A Matter of Taste

This morning as I looked through several of my websites, I started thinking about "tastes". I don't mean the kind you enjoy/not enjoy with you tongue. I mean the kind that every person innately has. Are we born with it, is it something we acquire along the way? I think it is the later. Some times we look at something whether it be a painting or a new dress and immediately like/dislike it, but can not put your finger on why. Could that be taste?

Most likely it is something that you can not learn in a workshop. I look through lots and lots of paintings daily. I critique and admire as I go along. Some are riveting while others just ok. If one goes down the check list of artistic elements and it passes what else is there if not just plain, old taste. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder", is an expression that is used to describe taste. Yes, it is. That is why some like it, some not so much.

When creating, follow what you find fitting and don't change because others think they would like to see it in another way. Ask yourself, "Who am I painting for anyway"? You have to make yourself happy first. If others follow, then so be it.

In competitions, many great paintings rise to the top but only a handful get chosen. After the judge goes through the element checklist and makes his/her piles of those that passed/failed, it is a the judges pure taste that comes into account. I had an instructor who told me of a personal story of his that a painting he entered initially did not make the cut in one competition but he entered it again and won first prize. Go figure. So, lesson be learned, don't be disheartened if your prized painting does not win.

Happy New Year!!!

Imagine a life without music or art. Wouldn't that be sad? Support the arts, get involved. Make a connection, get the feeling, be inspired. There is a whole lot out there waiting for a home. So, make your home into something that reflects you, unique you.

Supports and Materials

Get the best. Period.

It truly makes a difference from start to finish. I would say at any level this applies. I use to think, is the extra cost really worth it. Well, yes it is and once you use the good stuff, you'll never go back. It makes the task at hand that much more enjoyable and doable.Now my thinking is; I spend so much time doing this, I'm going to use the best tools I can get my hands on.

I've been slowly moving my way up as far as canvas is concerned. Back in the day, I use to use cotton canvas. I've been using linen now for quite some time. I use to hear, "Oh, cotton is just fine, linen is the snobbish canvas". Well, I can attest, that is certainly false. As far as being snobbish or not, who really cares as long as it suites you. Yes, you pay a higher price, but it is far easier on brush wear and tear. I also like to work on the smooth surface of linen.

Lots of manufacturers have different degrees of weave depending on subject matter and taste.
I just started painting on boards. I have become a fan. No sagging or shims required. If I have to scrape paint off, to me it is much easier. Also, I like that it is thicker, so I can get my hands around it to move without getting paint on my hands or marring the surface when moving it around. With thin panels that is a little bit of a task.

Choosing the support that is right for you  has to to with experience. You try this and that to see what works and what doesn't.

Subject Matter

Lately, I have been painting exclusively from model set ups in my studio. I find it very rewarding and enjoyable to have it all laid out in front of me instead of relying on photos. In photos, you have to try make out the colors, subjects, perspective, etc., which becomes frustrating to have to make it up. That is where I usually resort to the rule book on techniques. I'd rather paint what I see and I feel you can not paint what you don't see.

That is not to say I would never  paint from pictures. Sometimes, certain subjects do not lend themselves to painting from life such as children and animals. I do some times like to paint those and other venues such as landscapes, figures, portraits, etc. Some times a lot relies on memory and remembering the feeling at the time if not painting plein air. Some artist do both, paint from photos and live sketches. Then go back to the studio and work from them.

I use to think before I started painting still lifes that they were boring. I no longer think of stills that way at all. It is just the opposite, they can be interesting, humorous (Brian Burt) , serious(Scott Royston), etc. Also, all styles can be used in their reproduction. I particularly like stills that are realistic with abstract incorporated in to them, such as the artworks from David Cheifetz. Also, the ones that tell a story are very intriguing as with the works of Rob Rey.

An artist has so much control over their set up with stills from the composition to the lighting. Wonderful things can happen. I imagine how the results will be and hopefully I can fulfill this or even surpass it. Subject matters can be simple or complex. "Seeing" early on what will work and what will not is based on experience. Some times, I can tell right off, it won't/will work and some times it is while doing the drawing that can determine that. Hopefully, it is not later than that because a painting can not survive a bad composition.

So, if you haven't yet tried to paint a still life, try and see how you like it. You may find your niche like I have.
Happy painting!
Grace

Keep Your Art Talk to Yourself

Talking to non-artists about art is a bad idea I've come to the realization. I mean other than if asked, "So hows the painting going"?  I've come to find out they don't really want to know. It is more of a good or not so good is the answer they want and then that is all, no more than that. It has taken me some time to clamp my mouth shut. But, now I get it. Stop, I must say to myself. Don't get started. This is a trap.
For there is nothing I like more than talking about art. It is so much of who and what I am. I eat, sleep, think and probably dream about art. I get up in the morning thinking about it, do it, and go to bed thinking about it.
So, my dear fellow artists, do not talk on an on about art to non-artists. You have been forward. They will probably run the other way. Well, it could work wonders, if you are trying to get rid of some
one. :)

How Long?

I've been asked, "How long did it take you to make that"? Well, I say, about 30 years or so and they look at me as if I had two heads. I'm not offended by the question. I'm just wondering if the revealed time would make any difference in their judgement.
I'm not one of those who punch in/out when they paint. I've tried keeping records only to find, it is hard to put a time on the thinking, organizing, gathering subjects, lighting, etc., before I even start the drawing.
The painting I am currently working on, I knew would be out of my comfort zone. I had to restart several areas. I would have to account for that time. If you bring your car to get fixed and they don't fix it on the first try, you still have to pay for any additional repairs. This is a strange metaphor comparing an artist to a mechanic but it is kind of the same thing.  This probably happens to a lot of artists no matter what their level is. Shit happens as they say. Some times even the most planned paintings go astray.
So, maybe a better question would be, "How long have you been painting"? That way it encompasses a whole more. If one really likes a painting, it shouldn't matter how long it took to create. I know the question is out of innocence and just a matter of making conversation but I always find that one puzzling.

Growing as an Artist

First, every artist must define the word "growth" for themselves. How do you measure your self worth and success ? A lot is to be taken into account. Your history from the past to the present, your feelings and thoughts all contribute to your painting. A painting can not be separated from the artist. Even if an artist is primarily self taught, she is influenced by all different kinds of things that she has been exposed to.

Things to do in order to grow:
For one, drawing is the foundation to all else. Practice as frequently as you can. You will see improvement in a short time.
Another, is study the Old Masters. Check out their achievements for their times. They went "outside the box", so to speak. Learn from them paint without constraints, let loose, and develop your own style. Experiment.
Realize that painting is a growth process. There is no end. It just keeps going and going. I think that is what makes a lot of us keep doing what it is we are doing. It's reaching for achievement, then another and another. It's refreshing, never boring and keeps us going. Along the way, there are pitfalls, but that is what enables us to get a better understanding of our craft.
A teacher I had use to said over and over, "Just keep painting". There is a lot of truth to this. Much practice goes into obtaining growth. You can't just go to museums, galleries or read. Regularly working is what is required. Be disciplined.
Work from life. There is no better way than to have a model right in front of you. No guess work is involved because the source is there. The farther and farther away you get from the source the harder and harder it is. One has to rely on memory or photo interpretation. So, when possible try live models or plein aire. It also really helps to get in touch with your subject. In the drawing phase, you learn your subject firsthand and the better you know your subject the better off you will be.

So get out there and make something of yourselves :)

Milos & Wakiami

Here is my plug for my son's book, read "Milos & Wakami. Get it from Amazon. It is a great book by Douglas Diehl.  http://www.amazon.com/Milos-Wakami-Douglas-Diehl-ebook/dp/B018IJSHTU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450097413&sr=8-1&keywords=douglas+diehl

It has great symbolism and a positive message for readers.

Consistency

I think this topic is a spin off from my post about goals. Consistency, it is key in pursuing your goals. No matter what you're in to, if you want to be good at it, most likely it will be consistency that will get you there. Sometimes, it's hard at first, as we all know, especially, if it is some thing you really don't want to do. After a while, you don't think of it so much, you just do and take action. It becomes habit, like muscle memory. Of course, there may be other things you may have to look into in order to achieve what you want. For example, it may require taking more classes or workshops so you know the steps. After you get that, it's a matter of practice, practice, practice.

I look on others websites/blogs to see how they acquired successes. Sometimes it seems unattainable but it's not. I think, it is a matter of identifying what you need to do, list steps, network and ask questions. It is hard work, but who says it would be easy.
There are forums that also can help encourage you in your endeavors. If you are an artists looking for critiques or just a little camaraderie from your fellow artists of all levels, try this website.
 http://www.wetcanvas.com/
I have found this forum very helpful at times. Every ones trying to help to the best of their ability.

I hope we all find what we are looking for and where we want to be. It will take persistence and dedication. So, keep at it, and you will succeed!!!

Team Rocket

Today, I think I will start off tweaking my "Team Rocket" painting. It is a fun little painting of characters from Pokemon. My kids, well when they were kids, loved this. They had all the figures, cards, DVD's, etc. They never played with Barbies or GI figures. All they had and wanted was Pokemon and were happy campers. So, I got up in the attic were they are stored and got some of them out to paint. The colors and shapes of the figures are fun. Although, I know I'm targeting a small group of buyers for a subject as this, I still occasionally will do one. I like to paint what I want first. Then if it sells, it sells. If not, that's ok too. But, first and foremost, the subject matter has to interest me. Otherwise, what's the purpose. I feel if one goes ahead, whether it be commissioned or not and do something they are not in to, it will show up later in the finished results. I have in the past been asked to do commissions but I have turned them down. My husband asks why not? Well, it is for this very reason. Also, I've heard from an instructor I once had that it was a real pain in the you know where.

                                                                    "Team Rocket"
                                                                           5" x 7"
                                                                           $55.00
Later, I'll start to think of a new subject matter for the next painting. I'll then arrange the composition/light and sit on it for a while to make sure it is the best I can arrange. Then, I will start the drawing. Once the drawing is done, which could take a day or so depending on the size, I'll start to paint. The painting stage varies from a day for the small ones to several or longer depending again on size and complexity. After it dries completely which can be several weeks depending on humidity of air and thickness of paint, also, what paints I've used, I varnish with retouch. If I still have the painting longer than a year, I'll put a final varnish.

The Social Artist

Many people after finding out that I live in New York assume that I have a lot of access to the social  art scene. This is far from the truth. I live in a rural area where not much is going on as far as art is concerned. I have, although, recently found the Kent Art Association http://www.kentart.org/index.html  which I hope will be an art outlet. I went to one meeting, and am optimistic about it.  I volunteered to help do memberships and shows. So with that, I think 2016 will be off to a good start.
With the new year so close, I think a lot of us are making plans. I for one have a few of my own. I think this year I will concentrate more on painting with competitions in mind. I will still do small 5" x 7" paintings. In between those I will do some larger with more subject matter. Also, I want to get my social media up to par by blogging, pinning, etc. I am sure the list will get longer as time goes on. What are your new year plans so far? Have any ideas?

Bike Ride

Every day, I try to take an outdoor ride on my bicycle. In bad weather, I bike inside on my stationary one which is not near as fun. Here is a picture from yesterday.

You never know were you may get inspiration for your next painting. I have taken many nature subjects to paint from, ie. pine cone, acorns, leaves, all kinds of things. I have in my studio a milk pod that I want to paint but I have to get the right size canvas. So, you see there are things all around us, if we just take the time to "look".

First Post

Just ordered some new products from Jerry's. I can not wait to try out my new Raphael panels. Happy Holidays to you!!!

The Little Drummer Boy 

8" x 10"

$95.00 + shp.

Contact:

gediehl@optonline.net