Here are some of my favorite passages in the painting I posted yesterday, "Waskesiu Lake at Dusk". To me they are paintings within the painting.
With the start of the new year I am contemplating many things and wondering where the months ahead will lead. I want to experiment and step out of my comfort zone, the problem is it is just so comfortable here!!! I actually pushed myself today, on a small scale, but none-the-less. I played around on some small boards with expressive marks. If I muster up the courage, I'll show you what I did. I have also been devouring the art books I got for Christmas and revisiting ones I already had which is where I found the quote that is now stirring around in my head. It's related to the advice Degen Lindner gives her students regarding their paintings; she says something like "It has to be more than what it is". Simple words with a lot of meaning. Here is the quote I've been pondering:
"Objective painting is not good painting unless it is good in the abstract sense.
A hill or tree cannot make a good painting just because it is a hill or a tree. It is
lines and colors put together so that they say something. For me that is the very
basis of painting." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe
I found it in the book "Georgia O'Keeffe" by Georgia O'Keeffe. It has a beautiful collection of some of her work and it is written as if she is having a conversation with the reader. I wanted to provide a link to the book, but couldn't find one. It's old ... a treasure I found in a used book store within an antique mall in Edmonton. Now there is a fun way to spend a few free hours!
4 comments:
thank you for sharing the close ups of this beautiful piece. i found your post interesting in that it seems there are two types of artists (maybe more but i like simplicity): the artist who finds a formula from start to finish that works for him/her and sticks to it and doesn't change it; and at the other extreme, the artist who is constantly changing. it is the latter that is moving forward in development, of course, building on previously honed skills, taking them to a new level, yet often failing along the way.
personally, although the failures have been emotionally tough, they have been my best learning steps. and it is little gems like the one you have found in this book which we play with along the journey like examining a crystal through sunlight. my crystal at the moment is simply the word 'luminosity'.
Hi Rahina,
Thank you for such a thoughtful and interesting comment. I completely agree that the failures are wonderful as learning tools... perhaps even essential to my learning. I have found your growth amazing and inspirational to watch as you move forward in your painting journey.
I think you may be right about there being two types of artists... although there are likely subspecies within each group! :o)
I think luminosity is a wonderful thing to strive for and I have seen it in some of your recent work. The one that comes to mind immediately is "Study of Dreams 2/vi". It is stunning.
Take care,
Nicki
It's an excellent quote and gives one renewed determination! Gorgeous painting.
It is s good quote- I think I might post it up in my studio space.
I'm pleased you like this painting, Kim... you have to come see our skies in person some day!!!
Nicki
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