Topic today: Workshop or art class "mishaps" or things that went sort of "wrong" (describe)!
Celeste: I hesitate to tell this story yet once again...(I've told it a number of times) but here it is. I took a workshop from a celebrated Russian artist. I was tipped off that it was mandatory to prepare your palette to his exact specifications and if you neglected to do this he would refuse to speak to you. Sure enough, I did not get my paint order in time and my palette was not exactly as he demanded so he (indeed) did not talk to me. The following day I was able to make my palette perfect, but he was still not talking to me. I was desperate at one point and implored him to help me understand how to paint the rose I was struggling with. "Allllright, he said with his Russian accent, forrr you, I paint-a-pettall... sooo you can sleep to-night" (Laughter)! I am showing a couple of paintings from my archives.
Susan: As a teacher, I never think anything has gone wrong! (Laughter)! Well, but I guess my biggest issues have to do with doing demonstrations. I do get nervous. I always wind up thinking, "Why did I say I'd do this? What the "F" was I thinking"!?? (Laughter)! But every time, once I am underway the nerves go away ...and I talk my way through it and do fine!
Lon: I was in an Etching class. I was also a framer at the time and I explained to someone in the class that putting a frame around something always helps it...always! She said, "well, that is just marketing, isn't it"? I replied, "Well, sure, I guess so. That's why con artist is a redundant term". (Laughter)! I am a cartoonist, and I am showing the Christmas card I did for 2018.
Jeanie: I have been taking classes with Jennifer Diehl. What I've learned is that the work you do in class is not necessarily anything that you want to show anyone else. I have been working on a large canvas. I usually plan very well, but I lost my original vision and wound up painting it all over with Titanium white. Thank goodness for Titanium white! (Laughter)! (I'll paint over it when it is dry).
Chris: I went to what was called the Museum Art School (later called PNCA). I was young and this was my first class with an unclothed male model. The model was not completely nude, however, he wore a thong. He as extraordinarily thin and I found him visually uninspiring. He was so thin, his arms were splindl-y. He chose to do this pose where he put both of his arms overhead. He "hung" from a pipe overhead. As the time wore on I realized that the view (his thong) was shifting and changing. It traumatized me! (Laughter)! (Laughter)! If there was a lesson to be learned there, it would be what I have heard often since: "Choose your scene and stick with it". (Laughter)!
Lisa: I'll pass, I haven't had anything go bad!
Mike: I have worried in workshops. Will I understand the lessons? Will I be the worst performer? It is never the teacher providing the "problem"...it is always me! In a class or workshop I have to say to myself, just get started, paint anything. I took a workshop and I painted this "impressionistic" watercolor. I was very happy with it. I framed it and hung it on a wall at home to remind myself to stay loose and impressionistic. I did this watercolor in Yong's class and again, I felt happy that I just relaxed and the painting came out looking good to me. I am also showing 2 paintings that I did from photo references (for the emotional connection). These are my grandsons at the coast and this is a recent plein air painting. There is something "wrong" with all of these...But that's ok, overall I am happy with the outcome (and there is something "wrong" with *me* half the time and I accept all that)! (Laughter)!
Paul: I teach classes at the Portland Fine Art Guild. We have walk-ins and that can be difficult. I've had classes where there are some working in acrylic and some working in oil. It is just a challenge keeping everything straight. I have also wondered during a demo "why did I say I would do this?" (Laughter)! I am showing a painting I did for our 50th anniversary show at the Guild. I call it: "I'm so Glad" (Laughter)!
Kristina: I brought this painting that I did recently from a photo reference from my trip to Rome (it is a flower shop). I've had great workshop experiences. I did take a workshop with a well known artist and after the workshop a survey was sent to all the participants. She actually sent an email blast to everyone to complain about some of the answers on the survey! (Laughter)! If it were me, I think I'd live with the feedback and perhaps even consider the value of it.
Peggie: This is a plein air painting I did from Forest Park. I also recently did a demo at OSA. I painted my blue violin. I wound up enjoying the fact that I had to paint fast and talk through it. I like how the painting turned out. About the topic, I did get in trouble with a workshop teacher who didn't understand that I was using walnut oil. He dipped into it and said" Watt is this?????" (Laughter)!
Renita: I attended a workshop in Provence. The "teacher" never taught us! Everyday we'd just paint on our own. I was irritated! I finally said to her (after several days) "Are you really NOT going to do even one demo ?? Nothing??" (She was shameless)! I painted this from a hiking trip that I did recently.
Anna: I take a lot of workshops...but there is a valid reason! I am having to catch up for some lost time and I can safely say I've gotten positive things out of all workshops. I am grateful to Joanne Kollman. She was a facilitator for the Max Ginsburg workshop and she would email everyone and remind them about important things. Very helpful! "Do you have your Max colors, do you have your Max brushes?" He is particular about the brushes he wants you to use. I do always have a ton of brushes with me. Max asked me.."why do you have so many brushes??" I answered: "because...I am very insecure" (Laughter)! I've had some paintings accepted into some competition/shows recently. I painted this one on a busy street in Roseburg. Several different people sent me photos of me painting there. I guess they thought it was unusual. (Laughter)!
Wendy: I have not taken a lot of classes or workshops...but I have not had any bad experiences from the ones I have taken. I saw a moose during my last workshop. That was a highlight! (Laughter)!
Debbie (new, welcome): I took a workshop on "painterly collage". It was with a well known artist. I remember just thinking "Oh my God, how do I do this?" I felt out of my depth. When I got the piece home I re-did it. I paint over everything that I don't feel satisfied with. I like alcohol inks, collage and acrylic. I am showing a painting from my archives.
Vicki: I recently took a workshop with Bill Park. He always wants his students to try new things and to be bold. He took a huge brush and painted a white stripe right across the work he had done...it made us all gasp! I haven't taken a lot of workshops, but they are always inspiring. I am showing paintings that I've done with the emergency tree response team.
Tom: The only art classes I have ever taken were the ones I took in 69 and 70 at PSU. I have fond feelings for my teachers back then, a sculpture teacher and another female teacher who everyone was in love with (including me). (Laughter)! I am showing a recent still life.
Elo: I haven't really had any significant workshop problems. Well, maybe --if you want to know what they were talk to me later on the side. (Laughter)! I am showing a painting I did of a sunrise --I know that it looks like I exaggerated color, but this is really how it was!
Dotty: I always learn something in a class or workshop. I think it is hard if someone is teaching a "style". I am working on a forest series...This is a recent painting. I am interested in observing and translating the many aspects of the forest.
Tedd: I have a painting I did years ago that I call "Motorcycle Man". It was from a life session. The male model strode into the room and then proceeded to remove things (beginning with his helmet) in full presence of all of us in the class...finally everything was off and then he struck a pose...announcing (with a flourish)...."I'm ready"! (Laughter)! I am showing some of my recent acrylic paintings.
Donna Stevens: I don't have formal art training, I rely on workshops to learn. I expect to learn and to challenge myself. Once, one of my instructors left the room for awhile and when he returned he said directly to me "You've ruined it"! (collective groan). I asked questions! How did I ruin it? When and why did I ruin it? Can you give me specifics? Of course, I did not get satisfactory answers. I kept it though, and I can now see just how and why I ruined it. I can see it now, I couldn't see it then. I took the Bill Park Monotype workshop. I brought my classwork. I learned a lot...I learned more and more each day and got comfortable with how to handle the ink.
Donna Sires: I am the "other" Donna! I take a lot of workshops. I took a pastel workshop in Mt. Vernon. The instructor never talked during her demo. She only talked to select people and would pass the rest of us up in favor of the people she obviously liked! Lately I have been having a good time painting birds. I find it a nice change from landscape.
Tim: Most of the workshops I've taken have been with this guy (motioning to Thomas Kitts)...so yeah, no problems. (Laughter)! Have any of you experienced "lock up"? I've had it where I just stand there thinking "I can't seem to do it"! But, I eventually start and then realize it's all ok! I am showing recent paintings. This is from a walk. I painted it in my studio while it was fresh in my memory. These are plein air. All my works are solvent free. You can paint in oil without using solvents.
Jim: I've had a lot of workshops. I've taken with Thomas Kitts, Greg LaRock, Susan Kuznitsky and others. I highly recommend them all. Susan is really great. I took a recent "in depth" 2 week plein air class with Thomas. Have you tried using charcoal in the rain? (Laughter)! Actually, it was manageable. We were on Oak Island and as you know, the cattle roam free there. We noticed one in the herd was a bull. Thomas waved his arms and stomped around to shoo the bull away. One of the students happened to know the owner of the cattle so she phoned him to ask if the class should be concerned about the bull. "Oh, you'll be ok in the field with the bull, he said...just don't wave your arms or anything at him" (Laughter)!
I love this group and I especially appreciate Tim! I learned that Tim lost his beloved cat recently. I went onto his facebook page and found a photo of "Muttley". I painted this in support of Tim and Cindy during what has to be a very difficult time.
Dana (new, welcome): I took one workshop. It was difficult! It seemed too complicated. This is the painting that I did.
Bonny: My first class was an oil painting class when I was 10 years old. The class would spend 4 weeks painting the subject and then (during the final week) the teacher would finish our paintings "for" us! (collective groan). It's 45 years later and my Mother is downsizing. She asked me if there were things I wanted. I found the clown painting I did (and the teacher finished) and I burned it! (Laughter)! I got involved recently with St. Helens. I contracted with the city to give classes in urban sketching. I am showing some of the scenes I did in St. Helens. The trouble was that some people who showed up were completely new to it and others were more experienced. It was challenging to try to talk to both types of students in the sessions. The classes were also extremely affordable but I came to the conclusion I wasn't making near enough. Along with my sketches, I thought it might also be fun for you to see this award that I designed. It is acrylic and illuminated (with different colors that change).
Ken:I have been coming here for about a year. I am very shy. I have to tell you Chris, that I was a young model too....and I was very, very skinny !! (Laughter)! (Laughter)! (Joking)!!! As far as classes, I like an Open Studio type thing like Susan does. I just go in and do my own work, but she'll give me pointers and sometimes she'll just point out the obvious. She teaches everything.
Geri: I've never had big problems, with the possible exception of heat. When I lived in Pasadena it could get so hot, and then you just can't function..You can't think.
Eunice: I took the 2nd workshop from the "famed Russian artist" (the 2nd one he offered after Celeste took from him). I had my palette completely correct according to his specifications. (We were required to have big "turtle sized" mounds of paint on our palette in the right order. He mumbled something next to me ..and suddenly he took a palette knife and took a big glob of paint off of my palette and put it on the palette of the lady next to me!! "You don't need this much paint" he said! (Laughter)!
Stephanie: I was an art major at UCLA. The mantra back then was "express yourself" but no one explained this. There was no method. I was always interested in impressionistic landscape. I painted something that probably looked too traditional because the instructor painted a big red "X" completely through it! (collective groan)! This same teacher once got angry with the entire class. "You're all in the 19th century" He made us put our paintings on the floor and we had to throw paint at them! (Laughter)! Last week I didn't get to provide my answer to the "what would you get if you had unlimited funds" question...because I had a flat tire on the way here! So, I'll answer today I'd like workshops in Europe! I am showing recent tree paintings done with the emergency tree response team.
Judith: I have taken workshops...but the trouble is always that I don't like anyone to tell me what to do! (Laughter)! I am an "audit" in a drawing class at a local community college. I am a "senior" audit at that, so the rest of the class is much much younger. The class is required to critique one another, but they always leave me out of this. I keep trying to do more so that they will say something...and they don't. Do you remember the hands and feet I did a couple of weeks ago? No comment! They did not comment! (Laughter)! I did this....I'm really working on trying to get them! (Laughter)!
I had a male model in a class once who thought a lot of himself. During the break he stood on his head and well...he was naked, so you understand. (Laughter)!
Greg: Some years ago I arranged to take a workshop with an important painter..but then when I got there (having gotten everything on his materials list) I found out that I got "bumped" out of this class. They put me into another class that turned out ok, but I have to say, I felt put off by it. Recently I took a workshop with a well known artist and she was surprisingly negative. Not good! Way back when I was in art school a bunch of us put Winsor Newton Flesh oil paint on our palettes. It was a joke of sorts, but actually we also thought it might really be convenient. Our teacher walked around the room and was shocked to see this "conspiracy". All of a sudden he spun around and said: "NO NO NO, This is NOT going to work"! (Laughter)!
Quin: I haven't taken a ton of workshops, but I always enjoy them. The famous artist Dad of my instructor painted a huge portion of my painting once. He painted a substantial section to teach me specific things. It took me a little while to get over that. (It was at least a fourth of the entire painting)! I kept the painting of course, but I'd never claim it was mine. I can't even sell it, it is not mine! In time I realize the lesson he taught was a good one. I just wasn't prepared for him to paint so much of my painting! (Laughter)!
Yong: I have never had any bad experiences myself. I am so glad to listen to everyone here, because I teach workshops and now I know what not to do. (Laughter)! I painted this during plein air Washington. I like the contrast between the blossoms and the concrete. I painted this painting at Lusher farms in Lake Oswego.
Bhavani: I've been waiting outside, I couldn't decide to come in or not...I got here so late! Sorry!**
(Laughter)!
Sarah: I was raised as a strict Catholic, but I wanted to take art classes. I got into a life model class even though I was only 16 years old. This was with permission and the full support of my parents. However, when I drew the male model I stopped short of the lower part. I'd just leave it all out. The instructor noticed this and in the spirit of getting me and the other students over this hurdle he had us draw only genitalia for awhile (to desensitize us). Of course, I didn't realize that when my parents found these drawings that they'd think I had some sort of bizarre obsession. (Laughter)! Now, I didn't want to cry, but I wanted to tell you all that I lost my mentor recently. He was very important to me and he died unexpectedly and suddenly. I have felt so crushed. He was a comic artist and so talented. The class took a trip with him to France. He stayed outside the museum with our backpacks and he very nearly got arrested for suspicion of terrorism. I can't believe our adventures with him are over. I am showing some sketches from my sketchbook. I love sketching at the zoo. I am showing the Creative Illustration book, a book my mentor (Rob Lyle) introduced me to. Finally, thank you everyone who has been counseling me about solvents and respiratory issues.
Thomas: When I travel I do a promo where I ask people to guess where I am (I upload a photo). If you guess right you win one of my paintings. I brought in the most recent "winning" painting that I am going to give to the winner. Sarah, I sympathize with you. Many of us here (at our ages) have lost a couple of people in our lives. Loss has taught me this philosophy: "Don't wait, do it now". On the topic, I take workshops also. I like to be on the other side and I learn what my students are likely going through and thinking (and not only that I always learn things). It's important to ask your workshop teacher questions, be pro active. I encourage people to get references before signing up. I like the idea of the "extended" or long form workshop. A big chunk of time..(like two weeks) is nice to devote to a workshop.
-------------------------
** (Bhavani, it's perfectly ok to be late, no worries)!
37 in attendance today (a possible record). Thanks everyone for sharing your art and stories.
Announcements:
Jeanie Bates, Gresham City Hall, Nov 26 5:30-7pm reception
Join Bonny Wagoner at IKEA on Monday 10am for "urban sketching" (meet in the cafeteria and then go to the IKEA Studio)
Hillsboro First Tuesday Artwalk Dec 3: https://tualatinvalley.org/events-festivals/hillsboro-first-tuesday-art-walk/
McMinnville First Tuesday Art Walk, Dec 3 https://visitmcminnville.com/about/articles/mcminnville-art-walk/
First Tuesday, Dec 3, Joanne Thorpe will be at Crystal Heart Boutique in Hillsboro http://www.crystalheartbooks.com/home/
Classes at OSA (Susan Kuznitisky, Joanne Kollman, Michael Orwick and others):
https://public.osartists.org/public/classes
Thomas Kitts Silicy 2020 workshop May 16-23
thomas@thomaskitts.com
Workshops at OSA: https://public.osartists.org/public/workshops
Figure drawing, painting, expressive painting Classes at OSA with Joanne Radmilovich Kollman (Friday)
https://public.osartists.org/public/classes
Pittock Mansion Call to Artists Deadline Nov 30: (no fee) https://racc.org/resources/listings/call-for-art-mount-hood-contemporary-art-views-exhibit-at-pittock-mansion-2/
Arts Council Lake Oswego Call to Artists for Zines: deadline Jan 6, https://racc.org/resources/listings/call-for-zines/
Call to Artists: Art in the Park: Deadline Feb 23 https://www.lakewood-center.org/pages/Art-in-the-Park-2020-Call-for-Entry
Call to Artists: Walters Cultural show submissions: https://waltersgallery.submittable.com/submit
Dianna Shyne classes: https://diannashyne.com/workshop
Put any announcements about your shows directly on our facebook page. Please include date time and address. https://www.facebook.com/groups/222304114527014/
Hiatus Drawing Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/333152383542909/
Today is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day. Thank you Mike Porter for your part in advocating for awareness and for sharing your own journey with us. (Also, Happy Birthday, Mike (last week)).
Tim and Cindy Young lost their very special best friend this week. Muttley was originally a rescue kitty from PetSmart Rescue. If you are so inclined, please donate to PetSmart Rescue in Muttley's honor (and please include his name and Tim's email on the donation form). young9007@comcast.net
(Please remember to support the French Quarter food carts)
NO MEETING Next Thursday, Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving
Next Art Discussion Meeting Dec 5, 9am......Describe the best time you ever had painting! What (specifically) accounted for it being so special? Let's discuss!
No comments:
Post a Comment