Invites to early spring art shows are being fulfilled. The
studio is beginning to feel like home. And a few paintings are completed. To
get to this point meant a few rough times, the paintings just did not have a
smooth natural flow. Smooth easy painting times are such a gift. When the effort
to paint is difficult, we artists have our own methods to get back in the groove.
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| Wet Beach 20x24 oil on canvas |
When I am having difficulty, I go to my books the ones that
have a pleasant feel about making art. A short visit usually gets the paint
flowing easier. In my library I found a book previously purchased, but I had
not given it the time to pursue. With three unfinished paintings, now was the
time. As I began to read the first several pages I realized this author has a
lot to give to those of us trying to produce satisfactory art. A little more into
the book and I recognized that through content, research, but mostly through
experience this author really knows the soul of the artists. In The
Art of Fine Art, Essays, and Guiding
Lights After 50 Years of Work the author, Eo Omwake, puts into words
what the artist feels. He explains the complex world of those who create art in
an approach that is insightful and humorous, holding the reader’s attention sometimes causing noisy
outbursts of agreement and laughter.
For me knowing when a painting is finished is more difficult
than getting started. In one of Eo Omwake later sections of his book he
presents a discussion titled Finishing.
My university oil painting professor told me it takes two people to complete a
painting, one to do the painting and one to tell you when to stop. When a
painting feels like it is coming to conclusion I have to step back, take a deep
breath, look away, get a sip of tea and slowly turn around for a quick sneak peek.
If I don’t get a “hell yeah!”, then the
process has to be revisited until the effort has been completed and a welcome sense
of satisfaction confirms - that was fun!
Post script – For artists The Art of Fine Art…. is a book to treasure and revisit often. Check
it out wherever and however you buy books.
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| Autumn Embrace 16x20 acrylic on canvas |
Getting back to it now, with successful wishes for your
making and enjoying art, Joel
