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From Behind The Camera
Creative Catalyst Newsletter
June 9, 2009
Children have a mode of creating that puts energy and life into a painting. I’ve often wondered why that energy is so frequently lost as they mature as artists. I think it may have something to do with emotional connectedness. I think as we age we are inclined to couch our emotions, make them more complex and confusing. Strong emotions seem to cut through the haze and are easier to identify.
Last week my father died. He was very ill for a very long time. Alzheimer’s, cancer and Parkinson’s had all taken their toll. He was a fighter and lasted much longer than thought possible.
After viewing the body and cremation, Jim and I went up to my mother’s home. As we entered her front door I was struck by a powerful painting of blossoms. Normally her work is high energy and sun drenched. This painting is decidedly somber, especially for Mom. The majority of blossoms are down turned and emerge from a neutralized purple gray background. One blossom is turned away, as if headed off with light on its back. This painting is a visual expression of a strong emotional state.
Powerful emotions can provoke powerful paintings. I hope Mom will soon be using brighter color as an expression of brighter times.
Lynn
Carla O’Connor sent a note regarding last week’s editorial.
“I agree that it is extremely difficult to be totally original in these times of instant global communication. We are a culmination of a lifetime of experiences, decisions and influences— however , each life experience is totally unique.
As a workshop instructor, I try to present as many alternatives as possible and plant a’ tiny seed of an idea’ with the hopes that it will spark an imagination to create a new, exciting , never- seen- before visual result. It is the students job to be selective regarding what new information to accept and incorporate and what to discard as appropriate for them at the moment. Being an artist can be a lonely business — you have to do it all alone!– but the whole point is to communicate our vision.”
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From Behind the Camera
Creative Catalyst Newsletter
June 2, 2009
George James will be honored at a One Man Retrospective Art Show at the Coastline Art Gallery in Huntington Beach, California (USA) from July 9 to August 8, 2009. The reception is Friday, July 10, 5-7 p.m. The exhibition will present work that spans his career and will include some of his most recent award-winning paintings. In addition, James will teach a summer workshop in Alternative Surfaces. Registration forms are available at the Coastline Art Gallery and at Coastline Community College Costa Mesa Center Office, 10156 Adams Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92646 or call (714) 963-8475 for more information.
Congratulations George!
From Behind the Camera – Why workshops?
People sometimes tell me they don’t watch videos or attend workshops because they want to discover their own style, independent of the influence of others. That got me thinking. What value is there in investigating how other people approach their creative pursuit?
Years of working with a variety of fine and craft arts artists has led me to believe that personal progress in art is more often a result of sifting through ideas from others than it is some sort of isolated brilliant insight developed on our own. We learn or borrow from others, then take what we’ve learned in a different direction. It is the sum total of all these influences and shifts that make up our unique vision.
I have never seen an artists work and thought to myself, “I want to paint exactly like that!” After the initial wow factor, I realize that some specific aspect of the work attracts me. I think I gain more awareness of what I want in my own painting by making note of what the exact “something” that attracted me is. It helps me get a better idea of paths I may take by learning the paths others have taken.
Here is a quick partial list of some of the ideas I’ve noted from the workshops. I learned a method of problem solving (Cobb), design options (Salminen, James), color theory (Jasper, Dalio, Archer, Mehaffey), symbolism (James) pigment qualities (Bourdet, Morris) how to render the face and figure (Kunz, O’Connor, Nelson, Hammett), patterning (Hammett, O’Connor, Bagby) and the bravery to listen to my own drummer (Das, Simmons, Hellmuth, Bagby, Trevena), and the fantastic techniques to make it happen (everyone!)
They all share a dedication to their art form. None of them suddenly woke up one morning to find they were talented. As Craig Nelson so aptly says, “You have to put in the brush miles. ” I would add that it frequently helps to be aware of our options to make an informed decision.
Cheers – Lynn Powers
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Your DVDs are fantastic. It has given me new energy to try different painting styles.
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I have been very pleased with the quality of instruction you produce in your videos… Thank you so much!!
Cherrie C., Oak Ridge, TN.
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