You have no idea how much I heart this post. I recall seeing your bird paintings at the workshop too. I thought they were wonderful but different than your landscapes. As a novice painter beginning her journey so late in life and with no formal training but books and the internet, I found within myself an art hunger that few understood. Eventually I found my tribe and even met some of them. I too , seek a deeper meaning to my art. It’s almost a spiritual quest inside of me. Emotional art is the key. So many instructors said I must paint within the lines. No. Paint with your soul. Thank you for clearing up the “ crayola “ mystery!
Donna, I remember well watching you paint your landscape and suddenly flipping the canvas upside down and painting from a completely different angle. Your work always unrestrained and exciting, then and now.
I still think we should get a group together meet up here to paint Greece. I can take you to all the best non touristy nooks and crannies and we’ll eat the best food Greece has to offer!
Took the thoughts right out of my mind Marc, I am in the exact same place, it is great of you to share this with other artists as it is easy to ask yourself "is it just me?" or "am I crazy?".....being more interpretive and less literal thereby searching for poetic expression is very hard for me too. I am a details person from my prior corporate career, so I have to be really disciplined and focused to let go and be more interpretative, not so detailed, rendered, etc. It is great to hear someone of your caliber and experience struggles with this too, I also think it is great to pursue change and evolve as an artist. I would be bored out of my skull if I became a formulaic, same artistic expression for the remainder of my artistic career. Kudos and thank you!
Thank you, Marc, for another beautifully written and illustrated newsletter! Much of what you said resonates and I recall as a younger painter being concerned with mechanics and a final realistic rendition only to become disillusioned with my art. Now, not so much about subject, but looking for truth and an emotional response from painting and exploring new tools and techniques, I find the journey so much more fulfilling. Feeling very fortunate to have found your Crayolas Set Me Free :0).
What a great post. It mirrors my own questioning journey about realism. There is something exciting about taking a new path and markmaking in a different way. It goes a little deeper than the precise reality in front of our eyes. Thanks for this.
I am thrilled with your postings - beautiful paintings and such a change from the bird paintings of long ago! It's so nice to have your thoughtfulness and passion to enjoy again.
Your post is serendipitous. I have been searching for poetic expression for years, and turned towards Tonalism a decade ago to find mystery and mood. I was up half the night before your post arrived, trying to figure out how, and if I want to paint with the local plein air group, in the desert at the bright time of day. The "tyranny of reality" overloads me, and overshadows imagination. Subject matter, when faced with it as you mention, is one of rendering, and I have disliked all I do on location. Why is it that glorious nature inhibits our spirits, as we love it so dearly and intimately? I am better off with a charcoal sketch, my memory and imagination. In studio, when I use photos, I find the same problem...so I have to put it all away, and then an energy and excitement arrives. I don't yet have the strength to drop off reality to the degree I hope to, but my current studio batch seems a step in the right direction. I would love to learn more about your poetic path in greater detail. Thanks, Marc!
Thanks for sharing thoughts about your journey. Finding a personal path is the never ending quest.
You have no idea how much I heart this post. I recall seeing your bird paintings at the workshop too. I thought they were wonderful but different than your landscapes. As a novice painter beginning her journey so late in life and with no formal training but books and the internet, I found within myself an art hunger that few understood. Eventually I found my tribe and even met some of them. I too , seek a deeper meaning to my art. It’s almost a spiritual quest inside of me. Emotional art is the key. So many instructors said I must paint within the lines. No. Paint with your soul. Thank you for clearing up the “ crayola “ mystery!
Donna, I remember well watching you paint your landscape and suddenly flipping the canvas upside down and painting from a completely different angle. Your work always unrestrained and exciting, then and now.
And I remember wishing that I could paint as well as you ! All these years later and here we are !!
I still think we should get a group together meet up here to paint Greece. I can take you to all the best non touristy nooks and crannies and we’ll eat the best food Greece has to offer!
Well there is a dream I will have tonight !!
You put it into words for me. Exactly.
Took the thoughts right out of my mind Marc, I am in the exact same place, it is great of you to share this with other artists as it is easy to ask yourself "is it just me?" or "am I crazy?".....being more interpretive and less literal thereby searching for poetic expression is very hard for me too. I am a details person from my prior corporate career, so I have to be really disciplined and focused to let go and be more interpretative, not so detailed, rendered, etc. It is great to hear someone of your caliber and experience struggles with this too, I also think it is great to pursue change and evolve as an artist. I would be bored out of my skull if I became a formulaic, same artistic expression for the remainder of my artistic career. Kudos and thank you!
Thank you, Marc, for another beautifully written and illustrated newsletter! Much of what you said resonates and I recall as a younger painter being concerned with mechanics and a final realistic rendition only to become disillusioned with my art. Now, not so much about subject, but looking for truth and an emotional response from painting and exploring new tools and techniques, I find the journey so much more fulfilling. Feeling very fortunate to have found your Crayolas Set Me Free :0).
What a great post. It mirrors my own questioning journey about realism. There is something exciting about taking a new path and markmaking in a different way. It goes a little deeper than the precise reality in front of our eyes. Thanks for this.
Hi Marc,
I am thrilled with your postings - beautiful paintings and such a change from the bird paintings of long ago! It's so nice to have your thoughtfulness and passion to enjoy again.
Your post is serendipitous. I have been searching for poetic expression for years, and turned towards Tonalism a decade ago to find mystery and mood. I was up half the night before your post arrived, trying to figure out how, and if I want to paint with the local plein air group, in the desert at the bright time of day. The "tyranny of reality" overloads me, and overshadows imagination. Subject matter, when faced with it as you mention, is one of rendering, and I have disliked all I do on location. Why is it that glorious nature inhibits our spirits, as we love it so dearly and intimately? I am better off with a charcoal sketch, my memory and imagination. In studio, when I use photos, I find the same problem...so I have to put it all away, and then an energy and excitement arrives. I don't yet have the strength to drop off reality to the degree I hope to, but my current studio batch seems a step in the right direction. I would love to learn more about your poetic path in greater detail. Thanks, Marc!