strangers etc., news, movies, books, etc.
What, if any, exercises do you do to get into a creative mode?
Not sure of this question, I don’t do any particular exercise except that I have tons of papers with Themes for new series of paintings and Titles for new paintings. I try to get into the mood based on either the theme or the title and put my self into it, and then get the colours on to the canvas to reflect the theme/title. I also use music that I feel suits the theme/title that I am painting and the music is very loud in my studio.
How important do you think creativity is in life?
It is very important. Creativity used in the right way can play a huge part when it comes to making changes in the world, for the betterment of both near and far. I truly believe that as an artist we should create art that shows society of today, the world today and hopefully be a part of the changes that make this planet a bit better day by day. When I paint, my idea is to paint stories about today!
To me it means constantly getting ideas in my mind/thoughts on how to create new paintings. I believe that a creative mind is something you are born with, but you need to practice and keep it updated to not lose it. I also believe that creativity is not only related to art/music/writing/dance etc...a person that starts his/her own business needs to be creative to find ways to succeed with their business. Also, you need to be creative to be a good school teacher, to be a lawyer, doctor, etc. In many other professions I am sure you need this creative mind.
How do you include creativity in your life?
It’s with me every day. I work Monday-Friday in my studio (if not traveling). When I travel I use my camera and my sketch book for drawings. My brain is always spinning around what to do next in my art.
What thoughts do you have as to how your life has influenced your creative imagination, and how your creative imagination has influenced your life?
My experiences so far during my life play a big part in my creativity - travelling, meeting with friends, strangers etc., news, movies, books, etc.
What, if any, exercises do you do to get into a creative mode?
Not sure of this question, I don’t do any particular exercise except that I have tons of papers with Themes for new series of paintings and Titles for new paintings. I try to get into the mood based on either the theme or the title and put my self into it, and then get the colours on to the canvas to reflect the theme/title. I also use music that I feel suits the theme/title that I am painting and the music is very loud in my studio.
How important do you think creativity is in life?
It is very important. Creativity used in the right way can play a huge part when it comes to making changes in the world, for the betterment of both near and far. I truly believe that as an artist we should create art that shows society of today, the world today and hopefully be a part of the changes that make this planet a bit better day by day. When I paint, my idea is to paint stories about today!
About
Johan Wahlstrom was born in 1959 in Stockholm, Sweden. He is a visual artist, musician, composer, and storyteller. Of life and art he says: “I paint to keep myself insane. I paint anxiety to be calm. I paint war to have peace. I paint sadness to be happy. I paint dark to be in the light. I paint death to be alive. I paint a story so that I don’t have to tell a story.”
“We are drawn into a reality of the mind playing with known and unknown images; cultural and spiritual continuity with disturbing distortions.” Don Noyes-More, Editor, Downtown LA Life Magazine, Los Angeles, 2009
“Johan Wahlstrom conveys a message and reflection in our journey through life, where each painting gives a bit of life’s puzzle.” Jenny Kattán, Malaga21, Malaga, Spain, 2011
“The work of Johan Wahlstrom delves deeply into the realm of human emotion and speaks directly and powerfully to our feelings and emotions…few artists can express the raw emotion of loss, turmoil and redemption as lyrically as Johan Wahlstrom.” Stephen Andrus, New York, 2012
Johan Wahlstrom was born in 1959 in Stockholm, Sweden. He is a visual artist, musician, composer, and storyteller. Of life and art he says: “I paint to keep myself insane. I paint anxiety to be calm. I paint war to have peace. I paint sadness to be happy. I paint dark to be in the light. I paint death to be alive. I paint a story so that I don’t have to tell a story.”
“We are drawn into a reality of the mind playing with known and unknown images; cultural and spiritual continuity with disturbing distortions.” Don Noyes-More, Editor, Downtown LA Life Magazine, Los Angeles, 2009
“Johan Wahlstrom conveys a message and reflection in our journey through life, where each painting gives a bit of life’s puzzle.” Jenny Kattán, Malaga21, Malaga, Spain, 2011
“The work of Johan Wahlstrom delves deeply into the realm of human emotion and speaks directly and powerfully to our feelings and emotions…few artists can express the raw emotion of loss, turmoil and redemption as lyrically as Johan Wahlstrom.” Stephen Andrus, New York, 2012
