I recently heard noted plein air painter Tim Solliday say: "Painting is a combination of physics and poetry." That's a great way to put it. Paul Cezanne said "A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art. Emotion is the starting point, the beginning and the end. Craftsmanship and technique are in the middle."
I'm beginning to sense the importance of maintaining the poetry, the awe, throughout the process. I feel like it may be pretty common for painters to start out full of poetry, creating something fresh and alive with emotional energy, but somewhere in the process when we become more focused on technique, perhaps trying to push ourselves when we're also a little tired/hungry, it's easy to loose hold of our emotion/poetry for the piece, and the work loses its luster. Ever had that happen to you?
In other art forms, artists are able to "undo" muddled work and get back to the fresh part, but it's not that easy in painting... I'm going to try and be more conscious of this in the future; to step back and take my own emotional pulse now and then, as I'm working, and recharge as needed.
October 8, 2010
October 5, 2010
Uncommon Bonds of Inspiration
That which truly inspires us as artists is as unique and spiritual as our innermost thoughts, perceptions and being. As artists, we are probably more intensely aware of our individuality than the average person; we learn quite young that the creation of art is a solo journey. The fortunate among us are able to surround ourselves with support networks of love and encouragement from family and friends: this alone is an uncommon gift.
How very rare and precious it is, though, to find people whose inspiration actually springs from a well quite similar to our own. On my recent expedition to the Channel Islands National Park with a group of fellow plein-air painters, I was blessed to find this rare depth of simpatico, and am much richer a human being and artist for it.
With the traveling companionship of my family or friends, I’m usually the one calling attention to the magnificence of the scenery, its myriad colors and forms… a duty I take quite seriously. With the companionship of fellow painters, though, the reaction of AWE was practically a given; almost everybody had that weak-in-the-knees / takes-your-breath-away response to the majesty of that which we were so privleged to witness. This uncommon bond with my fellow artists has profoundly affected me, and will nurture my inspiration, always.
How very rare and precious it is, though, to find people whose inspiration actually springs from a well quite similar to our own. On my recent expedition to the Channel Islands National Park with a group of fellow plein-air painters, I was blessed to find this rare depth of simpatico, and am much richer a human being and artist for it.
With the traveling companionship of my family or friends, I’m usually the one calling attention to the magnificence of the scenery, its myriad colors and forms… a duty I take quite seriously. With the companionship of fellow painters, though, the reaction of AWE was practically a given; almost everybody had that weak-in-the-knees / takes-your-breath-away response to the majesty of that which we were so privleged to witness. This uncommon bond with my fellow artists has profoundly affected me, and will nurture my inspiration, always.
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