Purple Haze — acrylic on canvas, 255 x 760 mm, 2016. SOLD
“The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity.” Alberto Giacometti
‘Purple Haze’ is now finished and drying. There’s lots of texture on this one, yet again, but also the suggestion of a different way of working — or perhaps a different way of seeing. It’s almost as if this is two different paintings: the tactile, high-contrast foreground and the hazy, purple hills in the distance. The extra texture wasn’t planned but it happens sometimes when I get lost in the process. The two different styles do combine to give it a wonderful 3D quality though. But my favourite part… my favourite part is the clouds. I feel like I really ‘got’ the clouds.
“Your ability to see is your tools of trade; nothing else matters. Beautiful seeing is the desideratum. Remember, when you hear people say they can see a thing but not do it that they cannot really see it. If they did, they could do it even if they put the paint on with their fingers.” Charles Hawthorne
Above and Beyond, diptych, 2016 — acrylic on canvas, 760 x 505 mm (each canvas). SOLD
I had a lot of fun with these paintings. I hope it shows. I don’t often say whether I’m happy with my paintings or not, mainly because I don’t think it’s relevant; once they’re done, they’re done. Well, I’m really really happy with these two. Yes, today is a good day.
I’m reminded of Marcus Romer’s brilliant tweet which went viral several years ago and is still often quoted:
The Creative Process
1. This is awesome
2. This is tricky
3. This is shit
4. I am shit
5. This might be ok
6. This is awesome
How strange that so many (if not all) creative people experience this process. It may be something you experience during a single project, a challenge that tests you and takes you from one extreme to the other and back again, or it can take many months. I’ve just been through one that’s lasted almost four months, so I’m happy to be back on top of things — especially with the Christchurch Art Show only six weeks away. I’ve signed up for three panels this year (I had two last year) and I wanted these paintings finished for the opening night exhibition. It’s nice to be ahead of schedule for a change.
“Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” Barbara Kingsolver
I love this quote. What is it that I have to say? I’d rather let the painting do the talking.
“The painter needs all the talent of the poet, plus hand-eye coordination.” Robert Brault
I read an article last month that changed my mind about working in series — it’s something I haven’t been interested in doing… until now. Here’s an excerpt from ‘Reasons for Artists to Make Art in Series’ which I found on www.artbusiness.com:
“In a way, you can compare making art to writing a novel or composing a poem. Very few ideas can be adequately expressed in single chapters or verses as compared to how thoroughly they can be treated in entire novels or poems. The same holds true for art.”
The author, Alan Bamberger, went on to talk about a series providing context and taking viewers on a journey, and I had one of those ‘a-ha’ moments. How many times have I seen a work of art and then visited the artist’s website only to be confused by seeing artworks that have nothing to do with the one I first saw? Don’t get me wrong — I love variety. There’s definitely a point at which, for me, seeing art that is too much the same turns me off. Fortunately there are many different ways of working in series so that a body of work tells a story or appears connected, and that’s what I’m interested in exploring.
I’ve spent the last few years painting all sorts of things in a variety of different styles and I have a pretty good idea of what wakes me up and holds my attention, creatively speaking. So now, as well as going off on my experimental tangents, I’m going to start organising my art into novels and poems — two metaphors that make complete sense to me. And that brings me to today’s post. I’ve started working on a series of aerial landscapes based on photos I took on a memorable flight over the Canterbury Plains in 2013. More WIPs to follow soon.
WIP — sketches (please click on the image for a clearer view)
“Do and give your best and let the results take care of themselves…. Slow down, lighten up, take it in, let it go and most importantly enjoy the ride. It is but a short one at that.” Kathie Pugaczewski, WordPress blogger at Cast Light.
Anna Cull ~ Art & Music 