Category: Waxing philosophical

Processing the evaluation.

November 2, 2016

Artists would like to believe that painting is primarily about the hands on activity, raw and physical. We try to minimize the intellectual weight involved, in lieu of the assign of passionately pushing paint around a canvas. Maybe so. Maybe not. 
I will be mounting a show tomorrow afternoon that is rooted in scholarship and not in my usual venues of teaching or commerce. It is going up as one of many events in an academic showcase for our new president’s inauguration and will remain hanging in my university library for the month.
The pieces I selected were chosen to accompany and illustrate a dialogue about the importance of research to the success of the visual arts. The topic is somewhat controversial but it has been good for me to articulate some of the internal conversations this year has prompted. No doubt, the coming together of the painting in the field and the mental processing will affect my work as I come into the studio this fall.

 

Working at change.

May 17, 2016

This is really hard work. Maybe the hardest art growth I have experienced to date.

Some of the practice work.
Some of the practice work.

Confucius had said something to the effect that, we must not fear slowly moving forward but fear instead, standing still. I am really hoping this learning process can be considered moving forward toward a better place. The process is certainly daunting. I am burning through small canvases at a fairly good clip in an attempt to feel the relaxing of some deeply ingrained habits. None of these paintings are what I consider done but I am declaring them not worth finishing and stopping before I dig in and get trapped into fixing them.

I am sure that the action of pushing paint around with larger brushes has redeeming worth. I am even sure it will have a positive effect on my style, eventually. The advise is sound. It is just really hard to intentionally work outside my comfort zone.

So, what makes it hard? I am not having fun. My up-tight, detailed style was a source of zen like enjoyment that relieved daily stress, captured realistic light, and clarified my fractured thoughts. I keep hoping for that moment when I will suddenly ‘get.it’ and the epiphany will allow me to reach the turning point and begin to marry my new and old styles. I have no idea where this is all going.

I feel like I am in school again, but I am not one of the smart kids in class.

Choices each day

October 3, 2015

Sometimes it feels like our days are so full of all of our life obligations, commitments, projects and chores that there is no time left open for pleasure choices. When we do see a moment and decide to go for the fun, we feel guilty that we chose to put pleasure over ,,, housework, for example. Well today I need to remember that painting is more than a guilty pleasure for me, it is a commitment. I am off to the easel.

New work – small scale process

July 18, 2015

In the spirit of showing the process of how I make art, I invite you to walk with me as I create these new small works.

Step 1: Creating the board.
Step 1: Creating the board.

I’ve started today creating a board, as has been used through a long tradition as a painting surface. Board is less used today with the availability of pre-stretched canvas. I enjoy working on this firmness of surface so I prepared a scale board of ash. To remain true to scale, I used ash veneer with several coats of diluted gesso, sanding each layer as it dried. This finished painting will be 3 inches wide and 2 and 1/8 inches tall. I hope you enjoy watching.

A new way to watch the process.

March 3, 2015

I had the opportunity to spend some good time at the easel, painting at the Oshkosh Trade Fair this last weekend. What I have posted here are the first two pictures taken of the painting I started there. Oshkosh SaturdayThis first photo is of me starting the fresh canvas on Saturday morning. The second photo here is on Sunday morning as I started back on the painting. Oshkosh sundayMy thanks to my husband for being the photographer and capturing these snapshots of the process. I will keep taking pictures as I work on this painting so that you can watch it grow as you have others. This time, though, the process pictures will include the artist in the process. I hope you enjoy coming along with me.

 

Less technical.

January 3, 2015

Well my last post, the one to start my new year, certainly didn’t push through to the Facebook connections like it should. Here is another attempt to see if I can get that pipe cleared. Wish me luck. I’m clearly a better painter than I am a blogger.

Sneak peek

July 13, 2014
The painting currently on the easel portraying women in camp and the natural community they establish.
The painting currently on the easel portraying women in camp and the natural community they establish.

In my last posting I referred to my sporadic absence here on my blog. My personal life has continued to keep me from being as active as I should be with my art, but some events have concluded and after a great deal of soul searching and healing, my reclusive behavior should begin to resolve itself.
As a sure sign of that return I have resumed working on the commission that I mentioned. It is moving along well, and surprisingly fast now that I am restoring my disciplines and regaining my footing. I can tell that my work will be going through a great transition over the next several months. Even as I paint I can feel changes … and can see a subtle evolution of paint handling. Thankfully, I believe it will be for the betterment of my work.
Look for the final painting to be put up when it is complete within the next week or so. But for now, enjoy this rare sneak peek.

 

Renew and refresh

June 12, 2014

I have been away from the website for a while but time away from my blog in no way reflects time away from art. Away usually means I am: thinking more than painting, problem solving, or gathering visual fodder by traveling or researching. It might also be that I am focusing on personal matters that need my energy and full attention. In this case, I have been in the process of re-accessing the scope and direction of my work, AND have personal matters that need my attention.
Today, however, I stayed at the easel most of the day working on a commission due soon. That piece is fun to work on and in line with my recent historical scenes. To add to the playfulness of the work, a couple of the figures will resemble friends. I will put it up for you to see when I can.
What has been on the back burner — and that burner was turned up during a recent travel adventure —  is a new series that will reconcile my love of working small with subject matter not traditionally expected. Looks good in my mind so I am about to move forward with it. If you’re interested, stay tuned.

Back at the easel.

March 1, 2014

Rebecca nearing completion

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend last weekend at the Echoes of the Past Historical Trade fair. I saw friends and patrons, some who I hadn’t seen since fall, and painted for the first time in far too long – between talking art and visiting with friends. It was such fun. I don’t think I am quite done with this piece but the home stretch is all about little glazes and small details so I thought I would let you all see a nearly done version. I will put the finished work in the gallery when I am truly done. Next show is Kalamazoo in mid March.