Goethe is finished. I noticed some problems with the letters flow, I want to do more to get it just right. I always notice the errors when I am about done, the scanner picks up every imperfection. All that I can do is tear it down and start again. My scanner decided to lose a part on the hinge assembly and I ended up feeling very frustrated with this final image.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Goethe
This is one of my favorite quotes. One of these days I will try to learn calligraphy, I would like to learn how to finish an image with the perfection seen in classic calligraphy. One of the artists I admire is SARK. She isn't afraid to show the world that her work is not perfect. There is an artist named Paul Hogarth, he passed away a few years ago; He too was not afraid to do work that was not perfect. It took me a long time to realize perfection is overrated. It is one thing to say that, but it is really hard to believe it. Hogarth seemed to find some pleasure in not being the greatest draftsman. It does take courage to show your work when you know it is not the best. All that you can do is try to improve. And with time to get better.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Trust the Process
I look at the various websites out there and admire the skill of the artists who create a work of art. I am fifty-four years old and I have been drawing all my life. But I know that I have long way to go to be in the same league as a professional artist. Terry Miller, the artist who creates the website "Pencil Shavings" is an example. How does he create such incredible drawings? Recently I have had the opportunity to do some pencil drawings of shells. I was able to see what he does, and I had a lot of fun doing them. But my drawing skills are still in need of work. I would post some but they went to the shop and soon sold. I was quite surprised that I appear to have a following of my own.
The art show Artfest is coming in nine days. I have finished three pieces for sale. I am afraid that I am not prepared for the show. Still, I know that I can create at least a couple more before the deadline. I was hoping for eight new pieces. I will have to settle for five.
I never thought I would have my own blog. Google really made it easy to create this site. I am grateful. I have tried to set up a website before but my skills are not there yet. I am still a work in progress. Still, it is so neat to see a drawing appear on the computer and feel pleased to have done it. That is mine. At some point I want to be able to maybe have a booth at a show like Artfest. I am still not there. I don't create enough work for sale. A year's work might only be forty pieces. And I am not sure that my work is professional enough. As I said, I'm a work in progress. I will trust that with time and hard work maybe I will get there eventually.
The art show Artfest is coming in nine days. I have finished three pieces for sale. I am afraid that I am not prepared for the show. Still, I know that I can create at least a couple more before the deadline. I was hoping for eight new pieces. I will have to settle for five.
I never thought I would have my own blog. Google really made it easy to create this site. I am grateful. I have tried to set up a website before but my skills are not there yet. I am still a work in progress. Still, it is so neat to see a drawing appear on the computer and feel pleased to have done it. That is mine. At some point I want to be able to maybe have a booth at a show like Artfest. I am still not there. I don't create enough work for sale. A year's work might only be forty pieces. And I am not sure that my work is professional enough. As I said, I'm a work in progress. I will trust that with time and hard work maybe I will get there eventually.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Enjoying the Day
I have been working on another piece. I started it yesterday by going through my old sketchbooks looking for ideas. The work is representive of my style, the stuff I do most often. I don't know if it will be a framed piece, it well may turn out to be a greeting card. I have been submitting ideas for greeting cards to various companies but have had no luck. The shop where I submit my work has been after me to do some greeting cards but so far I have not sent any in. I have tried a couple of ways to reproduce the work but the results have been unsatisfactory. The work in process looks like it would make a greeting card, so I may try again.
The weather has been wonderful the last few days. I have been getting my dogs out more to take advantage of it, they love to smell things and try to catch the squirrels. My one dog is a hound and she proves it every day. She always has her nose in the air and she loves to quietly sneak up on squirrels. It is too bad that I did not have her as a puppy because she just has a wonderful spirit and loves life. Sometimes I regret that I live in an apartment because she loves the outdoors and I don't spend enough time with her outside. My hound dog's name is Paloma. When I lived in the inner-city I had a lot of time to observe the pigeons and their grace in the air. When I got Paloma I decided to name her after the pigeons. Paloma means dove or pigeon in Spanish. She is every bit as graceful as a dove I think.
The weather has been wonderful the last few days. I have been getting my dogs out more to take advantage of it, they love to smell things and try to catch the squirrels. My one dog is a hound and she proves it every day. She always has her nose in the air and she loves to quietly sneak up on squirrels. It is too bad that I did not have her as a puppy because she just has a wonderful spirit and loves life. Sometimes I regret that I live in an apartment because she loves the outdoors and I don't spend enough time with her outside. My hound dog's name is Paloma. When I lived in the inner-city I had a lot of time to observe the pigeons and their grace in the air. When I got Paloma I decided to name her after the pigeons. Paloma means dove or pigeon in Spanish. She is every bit as graceful as a dove I think.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Complete
Rejoice in the Day II
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Work in Progress
I spent a good amount of time in the studio today. I worked on the quote from the Qua'ran about loaves of bread and hyacinths. Probably five hours were spent on it. Sometimes I can be a harsh critic. I just did not like the finished product. There are three weeks left to complete seven works. There is a tendency to rush and the results are disappointing. I found out today that three of my works were purchased at the gallery where I sell my work. This is great news. I can't help but be grateful for sales in this economy. I am selling more work now than I've ever sold in the past.
I am reading "Van Gogh Blues" by Eric Maisel. The book focuses on healing depression, something I have struggled with for years. The book talks about finding meaning in ones life as a way to heal from depression. I am not sure that I agree with everything in the book, but it makes sense. My work is devoted to lifting people's spirits. I find meaning in making people smile. But most of the time I don't feel better, even when I hear that someone purchased my work. When I got my check from the gallery today I was really happy. But when I realized that I would have to complete many new works for sale I got depressed. My happiness was short-lived. There is a passage from the Bible sitting on my desk. It is about being thankful. This is God's will for us in Jesus. This is difficult. Finding the good in every situation is not easy. I sometimes take things too seriously. I can see the downside of selling more work than I have ever sold in the past. God tells us to be thankful. Be grateful for the things that are occurring in my life
I am reading "Van Gogh Blues" by Eric Maisel. The book focuses on healing depression, something I have struggled with for years. The book talks about finding meaning in ones life as a way to heal from depression. I am not sure that I agree with everything in the book, but it makes sense. My work is devoted to lifting people's spirits. I find meaning in making people smile. But most of the time I don't feel better, even when I hear that someone purchased my work. When I got my check from the gallery today I was really happy. But when I realized that I would have to complete many new works for sale I got depressed. My happiness was short-lived. There is a passage from the Bible sitting on my desk. It is about being thankful. This is God's will for us in Jesus. This is difficult. Finding the good in every situation is not easy. I sometimes take things too seriously. I can see the downside of selling more work than I have ever sold in the past. God tells us to be thankful. Be grateful for the things that are occurring in my life
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Slow & Steady
My old dog got sick two days ago and had to be taken to the vet. She was okay, just an inflammation, for which the vet prescribed meds. Needless to say, between vet trips and various errands, nothing got done. The Goethe quote is waiting for me. I want to do something other than usual but I have a deadline. I have twenty-four days to finish seven works. I think the reason I am dissatisfied with recent work is the timetable thing. I have to finish pieces too quickly and quality suffers. Recently I did several graphite and watercolor works and they sold almost immediately. I was surprised, I really wasn't expecting them to sell, I just needed to take some works into the shop where my works are displayed.
Tomorrow is another day. It is time to ruminate on the next piece and get some rest.
Tomorrow is another day. It is time to ruminate on the next piece and get some rest.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Complete
Monday, August 3, 2009
Let us be Thankful
This is a work just finished today. I just have to frame it. I find quotes everywhere and this one spoke to me. There is a lot to say for being grateful, and this one says it better than most. I have a problem at times with seeing the silver lining and this reminds me there is a lot to be grateful for.
No Title
This is my first attempt to add visual elements. This was an old drawing done two years or so ago. I tried to insert a newer work but could not find the image. I started to post a work last night, but when I blew the image up everything disappeared. There is a lot that I have never done before so some patience is required. My work is somewhat simple and speaks for itself. I am not a great draftsman so visual elements are kept at a minimum. I try to make my work of archival quality, but this is a work in progress. I worked in a frame shop for a little while and learned the basics. I use Arches W/C paper, Winsor and Newton paints and a Rapidograph pen. Schooling was a local art school for six months and a local college in which I earned a two year degree. This may be boring for some, I hope not, there is just an inclination to document what has become a very pleasant pastime. Most of my work is sold at a local shop that specializes in artwork of various kinds. Some are craftsman and some are artists.
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