I loved reading your piece about picture maker versus artist - and how art schools today do not teach the basics… I live in England and art schools today teach very little…in fact if a student arrives with some natural talent, they quickly squash their confidence and make them adopt “conceptual art” whilst ignoring basic drawing and observational skills. I attended Art college many years ago and am continually experimenting with new techniques from printing and painting to mixed media and thread art … thanks again for your thoughtful writing xx
“Not attacking the surface, but listening to it. Observing and responding.
Pulling the image forward, one mark at a time.” This is everything. I’m an abstract artist but it is the same ethos. The paintings where I am “attacking” feel dead. It is when I slow down and “talk” to the canvas is when it comes alive.
This was fun to read, Kate. Plus, there was cake. Your lesson about a line creating a dead spot or creating tension is fun to think about. The same happens with writing, and I hadn't put it into words as elegantly as you did. Thanks for all of this!
I loved reading your piece about picture maker versus artist - and how art schools today do not teach the basics… I live in England and art schools today teach very little…in fact if a student arrives with some natural talent, they quickly squash their confidence and make them adopt “conceptual art” whilst ignoring basic drawing and observational skills. I attended Art college many years ago and am continually experimenting with new techniques from printing and painting to mixed media and thread art … thanks again for your thoughtful writing xx
"That’s the beauty of it—there are choices to be made." Simple yet profound. Thank you!
“Not attacking the surface, but listening to it. Observing and responding.
Pulling the image forward, one mark at a time.” This is everything. I’m an abstract artist but it is the same ethos. The paintings where I am “attacking” feel dead. It is when I slow down and “talk” to the canvas is when it comes alive.
Yes! The dialog with the painting is so important.
This was fun to read, Kate. Plus, there was cake. Your lesson about a line creating a dead spot or creating tension is fun to think about. The same happens with writing, and I hadn't put it into words as elegantly as you did. Thanks for all of this!
I wonder how you work out the dead spot in writing?
Well, often I notice them after I hit publish…for me, writing consistently seems to help. Same with painting, perhaps?
For me it is always typos after I publish. Maybe it is the same, consistency and letting go of preciousness.