Dark Night of the Painter’s Soul?
October 30, 2008
Last weekend I participated in the Art in the Park market held every Saturday in downtown St. Petersburg’s Williams Park (October - April). It is always an intriguing way to spend a day. Aside from the eclectic bunch of vendors and artisans, there is the usual steady stream of locals, European tourists and American snowbirds enjoying Florida’s best weather. You never know who might show an interest in your work. On this particular day a sixty something English gentleman and his wife were admiring the paintings I had on display. A conversation started and he began to confide in me that he is a painter, too, but that somehow he feels as though he’s lost it. Nothing he has done lately seems to work. “Ah”, I thought, “The old, I suck, nothing is working syndrome. Been there, done that.”
Truth is, all artists go through periods like that. While mired in a slumps it is easy to despair because you don’t know when it’s going to end. It’s a topic that bears discussion. I think such spells are gestation periods. They occur just before breakthroughs and are usually brought on by the nature of creative work. From a painter’s perspective; our unconscious creative mind, without notice, will subordinate the things we do well in favor of weaknesses. Without conscious awareness our focus may shift to one thing at the expense of another. Directed by our conscious desire to, be the best we can be, our unconscious mind works on our weakness without our direct consent. The secret is to keep going. Push through it. There can be no progress without struggle.
To some this sounds a little like psycho-babble. To be honest the part of me that earned a degree in structural engineering thinks it sounds a little flaky too. But the phenomenon is evident in all kinds of soulful creative endeavors. The great Saints of the Catholic Church, such as Francis of Assisi, called it the “dark night of the soul”. Francis reputedly experienced it prior to receiving the Stigmata. Psycho-babble or not I know there is truth in what I am saying because when I shared these thoughts with the English gentleman I saw the light go off in his mind. His eyes sparkled as if he had just uncovered a golden nugget. His wife responded in kind and thanked me for taking the time to share with her husband. It is one thing to despair, it is quite another to despair in one’s passion. If you’re a painter and you find yourself struggling; PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, press on!
Plein Air Painting and the Tampa Bay Rays!
October 20, 2008
As a representational artist living and working in St. Petersburg, Florida I have been inspired by the Tampa Bay Rays magical season. Living in the shadow of Tropicana Field for the last eight years I have witnessed their transformation from worst to first up close and personal. I watched the Rays toil in relative obscurity since their inaugural season. I have been to numerous games where attendance was negligible and the visiting team was the main attraction. Sometimes fans visiting from Cleveland, New York or Boston have outnumbered the Rays fans 2 to 1. For years national sports anchors didn’t even realize that the Rays played in St. Pete rather than Tampa. I’ve seen errors, base running blunders, miniscule batting averages and meager payrolls year after year all under the guise of Major League Baseball. During that time, behind the scenes, the Rays were drafting players, developing talent and orchestrating strategic trades. In other words the organization has been going about it’s business in relative obscurity. To say their efforts have begun to pay dividends is an understatement. THEY ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!! To those who live, work and play here it is nothing short of amazing.
As this magical season fades into next season and the season after that I may forget some of the key hits, game changing homers and stellar pitching performances but one thing I will never forget is that a team which labored in obscurity, well off of anyone’s radar screen, in a city that most people think is a suburb of Tampa (whereever that is) had it’s big breakthrough season. They made it to the show of shows!
When I go out plein air painting tomorrow and the next day and the days and months after that, I will do so knowing that my dreams are possible, too. The Rays have made me a believer, not only in their dreams but mine! I am more certain than ever that by continuing to accumulate knowledge, study nature often and practice at a high level I will have a breakthrough season, too. And you know what, the lesson applies to you and your dreams. So keep striving and painting.
How To Succeed As An Artist
July 15, 2008
How To Succeed As An Artist
The meaning of “success as an artist” is probably as varied as the number of people who consider themselves artists. While not every artist would define success as gaining a foothold in the market I think it’s safe to say that every artist’s definition of success includes “doing their best work”. We all want to succeed at doing our best work, don’t we?
Whether we are beginning, intermediate, advanced or master; each time we sit at our easel with a blank canvas there is gulf between us and what we envision as our best work. Our vision is usually rooted in our understanding. The gulf represents the disparity between that understanding and our ability. Our reach often exceeds our grasp, as well it should. Our brush will, over time, gain ground. It doesn’t always happen as quickly as we’d like. Painting can be frustrating and painful when don’t see some progress. We may think we lack the talent. We may even stop for a time. When the pain of not working exceeds the pain of working, we start again. And there in lies the seed of success. We have to keep working. It helps to realize that the vast majority of our work is done learning how to do our best work. Viewed in this light failed paintings are learning experiences. They are not meant for show. Each failed painting puts us one step closer to our best. It is common knowledge that Thomas Edison conducted thousands of experiments making the light bulb before he found one way that worked. Why should it be any different for artists? I recently read that a certain well known landscape painter has ritual bonfires twice a year to get rid of his failed field studies. He’s at the top of his game and has enough failed compositions to burn them twice a year!
The fact of the matter is as the late Edgar Payne said, “Nature does not capriciously scatter her secrets as golden gifts to lazy poets and luxurious darlings, but imposes tasks when she presents opportunities.” Payne also wisely pointed out, “Knowledge always precedes execution. No one can paint better than he knows how.” He recommended that we accumulate knowledge, study nature often and practice continually. I guarantee if you employ this strategy growth will happen. You will do your best work. Your best work will find it’s place in the market.
Where Realism and Abstraction Meet
June 10, 2008
Embedded in St. Petersburg Florida’s burgeoning arts culture are two seemingly divergent trends. There are those who prefer a “Contemporary” style and those who prefer a more “Representational” style. Although it is debatable just how much of either type actually qualifies as art supporters from both sides often hold a narrow polarizing vision. The Representational artists think that the contemporary artists are trying to hide a lack basic skills such as drawing. The Contemporaries think that representationalism is out of date, stale. Who needs another painting of a tree or boat. This kind thinking often leads to a mutual contempt.
I happen to agree with both sides of the argument. Sometimes what passes as abstract and contemporary is nothing more than paint slopped on a canvas. Often times it is the random self-indulged expression of someone without any real skill. Likewise what passes for representational art is nothing more than a stale rendering copied from either a photo or life. Neither qualify as art and both can be repugnant.
On the other hand I can think of wonderful examples of both kinds. Who can avoid be taken in by the mystery of Rembrandt, the mastery of Sergeant or the genius of Henri and Whistler. Likewise, who could fail to sense the raw emotion of Pollock or not be intrigued by the color vibrations in a Josef Albers.
Modern realist David Leffel has said, and I paraphrase, that true abstraction is taking raw materials such as paint and canvas and using them to create an illusion of a three dimensional object, such as an apple, on a two dimensional surface. As true as this statement may be it sounds as though it is made from the aforementioned polarizing vision.
The work of contemporary Chuck Close seems to point to higher truth. He not only uses paint and canvas but small abstract shapes to create his portraits.
The truth is that both of these artist’s work point to the reality that Representational and Contemporary art do intersect. There is a lot of common ground. Perhaps more than either side would like to admit. Practitioners of both must learn to think in purely visual terms. As author and instructor Arthur Wesley Dow put it, “Following this thought of the oneness of art, we find that the picture, the plan, and the pattern are alike in the sense that each is a group of synthetically related spaces. Abstract designs, as it were, the primer of painting, in which principles of Composition appear in a clear and definite form. In the picture they are not so obvious, being found in complex interrelations and concealed under detail.” (Composition, understanding line, notan and color. 1899)
From a representational painter’s perspective I awoke one night and in what I understood to be a moment of clarity and wrote down these words:
“To paint representationally requires that the artist truly think visually. A tree is not a tree. It is an abstract shape whose colors, values and edges are effected by light. When the artist truthfully records these abstract qualities the result is a representation symbolic of the tree. It’s qualities and character transcend a mere rendering.”
The fact which representational artist’s must face is that our viewers don’t want us to copy nature for them. They want us to explain it. The fact that both Contemporary and Representational artists must face is the “art” lies in the explaining.
The Healing Power of Art
May 20, 2008
Recently I was privileged to participate in Florida’s Forgotten Coast Plein Air
Invitational which took place in the Apalachicola Bay area May 8-18, 2008.
Presented by the Gulf Alliance for Local Arts, this is one of the Sunshine
State’s premier art events. Twenty professional artists from Florida and
beyond painted on location in such places as Eastpoint, Apalachicola,
St. George Island, Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. There were
daily artist demonstrations, a student art day and numerous social
events. I never ate so many juicy oysters. The 10-day plein air
celebration of Franklin, Gulf and East Bay Counties culminated with
The Grand Patron’s Party at the Historic Cotton Exchange in Apalachicola. This
debut of the artist’s choice paintings was well attended.
The food, the wine, the music, the people and the
paintings were fantastic. I doubt I’ll ever more fun at an art
opening. Everyone,including the promoters,
patrons,hosts and artists were extremely warm and generous.
I was most touched when the Healing Power of Art became evident. In a
culture dominated by TV and entertainment I sometimes wonder what the real value
of art is. Is it a luxury? What would life be like without it? I am also
a deeply, though not overtly, religious person. I believe in miracles and that
God uses a lot of different means to bring healing and comfort to his people.
I tell this story with no specifics out of respect for another’s
privacy:
I began the first morning bicycling in Mexico Beach in search of subject matter.
I had traveled less than a tenth of a mile when I saw a misty pond with the sun
rising behind it’s tree lined banks. I stopped and painted.
Things progressed easily. Not only did the painting work from the stand point
of drawing, values, colors and edges but it had some emotional impact as well.
I thought to myself, “If only each of the 10 days would go this well!”
I wish I could say they did but I had my ups and downs.
I first exhibited the painting during a social at the Gulf County TDC Welcome
Center in Port St. Joe. Near the end of the evening a woman came to me and explained
that she burst into tears when she first saw it. “Awe, it isn’t that bad”,
I quipped. “No, you don’t understand…I grew up on that pond. We lived in
the house next door”, she said. The woman confided that she had stoically cared for her
mother through long illness and had remained stoic through her mother’s passing last November.
She had not grieved the loss until my painting touched her.
She seemed startled by the sudden flood of emotion and fought the urge to buy the piece.
The following evening the painting was exhibited again at The Grand Patron’s Party.
An hour into the evening the proverbial “red dot” went up. “Had someone else purchased it”, I wondered.
I hoped not. I wanted the lady from the previous night to have it.
Soon a gentleman introduced himself to me as the one who made the purchase. I was relieved to
hear that he was indeed “the lady’s” husband. Near the end of the evening I saw her holding the boxed painting
close to her heart. Realizing that the painting was merely a symbol of what she truly
embraced I whispered to myself words from the Song of St. Francis,”…make me a channel of Your Peace.”
And so, I concluded, art is much more than luxury.
Creative Capital Workshop
May 5, 2008
I recently attended a workshop on “Promoting Your Work” at the LighthouseCenter for the Arts
in Jupiter, Florida. The one day event , sponsored by the Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs, was
part of the Creative Capital Professional Development Program. Creative Capital is a national grant-making,
not for profit, organization that gives project-based funding directly to artists.
The workshop was informative and inspiring. Visual and performing artists from various disciplines attended.
The focus of the day was “how to develop an artist’s promotional package”. Emphasis was placed on goal setting, strategic planning, artist statements and speaking to others about your art. There was plenty of opportunity to network with other artists. It would have been hard not to gain insight into both the creative and business sides of art.
I thought the most memorable part of the day was the passion of Creative Capital Team Leader
Jackie Battenfield. Jackie spoke from a place of integrity about her career and her struggles. She instilled hope by reminding us to stay focused on our goals. When Jackie closed the workshop by telling us that she loved us, I knew she was sincere. Do yourself a favor and attend a Creative Capital Workshop. It was free!
Inaugural Season for St. Pete Saturday Art Market
May 1, 2008
Nestled on the western shores of Tampa Bay in Southern Pinellas County, St. Petersburg is one of the Sunshine State’s best kept secrets. From November thru April the weather is incredible. As a result the city is a hive of outdoor activity. The St. Pete Saturday Art Market is likely Florida’s only weekly event of it’s kind. Artists from all disciplines hawk their wares under the shade trees in beautiful Williams Park. Part of a local effort to revitalize the park this event is the brainchild Leslie Curran,owner of Interior Motives Gallery. What follows are one plein air painter’s thoughts about the inaugural season.
When I was invited to participate in the Saturday Art Market I was reluctant to say the least. My first impressions were based on Williams Park’s reputation as a campground for the homeless. I also hesitated because, Saturday is usually my day to do whatever I want, no commitments. I finally agreed to try it and was pleasantly surprised. My first day I sold a painting and some prints. I made money and it was easy. In fact I made money every time I participated. The final Saturday was the best.
More importantly I made some new friends. I felt a sense of welcome and commradarie from the diversely eclectic group of regular vendors. I enjoyed my Saturdays spent with the talented and creative people such as Caleb, Laura, Bill, Twin and others. We laughed, joked and otherwise chewed the fat. It was a side of the weekly event I did not anticipate. As a result my artistic vision was stretched beyond it’s normal limit. Were there homeless people in park? Yes, they were just like the people with homes. For the most part friendly, respectful and quick to complement me on my art.
Through my weekly association with the event I also came to see Councilwoman Curran in a new light. I honestly believe that the Saturday Art Market was born out of her sense of enthusiastic support for local artists and a desire to enhance local culture. The event does add something savory to the flavor of life in downtown St. Pete. I can’t wait for November so we can taste another season!
Art is Therapy!
March 27, 2008
Art often has a remarkably therapeutic effect on the quality of artist’s lives. Salvador Dali suffered paranoid delusions and hallucinations as a youth. In his autobiography, The Secret Life, Dali credits painting daily with his recovery and ability to function in life. In that volume he states that his quality of life was such that he woke up each morning excited with anticipation wondering what this Salvador Dali would create that day.
The famed American artist Robert Henri, in his book The Art Spirit, wrote about coming to the easel some days feeling fatigued or under the weather only to be filled with energy and well being after painting for a short time. He also wrote of his belief that the mental activity of painting contributed to health and longevity of artists.
Vincent Van Gogh’s life would have been of little consequence were it not for his art. Suffering a variety of mental problems, Van Gogh found relief from the institutional life through painting and writing about his painting in letters to his brother. When living outside of institutions Vincent derived a sense of purpose from his art that helped him cope with his depression and psychiatric problems. Without art the unfortunate circumstances of his death would surely have happened sooner. And today, more than one hundred years after his death, he is worldwide household name. His work has universally recognized like no other.
In my own life I found that rediscovering my passion for art was the key to recovery from a series of anxiety attacks which occurred in my mid to late thirties. I hadn’t done any artwork for nearly twenty years when my living circumstances changed as a long term relationship ended. I had great difficulty adjusting and suffered high levels of stress and anxiety. I consulted two different therapists at Catholic Charities in Tampa. One was a lay woman and the other a Catholic Priest. Both off-handedly referred to me as a “frustrated artist”. That started me thinking about the real love lost in my life, my passion for oil painting.
Eventually I got my self together enough that I invented a system for dating (more on that in a future blog) which led to my marriage to Penny, my best friend, companion and lover. Penny and I viewed, and still do, our wedding as “the beginning of a great adventure”. (We credit Lou Reed for that line). Even so I still experienced, with some frequency, a gnawing ache of anxiety in the area of my diaphragm. I guess Penny saw the frustrated artist in me too because she started encouraging me to take some painting classes, which I did. Eight or Nine years later I am deeply immersed in the study and pursuit of oil painting. I paint almost daily, teach regularly and participate in both indoor and outdoor shows. I haven’t felt that gnawing ache in my side since, well, I don’t know when. One thing I do know is that I am happy and never have to drag myself out of bed in the morning. Art is therapy!
