Celeste: I'm participating in the Strada Daily Painting Challenge and this time I decided to give myself some parameters. I elected to use black and white exclusively, to give myself a theme and to concentrate on design. I like what Thomas Jefferson said: "Everything yields to diligence". I am showing a painting I did yesterday in Za's brushwork class and two Strada paintings.
Joanne K: The words "Work Ethic" covers more than you think it does. Beyond how much effort you put in, it has to do with the principles you use and the vision you have for yourself and others. A lot of us have learned so much from Za Vue. The Hmong are community based people and Za has taught us (especially through example) to be helpful and supportive of one another. Michele Bufton (who passed away recently) was a shining example of "work ethic". She would drag around all of her oxygen tanks everywhere Za's class went on location, she just would not be denied. I painted this side by side with her. Here also are other recent paintings. I am also painting in the Strada Challenge. (It has given me an opportunity to try casein).
Loretta: I think maybe I should work on drawing, but in fact I am happiest and most at peace when I just stay in what I like..I stay in the color.
Geri: I've wanted to develop diligence...but facts are I've been "blocked" recently. Then I had an idea --- to start working in abstract. I'm not even sure where this idea came from, but it was just what I needed because the abstracts have made me want to get to my studio. It's just a delicious feeling of anticipation! It's a total joy and even when it doesn't turn out I'll tear it up and use it in a collage. Here is an abstract and a recent acrylic painting.
Tedd: I'm a morning person...so I like to work in the morning and work hard! This past weekend I took a workshop in Procreate. It's a really good program for conceptualizing. I am showing my most recent painting.
Jeanie: I guess I must have a good work ethic, because I stood at an easel so long recently that my legs still hurt. (I put the painting on my website).
Kathy: I am undisciplined, so I am hoping to hear ideas from all of you. I do a lot better if I have a schedule. Left to my own devices, I don't have one. I am showing a recent study from my class.
Bonny: I'm a slave driver to myself and only to myself. I have a whiteboard and on it I write important goals. Currently the whiteboard reads: "A flower a week" --- but I will cut myself slack if I do not get it done. On another note, I wondered how many might be willing to join in with a field trip/plein air trip to Joy Creek Nursery? They are welcoming of artists and it's an inspiring location. We are thinking about June.
Dana: My work ethic is "Just Do it" ! I am showing a watercolor.
Stephanie: After many years of working I want to enjoy painting and I do! Another way to say this is that I don't want to "work". Painting is very important to me. If I have advice for anyone it would be to just show up and start. You'll be fine once you start. I like to paint a lot of different subjects. I am showing paintings..one of them is from a drawing I did of Steve and his baby !
Serena: I am interested in what you all have to say about your schedules and how you plan your time. I have been teaching a friend about print making. I thought I would show you these monoprints that I did. This is a painting I painted in figure class.
Jim: A lot of the early morning resides in me. I like to get coffee and go to the studio. Right at the moment I am cleaning, sorting and throwing away. I'm just trying to keep an open "walkway" in my studio. (Laughter)! I also really want to get outside (no matter what the weather is doing). That is my goal. I brought a painting from my archives that I painted for a friend. I wound up giving him a different version and keeping this one.
Dianna: I realized recently if I keep doing what I do all the time everything I do will always be the same! I have a whiteboard and I write on it...things like How do I want my painting to be? How do I want to grow? I give a lot of thought to the painting I am doing and I write goals specific to it. I envision work that is slightly higher than what I can do! Lately I have been trying to find the sweet spot between abstract and realism. With this painting of clouds I was after airiness and luminosity. I want to keep putting new things out there (that I don't know how to do)!
Sharman: I have the things I need in order to paint...but I find that I put things off. I often find other things to do instead! I came today to get some ideas. (*** recommendation below)
Yong: Happy Chinese New Year! I am glad to see my friend Za Vue here. She is the one who told me about this group...and then I started coming and she stopped coming! (Laughter)! Za and I both worked at Disney. At Disney you just were not permitted to say "Well, I don't feel inspired today"! (Laughter)! I learned there and it carries over into now that we can not wait for inspiration. It is better to just go and paint no matter how you feel. I have been painting every day for nearly three years now! I have made a point of painting things that seem ordinary. This is sort of an example..."just grasses"!
Za: Yong is my Chinese brother ! (Laughter)! I am a complete night owl. I find it challenging to get here in the morning! Here is my work ethic: "Work Hard, Play Hard and Rest"! I don't always feel the need to paint. I take time away from it from time to time. Moderation is important. It is a good idea to read some and sometimes watch tv! (Remember the "Rest" part of my recommendation)!
Greg: It is ideal to establish a habit --- one that is tied to a time of day; a specific hour morning or evening. (There was a study that put forth the amount of days it takes to establish a habit).
Steve: I have had to become accountable to myself. I used to wait for inspiration and it would come in spurts. That way of thinking did not work well. I read a book called Big Magic. In it the author put forth the idea that the Muse doesn't come to you....it's the other way around...you show the Muse that you are worthy (by working)! I have made a daily commitment to working. Committing even just 5 minutes per day (to anything you want more of in your life) is desirable. I am showing a recent painting.
Tim: "Work Ethic" throws me for a loop. ..but I'll do it if it seems fun and interesting. If I am curious..I will do it. I've been following Celeste's cats in the Strada Challenge..and it inspired me to paint my own cat. I am also showing this painting from a recent hike.
Thomas: I may not feel energized or inspired but if I just pick up a brush and paint anyway ...then I do feel it! That is my experience. I'm showing my article (about John Singer Sargent's painting of the Boit Daughters) in Fine Art Connoisseur on my ipad.
Donna: I paint in pastels and I've always liked that you can work in pastel and walk away and come back...but that can be a little bit of a curse, actually. I sometimes can feel very anxious painting a painting! I am not like that when I paint plein air...but I got a little tired of "just" landscape. I wanted to paint something with a bit of a story (like a snapshot). I liked this image of a parade and used it for a reference for this painting. It took me a long time, but in the end I felt satisfied that I captured the moment.
Vicki: I try to get rid of things that I have to do in the morning, so that I can feel free to paint. I think I have a good worth ethic. I look forward to working all the time. I am showing a painting I did of the gorge and these are some family portraits that I am working on (just for fun).
Diane: I always felt guilty about art...but I became a graphic designer. I'm not a plein air painter, but I went to Studio 30 because I had an interest in figure painting. I worked hard, but I had to wipe out so many paintings! I had to admit to myself that it was drawing that was missing. I applied myself and worked at drawing and I improved. Around that same time I was beguiled by other artists and I'd think I want to paint like that person...but now, quite some time later, I want to paint like me! I am showing a painting I did from a photo of my husband's Mother. It is still in progress.
Lisa: I am doing the Strada Challenge. It is the 4th time I've done it. I like it so well because it gives me a work ethic! I think during the day "I have to get my painting done!" I am showing three of my favorites from the challenge. There is only a couple of days left now and I feel that I became more and more proficient each day.
Susan: My life has changed so drastically ...I'm reformulating ! I have more time to myself than ever before and I do enjoy time when I can just "be". I am showing a pastel painting that I had abandoned...but I went back into it and I think I salvaged it!
Becky: My work ethic has to do with "Success breeds Success". The more you do, the more you want to do. Doing a color chart is a success. I think it is much easier to understand that you are going wrong if you are practicing guitar. It is desirable to practice with intention, to pay attention instead of zoning out. My advice is never take a long hiatus! I am showing two Strada paintings. I have been glad to do the Strada Challenge, because it has gotten me into a rhythm of painting. I'm ready to do my next (big) project.
Chris: I worked for many years as a graphic designer. I was very disciplined. But...with plein air, it is a different story. I am out there and Look! a bird went by...(Laughter)! I enjoy plein air, but I know my work ethic is better inside. It is always good for me to have a project, something on the easel. I am showing a painting that I did for the big 500. It is of my son and grandson. I painted it for the big 500....but I bought it, so I could give it to them! (Laughter)!
Eunice: I am getting ready to paint still life so I reviewed some of my older paintings. I made the discovery that my older (successful) still life paintings are big! I made the connection that I should be working larger like I did in the past. That is my current plan!
Judith: (Editor's note...thanks for helping with the photography, Judith...where did you go at the end)?
Elo: I know some professional animators and I admire them so much! I look to them as inspiration. They are up in the morning before everyone else and they will work and work until the project is finished. They do this and juggle the responsibilities of family too. I want to apply the same work ethic that I used to get me through med school! I have that same sort of desire. I am busy and I have no wasted time. In January I have been painting daily (no-more-than-one-hour) plein air paintings; I am showing a recent one.
***(Editor's note: Often recommended: The War of Art)
Announcements:
OSA Monotype Party and show Friday, Jan 31 11:00 am demo: Stephan Hayes,
Saturday Feb 1 reception 6-8 (See graphic below)
https://www.osartists.org/gallery/current-upcoming-exhibits
Za Vue Fundamentals of Portrait class at PNCA Feb 23- March 1 (nearly filled, sign up asap if you are interested)
https://cereg.pnca.edu/p/adult/s/1963
Watch for Za Vue's segment coming up on Oregon Art Beat
Elo Wobig will paint a Demo Thursday, Feb 6 6:30-8 OSA https://www.osartists.org/classes-and-workshops/demonstrations https://elowobig.com
Michael Lindstrom, Reception Solo Show, Art on the Boulevard Friday, Feb 7, 5-9pm 9pm http://www.artontheboulevard.org/
Thomas Kitts authored an article about Sargent in current issue of Fine Art Connoisseur
https://fineartconnoisseur.com
Thomas Kitts Techniques of Sargent DVD is available beginning Jan 31.
https://streamlineartvideo.com/products/thomas-jefferson-kitts-sargent-techniques-of-a-master?_pos=1&_sid=28248fa33&_ss=r
Thomas Kitts workshops (Sicily, Maine France and others): https://thokitts.wixsite.com/pleinaireverywhere
http://www.thomaskitts.com/
Pittock Mansion Mt. Hood Exhibit begins Feb 1 and runs through July http://pittockmansion.org/events/
Pacific NW Plein Air (at Maryhill Museum) submit via online juried shows (Deadline March 15)
https://www.onlinejuriedshows.com/Default.aspx?OJSID=43182&fbclid=IwAR3xZeT75GZNU3IR-dAVT31zlNGfBunEQZPKPSGwSTuIl0vV7GPUDr92Jrk
https://pacificnwpa.com/
Dianna Shyne has filmed instructional videos for Acrylic University
https://www.acrylicuniversity.com/ Dianna is also the 2020 organizer for the Lavender Festival (and she will need some volunteers: dianna@diannashyne.com)
Oregon Society of Artists Joanne Kollman, classes Friday am and pm
+ Saturday ongoing portrait class
https://public.osartists.org/public/adultclasses
Oregon Society of Artists Susan Kuznitsky classes Satudays and Thursdays
https://public.osartists.org/public/adultclasses
The Hiatus Drawing Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/333152383542909/?multi_permalinks=1347675355423935¬if_id=1579815702328596¬if_t=feedback_reaction_generic
Our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/222304114527014/ (put news about you and or announcements of your own directly on our page)
Plein air event website: https://www.paintouts.com
Next art discussion meeting: Thursday Feb 6, 9am*, Table topic: Your favorite surface to paint (or draw) on...precisely what is it? (ie: Masonite, "Ray Mar", linen.. oil ground, UArt, etc etc) Tell us what is your all time favorite and why.
(Try your best to be early or on time and thank you for supporting the food cart).
No comments:
Post a Comment