scribblings !
The online journal of a passionate artist, writer and educator.
April through August 2005
Special Note:
The Portrait with Personality Workshop at Daniel Smith scheduled for August 21st has
filled so we have added two additional days. One of those, August 22nd has also filled
and the third day, August 26th, is almost full. If you are interested, give the Bellevue
store a call and see if you can get one of the few remaining spots.
August 11, 2005
Experiment
In addition to my adult art workshops, I began and teach a K-12
art program in an alternative school. Since school begins soon, lesson planning for their
classes jumped to the top of my priority list this week.
This got me thinking about my youngest student last
year who obviously disdained the art experience in spite of all his mother’s desires
and my efforts. The extent of his interest in art involved the speed at which he could
complete his project and move on to more important matters like examining the floor
tiles while standing on his head and telling about Larry Boy’s latest adventure.
Then, one day it happened. I introduced the class to
scratchboard. A full hour later, Little-mister-I’m-bored-by-all-this-art-stuff proudly
held up his finely cross-hatched Larry-Boy-jumping-from-an-airplane and announced,
“I’m an artist!”
Sometimes I’m like that. I need to play with my art
materials, trying a new color, tool, media or technique. Experimenting fuels my creative
efforts and makes my heart glow with the knowledge that I am an artist.
Need a creative boost?
Experiment.
A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest of men. Anonymous
August 11, 2005
Regaining our Bearings
If you have questions about the judging of art shows, read: Regaining
Our Bearings: a Challenge for Art Judges.. Your reactions to the judging are probably
the same as mine after viewing the judging of two significant shows over the
last several months.
“Art, like morality consists in drawing the line
somewhere.” G.K. Chesterton
July 22, 2005
Back again
"I'm don't want impression, I want sense-sation!" Kay Witherspoon
The last two months have been full to the point of keeping me from
more than pausing at this computer. But, they have been months overflowing with art.
The wedding of our youngest daughter was made more beautiful by the very same universal
principles of good art found in great paintings... a true delight to the senses.
Post wedding festivities, John and I took an extended working vacation
where we were able to paint with other talented artists and work on our business plan.
The quote at the top came from one of those artists, Kay Witherspoon, a true
modern day master who is currently in the Royal Ascot Magazine.
Now, it is nice to be home and enjoying the sheer pleasure of painting.
I hope this summer finds you painting as well.
July 8, 2005
Tips from a Lazy Painter
Often in my classes I confess that I am the world's laziest painter.
I paint plenty; it is just that my painting habits appear lazy. Actually, I've honed
the habits to an art in themselves, making painting extremely enjoyable. Once
the splash-dash-make-a-mess under-painting is completed, my style is a direct, no-mess
approach.
My lazy painter habits came in handy this week when I unexpectedly
was bitten by a nasty flu bug. (So much for getting the online store finished!) Two days
of staring blankly at the television and the inside of my eyelids had me
craving a change of scenery.
After gathering a few essentials and half-a-dozen unfinished
paintings, I collapsed back onto the couch to make better use of the forced and
unwelcomed "rest". By the time the flu was over, I was able to complete two of the
paintings and part of a third.
Lazy Painter Tip 1: Keep your work light. I never stretch my paper
on a heavy board.
Lazy Painter Tip 2: Practice working on the couch. Stretch out, put
your feet up and relax.
Lazy Painter Tip 3: Place your coffee table close enough to accommodate
your paint pan, crock of water and assorted brushes from a semi-reclining position
on the couch.
Lazy Painter Tip 4: Keep your tea/soda on the end table to avoid the
temptation to rinse your brush in your refreshment.
Once in a while
I don't know why
the "ease" in easel
seems a lie.
For there are times
when I find more ease
holding the canvas
on my knees.
-John Engle
May 16, 2005.
The Quest
"Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather
and exposing them to the critic." Ambrose Bierc (1842-1914)
From the first time the 8-pack of Crayolas was placed in our chubby
little hands, we wondered if our artistic efforts were “good enough”. Actually, I
believe wondering if we are good enough is intrinsic to “The Great Quest” found deep
in the heart of every man, but I will limit my remarks to art in this post.
On one end of my schooling, my amazing art teacher, Miss Keeper-of-the-key-to-the-paint-and-glue-cabinet,
chastised me for my lack of a REALISTIC tree form… and I quote, “I TOLD you NOT to
paint a lollypop tree!”
On the opposite end, my psychedelic art prof, Mr. Hey-man-that’s-like-an-awesome-squiggle-painting-next-to-your-lava-lamp,
was failing me for my, yes, REALISTIC plant forms.
Most of my life, either story by itself smacked of tragedy, the kind
that leaves you wondering at your core if you will ever be good enough. Put them together
and you have a twisted comedy of epic proportions. Once I got the punch line, I laughed
until my sides ached.
If you are questioning whether you work is “good enough”, understand
that the system is loaded against you. You cannot get the answer to that question
from other people… even experts. Artistic fads come and go, peoples’ tastes and sensibilities
are all over the map, and some people just have no taste. (Did I say that?)
After many, many years of painting, I’m confidant in who I am artistically.
I know my interests, my style, my message, and the audience who relates to it.
Discover yourself and your message, develop your style, always striving
for excellence, and feign deafness to the critics.
"The one whose judgment counts most is the one staring back in the glass." (unknown)
May 8, 2005
Laugh and enjoy the view
Driving along a scenic winding road this week to paint with a couple
of artist friends of mine, I managed to miss the turn... not once, but twice. In the
process of one about-face, my overstuffed portfolio shifted its position, colliding
with my brush caddy. The caddy, now jostled from its secure moorings, deposited
its contents onto my open palette-- which, by the way, I had just loaded with fresh
paint...
There are days when gravity, entropy and Murphy are against you. On
days like that, you might as well slow down, take a deep breath, laugh a little and
enjoy the view... the scenery WAS beautiful!
May 1, 2005
Cultivate a trusted critic
Trusted critics are hard to find, but their value is beyond measure.
My own trusted critic is another artist and friend, Sharyn Sowell. Thankfully, our
art paths are non-competing, which takes a lot of the potential stress out of the
relationship.
There are days when I have worked so long on a project that I can no
longer see its warts. She approaches it with fresh eyes and offers constructive criticism.
…And I do the same for her.
A trusted critic:
-
Is honest, but constructive with their criticism
-
Extends you the freedom to be your own self with your own ideas and
creative solutions
-
Acknowledges your strengths
-
Understands the artistic process
-
Accepts the lifestyle… lots and lots of long hours and difficult work
-
Knows the struggles… more long hours, work, rejections, and failures
-
Approaches the artwork with a trained eye
-
Brings personal experience from the school of hard knocks
-
Genuinely appreciates your successes
Mentors along the road have been invaluable, but I especially treasure
my friend who is at the same place with her art career. We celebrate one another’s
victories, commiserate when things are rotten and serve one another with the
wisdom we have gained in our respective fields.
Look for that person in your life.
***Special note: We have just added another Fur, Feathers and Animal
Features Workshop at Daniel Smith in Bellevue because the first is full with a lengthy
waiting list. The date is May 20th from 11 to 4. For details, see the events page.
(I would love to give you a hyperlink here, but at midnight plus some, my brain gave
up and went to bed without me!)***
“Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted
Steven Wright
April 30, 2005
Draw, draw, and draw some more. AnneOlwin
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act, but a habit."
- Aristotle
As I have prepared to give a demo this weekend on the subject of painting
animals, I have again been reminded of the benefits of practicing my art form.
Consistent practice at drawing and painting keeps
my work fresh, bolsters my confidence and spurs me on to new creative heights. It
has taught me to handle the tools of my trade with the ease and grace that only familiarity
can birth.
The idiom, "Draw, draw, and draw some more," applies
regardless of the art niche we inhabit.
Potters, throw pots...
Musicians, play and sing...
Sculptors, sculpt...
Painters, paint...
Practice enables us to produce consistent and reliable
results. There is NO substitute for it when it comes to our craft.
"Do not fail, as you go on, to draw something
every day, for no matter how little it is, it will be well worthwhile, and it will
do you a world of good."
-Cennino Cennini_ 1372-?
April 21, 2005
Art Is a Language
"Anyone who says you can't see a thought simply
doesn't know art."
- Wynetha Ann Reynolds
Don't you just love quotes?! ...those pithy statements that encapsulate the very sentiment
struggling to make its way from our hearts to our lips...
Art is a language. Like any other language (Spanish, sign language or math, for instance),
it breathes life into our thoughts. And, as any linguist will tell you, the best way
to learn a language is to immerse yourself into it.
Surround yourself with art.
Live it!
Use it!
Breathe it!
Bring your thoughts to life in Technicolor or black and white, with the power of line
and the strength of value.
April 11, 2005 |