Archive for March, 2010
The Edison and Ford Estates
My friend and I decided to do some landscape painting at the Edison and Ford Estates today. Our friends had said they had seen several landscape painters on the Estates and that painters were encouraged to come.
After we parked, I went to pay any fees and ask permission to paint. After talking with 2 volunteers and another who seemed to be a paid employee, I waited for the Event Coordinator who asked me if I would try to sell my painting. I said I did have a web site and hoped to do so. I then had to sign a couple of papers which, in her words, said that if I became a Van Gogh, I would owe the Estates something. I replied that I would be glad to share with the Estates, but not to hold her breath! At least, I didn’t have to pay!
Edison had imported several varieties of Ficus and Banyan trees as well as several other types of trees, trying to find a method of producing rubber, and they had been planted in a grove next to one of the parking areas. My friend painted a giant Ficus tree and I painted a leafless Bo tree on such a gorgeous day!.
The Abstract Art Debate
Many people exhibit a strong disdain for colorful abstract art, claiming that it simply looks like anyone could have created it. Others say that each piece has a deep and symbolic meaning that the artist is trying to portray through the work. As with most dilemmas that I face in life, I take the middle ground when it comes to this debate.
While I agree that most abstract work doesn’t have the fine detail of realist paintings, it is unfair to say that there is no skill involved. Conversely, I believe that there is a fault to trying to find deep meaning in every piece of work. The true meaning of any piece of art—whether it is music, paintings, sculptures or literature—is in the eye of the beholder. The beauty of it is that we take our experiences and ideals, and infuse them with the art to create our own meaning.
The Open House
Several days ago I printed invitations to our Open House today, 2-4 PM, and my friend and I took them around to several neighbors in the development in which we live. We wanted a chance to get acquainted with the neighbors, as we are somewhat new here, a time when they could visit with each other, and an opportunity to show them our landscape paintings.
They came! They talked! They enjoyed themselves! They ate – but not much! They really liked our fruit punch! They asked a lot of questions about our paintings and, I think, they liked them. Best of all, we enjoyed having a chance to spend a little time with the neighbors, getting to know them better.
Delighted!
When I went to the gallery in Matlacha to pick up my landscape paintings, the owner said he would be happy to keep them over the summer if I trusted him. Trusted him? If I hadn’t trusted him, I never would have left them in the first place!
I was absolutely delighted that he would be interested in continuing to try to sell my paintings. My next option would be to try to sell them in Maryland, but how many people in Maryland would be interested in palm trees or banana trees? Only the people who live with them would truly appreciate and love those beautiful whimsical trees!
Yearning to Paint
It’s difficult these days to find time to do any landscape painting. Take today, for example: I must take my friend to 2 appointments, and then vacuum the house in preparation for Sunday’s Open House. In between the appointments, there is just enough time to pick up some paintings at a gallery in Matlacha that have been left on consignment, in the hopes that someone would buy them.
In a little more than a week, my friend will go back to her home in Illinois and shortly afterward, I’ll be trekking up I95 to Maryland. We are both happy to have spent the winter in FL, but it will be great to get back to the fun of painting out-of-doors.
Open House
It’s done! Finished! Sent! The income tax, that is. And in a few days, the accountant will have another worry. I had many expenses this year with setting up a web site and blog. And recently, an on-line mall has asked me to join them – Easy Place to Shop (www.easyplacetoshop.com).
This Sunday, my friend and I are having an Open House and we invited some of the neighbors to come and visit and see our latest landscape paintings. So today, I will do some more touch-up work and photograph a few new ones for my site. However, I long for the days I can forget about responsibilities and take my easel to the park, set up, and for a couple of hours or so commune with nature!
Studio Time
On one of those very nice days recently, I was able to get in some studio time. I worked on five of my landscape paintings.
I usually do the main painting at the site and fill in the background later. Also, I generally paint the edges, and must do that in studio. This particular day I had to add palm fronds to one, paint the background, palm trees and edges of another, just the edges of the third, the roots of a banyan tree on the fourth, and a complete overhaul on the last with more lights and more darks. It felt wonderful to have these “almost done” paintings finished.
Income Tax Time
I’m glad the weekend is almost here. There is always a change of pace during the weekend. The weatherman says temps are expected to be in the mid 70s with lots of sun on Friday and Saturday, but isolated rain perhaps on Sunday and Monday. Maybe I can get some landscape painting done either Friday or Saturday, and the rest of the time must be dedicated to working on income tax.
Now, I know that many of you are eager beavers and have sent yours in already, and probably even received your refund. However, although I’m not a member of that club, mine will be finished on time.
The Caloosahatchee Creek Preserve West II
Yesterday, my friend and I again visited the Caloosahatchee Creek Preserve in North Fort Myers, FL to do some landscape painting. It is only a short distance from the parking lot to the water and an easy access for canoe or kayak. Also, it is almost below the I75 bridge, so traffic was whizzing by as we painted.
I walked a short distance down a path and chose a scene including a small stream. There were several palm trees, a variety of grasses and dead reeds. A preserve has many types of trees and grasses growing at random. Some are living, some dead, but always in a state of becoming.
New Age Realism
Nowadays, many people don’t see the relevance of realistic works of art. Some claim that the craft involves no imagination, while others assert that a photograph is more accurate anyways. Although the popularity of realism in artwork may be dwindling, that doesn’t mean that you can’t look to nature for inspiration.
Abstract landscape painting is the perfect way to juxtapose the power of nature and the call for expressive artwork. By creating your own distinct view of nature, you can allow people to experience your interpretation of the world around you. And, of course, one of the signs of true art is that it requires the observer to unearth new ways of thinking or discover those ideas that may be lying dormant in them.