Oil on museum quality, archival ampersand gessobord™ panel - 5” x 7”
Shiver me timbers! It be September me hearties and that be a month with an Arrrrr. Davy Jones has once again given up some of his treasure from the briny deep. In this case that be the Whale Rock oyster from the Mystic River in Connecticut. Sink me, it's time to splice the mainbrace. Fair winds!
OK, enough with the Captain Jack already! Do we have an accord? (sorry) I was in a funk yesterday and wasn't really in the mood to paint but regrouped later in the day to push around some paint. This piece is little more than a sketch but I like the spontaneity of it. There is something satisfying about scratching your name into wet paint. It is tantamount to carving your name in a tree, perhaps more so. Even the hardiest tree will fall but a work of art will go on. Unless the piece is total dreck, I don't know anyone who throws away art.* It may get passed around or given to the goodwill perhaps, but not thrown in the bin. The world is full of works of art that perchance should be tossed, but like an ugly child, someone will love them. So paint carefully my brothers and sisters. If the world is still around, and you have used good materials, the by product of your creative efforts will be around long after you are gone. There is a reason why they make "student grade" materials - planned obsolescence.
*I went to my 20th high school reunion back in 1990 and ran into a girl with whom I exacted my very first painting transaction. It was a piece I had done in Studio class my senior year of my friend Danny rising from a field of weeds or wildflowers (this was the sixties, baby, and we were letting our freak flag fly.) I was very flattered when this girl (a very attractive girl, I might add. One who I never had the nerve to even talk to) ask if she could buy it. Hitherto, I had not thought about pricing or even selling my work, so her question caught me off guard. "Sure," I stammered, "How about 10 bucks" This was a lot of money in 1969, at least it was to me. She agreed and we made the exchange. When I saw her again at the reunion, I asked about the painting. She informed me that her husband didn't like it and threw it out. Not gave it away, mind you...THREW IT OUT!! So much for my first sale.
14 comments:
nice new england beauties
Slurp, slurp, I am a happy guy. Thanks, Diane.
Now there's a subject to discuss! Should artists throw away work they consider inferior? I know I have thrown away plenty, and kept some I probably should have thrown away. I wish I could paint as beautifully and as consistantly as you do! Love the painting. Beautiful use of yellow.
Thanks, Bob. I, too, have eliminated work that I did not think was up to my standards. I realize that they can't all be winners. I'm certain even Rembrandt had a bad day, but I would not want my less successful work released from old sketchpads or racks to tarnish my reputation when I am gone.
I just hope that this girl from High School is looking at your paintings now, and smackin' her husband in the head!!!!!LOL
Hey, even the great masters have some things that are still around and I think they are questionable, but, they are THEIRS and that is what makes them special. EVERYTHING of yours is SPECIAL!!!!! I'd hold onto it forever!!!!:)
I wasn't trying to be "Anonymous", I just still can't figure this thing out...sorry....
I really do like this painting. And about your first sale, I'd say "throw the husband out." That action makes me want to sizzle the guy and I don't even know him. But I do like your oyster painting.
Thanks, Pegi Sue. Your flattering comment made my day. I really haven't jettisoned any of my stuff for a long time. Even then it was just unsuccessful sketch pad stuff from life drawings done long ago. If I hate something now, I just wipe it down and move on (or try to).
Dianne, My 40 year high school reunion is fast approaching. (How did that happen?) If I see this girl (oops, woman) I'll ask her if she dumped him. I'm glad you like the piece and took the time to comment. I live for feedback.
Mark, now I'M flattered!! You make my day EVERYDAY!!!:)
Thank you!!:)
I've thrown some paintings in the trash and also in the fire in a rit of fage. (Apologies to Pink Panther fans).
It felt good at the time to purge but occasionally I wish I had those pieces back, if only for comparison.
You pushed the paint into some pretty nice piles there, matey.
Diana, In my impoverished youth I painted over more than a few paintings that I wished that I had back now. I have never burned a piece- slashed it and ripped it from the stretcher bars with my teeth - but never burned one. I bet it felt good.
P.S. I'm still thinking about my BWA choices.
Thanks Lisa and/or Bill. The great thing about this internet art thing is that one is always being introduced to new artists. From what a saw from my brief click to your site, a lengthy visit is in my near future. Fun stuff!
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