Friday, November 27, 2009
"From My Past"
I didn't find it in my drawer of photos. But I did find a few other interesting photos. The first one I pulled out was taken in 1997, first making its appearance in my journal twelve years ago. I scanned that one again, and found another from that day, a visit Laura, Julia and I had taken to Tuzigoot, Arizona: |
I like the wide expanse (and singled this one out for the Photo Friday theme)
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The next old gem was from a trip we took to Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum also back in 1997:
 The original is only 3.5 by 5 inches, I cropped it down to print to a 4 x 5
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I caught my mother with the 110 camera I had at the time...
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My Aunt June sent me some old photos from my past and before my past. Her father had an old Brownie camera, and I was probably around five here:
 1963?
 This was from 1963, as well. It was hand colored, but they got the dress wrong, for it was really aqua blue.
 Info (no doubt for the colorist) on back: Complexion - Fair Eyes - Blue Hair - Light brown Shirt - Brown & beige Did Dad sign it himself? 
Saturday, November 28, 2009 B
"Art Quotes"
"I've said that there is nothing more difficult or demanding than painting. It calls for a state of physical and mental alertness sustained throughout the session. There is no place for sluggishness. Every nerve must tingle. Every sense must be vibrating and sharp. Observe, analyze, respond with paint---all at white-hot speed."
(From _Portraits from Life in 29 Steps_, by John Sanden, page 11)
"Over the years, I've noted several patterns that govern the progress of art students. Those who approach their work with total ambition, with no timidity, with confidence and with even a kind of arrogance seem to attain their goal with greater frequency. The three traits that seem to count most are a burning desire, perseverance and a healthy dissatisfaction with everything you've done before, coupled with the urge to do it better the next time.
"Remember, a bold failure is better than a timid semi-success."
I took note of a quote from a favorite artist which appeared in the December issue of Southwest Art:
"Paint from life as much as you can so that all your senses are bombarded. Somehow, all those elements work their way into the painting." (Daniel Gerhartz, page 82)
I love that idea of 'bombarding' the senses, the sensual aspect of it.
Also, I learned of an exhibit that is at the Met only until January 24, 2010, but "American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life, 1765-1915 has
an online exhibition catalog. Every painting is featured and has a close up view which lets us see its details. I really enjoyed seeing how each painter told a story in this exhibit. My favorites are William Sidney Mount's "Power of Music", 1847 and Seymour Joseph Guy's "Story of Golden Locks", 1870, but each has interesting aspects. (Except for the 'hunting' scenes and aftermath of 'hunting' scenes, although they are executed well.)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
"Making a Colorful Attempt"
 Drawn from people enjoying street theatre...
"When asked about his laid-back approach to painting and eternally calm and contented demeanor, he once commented: "I got a letter from somebody here a while back, and they said, 'Bob, everything in your world seems to be happy.' That's for sure. That's why I paint. It's because I can create the kind of world that I want, and I can make this world as happy as I want it. Shoot, if you want bad stuff, watch the news." That's partly what the song refers to, "Creation can be so good, it takes you away from all that's evil, and that's why I don't paint people!" Really, I can't imagine mellow Ross ever being misanthropic, but the song is just joking. The singers called 'Rossies' wear big 'afro' wigs as they paint in Central park, just having lots of fun in this tribute song.
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