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.
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.
This is the five minute warm up drawing of Michelle our model for this Saturday. I have drawn her before and she is very good with coming up with the poses. graphite on paper 9 by 11
$25.00 for both.
This is a twenty minute pose. I cropped off the feet because I didn’t line up the sketch book sure with the camera lens. I wanted to show you at least one close up and one shot as you would see it as if you were looking thru the book.
This was the first time in four months that I have drawn from life, I enjoyed it after being out of it for so long.
$30.00 7 by 9
This little sketch is a 10 minute sketch of a young woman named Michelle. Michelle is an excellent model. Her tattoo is hard to ignore and I find it makes this drawing.
I haven’t posted any male nudes but thought this one would not be offensive. This is another drawing I have made from a model and if you look at the last several drawings you can see some have a ghost image… that isn’t on the actual drawing but on the page underneath this drawing, the camera picks it up … its actually gives me an idea to do some more work with models and draw them in various positions on one page.
40.00 I draw these very quickly and try not to go back and make to many adjustments. I find the personality and the feel of the person comes out more when the drawing is fresh.
Sometimes when I’m not sure what to paint next I will pull out some
pre-cut ACEO size watercolor paper and I’ll paint several at one time until an image strikes me. These small cards allow me to work out the shapes and other art elements I might like to use. For Larger works they give you a good foundation for placement of objects. Since they are so small you can’t put too many things into them. Thus teaching you the importance of placement. It helps you think in terms of big shapes rather than cluttering up your painting with unnecessary things. I like this little card, the colors and the values are soothing. It is for sale for $10.00 / size is 2.5 by 3.5
I was a little sick today so I’m putting up a sketch from my sketchbook, I hope you enjoy! This is for sale for 40.00 its an extra large piece at 10 inches by 12 inches.
Graphite Nude 8.5 by 11 I drew this sketch in my life drawing session on Saturday. I haven’t been feeling well the last day in a half, I’ve got an allergy and its acting up. I think its just spring pollen and hopefully I’ll be feeling better soon.
This is a sketch of one of the models from our Saturday’s life drawing session.
These sketches are completed in 10 to 20 minutes and you must sketch in the entire scene before the buzzer or bell rings. sometimes you make it other times the model ends up drawn with only one leg or a foot missing. Its still fun, and I encourage you to put one of these sessions together for yourself and fellow artists.
