Gratitude

What is gratitude and why do we need it? Here's the dictionaries' take:

"Gratitude - 'gra-t&-"tüd, -"tyüd Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gratitudo, from Latin gratus grateful: the state of being grateful : THANKFULNESS " - Merriam-Webster

It's very easy to get out of "the state of being grateful"; there are always bills to pay, and sometimes not enough funds to pay them, demands from family and friends when all we really want to do is get started or get finished with that piece of artwork, maybe a boss from hell is jumping on your last nerve. The days fly by and it seems we get nowhere.
But if we can put the brakes on for just a moment, take a breath, there is something in each day we can be thankful for. A child spontaneously putting their hand in yours, the first rose bloom after a bleak winter, the light in a loved one's eyes when they see you again.
As an artist I am thankful to be able, although inadequately, to express my feelings visually, to be able to connect to another human being in such an intangible way. As Picasso so eloquently put it, "The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape..."
Now, to my mind, that's something to be proud of, a special gift. Each experience in life can transform us, our art, into an ever changing kaleidoscope, a beauty to behold.

When To Stop

How do you know when you're finished with an art project?
I normally don't have a problem in this area - I stop when:

1. I don't have anything else to say
2. I am so sick of it I can't stand to look at it anymore
3. I run out of paint and don't have the $ for more
D. All of the above

Lots of artists agonize over this. I think it's comparable to a locomotive gathering steam going up a steep grade, when it goes down the other side it gains speed and momentum and it's damn near impossible to stop. We think (I'm putting myself in this, applies to me too) "Just one more color here" or "I need to flesh this out a bit more", but if we're not careful, very careful, we can lose the whole message we were trying to convey in the first place. Like bread, like pasta, there is such a thing as overdone. It is helpful to step back from it for a few hours, a few days, take a break and come back with fresh eyes. Here's a neat thing to do - if you can, turn the piece upside down. You will see it with whole new eyes, and thus using the other side of your brain will help you to have more balance in your piece. This has helped me many times, I'm sure it will help you, too. Listen to your inner creative voice, don't second guess yourself. (Image courtesy of Kevin McCarthy)

A Jackson Pollock Find?

Saw a documentary about Terri Horton, a lady truck driver who found a piece of art at an antique store. She bought it for $5 as a gift for a friend, who thought it godawful ugly, was insulted, and didn't want it. So Terri put it in a yard sale, where it was spotted by an artist who suspected it could be an undiscovered, authentic Jackson Pollock. Terri, who had no idea who Pollock was, hired art experts, contacted dealers and everyone else she could think of, to try and prove it's authenticity. She has been told if it is the real deal, it could be worth upwards of 3o million dollars. She has been offered 2 million, 9 million, on up, but she has refused these offers. 15+ years have passed, and the argument continues.
Why won't she take the money, move out of the trailer park she has lived in for many years, quit driving the big rig; live the good life?
Terri Horton did something unusual. She took another look at what she once thought was unusual, confusing, ugly. Whether or not is a genuine Pollock, it looks like a Pollock, and something of the artist communicated with Terri Horton. This truck driving, trailer park dwelling grandmother did something we can all learn from; she has listened to her heart, taken a second look, a deeper look.
A part of the artist is embedded in his/her art. The layers of life, the emotions felt when creating a piece, are all there. It is imprinted in each color, stroke of the brush, each texture. This truth, this soul of the artist, can and does communicate with those of us who are the viewer. With some who view a particular piece by a particular artist, that voice becomes a shout, the communication a warm embrace.

Getting There

Got some work done on my latest painting this weekend, thankfully. I had some good music going and just soared!
I began adding shadow to the can, fleshing out the depth, thinking about it's spatial relationship to the other objects around it. I'm giving a lot of thought to the light source and reflections at this point, planning where they should be. I couldn't use sunlight, which is what I'm showing, because it was an overcast day, so I tried to make do with direct lighting. At this point I think that will be OK, because I'm just planning where the lights and shadows will go. The final color choices will come at a later point. Next comes the fun part; the detail work on the can, painting the crackers, further establishing a mood, doing all I can to make it live and breathe. That's the gravy part!

Sketchin'

Met with some other artists today for our monthly Sketch Group meeting. We get together and discuss ideas, joke around, plan grand works of art that will change the world, and, oh yeah, sketch. We met outside at our local park, and because rain was threatening, sought shelter under a covered picnic area. I find it refreshing to meet with other artists, bounce ideas around, and just be. I know artists who don't make much of an effort to socialize, and that's OK, but I think ultimately they are missing out on many things. The exchange if ideas, the camaraderie, the feeling of understanding you get with a kindred soul helps fuel my thoughts, lifts my mood, and enhances my creativity. I can't get that kind of connectivity with any other group of people, because as artists we might as well just face the facts - we are different, and we need to be with like minded people who understand the incredible uphill battle is is to be an artist now, in America, in 2007. So if at all possible, forget the competition for a little while, contact another artist and share some experiences. You and the rest of the world will benefit immensely.
Oh, and I did get a little something done - here is my rough sketch of the morning. . .

Bon Voyage

Got some information today about an art sale that will be occurring next Saturday, June 9. Here's the info:

"A sale of Carol Ann Rose’s paintings and art supplies will be held on Saturday, June 9th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at A Carolina Gallery on Bush River Road. There are many wonderful original paintings, art books, prints, paints, frames, papers, and miscellaneous art supplies for sale. There’s something for everyone. Hope you can make it."

Of course there's more to it than this. Carol Ann was the owner of A Carolina Gallery, and she passed away a few months ago. I was not privileged to know her personally, but from all accounts she was a dedicated and gifted artist. It is sad when anyone leaves the realm that we mortals know, but when a fellow artist goes it seems the loss is a bit deeper. An artistic voice stilled. It is a comfort to know you could acquire something she created, that she may continue to speak. And I've read that what she would say is "Don't Worry, Be happy!"
you can read more about Carol Ann here: http://artsails1.blogspot.com/

r.e.s.p.e.c.t

Well, now I can sayI've come close to hearing it all, on today, my birthday. Never mind how many.

First, let me say, I loooove dogs, I have one, Rosie, our baby, and will have one for the rest of my life. There she is, on the left there, chillin' at the beach.

I believe, like the IAMS commercials, that "dogs rule". But this is a bit much - want a laugh? read this: http://www.thestate.com/living/story/76499.html

What has this got to do with art? Maybe nothing, but we all need to laugh sometime - keeps the creativity flowing.

Play Nicely

Been making progress, albeit slow, on my newest painting. I've started painting in the first layer of color, getting a feel for how each one is going to get along with the others. At this point I tend to think of the elements - colors, shapes, perspective, composition - as playmates. I experiment at this stage, putting one or more of these guys and girls together, seeing if they will play nicely and not do anything unpleasant to one another. Pulling hair and throwing sand is not allowed.

Wellspring

Visited the Rita Smith Gallery in Columbia Friday last and was inspired by what I saw. This gallery showcases emerging South Carolina artists, and the variety and quality of works there is very encouraging. There are, of course, imaginative works on canvas; oils and acrylics; but also pottery, the most original and creative pieces I have seen in a while. There are utilitarian yet very dynamic fabric pieces, one of a kind purses and scarves that I guarantee you no one else at your next soiree will have. And handmade, thoughtful jewelry to go with that new or already- existing -in -your- closet outfit. You know these pieces are thought out, not mass produced, and lovingly made. A local artist, Mary Williams, was on hand to provide gentle conversation and/or assistance.
Places like this provide a wellspring of hope for those of us who are struggling, needing, to express ourselves, as well as providing the public a very valuable commodity: unbound creativity - the very key to the universe.

Warming Up

Made some good progress on my latest painting this past weekend. Wish I had more than just weekends to express myself through paint, but I'm grateful for at least that. Got my canvas primed and my composition worked out. The main accomplishment was getting my tones done. I like burnt umber for this step. I use it straight out the tube for the shadows and dark areas, and a gradient wash for other areas. This helps me start to see the dimensionality of the piece as a whole, to see, as possible as it can be at this step, what works and what doesn't. Being a mostly self taught artist, I was resistant to this extra step at first --whine "It takes too much time" whine "It ruins sponteneity"- - now I know it's crucial to the final look. It gives a warmth and depth to the overlying colors, a richness. Oil painters have used this technique for ages, and it works for acrylics as well. It's always good to go the extra step.

Kozachek Tango

Artist Janet Kozachek is inspired by the Tango. She has an exhibition, actually has had several now, of works with the dance as the unifying theme. Went to a reception Tuesday at the Orangeburg Arts Center, where dancers were dancing and patrons of her serendipitous work were in appreciation at the display of ink on paper, mosaic, and other expressions of this prolific artist's fancy. It was cool to see the forms in her work echoed in the graceful movements of the dancers; to really see what inspired her and led to this particular body of work. The art came down off the walls when we as viewers became participants, began dancing with each other; experiencing the freedom and joi de vivre of the moment. Two dimensions became three. Art became life.
Thanks, Janet.

Dog Art

Been a crazy, stormy day. Monsoon conditions, lots of rain and wind. A good day to attempt to channel a little artistic energy. It's been slow coming.
Saw on tv this morning a story about a dog, a Jack Russell named Tillie, to be more specific, who "paints" and is represented by around a dozen galleries. Tillie's owner (funny I don't remember his name) puts down a board covered in carbon paper, which is covered by thick plastic. Tillie then does what Jack Russells normally do anyway, scratch and bite and lick and tear at the plastic. What you have then is a "work" that looks alot like, well, like a dog bit and scratched at it. This stuff has been compared, by hype artists, as similar to a lot of abstract expressionism on the market. My my. Lucky dog, at least she has a talented agent.
I suppose art is in the eye of the beholder. For me, though, it's about communicating a concept, an "aha!!" moment, not about random strokes. Anything less is just another form of con job.

Reunited

I'm about to begin my next painting. The canvas is a stark white, which makes me nervous. I am anxious to put a mark, a blot of color, almost anything, as a respite from the bottomless white. I have the concept in my mind, next I will do a sketch, work out the composition and values. That's the rigorous part, the grunt work, if you will. Experience is teaching me to take this as a dose of medicine, a necessary unpleasantness you have to go through to get to the pleasantness. The reward will be the moment my loaded brush caresses the canvas, like lovers reunited after a long absence.

Spring

Spring! Spring! Spring! Thank All That Is Good she has finally arrived! Living in the Southeast, we are beseiged by choking pollen at this time, but I suppose it is the price to be paid for the balmy sun, the tender shades of green, the soft earth scents. I feel renewed and eager, and have started on the next painting in my still life series. It's a providential thing Spring follows bleak Winter. . . colors seem brighter, each drowsy bumblebee a miracle.

Close Courage

I received a dose of inspiration. Saw a piece on CBS's Sunday Morning about portrait artist Chuck Close. His portraits are very large - 6-7' X 9-10', and are composed of smaller round, square, and/or triangular shapes, intrically placed, carefully hued, that when seen from a distance form an amazingly original likeness to the subject. Now, this work is wonderful enough, but what I find particularly inspiring is that he is in a wheelchair, with limited mobility of his arms and hands. He paints by using a specially made wrist strap, on which his brush is fastened. The man refuses to give up. Most probably there are days when it would be easier. But he forges on, against the tide. He is determined to speak his own unique voice, to express his inner self. This is courage and tenacity.
I will think of him often when my muse decides to hide, when it's too hot or too cold or too . . .
whatever.

Savannah Smiles

Managed to get to Savannah over the weekend with 2 of my best friends from high school. We were in art classes together - separating after graduation like dandelions on the wind. They went on to college, successfully acquiring degrees; I did not. I did the 9 to 5 thing. 24 years have slipped by, the 3 of us keeping in touch sporadically. Sometimes 3 or 4 years would go by between contact, sometimes only months; the rhythm of our lives dictating the tempo of communication. We met, and it was as if no time at all had passed. Sure, we are no longer the naive girls we were, but our bond is still there. The same linking of our minds and spirit. This is true time travel. This is the fountain of youth. This is riches beyond the dollar, yen or peso. And to be in the gloriously historic city of Savannah, with her fantastic archetectural heritage, wonderful art, diverse cuisine - oooh! My creativity well is full again.

Zisholtz Redux

Went to the grand re-opening of South Carolina State University's IP Stanback Museum and Planetarium last evening. SCSU is an historically black university founded in 1896, and the only one in the country to have an art museum and planetarium housed in the same facility. Ellen Zisholtz is the director, and she has a solid reputation for promoting the arts in the communities she serves. She has done it again, with fantastic success. What a forward thinking idea - to marry art and science! Personally I have always thought the two should go together. My earliest inspirations came from science and astronomy, and in grade school my subject matter seemed to lean toward big suns and stars, later galaxies and star systems. Yep, I was a nerd, and worse, an artistic nerd!
The art collection is impressive, from Romaire Bearden to Philip Simmons. A good place to visit to get inspiration that spans the universe.

Freaky

You know, watching the news can freak a person out. So much heartache, death and destruction - after a while it can sap your inner spirit, cause you to wonder about our fellow humans. Art, for me, has become like a soothing balm on all the wounds I see. It is the one common denominator, the one thing that, if given a chance, can unify. We will always have differences of opinion about politics or religion, business models and ideals, even about Monet or Dali or Escher or Grandma Moses, but the one thing we can say is the urge, or need (imperative may be the word closer to my thoughts) to create goes across all cultures, all socio-economic barriers; is the unifier. From the Paleolithic cave drawings to Calder's 3 dimensional pieces, we have a rich, positive force within us. This gives me hope when Iraq robs me of sleep, or another's stolen away innocence drives tears from my eyes.

Cane Patch

Today I finished my latest painting, part of a series of still lifes I'm working on. I'm using antique items, with lots of light (I'm trying to channel Vermeer - ha, good luck!) Here is the finished piece, called "Cane Patch".

NC Inspiration

Thinking back over last year, one of my "golly gee" best moments was visiting the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, and Artspace, a neat gallery/studio also in Raleigh. The entire art collection at the museum was impressive, but Monet stole my heart. As I have said previously, it is hard to explain all the thoughts that swirl when I view his work; I think of his incredible color sense and wonder if I will be able to even come close; I think of his mastery of composition; and less technically the ability to put himself in his work. His work, all of it, makes me keenly aware of my inadequacies as an artist, what a long journey of learning and exploration I have. But oh how exciting the journey will be! I'm sure it will be fraught with pain and much frustration. Monet said it best, "What a curse these damned paintings are!"
During this new year I hope to spend some time re-acquainting myself with some of the great artists on whose shoulders I attempt to stand; Renoir, Michelangelo, Matisse, Leonardo, Van Gogh, Cassatt, Hopper, to name a very few. Also to learn from my contemporaries, as well as impart what I know to enable a fellow artist to succeed.
The best any of us can do is sometimes the hardest, to keep creating no matter what the little voices in our heads say. It doesn't matter what style it's created in, if you put yourself in it, someone on the planet will appreciate it.