Archive for September, 2010
Studio Time
It’s amazing to me how much I can accumulate when I’m gone. For the 3 days I was in Chincoteague, I had a car full of things to return to their usual places, a big bag of laundry to do, mail to read, newspapers to scan, a blog to write, and more emails than I ever wanted to deal with!
Tomorrow is studio day. I have several abstract oil paintings to finish, and paint the edges. If the day turns out to be anything like today, it will be a good day to do whatever anyone wants to do!
Chincoteague Paint Out – 2010
This past weekend was the annual Chincoteague Paint Out in VA, about an hour from my home. It is famous for its pony pennning in July when wild ponies from the barrier island, Assateague, are hearded across the water to the mainland and auctioned. The proceeds go to the Volunteer Fire Department. Ponies which are too small or otherwise inappropriate for auction are sent back to Assateague. Doing this also keeps the numbers of horses on the island in check.
For the Paint Out, 42 artists arrived on Thursday or Friday and were plein air painters until Saturday evening, some painting scenes like the photo attached. At that time, the paintings were hung and the public invited to view and buy. There were many visitors Saturday evening and many paintings sold. In past years, this sale has amounted to over $10,000 (in 3 hours’ time!) with 25% going to the local Art League. Chincoteague is such a charming town and being there is a wonderful experience!
Multiple Avenues of Expression
For many years I found a creative outlet in painting. I would wake up early on weekend mornings and walk the short distance to a nearby park. There I would set up my easel and paint the slices of life that happened to come into view. Most of my artistic influences come from the realist school – I like to capture what’s actually there and allow the pictures to speak for themselves. In my view, it should be up to the viewer to form their own opinions and interpretations.
More recently, it struck me that painting is a medium that’s best suited for abstract or expressionist artists. As a realist, it was only natural that I should branch out into the world of photography. It allows me to move around and capture more images than I could ever hope to contain in a single painting. However, when I want to express myself creatively, I take up my old craft as a landscape painter.
Working on the Web Site
I’m working on my web site. That means I have been adding products – paintings. When I do this, I first must have a new landscape painting - not a small venture in itself. Then it must be photographed, with frame, downloaded into my computer, cropped and added to the folder of like photos (e.g., 2010 – Paintings.)
Later, I go into the “back end” of my site, where I do all the work before the public sees it. I write a description and possible use for that particular painting, put in its weight and price, and upload the photo.
Finally, I must inform Google, Yahoo and Bing that a new product has been added to my site. After a while, all this becomes routine, but it is more work than I ever expected to do!
Burnout, again
I love to travel! One year, a few years ago, I was able to visit many places. In July, I was in Phoenix celebrating my relative’s 100th birthday, then stopped in NC for a week of plein air painting. In September, I went to Montana for a week of painting the mountains. I celebrated Thanksgiving in Banff, Canada, and Christmas in CA. In January, I was in FL to spend the winter, but in March, I was in Mexico, again painting. Finally, in May, I went to France for 10 days. When I returned, I didn’t want to go anywhere for a good, long time. I was burned out!
If you are burned out in your artistic venture, here are 3 more things to possibly help. Prioritize – perhaps get help for the tasks that others can do for you or allow more time to complete the work. Try something new – perhaps partnering with another artist on that large project. Take a workshop – online workshops are available and even You Tube has videos to bring fresh ideas, advance one’s skill and build confidence.
Coping with Burnout
Burnout is defined in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” But, as one author noted, “In order to burn out, a person needs to have been on fire at one time.”
I’m guessing that many of you who are reading this blog must do landscape paintings, or are artists in some venue. (However, one doesn’t have to be an artist in order to get burned out!) Are you tired of exhibiting work when sales are dismal? Tired of painting when it seems that no one cares? Here are some suggestions that may help.
First, play more. Take time off from work and do something you would really enjoy doing – take a swim or hike, dig in the garden, go on a picnic. Diversion can make a big difference and laughter is always good medicine. Secondly, read – for learning or amusement. Reading is actually a time for growth and/or refreshment. Thirdly, review your accomplishments. Review your past shows, sales, or note the amount of work done. All these can give you a much needed mental and emotional boost.
Fooling Around
Robert Genn, Canadian landscape painter, wrote a letter on “The fine art of fooling around” this week. Here are some of his ideas.
Fooling around is a vital part of the creative process. As artists, we have accumulated technical skills, understanding and knowledge that there are a variety of ways to accomplish the same ends. We need to give ourselves permission to just “do it.”
Reverse, or at lease vary, your usual order of starting. If you have a tendency to finish certain areas, leave them unfinished with the knowledge that you will return to them. Leave your options open – make it up as you go along. Don’t obsess about things – back off, move around, loosen up. If your painting is not going well, count your blessings, get an optimistic spirit. Don’t get too serious – ask, “How can I play here?” Take chances – you can almost always cover up your mistakes.
Creativity, invention and exploration all stem from the same root. To keep both yourself and your viewers happy, the making of art needs to be a dynamic evolving event, of joyfully trying this and that!