library excursion update

So, my most recent check-outs from the library included a great book discussing the techniques of famous painters and David Hockney’s book exploring the use of lenses (to make more accurate renderings) by the old masters. Reading both of these books together dramatically shifted my appreciation for what painters were doing. Ultimately, it made me redefine my own definition of “artist” -- separating art from the business of art. Clearly, there are artists who approach art from the perspective of art as an evolving conversation, using it as a voice within this conversation; and there are artists who have a technical skill and use their skill to run a business. Van Gogh was an artist of the first nature, Bouguereau was of the second. What reading these books uncovered for me was the difference between the two.

Thinking about art as a dialogue, and understanding what motivates departures from established styles pulled on my own artistic leanings. I re-studied the work of the mannerism painters as they broke ranks from the renaissance masters. Their proportions were off, their colors were atypical, and they created their art more from their imaginations -- as opposed to the heavy modeling employed by their predecessors. So I broke ranks from my stuffy, detailed, labor intensive, high-rendered drawings and let my imagination take over!! I started sketching quick, gestural forms, carving figures out of the lines, exaggerating the figure!!… then working it back up… then adding some shading….then correcting the figure…then… WAIT. What am I doing?!

Welcome to the frustrations of my art director, Tammy. I get excited by art. I study painting and I dream of painting. I study mannerists and naturalists and want to throw technique out the window for the sheer JOY of art. I start combining all of these things and going crazy with IDEAS. But then when it comes back to the practical side of realizing these ideas… I fall back on what I am comfortable with. I like to draw. I do not LIKE to paint. And the idea of art vs. business comes to my mind. In my mind, art to be taken seriously must be done in paint. And although Tammy will re-assure me to the contrary, I realize I still haven’t convinced myself….yet.

prayer: a piece in the works from the aftermath of my latest library excursion