About the art market
It would be misleading to assume that I'm always cheerful as an artist. Lately, despite some recognition in the form
of awards and acceptances in shows, I haven't had any sales. Looking, this morning, at a perfectly wonderful little painting I did of
a creek bubbling over rocks on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean, I thought "How could I fail to sell this lovely painting." The market is not loving. Individual people are.
So Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!
Ugly art
Ok. Art doesn't have to be pretty. Art can express perception at any point on the
emotional tone scale. Last night I went to a poetry reading where some examples of "art" were displayed that were gawd-awful. Yet you could find
something lovely in them, either the colors, the application of the paint as impasto or scumble. But, let me ask, would you
want to display ugly art in your living room?
The arrogance of the artist
This morning, I was remembering myself as a young artist, how, with very little–and really no particularly GOOD art to present to the world, I had this view of myself as a GREAT
artist. So arrogant was I that I didn't even bother to tell others that I was great. They should know it. Now, having produced
a great deal more art, I recognize that there are two aspects to Art: the process, which occurs not just in the physical world,
but in one's own sphere, and the product, which must go down to the market and live or die in the real world. Now, the product
is one thing. But the DOING of art is a wholly different thing, and something that I encourage each person to engage in, whether
or not they become "a professional." And I think that, in some magical way, DOING art creates beneficial changes in the world.
This is a belief!
Stepping back
When "the office" or "the world" gets too demanding and too illogical, it's a good
idea to step back and take a look at it. We're not really any more "in" the world than we imagine ourselves to be. Be "the
solution", not "the problem." It's a matter of viewpoint.
One Icicle
One long icicle hangs from the eave in front on the kitchen sink. Tonight it will
sleet and snow. I wonder about ice dams on the roof.
A portraitist's view
Sometimes, when I'm listening to people, my intent look (interpreted as careful
concentration) is actually my artist's eye, looking at the precise way the light bounces off the nose. (Have you ever noticed that everyone's mouth is quite different?)
Snow
I think one of the reasons that snow scenes often make an effective picture is
that they maximize contrast.
The importance of vision
To be an artist, you must learn how to see. Some people look to imagination. I've always found that I got my best inspiration
from the world around me.
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