scribblings !
The online journal of a passionate artist, writer and educator.
September- October 2007
Dates in reverse order.
Artistically Literate
"Become visually literate. Study what those who came before
you thought and said about art. This provides a basis for understanding artistic excellence.” From my Insider Tips and Wisdom Quick
Reference Guide.
Often students imagine they will make something pretty and sell
it to lots of people. The dynamics of the marketplace, their own lack of technical
skill, and an ignorance of the world of art leave them unprepared for the failure
they will surely experience. Professionals study their craft. They study their market. They
study the writings of those who have walked the art road before them.
If you are looking for a plethora of tips and wisdom gleaned from
my own experience and study along this road, pick up the Quick Reference Guide
mentioned above at www.CreativityPress.com.
October 18, 2007
Work
Edouard Manet said, “I need to work to feel well.”
Today, I my own work involves preparing to teach several classes:
one on writing and logic, one on color, and one on painting military macaws in watercolor. I love to work.
Occasionally, my dear husband drags me away from the work
for some fresh air, sunshine, and a beautiful view. Both work and away-time refresh
my soul.
This afternoon, the sun is shining, work is good and I feel great!
October 8, 2007
The Frog-Strangler
Last night I experienced an unusual event here in the Pacific Northwest—driving
through a frog strangler. You have to have lived in the south to understand that term.
It is one of those rainstorms where the bottom drops out of the cloud and the windshield
wipers can’t begin to keep up at the fastest speed. The thunder rolled, the lightening
flashed and the rain came down by the bucketsful.
In addition to an early and intense rain, any sign of an “indian
summer” has been replaced by fall in all of its glory. Yellow and red leaves dot the
landscape, the grapes on our grapevine are sweetening, and a toasty fire calls at
the end of a day of working on various art projects.
For those of you elsewhere, our local weatherman said we got 19
days of sunshine this summer and most of them were on Wednesdays. I will miss the
summer we only glimpsed this year, but I love fall and the approaching holidays. It
is nothing short of wonderful to cozy up with an art book or sit in the warm indoors
and paint the beauty of the world around us as the fog rolls in.
October 4, 2007
Play Time
This week got the better of me. Sometimes the demands of life get
so overwhelming I just need a break. My choices were: move to Australia (a la Alexander
and the Terrible Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day) or play in paint. I chose the
latter.
What sheer joy to place squishy bits of four oil colors on the
edge of a canvas and just paint for the fun of it. No drawing or interruptions were
allowed. With my feet up and a glass of tea at my elbow, I painted away the afternoon,
ending up with three bird studies and a rested mind.
Australia wouldn’t have been
nearly as satisfying.
“Painting is another way of keeping a diary.” Pablo Picasso
September 26, 2007
New Beginnings
Albert Einstein once said, "Out of clutter find simplicity. From
discord find harmony. And in the middle of difficulty, find opportunity." It
gives me pause.
Beginning back to front on this quote, the board room our
Redmond group has used for a couple of years is being used for other things this
year. The difficulty caused us to look around for a new venue and we found one
in Everett. It is Everett Artist's Supply and Framing, a new, clean store with
lots of potential and a great opportunity. If any of you are interested in joining
us, check out the events page.
Discordant colors bother me. While some people revel in them (perhaps
for shock value, perhaps for extra punch), I can't get my mind and heart to love looking
at them. I have a strong sense of color and need them to harmonize, rejecting
those that jolt me. I suppose if I were painting hate in the world, I would
have to use discordant colors and let them speak with loud and angry "words".
Within the last few years, our daughters left home and clutter
has given way to more simplicity... everywhere except this office. I still haven't
figured out this paper swarm.
September 13, 2007
Cheerleaders
Do you have a cheerleader in your life? I do. As a matter of fact,
I have several and they are wonderful. Their encouragement inspires me to be better,
to work harder, to achieve more, to continue with a painting when I want
to tear it up, and to cheer on others. I hope you have cheerleaders and are one to someone.
"Wimps lift weights, cheerleaders lift people."
-- Author unknown
September 13, 2007
Added Workshop
We've added a date for a Portrait with Personality Workshop
at Daniel Smith since the September 9th Workshop filled with a waiting list.
The new date for getting in on this exciting and informative workshop is Monday,
September 17th at the Bellevue Daniel Smith store. So, if you were disappointed
about missing out, call the store at 425-643-1781 and reserve your spot.
September 8, 2007
Adjusting
Working as an artist involves living in a continual state
of adjustment. Seasons change and so do the demands of the artistic call. One day
is painting from daylight to well beyond dusk, another marketing and yet another teaching.
Last week brought a different delight each day. I completed a freelance
assignment for Dayspring, taught in Seattle, met with my agent, prepared for teaching
today, filed a mountain of business paperwork, made a leather-bound sketchbook full
of interesting papers, and marketed, marketed, marketed.
I love this life. There is never a dull moment. But it does keep
one guessing...
"Without change, something sleeps inside us,
and never wakens." Duke Leo Atrides
September 4, 2007
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