Artist-Why we do what we do?...

First of all to avoid disappointment, I liked to say that I certainly do not have the answer to this.

Yesterday I spent the day with several artist, painting and talking about anything that we found interesting from the history of the west to Tiger Woods. We talked about how being a painter was an unreasonable mistress and that at times this made it difficult to maintain a relationship. I reflected on how many artist I know came back to painting after they had raised a family etc.

We all had varied backgrounds, from different parts of the US and our own points of views on why the world was working or falling apart. There was however no disagreement in that artist/painters just have to do art. There is a line in the Rufus Wainwright  song- “Beautiful Child”

“Such a beautiful, beautiful child again

When I have finally found my room filled with toys

Be banging on my crib excited by noise”

This joy that I experience when painting is a child like bless. If anyone would like to add to this, please do.

Art Instruction-Who does it and why? I really want...

I am interested in who and why artist teach representational painting? What are your feelings about the types of student you attract? Do you teach privately or in a school or both? Do feel that your student achieve success in taking your classes/workshops? What if anything would you want to improve on with regards how students learn, how classes are configured? I want to learn everything that you are willing to tell.

Overnight Success...

Most artist love to create art, period. And most are not overnight success. It takes a long time and money to get to the point where you have something consistently to say in your work and an audience who wants to see/pay for what you have to say. Being creative is not an easy task.

 A concern for a couple of artist that I know is that they at times feel stuck creating the same work over and over again because they have bills to pay and this is the stuff that sells. They are concerned about their health (We don’t always work in the best condition) and securing health insurance at a reasonable cost. I know this may be the same concerns that most people have but I have a soft spot for artist of all kind.

Working from Life-In a Group...

Last week a group of us got together to paint from a live model. I hadn’t done this is a while and started out slow. In the group was an artist that is pretty well known who got to the point of the his painting very quickly and I noticed this urge deep inside my brain to try and work faster. Luckily I caught myself, stilled my brain and said just pretend that you are Bob Martin, what would he do?

Creativity-Artist Groups...

The weather forecasters are threatening that the temperatures will be reasonable this weekend. Which means that I might be trying my hand at painting outside. My painting buddies all are more familiar with painting outdoors and this will give me another opportunity to learn something.

I recently disassociated myself from a group that I exhibited with and was asked why. In my mind it seemed obvious, but was a little difficult to put down in words. It came down to my not feeling energized by my participation with this group. Oh well I guess it is all about me after all.