Most artists struggle. Either they can’t seem to get down their vision of what they want or they don’t know what they want, (they’ll know it, if they see it). I think this struggle is part of the process. Its too bad because of this constant push/ pull it sometimes seems not to be worth the effort. Its why some people give up doing their art. Also, I see people giving up their art because they don’t have enough buyers. Buyers equate “good artist”. No buyers (not counting family and friends) means not a good artist. This definitely is not the case.
We live in an age when people will buy a Persian rug for their dining area, cover their sofa in silks, and import tiles from Italy to decorate their home tastefully and expensively, yet these same people will have pictures of art rather original art on every wall in their house. They will pay more for a custom frame and mat then for an original piece of art. Go into any model home these days, same thing, prints everywhere. (Please, I have nothing against prints.. so don’t write me justifying your print purchases) Most from 18th and 19th century artists. I guess they feel pretty good or safe rather, that this art cannot be denied as good art. It has stood the test of time. The truth is… I think people don’t trust their own judgement when it comes to choosing art. They need someone to tell them what is good art. All they have to do is trust their inner voice that says “I love this” but they don’t trust that little voice so they listen to experts…But who? do you trust Gallery owners? Especially when they are getting 50% of the profits? Do you trust your own decorator who is going to choose a piece of art because it matches a sofa? You have to admit, even I may not pay some of the high prices for some art, especially when it appears to have been painted with a stick or a rag. People don’t like to be taken advantage of and they don’t like to admit they don’t “know” art. The other problem is a simple one, people don’t appreciate original art in the US as much as in many other cultures around the globe. Now as in the past, Art was OK as long as it was something to do as a hobby but not as a career. It isn’t real work. We have a very strong work ethic in this county and some parents often put creativity in the back seat while encouraging productive hard work, left brain thinking.
So, if we don’t buy original art and we encourage our kids to do anything but become artists, and we don’t support the arts in schools what we are we saying?
Its no wonder today’s artists may feel as though it isn’t worth the effort, that the struggle to produce good art is just that, a struggle. As an artist I’ll remind you, of a few important things.
1. Its takes a very long time to become proficient at something as complex as art.
In fact, if it were easy, would you still even want to do it?
2. Don’t take the advice from lay people. They won’t help you, even if they have good intentions.
3. Be a lifelong student, don’t plan to figure it all out right now. It really is about the journey not the destination. Its a journey for one, just you.
4. Do whatever you enjoy doing, even if no one buys it. Hey, its cheaper than therapy.
4 by 6 $40.00 watercolor on watercolor paper, mounted on illustration board .
mat finish
When you watch koi you will frequently see that they are lurking under water liilies or other water plants. Ocassionally looking up to see whats going on outside their watery world. Koi are like people in that they have personalities… some are shy and some are real hams. This little guy is a bit shy and watchful, thus the name for this painting.
I laughed out loud when I watched this… Thanks to David Darrow for pointing out this utube video. They have them on other topics too. I’ll never be able to sit with artists and discuss art again without thinking about the dog and his prints.
15.00 Plus 1.5 s&h
This ACEO ( artist trading card) is 2.5 by 3.5 and is of a Koi fish. The Koi has many legends and stories written about it as it’s a symbol for one facing adversity and challenges and overcoming those hardships.
“The Japanese consider it the most spirited of fish, so full of energy and power that it can fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. The carp is an appropriate symbol to encourage the overcoming of life’s difficulties leading to consequent success.”
This piece is painted on one side with the trees and the other is collage of a pirates ship. It is on 300 lb archival paper and is for sale for $13.00 + shipping and handling. Get two pieces of art for the price of one! You decide which is the front. Cards are signed and dated.
This koi reminds me of the Japanese flag with the red on the white background. I like the black and white koi too but for this one I decided to go with all three colors with the isolated color on the head.
There are names for the different Koi… like “Tancho” (pure white with red head markings) Also There is “Tancho Sanke” which I think may be the fish I painted, anyway its falls into this category. Black and white tortoiseshell markings with the red head. I have seen so many beautiful markings, Koi really are gems of the Orient. I don’t try to depict them as they truly are, but use my Artist’s privilege to paint them any way I choose.
This Koi is on 300 lb paper is 11 by 15 inches which is larger then the small daily paintings.
I’ll send it to you for $100.00 USD (plus 7.50 for shipping) It’s simply beautiful with these unique markings. email me if interested. I may put it on ebay later this week if it doesn’t sell.
Shantmarie@aol.com
This is a 2.5 by 3.5 ” painting on 140 lb Watercolor paper. It is an ACEO and will be available later tonight on ebay.
My store is “a painting a day by Shanti Marie” check it out!
These small paintings actually take a lot of time. Its difficult for me not to over work them. The space is so small and I have to remember the division of space doesn’t change just the scale.
I was indecisive about the values on the shadow side of the road in this piece. I decided to let it sit for a few days and I can deepen the values later if I need too. This may lead to a series.
I put SC Hummer on the blog today to give you an example of a painting that isn’t over worked. Even the best watercolor artists can over work a painting. This is when you continue to paint when its best to let the painting sit. This painting is clean a hasn’t lost its freshness. Freshness is one of things all watercolor artists strive to achive.
Today, I have three small paintings in the works. I’lll be putting all of
them up in the next few days. I like to paint several paintings at once because it helps the artist avoid overworking the painting surface. This is a common mistake many folks make when painting with watercolor. When you scrub in the paint, it pushes it into the fibers of the paper. Often losing something in the process. To have a clean vibrant appearance you need to put the color on and leave it alone. You can charge more color into the wet paint or you can skip about the painting, only painting in sections and avoiding all drying paint. You can wait till it drys completly and layer add on another glaze. You need to remember: you shouldn’t play with your wet paint too long. Most everyone knows this but unless you can put your attention elseware (like another painting) you may tend to fall into the trap of of overworking .
Most painters like to paint, its why we do it. Sometimes we like the process of painting so much we don’t stop until its too much.
I hope this helps anyone who has struggled with this problem, email me at shantmarie@aol.com if you have any questions.
This painting is featured in my ebay store this week.
My ebay store….
I was at the plant nursery loking for something to paint when I hear a little girl squeal “BABY PUMPKINS” I was pretty sure I found my subject for todays painting. The little squash I chose because of its shape and color. But both are rather interesting, so small and only ornamental.
If your interested in buying this painting I will put it on eBay later. It is 11 by 7.5 inches. I cropped a good bit of it to fit into the blog but you may choose to display it with more of the white background showing.
Shantmarie@aol.com is my email for further information.
