Andrew's Art Walk

Day 8

2010-09-29T10:59:00.002-05:00

Day four through day seven have been all but a complete wash. While I did get the luxury of blowing a load of money at Dick Blick on some high end watercolours (I am still short a couple for Millard's full palette in Joy), I basically have not had the free time allotted to effectively continue to pursue this project.

Apparently, what is a priority to me, is only optional to everyone else. All I am really asking for is two hours a day. If more occurs, fabulous, but no less. But it just isn't happening, no matter how I explain, discuss it. And I am weary of being frustrated and angry over the inevitable conflict of time. I am weary of my day job stealing away precious hours beyond the call of duty. And I have gotten so weary of not getting enough sleep. Going full tilt on four hours or less just isn't as easy anymore.

I don't know what the rest of today will hold. Besides a nap, and some serious pain meds to stem this incessant pounding in my skull, and ease the intense pressure over my eyes, I have no plans once this day is over. If I feel more myself by the end of the day, I do have my field easel and supplies in the trunk of my car, a plein air oil is not necessarily out of the question. But I would need to feel a helluva lot better than I do right now.

Day Three

2010-09-25T00:20:00.003-05:00

Well, it is late. Or perhaps it is really early, depending on your perspective. But I am exhausted, and that means this entry may ramble a bit. It doesn't help that there is a serious front moving in, and it is making my head pulse like a jackhammer.

Not sure if I am getting everything I need out of this section. But I will see. As these basic principles transition to the more advanced techniques I will find out. As I am typically an oil painter and prefer opaque to transparent applications, there will be, I fear, a serious learning curve. I hope it all clicks sooner than later. I am surprised on how much I am enjoying these simple 5 min (or so) contour and freehand sketches. They are not pretty. And they are definitely not drawings. But they are fast and get down a great deal of info in a short, short, short period of time. I used to be quite the dedicated sketcher. But when I discovered the thrill of tonal work, I let that aspect of my artistic development slip. I am looking forward to the possibility of regaining some level of facility of rapid hand - eye - pencil coordination. Even if I gain nothing else in these first few weeks, that alone will make it worth it.

Upcoming are some more basic stuff. Designing with darks, and figure placement. Then to more detailed rapid drawing and simple shading. All of which is old hat of course. Going at it so loose and rapidly will be not only an adventure for me, but will be of intense benefit to me as I struggle to improve my en plein air painting skills. Painting outdoors directly from life has been one of the more difficult things for me. I enjoy it, of course. But my development seems to have hit the wall. The 300lb artistic gorilla has bogged me down. But even at this early stage, I am seeing the potential benefits of tackling this project will have on that particular aspect of my painting.

Good night

Day Two (A few hours late)

2010-09-24T08:48:00.004-05:00

Sorry this is a wee late. But either due to the storms we had passing through last night, or problems at our provider, or possibly both, I lost my connection to the Internet. Which obviously impeded my posting here after my studio session. I will post a couple of photos or scans of my sketches from last night with the ones from tonight (Day 3). At least nothing severe is predicted to cross our path tonight or tomorrow.

I have appreciated David Millard's work since seeing an exhibit in the mid 1980s, about the time these books were originally published. It comes as a surprise to me now, that I haven't taken a much closer look at his methods, until now. Certainly, I have perused Joy and More Joy on several occasions, and have used parts of the first few chapters to help me with my sketching. But, I had yet to take an honest hard look at what Millard was saying nor taken a critical work at his approach for my own benefit. Much to my loss I suppose. While these books do have a personal feel, I do now wonder what it would be like to actually have taken a class from him. But alas, I will never know, as David Millard passed away in 2002.

I have found the quick contour sketching to be quite liberating. I am by nature a tonal drawer, preferring charcoal and graphite sticks. But the freedom of the contour has proven to be quite relaxing and invigorating.

Take care, one and all. I will post more tonight.

Day One

2010-09-22T22:53:00.006-05:00

Today starts a little slow. Following the preface, I read through the text, all thirteen chapters, before setting down and getting started. Chapter one opens up with the basics. The 5 min and 15 min contour sketch.

The five minute sketch is, in this instance, being used to generate an "abstract" sky piece. When applied this shape will be toned with a midtone wash of cobalt blue/raw umber. The 15 min sketch is for more detail for a more earthy subject. Primarily a collection of buildings. More on that tomorrow when I explore that with an actual subject and not just notes from Millard's book.

I apologize for the poor scan on the actual sketch. The paint was still wet, and I had it lifted up off the scanner bed.

Tomorrow I hope to be able to get a much earlier start, and tackle much more of this rudimentary chapter. The only difficult part is finding my own subjects for the lessons, as I don't wish to post elaborate copies of the book demos online. This time, many thanks to the Wetcanvas Image Library for the quick bailout tonight. I couldn't find my folder of cityscapes and street scenes.

As Edward R. Morrow said, "Goodnight and Good Luck!"

Rising from the Dead

2010-09-22T10:21:00.004-05:00

I have to be honest. I have yet to totally get into the spirit of blogging. Not that I don't read them, as that would be a substantial untruth. But actually sitting down and daily or even regularly documenting my life's events to the online world at large, has perpetually been a challenge. And I had to be honest with myself, that if I truly wanted to resurrect this blog and instill in me the fortitude to keep going, I needed a focal point. Some item or project that I wanted to share, so even on the leanest of days, there would be something to write about. Something to share.

Which is what has brought me here today. I am going to try an experiment. Anyone who knows me, artistically, also is keenly aware that I go through seriously dry intervals. They may not be as keenly aware that it follows cycles of increased work related stress, but that is not as relevant as the attempts to ween myself off these dry spells.

Since I have limited art educational opportunities, do to geography, schedule, and budget. I have devised an experiment for myself. I am going to attempt to plow through and document my own "school" of hard knocks. I will select artists whose work I not only admire, but who also teach via books, blogs, and/or video and follow along, right here before your very eyes. I realize that some of the ground will be old hat, but much will be new, and some will familiar, but taken in a direction that I thought inconceivable before. But then, that is the point.

Due to my current schedule and I haven't the faintest idea of how much time will be involved on the blog side of this experiment, I am going to start simply. One teacher, one set of books, and a basic time frame. If this works out productively, I will add more to the process, as I grow and become more facile and more comfortable with the process.

I am going to begin with watercolor (or watercolour). My artist of choice is David Lyle Millard, and I will be using his books Joy of Watercolor and More Joy of Watercolor, with supporting lessons from Charles Reid and Vincenc Ballestar. All of whom share a similar approach, but with drastically different results. My goal is to proceed through both books within 100 days, or one typical Semester. It is also my goal to document this as real time as possible. And I deeply hope, that those of you reading this blog will not only contribute your thoughts and criticisms (constructive are best), but also hold me accountable for my posts. Push me, goad me, or whack me upside the noggin' with a virtual frying pan (only my mother and wife are allowed the real thing), and do whatever it takes to keep me going.

I will need a few additional materials to get me started. The initial lessons, thankfully, use what I have currently at my disposal. Class starts this evening. Wish me luck!

I took a pass yesterday

2009-04-22T07:29:00.003-05:00

I just didn't have it in me last night. It was hard enough keeping my eyes open for the drive home from work. Rather than fight the process, I gave myself the night off, had a beer (Sam Adams Black Lager - yummmmm), a melatonin, and crashed early. Refreshed for today.

I already started the setup for today's painting. Looking back at it now, I will most likely make some changes to the drapery and the arrangement. But the process is afoot.

Pardon this interruption

2009-04-21T11:01:00.004-05:00

I was just sitting here, thinking over this decision to commit to a painting a day. It seems, on the face of it, insane. It feels like a monumental undertaking, without a pre-arranged endgame. Perhaps that is true, on the surface.

While, there will undoubtedly come a time where I will plan a change of venue, I have already felt the impact of the daily paintings. Each day I feel like I am accomplishing something. Even if the sketches (which haven't been scanned in yet), don't go well, or if I my meager study in paint is pictorially unsatisfying, I feel good. It feels like I have made a positive step and commitment to my overall artistic development. As Craig Nelson repeatedly points out Brush Mileage holds a lot of weight. I can't help but agree with that statement, even at this early stage.

Now back to our regular scheduled programming. . .

Keeping up with the Dailies!

2009-04-20T22:10:00.004-05:00

Here are my daily forays for April 19th and 20th. Both are oil on canvasboard, 6"x8".

Starting Over

2009-04-19T12:55:00.004-05:00

I have let this blog flounder. So I am trying to resurrect it as a daily painting/sketch forum. My entries may not always be daily, but I hope to keep the entries (art) dated as close to daily as possible. So here goes my first daily painting entry.

Spice tin (4/18/09)
8"x6" oil on canvasboard

Part Three

2007-10-05T13:45:00.000-05:00

Here are three more 6x8 inch oils. Fun studies to do! Comments and critque are always welcome.

Andrew

Update - Part Two

2007-10-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of my near daily warm-ups. Each are on 6x8" canvas panels, done in oil and completed in 25-40 mins. Please feel free to critque and comment.

Thanks

Well I am back - With a Vengence!

2007-10-05T07:36:00.000-05:00

Sadly, I have been away from this blog far to long and I have a great deal to cover. Quite possibly there will be multiple entries throughout the day. This first one, I shall deliver what I promised. A quick review of a one man show, which I believe is still up at Indian Hills Community College.

I was unable to get permission to display actual photos of his work, so you will have to be content with the flyer. I missed the grand opening (which would have been the best time to get with Richard and talk to him again), but I have been back several times to enjoy the work displayed.

Richard is a retired instructor at Hills, and although I didn't have the pleasure of having him as an instructor, I have met him several times at art festivals and galleries. I even have a few of his prints. But, this exhibit was slightly divergent from previous showings I have attended. This show was a blend of traditional watercolor landscapes and bold abstracts. I am more familiar with his landscapes and cityscapes, but it was these abstracts that caught my eye. Its seems odd to say that, my choice of viewing pleasure leans way into the traditional. But these were not the work of your run-of-the-mill paint flinger. These works were bold in colour, and were built up on broad shapes, supported by controlled variations of hue and value. They showed an easy confidence that comes from years of representational painting. Each piece read just as easily as the more typical lanscapes with a distinct order and orientation. They didn't look like anything in particular, but they also didn't look souless and directionless. And none of them needed long descriptive passages of prose to define a meaning, purpose, or to elicit an emotional response.

In other art news, to my knowledge, I am still up for the 30 Day artist. I will keep you posted on how that continues. I also urge you to check out this months participant. Give them the support we all need from time to time. For those of you interested in sculpting, this weekend 1listSculpting (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1listSculpting/) is hosting a quick sculpt exercise. A see what you can model in 6 hours (or less) deal, not including setting and curing times. As of right now, I am intending on participating. From todays vantage point it looks like a clean shot. If all goes well, I will be posting the WIP photos here and the finished piece here, and over at group folder. This group is more aimed at miniatures (i.e. wargaming), but there are some wonderful artist in the group, I encourage you to check out the group and members websites.

And finally, as I close this installment of the current update, I want to bring a new book to the attention of my readers. As artists and art lovers, we are by our very nature free thinkers. We typically are more open to what the world and the universe hold for us. This book isn't about art, but is definitely worth the read. The book is American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War On America by Chris Hedges. It is not a long winded left wing propaganda book, nor is it a piece of political satire. Hedges is a journalist with outstanding creditials and a Masters of Divinity from Harvard. This book is a document of policy and practice that is, in my opinion frightening. And he provides pages of endnotes referencing his sources, which are even more disturbing. It is an insight into a wave of politics that already has had some bearing on the arts and arts funding. The final tally has yet to be revealled. I just finished the book, and I was riveted. It is definitely worth the read if you are concerned about the direction of US policy and the principals the Founding Fathers laid down.

Nuff Said!

I will be back later today to post some paintings. Take care everybody!

I'm way over due!

2007-09-12T10:18:00.000-05:00

I can't believe how fast time flies, but there you go. I am back and roarin' to go. It has been a fast and furious time since my last entry. Between the long weekend of Labor Day, and the following long weekend to the Clay County Fair ( http://www.claycountyfair.com/), I have not had the opportunity to bring the rest of you up to date.

I made my voyage down to Don's on Saturday, September first. We moved several loads of wood, he grilled some marvelous burgers for lunch, and we managed an hour or so painting and sketching (he painted - I sketched) on his farm. While perhaps not as satisfying as a trip to Hermann for the Paintout, it was a wonderful time. I also spied myself several awesome plein air spots along the way. A great fringe benefit.

I have started to get my groove on for the 30 Day Artist. They say it takes 21 days to set a habit. Using that as a stepping stone, I am taking my schedule in hand, and trying to set up a daily work habit, that will allow me to successfully complete the challenge. I am also putting thought into what mediums and subjects I want to have available to me for the challenge. I want to allow myself enough time to have everything at hand. My hopes are to meet this challenge with a variety of subjects and media. This challenge is such a great opportunity, I want to make the most of it.

Currently, I am working on getting better at photographing my work and obtaining high speed interenet so I can readily post my work. Not only here, but at other art sites on which I miss participating. I have a terrible time photographing paintings. Any suggestions would be gratiously accepted and appreciated.

Well that is about all for now. There are a few upcoming concerts that I will try to attend and review for you. Alternatively, there are some local groups whose recent CD releases I will try permission to sample and review. I also noticed some art exhibits coming up. I am not sure how they will fit into my schedule, but I want to go and peruse. One of them is a one man show at IHCC. It is the work of retired teacher Richard Dutton. I have always been fond of his work, I even have a couple of his prints at home. My next entry will be a review of this showing, possible with a sample of his work or a link to his gallery page, whichever he will allow. If you make it to the Clay County Fair, be sure to stop into the Art Barn. When you do, say hello to Stephanie Kellogg. And tell her you heard about her exhibit here. Stephanie and her sisters are all showing there. There is also a watercolorist and a woodworker displaying their craft. I wish I would have had more time to enjoy the displays.

30 Day Artist (Reprise)

2007-08-31T09:28:00.000-05:00

Well, its official. I received a reply to my inquiry, and I filled in the registration. So as early as December, I , dear humble readers, could be the Artist of the Month. I am so jazzed.

That said, there is much going on both in and out of art. I was going to a Plein air Paint-out in Hermann Missouri this weekend. The main thrust was to get an opportunity to paint with a Wetcanvas aquaintance who lives just south of me near Kirksville, MO. We have been trying to get together for over a year, with no luck. This shot was no different, he had to cancel, as he had several home renovation projects that needed to be done before winter arrives. He is way behind, a fact that I can wholly understand. So I called him up last night, and offered him a deal. I would come down Saturday morning and help him knock out one of his big projects, and then we spend a couple of hours in the Kirksville area painting (or sketching). That way he gets a leg up on large project, and gets a bit of art time. Win-win situation. That sounded like a good deal to him, and so now we get our paint-out and some work done.

On Sunday, there is a punk rock concert here in Ottumwa. The two opening acts are local, and one is a group I have had the pleasure of hearing before. They are not the typical garage punk band. They actually have some musical talent. The headliner is a group that I remember hearing about not long after I graduated college. I didn't realize they were still together, since the lead singer passed away in '93. Murder Junkies are in fact still with us and our touring promoting a new release. If I get the opportunity to go, I will post my review here and possibly some snapshots of the show.

That is about all for now. Take care, and have a safe and fun Labor day weekend.

30 Day Artist

2007-08-29T10:55:00.000-05:00

I just stumbled upon this today, and it looks fabulous. It is an interesting challenge. For thirty days, one artist is the focus of the project. The effects twofold. First, it allows the artist to all but perform in front of an audience. Secondly, it tests your passion and your mettle by having to complete 40 pieces in 30 days.

For me an amateur, and currently only a parttime artist, that last bit would be a real challenge. But it does pose an interesting means of getting over oneself, and letting the process of art take control. In a sense, it is like they say in church; "Let go and let God." This challenge provides an opportunity to let go of any pre-conceived notions, and let the good times roll.

Currently, I have an email in to the project co-ordinators, and I will see where that leads.

Good Day!

The Creative Artist

2007-08-27T13:23:00.000-05:00

For those of you who don't know, I have been horrendously blocked the last few months, and have been stumbling for even longer. For those of you readers who are aware of this, please bear with me.

It has become increasingly difficult at times to separate the internal frustrations of life vs. art, with the general frustration due to geographical limitations. I have become increasingly self-critical and have taken a level of anger and distaste toward my own work that is, for the most part, unwarranted. I do not intend to say that there is art here, that would be lie. The musical community in this region is inspiring, and getting better all the time. There is a resurgence in traditional arts that is surprising and refreshing, as well has a growing base of photographic and digital art. That said, I am looking forward to the potential opportunities of this artistic resurrection.

However, for the time being, I kick myself in the arse. Nita Leland's book has been an interesting read and has provided some interesting fodder for thought. I was wary to pick this book up from the library. It is geared for watercolorists, of which I am not. But, so far it has provided some serious food-for-thought, and looking at the exercises and thinking through them to apply those concepts to the media of interest has been a creative stimulant and attitude adjuster. Too be totally honest my gentle readers, I haven't felt this joyful and productive in far too long a time.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

2007-08-24T11:42:00.000-05:00

Here goes nothing. I have never been a serious journal keeper, but I want to try a something new. So here I am, opening up myself to the world. Or at least to those who find their way to my little corner of the internet universe.

With this blog, I intend to share my thoughts, experiences, and in with luck my sketches and artwork. I also hope to use this share things that motivate and inspire me, as well as review books, movies and performances that come my way. And if all things go well, possibly highlight the work done by the local artists and musicians.

All told, this good be a far larger endeavor than I entend. While I am not yet a professional artist, the Arts, in the broadest sense of the term, are vital to me. And I want to share that love and enthusiasm with the world at large.