I read a lot of artist biographies. Many who lived into old age developed a health issues that affected their art. Monet developed cataracts and had to have them removed. Matisse became bed ridden and unable to paint, so he started making cut paper art. Renoir had arthritis in his hands so bad that his studio assistant had to strap his paint brush to his hand. I myself am facing new health challenges that are affecting my art. The arthritis in my right thumb is so bad I cannot hold a pencil or a pen with experiencing extreme paint. Sometimes I can barely handle a paint brush. I started exploring collage as a new way to make art. I tear up old drawings, silk paper, rice paper and handmade Hawaiian Kapa cloth to make highly textured and colorful mixed media collages. I find the process easier on my hands, and I love the multilayers that can be built up. This is a piece I just finished today.
Love Story
In one of my earlier blogs, I wrote about the impact that Van Gogh’s paintings had on my art. Today, I share about another artist who has strongly influenced my style: Claude Monet.
I saw my first painting by him in a San Francisco Museum and it was one from his Waterlilies series. His use of color and light enthralled me. I set out to discover all I could about Monet.
One of my greatest joys was a visit to Monet’s garden in Giverny, France. I shall never forget the thrill of sitting on the Japanese bridge over the lily pond in his backyard. During the two mile walk from his home back to the train station, I was struck by how little the countryside had changed since he painted it so many years ago. I cherish the memories of this experience.
On Critiques. . . .
Are there any artists that enjoy criticism and/or critiques? I found them to be the total bane of art school. Positive help was always welcomed, but just plain negativity was something I could do without.
I have had some real doozies in my 40+ year career as a professional artist. Here is one of my favorites: “You paint as though you haven’t had any formal training (I had). And your work looks like something that parents would say their 5 year old could paint. However, I’ll take these 5 for the gallery” (what??????). I am still with that gallery. And one of their top sellers of abstract art. Go figure.
Another uplifting experience: On showing a painting to a dealer, he liked it but said: “I can see the texture of the canvas through your glazes. It makes your painting look unfinished.” Well, guess what I just read in a book about modern art? Cezanne often left unpainted areas in his paintings and HE ended up in museums.
It helps to have a sense of humor in this field. . . . .
Stunned at First Sight
I grew up outside of San Francisco, CA. I think my parents may have taken me to one of the bigs museums in that city once, maybe twice. All I remember from those excursions was a room full of armor and many brooding paintings of saints and martyrs.
Fast forward 10 years. It is 1971 and an artist friend of mine manages to score an extra ticket to the Van Gogh exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. He invites me and I accept with joy. I’d only seen one Van Gogh painting in the encyclopedias that my parents owned and it was called “L’Arlesienne: Madalme Ginoux With Books”. The garish colors and her introspective face had always fascinated me. So of course I was eager to see more of his work.
What I wasn’t expecting was to have my life changed forever. Room after room of paintings filled with rich colors and violent brushstrokes assaulted me. I remember standing in front of “Wheat Field with Crows” for what seemed like forever; I felt my heart beat faster, in rhythm with the wind on the field and the beat of the crows’ wings. I knew at that moment that my destiny was to become a painter.
But I also knew at the same time that Van Gogh’s life was fraught with pain and madness. Would that be my future as well? I was afraid, but I knew I had no choice but to succumb to the magic of of the colors that pulled at my soul and gave me new life.
On Being a Mentor
It happened quite by accident. About 3 months ago, I got an email from a foreign student who found my art on the web (thank you, Manhattan Arts International) and wanted to ask me some questions on how I developed my style. I was surprised and pleased, because she was very enthusiastic about my abstracts as she hoped to focus on abstraction as well. I emailed back and remembering how grateful I was to some of the people who have encouraged me in my creative path, I offered to mentor her. She accepted enthusiastically and we have continued a delightful conversation on the ups and downs of beings a visual artist.
As a mentor, one thing I will NOT do is critique her work and I told her I would leave that job to her art teachers. Instead, I share my experiences working with different media, I share favorite book titles on creativity and artist block, and I encourage her to look at the work of artists who have influenced me the most (Joan Mitchell, Cy Twombly, Sam Francis, Jackson Pollock, Claude Monet and Van Gogh). It has been a wonderful experience and something I would encourage other artists to explore.
