To be honest I have been a little bit lost this last week. The creative spark is dimmed and I have been a restless. Other things on my mind.
Although this is a bit (ouch!) frustrating, I keep telling myself that it is a necessary part of the artistic journey. Creativity goes in bursts and the periods in between are vital sources of new experiences and thoughts that will become the resource for the next burst.
I have been spending some time looking around the web at other artists' paintings. All the way from blogs, to art societies, magazines to online galleries. Have also been wandering around some of the galleries here in Edinburgh. There is such a wealth of creativity going on every minute of the day it is truly amazing.
The good news is that I started a new painting today...normal service is resumed!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Wednesday, 2 November 2011
On the beach (complete!)
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| on the beach | oil on canvas | 26in x 26in |
Monday, 31 October 2011
Touching your emotions
From time to time (and often seemingly for no reason) I return to wondering about the old chestnut - 'what is art?' Everyone, quite rightly, has their own views on this topic and I suspect that I like it that way. In other words, if there was only one 'accepted answer' then I think the world of art would be a poorer place. After all, the whole history of art is underpinned by generations of artists continually seeking to redefine what people consider to be art. And I do not think that any of us would want that to stop.
For me, the one thing that singles out a good piece of art (whether that be paintings, sculpture, music, poetry, architecture or whatever) is whether it touches my emotions in some way. It could be a good feeling or a disturbing feeling...just any kind of feeling. Note that this is not the same thing as 'liking' the things that you see, read or hear. There are plenty of things that I consider to be good art that, unfortunately, I do not like one bit. But they still do something to me that gets a reaction.
Of course there are things that I see in galleries that produce no emotional reaction at all...at least in me. That does not mean that those things are not art. They are simply not art for me. And I know that as the years pass by my own reactions to things changes, so maybe the things that do not touch my emotions now, will do in the future.
For me, the one thing that singles out a good piece of art (whether that be paintings, sculpture, music, poetry, architecture or whatever) is whether it touches my emotions in some way. It could be a good feeling or a disturbing feeling...just any kind of feeling. Note that this is not the same thing as 'liking' the things that you see, read or hear. There are plenty of things that I consider to be good art that, unfortunately, I do not like one bit. But they still do something to me that gets a reaction.
Of course there are things that I see in galleries that produce no emotional reaction at all...at least in me. That does not mean that those things are not art. They are simply not art for me. And I know that as the years pass by my own reactions to things changes, so maybe the things that do not touch my emotions now, will do in the future.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
On the beach (in progress)
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| on the beach | oil on canvas | 26in x 26in |
Monday, 24 October 2011
The Creative Journey...and Me...and You
What I really like about painting is the buzz that I get whilst the painting is taking shape. The buzz when things just happen. It does not matter how well planned a painting is or how many 'studies' have been done...the paintings that I enjoy the most always take a direction (or detour) that I was not quite expecting.
That is what is most fun about the creative process. When it really works well you discover something that you did not realise was there. Of course, it can also be incredibly frustrating...paintings that you felt were really going to work out well can turn into disasters. And this is not just about technique (although that can clearly play a part). Sometimes it just does not work for me.
And then the really challenging thing is when someone else sees one of your disasters and tells you that they really like it ;-) Aaaaaarghh!
That is what is most fun about the creative process. When it really works well you discover something that you did not realise was there. Of course, it can also be incredibly frustrating...paintings that you felt were really going to work out well can turn into disasters. And this is not just about technique (although that can clearly play a part). Sometimes it just does not work for me.
And then the really challenging thing is when someone else sees one of your disasters and tells you that they really like it ;-) Aaaaaarghh!
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Get it done quick
For me there is no other way! I have to finish a painting in a few weeks and in as small a number of sessions as possible.
If a painting drags on too long then a) I lose interest and b) I fiddle with it too much and the whole thing deteriorates and the spark is lost. I am sure that lots of painters feel the same way.
Sometimes I feel that I should persevere...just like your schoolteacher used to say...and I feel bad. But if the energy is gone it simply cannot be done.
If a painting drags on too long then a) I lose interest and b) I fiddle with it too much and the whole thing deteriorates and the spark is lost. I am sure that lots of painters feel the same way.
Sometimes I feel that I should persevere...just like your schoolteacher used to say...and I feel bad. But if the energy is gone it simply cannot be done.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Lounging Nude
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| lounging nude | oil on canvas | 30in x 30in |
This lady is headed for the walls of a cosmetic dermatology clinic - the first painting I have done to fulfil a client's requirements. Brings a whole new set of challenges...but the client seems to be pleased so that is a relief!
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