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There is an inherent dilemma that artists face if they become commercially successful (ie. they are selling consistent!). I know as I have prepared for this Christmas season in a retail environment I have been very aware of what has sold, what might sell, etc. Whenever we prepare for an event or a show it is the same. The question I face in the midst of all of that is "Am I motivated to paint this or that, not because I have successfully sold it, but because it comes from my heart?" You see, I learned my line of demarcation on that score years ago. Every artist who sells their work faces that question and must place that line in place. And every artist has a differing placement of that line. I certainly have pieces that are more product oriented like these little angels, but somehow, perhaps quite miraculously, they still come from a place in my heart. Perhaps that's why they touch others. It's a heart to heart connection. I like that...
Friday, December 4, 2009
Studio or Factory?
There is an inherent dilemma that artists face if they become commercially successful (ie. they are selling consistent!). I know as I have prepared for this Christmas season in a retail environment I have been very aware of what has sold, what might sell, etc. Whenever we prepare for an event or a show it is the same. The question I face in the midst of all of that is "Am I motivated to paint this or that, not because I have successfully sold it, but because it comes from my heart?" You see, I learned my line of demarcation on that score years ago. Every artist who sells their work faces that question and must place that line in place. And every artist has a differing placement of that line. I certainly have pieces that are more product oriented like these little angels, but somehow, perhaps quite miraculously, they still come from a place in my heart. Perhaps that's why they touch others. It's a heart to heart connection. I like that...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Getting Started
I am often asked if I know what I'm going to paint when I begin a painting. There are times when I get my inspiration from a photo, but most often I paint what is in my heart, mind, and spirit whether it be a landscape or a non-objective abstract. Those are times when a blank canvas can be very intimidating. Where do I start? With a paint color or palette that inspires me at the moment. With that laid out, mixed with gel medium, palette knife in hand, I begin. At times I am amazed at what flows out onto the canvas. Easy at times, more concentrated at others, beginning is the most important thing. The vision comes as if the painting itself is showing me the direction to take.
Have you ever watched the Food Network show "Chopped"? Professional chefs are given a basket of very unrelated foods and asked (with a stop watch going!) to create a dish using all of the ingredients. I have watched as some chefs have a complete knowledge of what they are going to do from the get go while others don't have a clue. But what I have seen is that inevitably the ones who don't know, begin the process: they slice, carve, crush, etc. until the idea forms.
Same process, different expression. I wonder how often in life we just need the courage to begin and allow the vision to come to us in the midst of the process. Worth pondering while I paint today....
Have you ever watched the Food Network show "Chopped"? Professional chefs are given a basket of very unrelated foods and asked (with a stop watch going!) to create a dish using all of the ingredients. I have watched as some chefs have a complete knowledge of what they are going to do from the get go while others don't have a clue. But what I have seen is that inevitably the ones who don't know, begin the process: they slice, carve, crush, etc. until the idea forms.
Same process, different expression. I wonder how often in life we just need the courage to begin and allow the vision to come to us in the midst of the process. Worth pondering while I paint today....
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