In the park -- ready for summer
Stages 3 and 4
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Barbara Muir 2010
never finish learning about art. The possible
lessons are infinite. But lessons are different
from rules. Rules are a rigid idea we get in our
heads about what "must" happen for a painting
to work, be good, be recognized. I think I am
learning every time I open my eyes. We all
are. A friend asked me today how to draw eyes,
and I thought, 'there's no easy answer.' I
don't have a formula for that. I stare and stare,
and try to figure out what's going on. But I
can tell my friend some things I've learned.
Then I tell him the important thing. I think
I'll always be learning more about how to create
everything I paint.
Many advisers say stick to one thing, get really
good at one thing. But what about our heroes?
Sargent was a magnificent portrait painter, and
his watercolours of seascapes, and landscapes are
fantastic. I'm pretty sure that anyone owning
a Sargent landscape watercolour now is very
happy indeed, and not complaining that the
piece is not a portrait - which is what Sargent was
known for. I'd take a portrait or landscape by
van Gogh, Cezanne, a still life or portrait by
Lynn Donoghue.
The point? Fool around. Love what you do.
Believe in your own path, and enjoy it.
I swear that's all that matters.
Have a painting-the-way-you-want-to day.
8 comments:
Oh, good advice.. fool around. And love what you do, which you obviously do!
Lovely portrait in progress.
Hear hear!! I once created a 'play station' of 6 small canvases that i wanted to approach with a 'what the heck, lets give this a try' attitude, and it has launched me into fun i couldn't have imagined if I stuck with the same old same old that i had been doing before.
The only reason to do it, is the learning i have found.
That triple portrait looks like its coming along beautifully.
I totally agree. You should see some of the stuff I don't show anyone. One thing aids another.
Being a landscape painter (mostly) I find the back ground area of this painting interesting. It'll be fun to watch the progress.
E
This is coming along beautifully, Barbara. It is always so interesting to see your process!
Great post and very good advice! So glad you paint a variety of subjects because your still lives and landscapes are every bit as beautiful as your portraits. Keep it up!
Hi Elizabeth,
I love painting, it's true. Especially when it's fun. Thanks so much.
Take care,
Barbara
Hi Sally,
I love the Chester paintings. I've been there and it so different, so much wealthier than the part of Nova Scotia we go to, that in a way it's like an escape to a whole other world. Great work.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Take care,
Barbara
Hi Eldon,
There's not much I won't show anyone, because you see most of it right here. But playing matters you are right.
I like the background too. It will of course get less dramatic, but it's fun at this stage.
Take care,
Barbara
Hi Gwen,
The same is true for you. I couldn't believe it when I read that you are self-taught. Your work is so vivid and fantastic. I hope you win your contest.
Thanks for the sweet encouragement.
xoxoxoxoBarbara
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