Challenge Yourself...You Never Know Until You Try

Challenge Yourself

Sunflower     graphite



Drawing from life, some subjects may seem overwhelming. They are so beautiful, I wonder if I can do them justice. The answer apparently is to just begin, and not overthink.

Once you are in the moment, time melts away, and the subject takes you over.

I am comfortable with the medium, and it seems to cooperate and enhance the intent.

Not stopping to break or reassess is good, because it's the sureness of the stroke I'm after.

Getting a result that pleases me is worth everything. And shows me I should take more chances!

Vegetables as Models

Vegetables, Models for the Ages

 Eggplant, radishes and turnip    oil    14 x 11

After the new experience of ordering in vegetables during quarantine, I look at them all grouped together and know they are perfect models. The subject matter is timeless. They always look their best fresh from the market, which is motivation enough for me to paint smart. By this, I mean to paint the 'first look' and keep it. Three sessions at most for their optimum luster to hold.

Regardless, after three days I'm ready to think about how I want to prepare them in meals. 

Then they've earned their keep, perfect for still life and then giving up their lusciousness for nutritious dishes. Does their posing enhance my meals in the long run? Do I as cook, take extra care to see that these vegetables are used in dishes worthy of their service? So far, it seems so. Food preparation is a creative act too. It's what you make of the ingredients.

Quarantine and Creativity, A Fresh Approach

  Beets     0il   14 x 11   Louise E. D. Herman   

 

Quarantine and Creativity

Who knew staying home could encourage such a better use of time? Errands are reduced to necessary doctor and dental appointments. The post office, bank, and supermarket are accessible on line. And so, art and writing can take over and be in the forefront.

Ordering from Instacart, the Freshmarket has such lucious fruits and vegetables, they beg to be painted.

Revisiting and rereading how favorite artists think is a good way to learn about their process. For example, reading Charles Sovek and browsing his wonderful lessons on line, 

there's lots to learn.

Looking at paintings by Sovek and Fairfield Porter, and at the daily painters on line, is encouraging a fresh color - note approach. I'm paying more attention to how things appear on canvas at the start of a painting, and how they turn out.

Deconstructing things plain and simple, painting just a bit beyond the color note, can be a refreshing way to enjoy the end as well as the beginning. The initial enthusiasm of what inspired the painting remains.