Open Canvas 2013

So long between posts. So what? Art. Created live at Open Canvas. All I could manage is a quick video showing what I did. Enjoy.

What It Is

So what is it to be an artist? Do you just roll out of bed one day and decide to create? People just aren't born and ready. They're inspired. By Life. The stories the artist tells, whether it be in words or pictures comes from a deep place within their sole. The heart becomes a place that is full of memories of the past and dreams for the future. So what is it to be an artist?

My story may be like so many others: I'm troubled about things. I bottle up feelings. I'm angry. I'm sad. I need love. I can't find love. I see things around me in this world that are troubling. I see beauty. I want to see God. Most don't. Can you believe?

We're all story tellers. Cover your mouth before you think! Words can get us into trouble. Actions get us into trouble. Anger, jealousy, rage...it's all around us. So we need an escape. We need a way to let those feelings out. So many of us try the seduction of booze and chemicals. Freedom from the bondage of self. It's all so momentary. The feeling is gone as fast as it happens. But we chase the dream. The dream to express our true feelings, to tell a story, and to be heard. So we lay down paint...we write lyrics...we see moving images....we dance....write....act. Who are we?

I'm an artist. But I struggle still to please people and not myself. That's what masturbation is for anyway. Why not lay down a different track? Compliance is such a dirty word. I want to be different. I want to be known. I want to be creative in my own right. I want to let those bottled up, pent up emotions flow out the end of a paintbrush, out of my mouth, through words on paper. That's what it is.

This post is dedicated to Notorious BIG---

Milwaukee Domes Plein Air

Blazing heat and humidity. but was able to put these two pieces together. Didn't win anything, but it was fun...and I needed the practice.

In front by the main entrance. My impressionistic palette of a very bland building/structure.

Looking south of Mitchell Park lagoon. Big willow dominated my thinking. It was overcast, so I thought the purple hues lent coolness to an otherwise hot day.

Funked

How else to describe a general state of nowhereness. Paint? Nothing. Draw? Ugh. Ideas? Where is my head? Is this what they call writers block? In my world, it's artist funked. Even though I've sold a big piece to a guy in NY, I just don't seem to be very motivated. My gallery owner is dinging me on working more hours, and I don't want to. So I don't know how that will turn out. Without the gallery, maybe I will find myself and quit worrying about producing pieces that sell.

I've felt more inclined to do some abstract stuff lately. Well, I do have 4 pieces in some stage of production, but I'm too lazy to even post those results. Lost my Flip Video so I can't record any more painting sessions, which was kinda fun.

Oh well, at least I came back to blog a bit.

Opportunity

Yesterday presented two new opportunities for me and my artwork. I met with the pastor of a large local church. He apparently had received a grant or donation of $3k to have some original art produced for the church. The project looks interesting and can offer a chance at some PR for me. The space is about 10x7 and will get plenty of eyeballs as you have to go past this wall to enter the worship area. Praise be to God.

I also had someone contact me regarding support for a local animal cruelty prevention gathering. I love animals and have done a couple pet/animal portraits, so this could be another great opportunity to get in front of other pet lovers for possible future commission work. Stay tuned on both these new projects.

Good news

Good news: I got a commission for a portrait from a patron of Almont Gallery. I also finished the Introduction to Oil Painting class I was teaching for adults. And lastly, I bought a boatload of inventory from the art supply store that was going out of business in Waukesha. Great price and motivation to start producing more art!

November 26- Let's get started

Inspired by all the daily artists I stumbled upon, I have to start somewhere. I've had a lot of luck lately as an artist. I've been painting for 35 years. I've been an illustrator for 10. I've wished and dreamed of living strictly off the earnings of a career in art. Alas, I have a day job to go with my dream. I've accumulated dozens of paintings that sit in my home. I've sold dozens more, primarly commissioned portraits, and gave away just as many to friends and family. My current journey starts with this entry.

This painting was done during a local charity event called Open Canvas. It's an awesome opportunity for local artists, who come in by invitation only, and create an original piece in a 6 hour window. All this in front of the admiring public who bid on each piece as it progresses. It's exciting and rewarding. All the money is donated and used for scholarships to the local art college (MIAD). This piece, 36x40, Acrylic, was done based on a recent fall trip I took with my family to Rhinelander, Wisconsin. It was purchased for $800.

Shortly after that, all full of myself, I went to our local Art District (10 galleries) looking for a break. The second place I walked into loved my work and offered me exclusive placement in their new gallery, The Clinton Street Gallery. Wow! So I get busy, buy a LOT of frames, dust off a bunch of paintings in my basement, and hang. I'm in a gallery...and within 5 days I have a sale. So now I'm really cranked up and I'm in the middle of producing 4 more paintings since then.

I'm so impressed and jealous of the artists that produce "a painting a day". I have to work a day job to pay the bills, but I feel highly motivated lately. So, this will be my attempt to keep up and post info everyday as I struggle to find my spot in the art world. I've given away lots of art, and sold a bunch of portraits on commission. More of those to follow.