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Showing posts with label solo shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label solo shows. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Blessed Are We Who Stand Before The Easel

Plein air supplies

For as long as I can remember, I have been looking for art inspiration, new art materials, new art techniques and the work and wisdom of other artists.

Robert Genn (1936-2014) is an example of an artist I have found along my journey who has so generously shared his work and wisdom through his Painter's Keys twice-weekly letters to everyone  (like me) who has subscribed to this free service. (Read the welcome letter here.)

I am grateful that his daughter Sara intends to continue the Painter's Keys letters and the well organized and useful Art Quotes page.

A few nuggets of wisdom from Robert G. that I cherish and think about all the time:
  • Your easel, your altar: "You might pause to consider how blessed are we who daily stand or sit before the easel.."
  • The Idea Life Cycle: "You can't be an apple seller without apples in your apple cart."
  • On signing and dating: "...signatures should be clear, consistent and pretty well always in the same place--lower right....the colour of the signature can often be harmonized or integrated into the painting...My advice to most artists is "unobtrusive but clear."
  • On solo shows: "The solo show, while often a vexing experience, is nevertheless a catalyst that can bring out the best of what is currently in you. Shows help to define an artist." 
And I love Robert's "Eleven Steps". Steps 1, 4, 7 and 10 are ones that resonate with me:
  • Step 1. Art is a perfectly complete cause. 
  • Step 4. You are responsible for radicalizing your strengths. 
  • Step 7. Learn from the greats, and expose yourself to better work.. 
  • Step 10. "Play" is your route to mastery.

One of my workspaces ....one of my altars.

My art journal that I play in daily.
Blessed am I.