2015......
......came sneaking in almost under my radar. I could have sworn it was 2012 a couple of months ago, and as to 2013 and 2014, did they really happen? Since I must be going through life a little asleep it's time for a change.....but What? I ask.
Well, one change is happening without even thinking much about it. My art is re-forming itself. I think it had to do with having pneumonia, but it may have been Italy or painting more in the summer or who knows. 'Experiment' is in the air.
Take this mysterious little painting. I was over at a friends house varnishing a portrait she had acquired from me when I spied this in the room. It needed to be painted, despite not really having an artistic objective or point except that 'I liked it'.
That's what's happening. Painting just for painting's sake, watching the strokes go on and the color harmonies form with little regard to making form or composition or having something that could be sold or whether anyone will like it. It think 'Play' might be the word.
Who knows where this will go.....but this is the year to let more of it happen and see.
Upcoming Teaching schedule at the Winslow Art Center:
Weekly Painting Class Session I. Open to Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Pastel. January 13th to Feb 10th on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 2:30, open studio until 4:30.
Gouache Workshop. January 31st, 9:30 to 4:00.
Weekly Painting Class Session II. Open to Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Pastel. February 24th to March 24th on Tuesdays, 9:30 to 2:30, open studio until 4:30.
Portrait Workshop. March 7th and 8th, 9:30 to 4:00.
Marker Workshop. March 21st, 9:30 to 4:00.
Here's to an artistic 2015!
LOOK HERE: Just after I finished this blog entry I ran across a blog post from Marc Hanson, terrific landscape artist....well, mostly landscapes. He writes a very good article about his own ideas about beginning the new year with a 'breakout'. Worth your read HERE.
Too cool, Darrell. I know where it hangs in reality but in this painting it could be on another wall far away waiting for carnevale di venezia!
ReplyDeleteHey Darrel, don't know if you got my last comment. It might not have taken before I signed in.
ReplyDeleteI said that play is a four letter word I can really get behind. I wonder if the idea of creating something "because I like it" isn't the ticket. I don't know if I ever told you about a sea turtle that I painted into a coral reef mural in the basement of the old Children's Museum. I was just playing with light, shape and color without any thought of technique, rules or supposed to's. I went in with the idea of having fun and letting go of the stress of the "job". What came out of that play was a bright spot of inspiration that was different than the rest of the painting. While it looked like a piece of the complete work, it had a life that I didn't feel in the rest of the mural. After the public was let into the new exhibit, listened to viewers as they moved through the full room painting. There was something in that turtle that spoke to something in life. I don't know how else to explain it. It was a joy to paint and evidently spoke to the viewers as well. Adults and children responded to it with excitement.
If that can be taught, I know something would evolve. It felt like complete right brained play. I've felt that magical quality in many of your paintings, but there is something really etherial in this one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and paintings with us. Take care and no more pneumonia, okay? See ya,
Sue Bielka
I'll try this again. This is the third time I've written this but I wanted to make a comment to you.
ReplyDeleteI can really get behind the word play. I think that painting "because I like it" is the ticket. I don't know if I ever told you about the sea turtle I painted in a full room sized coral reef mural I painted in the basement of the old Children's Museum. I decided to take a break from the work to actually play for part of the painting. I just played with light, shape and color without thinking about technique or any rules. I slipped into my right brain so completely that the rest of the world slid away. What came to life was a sea turtle that had life that I couldn't have "thought" onto the wall. I was shocked by the fun I had and the life that was in the painting. I listened to the comments made as the public came into the space for the first time. I could see that there was something communicated there that was past the painting itself. If I could figure out how to teach THAT, I think something might evolve.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and paintings with us. Didn't know you were so sick. Take care and no more pneumonia, huh? Sue
I appreciate your inspiring post and discussion about "play" and i sense it in your painting, Darrell.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I also enjoyed reading Marc Hansen's blog, he has a way with words for sure.
This is amazing. Love the brushstrokes of color in the mask and vase and the warmth of the wooden shelf against the blue background. I can truly see why it caught your eye, but your process made it exceptional! Love it!!
ReplyDelete