I’ve bee meaning to write this for at least a week. I’ve been a little busy making lots of Christmas gifts, so it’s been a little hard to find a moment, but I finally git a chance, so, I didn’t want to waste it.
This year, was one of firsts. We had our first garden, which didn’t yield much….due to the rain. The boys got bikes, and learned to ride them. Both boys are in school full-time, so now I am finally able to devote time to art. I even converted what would be the dining room, and made it into a studio.
More importantly, I participated in my first Arts and Crafts show. It was a local show, right here in Dublin, where I got a booth, and displayed my art and my photography. In my mind, selling one piece would be enough, and I did just that. God knew just what I needed. I sold an original, as well as several photo prints. It was a joyous experience, and one I would gladly do again.
But, imagine my surprise when, a couple months ago, I received a request for yet another painting. Not a commission piece, but a request for purchase of one of my originals, displayed on my website. It was thrilling, and humbling at the same time. This gentleman purchased the gift as a surprise Christmas gift for his girlfriend. That’s what I call a romantic. Not perfume or roses, but a painting! A one-of-a-kind present.
So, I’d say this has been a successful year. For me personally, and for my family. I can’t wait for next year, and what it will bring. I hope to make more art, and in turn, sell more art.
Going to a museum for an artist, is like going to a an all-you-can-eat-buffet for someone who is starving.
There is so much, that you don’t even know where to begin.
Yesterday, my day was no different.
I was invited by a friend, to go to the Barnes Foundation. I know, it doesn’t sound like a museum, and truthfully, it’s not a normal one, either, but it was so much more, and for this “starving artist”, it was just the right dose of inspiration.
Apparently, it’s in some trouble, because some people think it should be sold, but that goes directly against the wishes of the late Mr. Barnes.
This place is an estate, a school, a gallery and a museum all rolled into one. It makes me think of The Frick Collection, in New York City. Barnes intended for people to learn about many aspects of art, by comparing art from the ages, and lots of different kinds of art. He assembled each wall with care and thought.
The most frustrating about it, is also it’s asset. There is too much art on each wall. Yeah, right?! Well, things aren’t all at eye-level, making it difficult to really look at the art. But, at the same time, it’s nice to see a renoir, a van gogh and a modigliani on the same wall, and compare and contrast them.
It was mind blowing. It’s no Met, but yet it has hundreds of Renoir’s, and dozens, literally, of Cezanne’s. My favorite piece yesterday, was “The Postman” by Van Gogh. What I loved about it was it’s colors. I don’t remember having seen this one before. There were tons of color on his beard, even though when you step back you see gray. it also seemed unusual for it to be a head-on portrait. Van Gogh seems to have more 3/4 views of his subjects. But the most unusual thing was the “art noveau” style background, with flowers and his name “vincent” almost thrown there.
The biggest surprise was the work of Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot(the piece to the left was not at the Barnes, but it gives you an idea). I’m sure I studied some of it back in art school, but I loved the work. Many of the paintings were little, maybe 8″x10″ in oil, portraits of women, reading , and they had incredible detail and realism.
There were also Picasso’s, and Matisse’s and many other things. If you’re in or near Philadelphia, go and check it out, before it all goes away to other places.
I’m almost done with the barn and corn watercolor.
I spent some late night hours painting today, and it was fun. Sometimes it takes me forever to get to the “drawing board”, but once I’m there, I love it so much, I wonder why I do this to myself.
Another thing about this painting is that, I am using a new surface.
Instead of the typical watercolor paper, I am using an aquabord. It’s a composite surface that acts like watercolor paper, but it’s mounted on a masonite board.
I’m still unsure whether I like it or not. It sure is different than paper. The good news is that it doesn’t buckle. The other thing is that if I do it right, I don’t even need to frame this piece. The thing that is hard is that the surface allows you to go back into the color and lift it up. But it doesn’t soak in the water and pigment, and so it takes some getting used to.
Yesterday I felt a brutal headache, and didn’t think I was gonna accomplish much.
After some coffee and a nice shower, I had renewed spirits and strength. I decided to paint, and film myself in the process.
Of course, after watching it back(I didn’t even finish watching), I was bored to tears, and decided that if anyone would want to watch it, it would have to be much, much shorter, and speedier. Enter video editing, where you spend too much time accomplishing nothing.
I finally got it done last night, and it’s now ready for publication. So, if you want to waste (you’ve been warned!) 2+ minutes of your life, and see a little bit of the process of it coming together, here it is.
If you don’t want to watch it, that’s totally okay as well. I’ll even put a picture here, so you can still feel like reading this post wasn’t a waste of your time.
Here is a not so great shot of where I stopped yesterday. I need a few more “go’s” at it before it’s done. I’m liking it, although I’m not loving the surface. More on that later.
This morning, I was once again thankful for the joys and beauties of the country.
Willik and I had to stay home, due to his everlasting fever due to the flu. Last week Fabio stayed home with Phoenix, this week, I stayed home with Willik. I hope his fever will finally subside, and he will be back at school by tuesday.
Anyway, since I was here, enjoying my coffee, and getting to enjoy a mostly rain-free morning, I was taking the time to look out the window, and enjoy nature right in our backyard. Within the hour, I saw tons of birds, and some 7 species.
We saw:
cardinals
blue jays
titmice
sparrows
house finches
robins
woodpeckers
Again I was amazed at God’s creativity, and my ability to experience it.
So, it is also another reason why I will continue to work on my country life series in November. Not only did I make very little progress in October, but I want a chance to continue to experience and extend the joy of the life around me.
This month I intended to make four paintings at least, of a theme I called “the country life”.
While I have tried to use any spare moments to paint, I found myself doing a myriad of other things, meaning I’m way behind.
The beginning of the month was taken up with some prep and some research for this theme. I spent several hours driving around, getting pictures of the country life around me. That was pure delight. Unfortunately, morning would turn to noon day lighting, and that would be the end of the shooting. Rain and overcast days also kept me from more photography.
Other things came up, such as working on a sculpture I’d committed to paint for our church’s kids’ choir, weekly bible study, helping with some kidztown stuff, graffiti retreat weekend, and today, a sick kid at home.
I’m excited to be done with this first painting. It was a joy to paint, although interrupted far too many times. I look forward to your comments and criticisms.
I’ve already started working on the next piece, and promise to put a progress update on here soon. Hopefully it will get done much quicker.
If you are interested in purchasing this piece, or any other, write me and we can discuss prices.
If you would like to see more of my work go to gallery and click on individual pieces to get a closer look.
I also do commission work. Drop me a line if there’s something you would like to have as an original piece of art.
Mondays are for errands… but I managed to get some inspiration amidst the mundane.
I drove for a couple hours, in probably a 12-mile radius from our house. Unfortunately, it got close to noon, so it was just getting too bright, and I was getting less of the beautiful morning light, but I managed to catch some things. Most importantly, I have enough to get started on a painting today. I am excited!
Hopefully there will be another update this evening.
Fun question: If you could live anywhere, where would it be? My answer: In the mountains, right by Asheville, North Carolina or somewhere in Italy.
P.S. If you’re reading this on facebook, can you take the time to go to the actual blog and leave your comment? Since I’m not on facebook this month, it would be easier for me to see all your thoughts on my own blog. If this is your first time leaving a comment on the blog, click the link “leave a comment” or you could click on “(#) comments”.
It’s October and I am in the beginning stages of the October project – “the country life”.
I took a few minutes today to drive around and get some pictures of farms and animals nearby.
These will serve as inspiration or foundations, for the ink and watercolor paintings I will be doing.
I’m not sure I hit the jackpot yet, but I did run into a farm that had horses, sheep, swans, an old tractor and a red barn, all within view. The lighting wasn’t the best. I think I might have to return there during one of these upcoming mornings. If only I knew the owner, and could just walk around within it…
I also spent some time going thru my previous photos, looking for possible inspiration. There might be a gem or two there….
Speaking of knowing, I’m wondering if anyone lives on a farm, or knows someone who lives on a farm, who wouldn’t mind having a photographer/artist milling about… Let me know if you do.
Fun question: what is your favorite farm animal?
Mine is a cow, but specifically, a holstein cow.
It’s October. Thank you to all you who gave me suggestions.
Unfortunately, because of a bad migraine, I wasn’t able to actually start on anything today.
However, I was able to make up my mind as to what I wanted to do for the month.
The overwhelming favorite, based on people who responded, was my ink and watercolor work, so I decided that this will be the medium that I will be focusing on. This medium is particularly good because it’s fairly quick, and I should be able to make several pieces within the month.
I will take a few of the suggestions and mix them up a little.
I will be painting my surroundings… the country life.
Whether it’s a farm, or a close-up look at a vegetable or a cow, some or all of that might make an appearance this month.
If you are local, and you have a suggestion, or you own a farm that you’d like me to paint, this is the time to say it, as I will be driving around, scoping out beautiful locations to photograph, and paint.
Leave me your comments and suggestions and come back to see my progress.
Okay, October is upon us, and I want to start the month off right.
I’m looking for suggestions on what might be a good theme or project for me to embark on.
Keep in mind I’m hoping to create a series/body of work that will be unified and possibly suitable to present to a gallery or some other venue like the Banana Factory.
Much like 30 faces or Everyday in May, I want to let October have it’s own name.
Here’s where you come in…
Is there a particular style of mine you are particularly fond of?
Is there a subject matter that you think fascinating, and you think I should tackle, visually?
If you need to see what kinds of things I’ve done in the past, check out the gallery page.
I’m not looking to embark on something new, as far as technique or medium. I already have plenty of different styles. I’m looking to unify some of my wide array of medium and styles in order to learn a bit of focus in the process.
I’m realistic to the fact that maybe it will be a month of learning, and possibly no finished pieces will come from it.
But regardless, learning should always be a part of my journey.
I will keep you posted as to what I decide and my daily progress.
I will send a photo card with a print of my photography to everyone who gives me a suggestion.
If you’re reading this on facebook, I’d appreciate it if you actually came and left the comment on my website.
And while there, register to get automatic updates of my musings via rss.
But, imagine my surprise when, a couple months ago, I received a request for yet another painting. Not a commission piece, but a request for purchase of one of my originals, displayed on my website. It was thrilling, and humbling at the same time. This gentleman purchased the gift as a surprise Christmas gift for his girlfriend. That’s what I call a romantic. Not perfume or roses, but a painting! A one-of-a-kind present.
