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| HG Wells / oil on chipboard / 12 x 12 |
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Never Stop Learning
After about two weeks of daily struggle and disappointment with nearly a dozen wipe off paintings, I finally let this one stay on the canvas. I don't know what my problem has been. Perhaps lack of inspiration as the hot days of summers end lay heavily upon us and seem to sap both strength and creativity. Or just one of those cycles where the paint brush and the mind of the artist are not in sync. I have found that the best way to get through these down times is not to obsess too much but to just keep on painting. My experience is that eventually you will break through. And so I am hoping this odd little portrait will be my first step on the road back.
I also treated myself to an hour or so inside Barnes & Noble - still a favorite place - and picked up this little gem of an art book.
I have only just begun to go through it but am discovering that, after a brief introduction, there are lessons and philosophical meandering by many of the instructors at the Art Students League of NY. Each lesson is unique, thoughtful and quite practical. I am thoroughly enjoying this book!
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Hi Susan.... So happy to see that you have passed through the simmering"dog days" lol... of late summer to break into a new path of learning and discovery.
ReplyDeleteThis very different portrait... in its extremely limited palette and side view are indeed quite unexpected from your repertoire. IT is that however... that indicates that you are willing to risk... therefore learn.
I love the portrait... still reminiscences 0f your circus of actions and tones in recent "trips to the Big Top" that you offered to us!
Smooth sailing Susan! Look forward to seeing more!!!
Warmest regards and thanks!
Bruce
Your very kind words boost my sagging painters spirit, Bruce, and I thank you. You are correct about the very limited palette. I used only what was left over on the palette at the time - French ultra blue, raw sienna, a dash of crimson and white. That was a challenge in itself. I am still struggling but hoping that this crisis is over soon.
DeleteOh yes... me again! Your Artist League discovery at Nobles and Barnes. We again share an intersection. Back in the mid seventies when my painting journey (and I) were both young... I hit a very discouraging patch which nearly led to my stopping my painting.
ReplyDeleteI submitted what I considered a pivotal watercolor piece to a spring juried show and surely believed it good enough to be juried in. After all it was my alma mater and it was raved about by my family and friends. It was rejected... without a comment. I was told to come pick it up.
When I arrived... I just received the "loser" and was about to leave when two elderly gentlemen commented "I haven't seen such shit in my life."
Looking across at me with "Three Bucket Maple" resting on the floor... the man with a very obvious Quebecois twang to his English... looked at my piece and remarked, " Now that's a painting. The only one I've seen in this entire exhibition. It turned out that the two men were both held Professor Emeritus standing at Queen's. French one was Andre Biehler (who painted with the Group of Seven Artists Group and was an accomplished and well-respected print maker...nationally and internationally. The other was Grant MacDonald... a graduate of the Art League in New York!, Grant emerged as a highly portrait painter who was commissioned by the Canadian Government for official assignments to paint portraits of Queen Elizabeth, Canadian Prime Ministers, Winston Churchill and many Hollywood celebs for movie mezzanine ads.
These were icons in my world. Their recognition more than validated... and dismissed provincial snub of a one man judge jury. An invite to come to dinner with Grant led to an gift received... though unexpected. This event has led me to today. I am deeply blessed and grateful.
There is more to tell... but that's a story for another day! Thank you for your interest.
Keep painting my dear... and learning!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
What a magical story and such a powerful experience in your artistic life! I can only imagine how receiving validation from such extraordinarily accomplished artists colored your outlook and your life from that day forward. And it came at the best possible moment - when it was needed the most. How wonderful, Bruce. Thank you for telling us that story and reminding us how important it is to stay the course even through the hardest and most disappointing of times.
DeleteThe Art Students League book is a treasure trove of lessons, demos and pure inspiration. Henry Finkelstein reminds us of how the relationship between form, color and shape develops a unified visual statement. Mary Beth McKenzie tells us that every failure provides the opportunity to learn something valuable that will deepen understanding and that evolving as an artist is a lifelong process. And I have only just begun to read the book and feast my eyes on their work.
Many, many thanks for following my blog and for your uplifting sentiments.
You are definitely on the right track, love all the different and soft colors to create depth and shadow , awesome profile !
ReplyDeleteI do love painting profile portraits - I worry less about getting a perfect likeness and just have fun with the contours. Thank you, Jane. I must say that I just love your most recent abstract work - its so vibrant and alive!
DeleteBonjour ma chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteJe confirme qu'il n'est jamais facile de reprendre la peinture après un temps d'arrêt... L'envie est profond mais les doutes sont toujours, eux, très présents et viennent nous titiller l'esprit. Toutefois, les doutes aident à avancer et à se confronter à soi-même... Alors c'est a jubilation !... Certaines rencontres remettent parfois tout en question. L'essentiel est de rester authentique. Créer avec son coeur, ses hésitations, et, encore son coeur... Notre esprit est une éponge et il emmagasine tant de choses, de couleurs... iI suffit de le presser ou de le caresser pour que jaillisse un bel élixir d'émotions... Celui que tu nous offres aujourd'hui n'est pas si mauvais que ça !...
Je suis heureuse que tu aimes Port-Grimaud... Si l'envie de venir en France, je te ferai découvrir cette belle région de la Côte d'Azur.
Je te souhaite une belle journée créative...
Gros bisous
Dear Martine, thank you for your kindness and words of understanding of the situation. Yes, I would love to visit France - it has always been a dream of mine but one I have yet to realize. The amazing photographs that you take and publish on your blog always leave me with a deep longing to see Port Grimaud and the surrounding area. And the opportunity to explore the Cote d'Azur with you and see its beauty and color through your eyes would be incredible! Perhaps we will make it happen some day. Thank you, Martine!
DeleteThe downtime is a bit of a bill, but quickly the brushes, colors and ideas find their way to get good results, like your portrait that shows us ... a good job, go ahead!
ReplyDeleteHello
Thank you for your encouragement and for visiting my blog. Artur both are greatly appreciated.
DeleteYou may not be feeling your usual flow but the skill is still certainly there. You have his ear sitting just right. Not easy with the angle of his head... so big pat on the back, Susan.
ReplyDeleteI really like looking at well done, painterly pieces of art.
I am still going through a weird stage myself but still turning up every day in the studio.It can be frustrating and demoralizing.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi, Julie - your work is always so downright beautiful that I never notice any struggles that you may be having. Turning up every day in the studio is certainly the best defense against these hard moments in our painting journey. In the NY Art Student League book, Mary Beth McKenzie says you have to put in the time, challenge yourself and always try to extend your reach. I absolutely appreciate your support and learn so much from each one of your blog posts. Isn't it great to have this virtual community to rely upon and to hold onto when our own artistic energies are low? And when they are not!
ReplyDeleteSending a big art hug of appreciation. Yes, we are lucky indeed.
DeleteWe all know these frustrating times when nothing we paint seems to work. But I'm glad this portrait stayed, it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteLoved to read Bruce's story! Very encouraging!
Thanks, Judy. I found the limited palette very, well, limiting! But this little profile portrait was a great exercise in restraint and your encouragement is very much appreciated.
DeleteAfter seeing this portrait...you're definitely back, Susan.!! I love the strokes on your work. Your work is so loose like I try to do but unable to do...lol MORE portraits please!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind, Hilda - I love painting in an impressionist style with loose brushwork. In a workshop I took long ago (I forget which one exactly) the instructor encouraged us to lay down each brush stroke in a decisive manner - and then not go back over it. I have tried to do that as much as possible. :)
Delete