Originality is overrated

July 11, 2016July 11, 2016 | Anna Cull

“We think of genius as the ability to dream up something never seen before. But originality is overrated. What matters more is reacting and responding and refining and adjusting and tweaking and struggling and sweating and polishing and finishing and delivering and making a difference.” Danny Gregory

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‘Tasman Bay’ is my latest creation, inspired by (i) recent conversations at The Christchurch Art Show, (ii) my memory of seeing Kaiteriteri Beach for the first time, and (iii) a Google Earth perspective of Tasman Bay, overlooking Takaka Hill with Nelson in the far distance. You can probably see the influence of Mr Vincent van Gogh in the hills and houses too ~ hardly surprising as I’ve been looking at a lot of his work lately.

The work in progress photos show the painting from initial composition, through the refining of colour and exploration of patterns in the landscape to what I think may now be the finished painting. I’m going to leave it alone for a few days and then come back to it and see what I think.

P.S. While originality may be overrated, that doesn’t mean that stealing is okay. Stealing is not okay. Stealing is bad. Influence, on the other hand, is inevitable.

My thanks to Danny Gregory for the original quote.

If things don’t go according to plan…

June 22, 2016November 12, 2020 | Anna Cull

Christchurch Art Show 2016 exhibition plan

…it’s still good to have one, right? I can’t believe it’s almost time to set up for The Christchurch Art Show. It certainly doesn’t seem like a year since the last one.

I have several new works on offer this year, including the freshly varnished aerial landscapes, ‘Purple Haze’, the house with the rusty tin roof, and the ‘On the Road Again’ biker. The extra panel (I have three this year compared to two last year) gives me a bit more room to spread out and I think it’s a more cohesive collection this time around.

Tomorrow is opening night. I’ll try to remember to take some photos : )

The Christchurch Art Show
*** Show Days 24th–26th June ***
Wigram Air Force Museum, Christchurch, NZ

Endless possibilities

June 13, 2016June 11, 2020 | Anna Cull

“We live between the act of awakening and the act of surrender. Each morning, we awaken to the light and the invitation to a new day in the world of time; each night, we surrender to the dark to be taken to play in the world of dreams where time is no more.” John O’Donohue

Purple Haze

June 3, 2016November 12, 2020 | Anna Cull

“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.

Today is a good day

May 10, 2016October 1, 2020 | Anna Cull

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.

The Christchurch Art Show, 23rd–26th June at Wigram Air Force Museum.

What other people want

May 7, 2016May 6, 2016 | Anna Cull

“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.