“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
Challenge accepted.
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.
“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.
But first a few words about the SPFs. These paintings are experimental studies that mark a bit of a turning point in my art journey. While I was painting them, I realised something about the way I have been working and about the way I want to work in the future. I plan to start working more in series (I’ll tell you more about that another day) and these paintings don’t really fit in with those plans. The SPFs have served their purpose and now I want to do something a bit special with them. I had a lot of fun creating them and I would love to find them a nice home (or homes) to live in… and I’m hoping you can help.
If you would like to brighten up a room with an original artwork ⛱ , you can place a bid by getting in touch via my Contact page. Don’t forget to let me know which painting you are bidding on: SPF 15 or SPF 30 (or both). I would like to cover the cost of the canvas and paint but I will accept the highest bid, whatever it may be. If you live in the Christchurch area, I will deliver your painting(s) to you in person (no extra charge). If you live elsewhere and would like me to estimate the cost of shipping, or if you have any other questions about the paintings, please get in touch via my Contact page.
The paintings are 505 x 505 mm (20 x 20 inches), unvarnished, on deep-profile stretched canvas. The SPF online auction ends 30th April. I will be in touch with the winner and post the results here in early May. The winning bid(s) will not be disclosed.
UPDATE: Congratulations to Gillian. The two SPF paintings are yours! I’m really glad they’re going to stay together. Thank you very much : )
Here is the second of the sun umbrella paintings I’ve been working on this month. I’ve given it the title ‘SPF 15’ because the colours are less intense than those in ‘SPF 30’. I’m thinking of doing something a bit special with them… but more about that soon.
Anna Cull ~ Art & Music 