Today's suggested topic; Taking time off from painting--Have you? What were the circumstances? What were the results?
Celeste: I've always been involved on some level with art. I took up oil painting later in life and after I started someone kind of mocked me and I stopped painting for a full year because of it. I realize now that that was all my fault, no one else's fault. But the memory of that time makes me realize that we are vulnerable at times. We just saw that van Gogh movie and that got to me, about how crushingly sad he was that no one cared about his work...that can happen to us too. We could lose heart. Lately, I have been doing a lot of unrelated projects and so I haven't been painting as much as usual. But I know now I'll never quit again. I know that we were all really meant to do this, don't you think? Everyone here was meant to draw and paint.
Loretta: The longest I did not paint was for 20 years. I've stopped again recently... because I have to find another place to live. I have to be at peace in order to paint.
Peggie:I painted this painting with Susan Kuznitsky. She arranged for a model set up in the garden. I also painted this fountain at the Rose Garden. I want to show you something else that I did that is creative. I made this snarf pelt. (A snarf is a combination of the words snake and scarf) This is what I do with my creative force when I am afraid a painting will fail (Laughter)! I am showing you that the snarf pelt is "digesting" a mouse inside the zippered pouch (Laughter!)!
Jim: I was in school and then served in Vietnam --afterv that I had work and a family, so I hadn't picked up the brush in 35 years. I lived in Southern California, so I joined the plein air painters there and they were great. I like to work with nature and the world. My wife asked me to paint a painting of our recent trip to Italy and I brought it in to show you.
Tim: When I have moved or other major projects are times when I laid off painting. I would come back each time with more of a desire to paint. A renewed resolve. It is a nagging feeling that I "should be painting". I painted this at MacGyver State Park. And this painting is called "A Pear to draw to". (Laughter)!
Elo: In high school and college I took drawing and painting. When I visited home I saw some paintings I did in college that my family saved. They were truly terrible and horrible. (Laughter)! I took photos of them. So, I was pre-med, had a family, worked a lot --but I was creative even during that busy time. I was always making things and my art had to do with the young people...projects with them. I even learned from scrapbooking, as strange as that sounds. I learned about composition from scrapbooking. Then I branched out and did other things. All my experiences have built on each other. Everything relates to everything else. This is the commission painting that I did recently.
Dotty: A recent break for me was when we decided to move here. We had lived for 30 years in California. It took over a year to move here. It is scary whenever I return to painting after a break. I don't know what I am doing! (Laughter)! Even after a short holiday I always stand there and wonder "Do I know how to do this"? (Laughter)! I am showing a painting that I did recently on a plein air outing with Elo.
Judy Wise: (New, Welcome)! I was so excited to come here today, I forgot my painting! I seldom take a break. I am an acrylic painter. My goal is to paint outdoors in oil.
Laura: I have been on a hiatus! My life has been embroiled with other matters. I can have a hard time getting back. If I go on plein air painting that's best...then I'm all packed up and I have to do it! I sold some paintings recently and that was validating. I'm showing a watercolor kit that is easy to put in your coat --it is so small. When I use a small kit like this, I'm just taking notes -- it's just a way of putting my toe back in the water.
Tracie: I think it is like when you stop exercising. It is just so easy to stay stopped! Because there is more fear and more dread associated with going back after you quit. But, the message is don't quit. I just recently visited with an artist who told me he quit 100%. He said "I quit!" . He had been a prolific artist, I just think it's tragic....but he seems happy enough about his decision. I am working out a giant painting right now, but for today I made this painting --just for today--- for today's meeting! (Applause)!
Becky: I have painted about 15 paintings. I have gotten better at identifying avoidance. My friend and I call it "Cleaning the grout" (Laughter)! --(You know, finding mundane things to do to stall).
Tom: I found a painting of mine that was dated 1971. I remember I once took it somewhere to show and the person in charge alluded to how it wasn't good enough (to display in a gallery). I look at it now and realize what they meant. I have painted off and on since that time. Four or five years ago I started painting again and more so 3 years ago when I started coming here. I am an accountant, so during tax season I often can't paint. But, I don't think of it as a bad thing, really. During that time I am still thinking of painting, thinking of ideas for painting..and I come back with a renewed vigor. I don't find the time off as harmful.
Annie: I had a studio for 3 months and that was positive for me. I've had trouble establishing continuity in my work..and having the studio experience made me realize that I could find a rhythm and a pace to be productive. I wanted to show you this book about Nolde. Nolde was censored by the Nazis. During the war Nolde painted some paintings that he called "pictures I did not paint". In this book, wherever there is no date, that is a painting he "did not paint". (Laughter)! Nolde said something like "I paint better at 2 than at 8am" and at first you might think that means he was someone who prefers afternoon..but actually he was talking about having painted *from* 8 to 2 (Laughter)!
Mike: My background and personality make it so I really want to do projects that are complete. I like a finished product. I have always liked to draw and I took drawing from Aimee Erickson. I have expectations, of course, and can be disappointed when my expectations aren't met. I took a watercolor class awhile back and I was so disgusted at the end of it! I wanted to quit completely and never pick up a brush again....but then I did watercolor sketching again and turned myself around. I did watercolor sketching on our trip to Europe. Beyond that, I also like to do greeting cards for my family and friends. I am showing some examples. People are thrilled when they get these! When they realize that it is original art they often frame them. We just went to that van Gogh movie and of course his story is that he died never having any recognition for his painting. I am committed to being ok with whatever my results are now. Even if the result doesn't match my vision, I'll pick up a brush and do it again.
Eunice: I do take hiatuses every now and then. Once in awhile I'll determine my hiatus is too long if I dream of painting (But, my paintings in my dreams are always wonderful)! (Laughter)!
Yong: I have done art my entire life...except for five years that I took off to be with my kids. They are in school now, which affords me some time to paint. I used to work for Disney in animation. All the time I worked I had to do what the boss wanted me to do. It really made me think about what *I* want to do as an artist. Now I just go and find things that *I* want to paint. The time off gave me a chance to think, what is it about me that I want to express? What are the things that make my hands sweat? I have to have a goal, so I gave myself the goal to paint something every day in 2017. And I don't have much further to go! I sometimes don't feel 100% like doing it, but I do it anyway. I don't want to have to tell my children that I was going to do it but decided to quit. Just keep painting the emotion of what you see and feel. I am showing a recent watercolor (done from a photo).
Joanne: I am so glad to see Yong here. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't you tell me once that you liked watercolor because of the uncontrollable aspects of it? That there is that element of "what is going to happen"?
Yong: Yes, the unknown of watercolor is a lot like children. With children you have to allow them to be who they are. You have to let them go--let them decide which way they will go.
Joanne: I've always been an artist. Always! My father was an engraver and I went to art School. I had a career in graphics and illustration. I created whimsical art and it was produced on products and in prints. Life got difficult when I had a child, and there was Nine eleven and my husband died from cancer. Through it all, I remained an artist. One of my biggest challenges was when I had to move from my studio --I changed locations and that has been a big adjustment. I heard someone say, however, that when you are a painter, when you are not painting you are always painting (because you are still thinking about painting). I am showing a recent painting from life session.
Announcements:
Field Trip to "Loving Vincent" a great success! We had a great time. Check the Facebook page for photos.
Clark Co Studio Tours also a success. Congratulations, Tom Daniels, Oleg Ulitskiy, Michael Lindstrom and others. Check the Facebook page for photos.
Yong Hong Zhong and Za Vue at Art on the Boulevard (through Dec--if you missed the first Nov reception, you'll have a chance to go to a second one on First Friday in Dec)
http://www.artontheboulevard.org
Monotype party at OSA: http://oregonsocietyofartists.blogspot.com/2017/11/osa-monotype-party.html
Tracy Leagjeld demonstration coming up (info to come) OSA
http://tracyleagjeldfineart.com/home.html
Fine Art Friday life session (Uninstructed) at OSA, 1-4 This Friday with Joanne Radmilovich Kollman drop in welcome $20 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1695576667380902/
Fresh Flower Saturday with Joanne Radmilovich Kollman This Saturday 1:30-4:30 at OSA drop in welcome $25
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1695576667380902/
Call to artists: Trimet Hollywood Transit Tribute wall
https://racc.org/resources/listings/trimet-call-artists-hollywood-transit-center-tribute-wall/
We are extremely saddened to report Susan Kuznitsky's husband Steve Heiteen passed away while on vacation in Maui with Susan. His memorial is Friday 3-6 (see below).
There is a fundraiser for the family here: https://www.youcaring.com/susankuznitsky-1013977
NO MEETING next Thursday (Happy Thanksgiving) Next meeting, Thursday, Nov 30th. Topic: More on simplifying values! How are you doing with reducing values and making them clear?--let's discuss!
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