Thursday, January 08, 2009
Nationally Exposed
The Palette Magazine is my favorite art magazine. Written by two wonderful artists, Skip Lawrence and Christopher Schink, it is aimed at helping fellow artists push the envelope . As opposed to many art magazines out there, reading it does not entail getting attacked by countless renewal leaflets, and it has zero ads. (Yup. Zero). Each issue is dedicated to a different subject, written in a fun cynical humor of the two authors, focusing on design, color, expressiveness and everything good about art. . .
So, the previous issue called for artists to send their self portraits. Several of us submitted our self portraits, and awaited the verdict with bated breath. The other submitters I know got an acceptance reply very fast, while I became an obsessive compulsive clicker of the "Send/Receive" button, checking my email every day, every hour. . .
(to continue reading, click here)
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Major Achievements
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
History in the Making
OK, so I admit I was skeptical. And I was one of them cynics who said it wouldn't happen, for so many reasons.
Well - I don't remember when I was so happy to be wrong!
Labels: Acculturation, Culture, Major Achievements, Making a Difference, Meta Bloggin', People, Wow
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
ArtPact #70 - OK, My Turn Now...
Myrna and David have become famous overnight, having one of their incredible pieces in a museum. Always learning from the best, I decided to follow that path of fame.
Looking good, I dare say. I only wish people would stop taking photos of artwork in museums. It's truly and absolutely annoying, especially when one of them is facing the wrong way...
Wanna get your painting in a museum too? It's as easy as can be! Just go to this fun site, and you're in. No nasty jurors, no competition - you get the limelight all to yourself, and bask in the glow. Nothing cures a wounded ego like self delusion.
Why wounded?
Oh, this painting of mine is hanging in our Annual Show (which is an incredible show this year!). It's one in a series, and some of you may recall its older brother, "Dust to Dust". But, this one is titled ""Lost Edges". Also, this one did not get an award.
What I did get is many, many encouraging comments from visitors to the show, fellow artists and - ah, tears are choking my throat - The JohnnyB voted for it as his favorite piece in the show! By now you know very well that The JohnnyB is never ever lying about this kind of stuff. In fact, he is the first to tell me when he does not appreciate an artwork of mine, no matter how proud I am of it.
Oh, and . . . one person, apparently, liked it so much that she kept going to the show to look at it.
She went and looked.
- - - And went and looked.
- - - - - - And went and looked.
- - - - - - - - - And went and looked.
And at the reception (held on Sunday), she bought it. She is a fellow artist, CookieA, a fun person, a wonderful artist (and - needless to say - has an exquisite taste in art ;-) and it is a huge compliment to know that my painting has touched her enough to want to have it in her house.
I am still thrilled.
I have entered this painting (together with two others) to the 2008 Statewide Watercolor Competition and Exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art. And, based on the good karma this visualization thingy seems to have brought Myrna, I decided to give it a try.
You never know...
previous ArtPact... ...next ArtPact
Labels: Art, ArtPact, Creativity of Others, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Wonders of The JohnnyB
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
iLaptop!!!
From the dramatic demise of our old laptop that perished with a blow in my lap, to the quest for a new one, to the saga of the desktop who followed suit by committing suicide - - - and much, much more.
Yes, it's true that we got an almost-new laptop for free from Dell, but in the last couple of months, it started to show desire to join its brother in the laptop Heaven. Let's just say that staring at a frozen screen and having to reboot it several times a day has become an ordinary scene in our house. And, when this happens while reading email or browsing the internet (which, if I may say so myself, are relatively traditional ways to use a laptop), this can get to you. It sure was getting to my sense of humor.
And so, at the best of times, when economy is going for a forced landing, we found ourselves in need for a new laptop.
Several weekends ago, The JohnnyB mysteriously said, "do you trust me to buy a laptop?".
Now, y'all probably know by now that to know that The JohnnyB has many talents, but poker face is not one of them (in fact, he's almost as bad as LimaB - it's a tough call between these two). So it took me about 15 seconds to figure out he's going for real novelty this time.
And so, after many debates and considerations, after taking several weeks to decide whether we really want to make such a major step (with reboots galore along that time), I suddenly got an email from DiploK, about a special crazy deal on Apple laptops that are not the blow-your-socks-off-new-aluminum-unibody-multi-touch-glass-trackpad. As in, $400-$500 off.
OK, all we want is a good functioning laptop whose most useful button is not the reboot one. And because the evenings are getting cold, we don't necessarily want our socks knocked off. So this email came in the perfect timing.
Decision took place within 10 minutes.
We ordered on Sunday, and on Tuesday(!!!) afternoon, FedEx has knocked on the door and handed me this beauty: The Apple MacBook Pro! And it's gloriously silvery, not at all the white I was fearing.
Will this lead to a whole new saga?
- - - Will this bring The JohnnyB back to blogging after over a year of silence?
We shall see.
Labels: Damn Technology, Major Achievements, Wonders of The JohnnyB
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Show's Over
Had the big show last weekend.
Amazing, how much work is put into a show that is on display for less than two days!
You go through the process of selecting the artwork to submit, a process garnished with extreme self-criticism over the quality and its chances to make it in. (being a juried show).
You send in the photos, pay the entry fee and then spend days sweating blood and biting your fingernails over whether it will be accepted or not.
Then you get the answers, and you mat and frame your art. (not an easy task sans fingernails).
Theeeeeen you deliver it for the receiving process.
Theeeeeeeeeeeeeen you hang the show ('cause you forget what a tough job it was last year, 'cause LimaB is in charge of the hanging and you want to help her, and 'cause you secretly admit to yourself that there's an immense satisfaction in that labor once it's all done). It takes 6 hours, you go home all scratched from metal frames and un-taped wire ends, swearing you'll never ever do it again.
Four hours later, you put on something presentable and try your best to look refreshed for the reception - scratches and all.
The day after, you get up early to do gallery sitting ('cause you volunteered....). Your romantic vision of spending the time chattign to art appreciators turns into a nightmarish policing due to little kids who insist on plucking seashells off a certain artwork and playing catch amongst the panels. Their parents, needless to say, don't bother to keep an eye on their unleashed offsrpings, as they are too busy themselves caressing other textural pieces or sneaking forbidden photos. You transform into a reprimanding monster, repeating the mantra "Please DO NOT touch the art". Soon enough, the word "Please" is omitted from your vocabulary. After an eternity (OK - four hours) of that kind of fun, you go home, swearing you'll never ever...
The day after, you go to pick up your artwork. Of course nothing sold - why would it? and you have a nice chocolaty handprint on your painting. you go home, swearing you'll never...
The day after, you go to drop your winning painting at the community center, where it will be on display for the next 2 months along with the other winners.
Oh yeah... I got an Honorable Mention on my "Dust to Dust" piece.
You think "hmm... maybe, after all, I will do it again next time".
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Major Achievements
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #16
Val has sent me this, and I just had to share it with y'all. (Thanks, Val!!).
President Bush's economic stimulus package, which appears so far to have
been ineffective in stroking the economy to life, is giving an unexpected raise to the porn industry.
From an Adult Internet Market Research Company press release:
An independent market-research firm, AIMRCo (Adult Internet Market Research Company), has discovered that many websites focused on adult or erotic material have experienced an upswing in sales in the recent weeks since checks have appeared in millions of Americans' mailboxes across the country.
According to Kirk Mishkin, Head Research Consultant for AIMRCo, "Many of the sites we surveyed have reported 20-30% growth in membership rates since mid-May when the checks were first sent out, and typically the summer is a slow period for this market.
OK then. I guess they called it 'Package' for a reason...
.
previous little lunch... ...next little lunch
Labels: Little Lunch for Thought, Major Achievements, Making a Difference, Meta Bloggin', Stating The Obvious
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Two Years of Blogging!
...or more accurately: two years and three days.
This highly crucial anniversary totally flew by me, till I've noticed it just now.
Thing is, as opposed to my first blogging anniversary, I am to exhausted to post anything profound, witty and significant about this historical event.
No, it's not the two years of blogging that did that to me.
Y'see, for the last couple of days,. I've been organizing and tidying and cleaning and throwing and giving away and getting rid of all kinds of stuff, house-wide, from the walk-in closet to my studio. I am dead tired. Dusk finds me walking like a zombie between the rooms, trying to do one more shelf, fill up one more box, and by the time evening takes its shift, I collapse on the sofa, looking for some mind-numbing TV show that will help me wind down.
And today is no different.
So, I'll go for the nutshell summary: two years of blogging. Yet another opportunity to reminisce about my very first post.
Labels: It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Wow
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
I've Been Arte Y Pico-ed!!!
Blueberry of Texas Oasis has awarded me the Arte y Pico award. Arte y Pico is a blog from Uruguay, whose blogger has come up with this award. It features this angel with a very cool dress (oh, it's a she-angel, or is she one of the muses?), that totally matches her wings. And she is wonderfully balanced on this golden, uhm, thingy - very impressive!
What does Art y Pico mean? As Ana, the award originator puts it, "Basically, ironically, it translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, 'lo maximo'. It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top".
The online translator tells me it means "Art and tip".
Whichever it is - I am honored! (although I am quite confident that Blueberry awarded me before she saw my results from the last drawing class...).
It feels very reassuring to get recognition for something you do. When it comes to one's passion, it becomes even more important.
So - Thank You, blueberry! I'll do my best to keep being worthy of it.
OK then, to business.
First, the rules:
- Pick FIVE blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
- Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
- Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
- Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award which is here: Arte y Pico.
To make my life easier, I am going to take this award literally, and go for blogs of visual artists.
Now, opening the five envelops... (Only five??) here we go [drumroll]:
Creativity Journey: Myrna Wacknov, a great artist, teacher and friend, who's becoming more and more famous with her art blog, being a true inspiration to many. Myrna, a relentless experimenter and a curious soul, is constantly sharing her new findings, ideas, successes and even what she calls failures (of course we would kill to paint like her failures!), garnished by weekly and monthly challenges to keep you painting and drawing. Oh, and - don't ever let her catch you tracing a photo!!
Sandy Maudlin's Art Journey: As opposed to Myrna, I have never met Sandy, but I feel like I know her. Another wonderfully prolific artist, she is all over the place with so many styles and subject matters, sharing her art and insights.
Nathalie With An H's confessional: A great blog I discovered very recently. Nathalie is an awesome photographer, whose black and white photography seems to be full of color - as does her writing.
Paintings by Holly Van Hart: an emerging blogger, Holly's blog shows her bold style and uniquely designed compositions, whether it is her intriguing abstracts or her current favorite subject: Rodin sculptures.
Watercolors And words: The art blog of Rhonda Carpenter, who is sharing her art, from figure drawing (which almost got her in trouble, as they are - how shall I put it gently - nude! Ahhhh!! HELP!!... C'mon people - this is art. Grow up already!!) to experimental watercolors, with her husband's great photos sprinkled in between. It's a fun blog.
OK, you know what, I'm going to follow the footsteps of Blueberry and expand the award to six blogs (hey, we can share!).
On Painting: another blog I discovered lately, shared by Bill Jones and Lisa Towers, who combine witty writing, laughter and venting with painting.
And now, dear awarded artists, go pay it forward.
Labels: Art, Creativity of Others, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Going Emeritus
Ahhh, that sounds so good.
Yup - June 30th was my very last day as the president of our watercolor society. I announced my stepping down several months ago, and since nobody agreed to take the baton from my hand (like Taltul in his time), I had to cope with a lot of requests, pleas and emotional blackmail, all aimed at making me change my mind and stay put. I spent hours, days, weeks contemplating, consumed all the assertiveness I had in me in order to stick with my decision - and the day has come.
Oh say can you see the air going out?
. . . Can you spot my dropped shoulders straightening a bit?
. . . . . . Can you hear the large rock falling off my weary chest?
. . . . . . . . . . Can you trace this wrinkled forehead getting a bit looser, with less line work and texture?
Let's have a moment of quiet here, if I may. Zen, almost:
My sister, who during her visit witnessed me in action as president several times, both at an all-member meeting as well as at home, asked me if I won't be missing all the action and responsibility and fire extinguishing and crisis solving and peace making and never-ending phone calls and emails and the adrenaline rush and the status (the WHAT!?).
Yup, she is smart.
And she knows me well.
And yes, to be honest, I was somewhat afraid of having mixed feelings, of a sense of regret, a void even.
But, y'know, on the morning of June 30th we had the last board meeting arranged by me. As I did in the year of being the president (and actually, in many a month before I became one...), I arranged-the-meeting-called-for-committee-reports-sent-them-to-the-board-members-ran-the-meeting-assigned-tasks-took-minutes-and-distributed-those-to-the-board. (and the monthly board meeting, mind you, is only one part of what kept me occupied full-time during this year).
And now that it's all said and done, reverting to dude-language: I am like, "Cool!".
Man, was this a busy year!!!
To quote a fellow president (well...), I sometimes feel that during this whole year, "I did not inhale". Only exhaled. Looking at the blogpost I wrote when I just started, I smile at that young enthusiastic girl, who was so full of energy and excitement and goodwill and plans to change the world (or at least the organization) and I think, "Ah, duckie(*), if you only knew..."
And yet... of the feedback that I hear, I did achieve some things.
We are now on the road to becoming an incorporated non-profit organization (yup, after over 40 years of existing!!! about time, don't you think!? and it was not a trivial thing to pass to some of our members who are not too keen on changes); I drove some other novel ideas in several domains, and I guess I did have an impact.
Oh, also, despite all I've been told, I did not manage to make a certain member hate my guts, as he did with many former presidents. On the contrary - when I announced my stepping down, he came and spoke to me, and actually had tears in his eyes. (and yes, so did I).
And yes, I have gained a lot. A turbo speed steep learning curve from almost zero to nearly 100% has granted me a vast and invaluable knowledge of so many aspects of being in the art world, as well as what makes such a big organization tick. I won some friends, I made a couple of enemies (but hey, one of Mother Theresa’s Paradoxical Commandments says, “If you are successful you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway"... and who am I to argue with that remarkable woman?). And, I got acquainted to so many people, from fellow volunteers to art museum directors, that this may have been the biggest advantage of all; being a relatively newcomer to this country, it's not easy to have your foreign-hard-to-pronounce-name be known. And now it is.
So, what are a bunch of white hairs, a few sleepless nights, a collection of (well documented!) emails that caused serious palpitations, and some showers of tears (oh yes....) comparing to all this?
I was lucky to work with a board that has some truly incredible women (and one great guy) on it, which made it easier, as I did not really need to know everything. I also got a very helpful hand (and sometimes ear), from a couple of former leaders, whose wise advice was like a CPR and kept me going. And - The JohnnyB was beyond supportive the whole time. He provided some priceless ideas (for which I got the credit, alas) and insights, suffered through going over the monthly Leader's Notes to help me polish them for the newsletter, helped me phrase some responses to some ultra-bitching emails (yeah, those were fun) - I am pretty sure he is also relieved that these days are over. Yup, he is a keeper.
In hindsight, I would have done it again.
But now it's time for becoming Leader Emeritus (that is music to my ears!), and thinking about moi for a change. Yes, I am still volunteering, of course. I'm stayin' as a working bee on our exhibits committee and the website committee (coz those are fun!), and will also be busy supporting our board in leading the organization, and initiating our incoming leader (yup - someone has finally agreed to do it starting January!) - but still, I feel like I am getting my life back.
Did I mention Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew?
.
Labels: It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Making a Difference, Time Out
Sunday, June 22, 2008
97 Degrees In The Shade...
...That's where the temperatures were aiming at on Saturday, totally ignoring the dozens of artists who assembled on the grounds of the Triton Museum in Santa Clara to display their art.
97 degrees (36 Celsius) before the end of June - as if the weather decided to justify the name of the event "Midsummer Art Celebration".
I was showing with two organizations - watercolors with one of them, photography with the other. It took A LOT of preparation and work, from choosing what to display, to printing it (photography) or adding last-minute touches (paintings), to matting and framing and creating labels and deciding on pricing and designing myself two business cards (one for each display) - throughout the whole time, The JohnnyB provided moral support and helped me choose, price, frame, assemble, arrange, stay sane...
...After a night of troubled sleep, I woke up early Saturday. We loaded our two cars - and off we went, to the fair. A frantic email from one of the organizers has sent The JohnnyB off to buy loads of ice and bottled water, to make sure his lovely wife and her artist friends (well, at least the ones in both groups she was showing with) would not go into a domino-effect of fainting. While he was away, I hung my paintings in one place, ran to hang the photography in another, ran back to the paintings site to arrange and rearrange, back to the photography display - it was damn hot!
But at 10am, as the place opened to the public, we were a all smiling and calm, (I wish I could say 'cool', but that would be a lie - we were all flushed and sweaty by then), awaiting potential collectors.
It was my very first time to be in an art fair as one of the displaying artists. I never thought I would, as I always felt there's something sad about sitting around waiting for people to come see your art. I mean, you put your soul on the display panels, you wait for appreciative eyes, and sometimes all you meet is a bored indifferent look - - -
- - - ah, wait, but that happens anyway, even with people who come to our house and look (or don't) at the art hung on the wall with no comment.
So, I decided to go for it, with both organizations.
It was a hot, hot day. One booth (with the watercolors) was underneath some nice shady trees, the other in what seemed to be the hottest spot on the planet - no shade, save for a couple of clouds who came by to visit around noon, and then decided to pull a joke and rain on us all for 2 minutes. It was short, but enough to send some artists flying in panic to save their art from the conniving drops. I just enjoyed the much needed shower, and then it got a bit more bearable, with some breeze.
All in all, it was a fun day.
Lots of mingling with fellow artists, not so much - alas - with visitors to the event, as, well, not many have come. Lack of publicity, plus a tucked away location, topped by the heat, kept people indoors and away from our art. 
As the more experienced amongst us exclaimed, it was the worst sales event ever. I wouldn't know, as it was my very first time at that. Yes, I hoped to sell something; I have never showed such a body of work at one time (6 paintings plus 6 photographs plus 5 matted pieces) - but once I saw that most people came looking for small inexpensive things, with very few exceptions, I managed to reset my expectations, and prevented myself from being disappointed. All the artists got into this sarcastic mode, in which a sale of a $4 card was celebrated with cheers and cold water. I didn't have time to print cards, so I wasn't amongst the celebrated ones.
It was a huge learning experience, an intoxicating feeling of getting very positive feedback on my photography (which was a novelty to those who know me mainly as a painter), and an initiation by fire (well, it was hot enough!) to the world of art fairs.
And now, we rest.
Labels: Art, Major Achievements, Nature
Monday, March 31, 2008
Braggin'
Those of you who are seriously into watercolors do not need an explanation of what AWS is. The mere mentioning of this acronym is always accompanied by awe and wistful eyes, and the thought of "some day, I wanna make it into that show!".
For those of you who do not belong to that crowd, AWS stands for American Watercolor Society, whose annual show is probably the most distinguished one to be accepted to. Hundreds of entries (if not more) are sent every year, which makes it extremely difficult to get in. Many artists try again and again, getting rejected, and keep on trying. And then, one day, they make it in.
This year, 96 paintings were selected. Both Mike Bailey and WackieM made it into this prestigious show for the first time, each with an incredible painting.
And - WackieM (who goes by Myrna Wacknov in the non Nava-blog realm) got an award on her painting "Reflections on Turning 65".
This is so incredibly cool!!!
"So, what are you bragging about!?", you ask. "It's not like you won an award or even got accepted!".
True, very true. I am still wading in shallow water and muck with the unwashed masses, making my first steps in the art world, one tiny step at a time.
And yet - I am lucky to have both Mike and WackieM as great teachers and mentors, which kinda has some braggin' value. I can bask in their glory, I can hope that - along with their teaching - some of their mastery rubbed off on me, and I can just be very happy for them, 'cause they both deserve to be recognized.
But there's another thing: The JohnnyB and I now get to wallow in the glee and piousness that comes with the good ole "Told ya so!" - which is always an undeniable fun.
Y'see, just before the annual show of our organization in October 2007, WackieM was deciding between two paintings, and I was one of those whose she asked for. Both The JohnnyB and I unanimously voted for the one that had striking novelty and uniqueness in its composition and the idea behind it, as well as a powerful emotional effect in its honesty and vulnerability. WackieM decided to go along with that painting - and indeed, as you may recall, got the First Place Award, together with an unprecedented consensus and countless comments about how much it's touched everyone who saw it. The painting also won the first place in the Popular Choice vote. (I can now say how relieved I was that it got awarded; when you give advice and it turns out sour, well, I have a sensitive conscience).
Realizing this painting has something very special about it, she decided to give it a try at AWS. . .
. . .CONGRATULATIONS, WackieM!!!
Labels: Art, Creativity of Others, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs, Wow
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Juried
Since I've started to show my art, I only went for safe shows. The ones that are member shows, to which you get automatically accepted, as there is no jurying process. Actually, this show was kinda juried, as if you entered 3 artworks you were guaranteed one in, but the others could be rejected.
WackieM keeps telling me, "It's about time you added some rejections to your resume!", but I keep stalling.
I think I still carry the scars from that first time I tried entering a juried show,. It was about 5 years ago, with a collage I created - and it was rejected. It was supposed to be my very first show as a painter, and I got so discouraged, that I went home and threw away that piece as well as all the other canvases I painted (I used to paint acrylics back then). Not only that, I also deleted the photos I took of them. Went for the scorched earth method, big time. I was new into art, and I thought the rejection was a clear message that I am not good enough. Luckily, I took Mike's incredible class, and that got back to painting, big time.
Me? Emotional? no................. How can you say that?
I thought jurors and judges of art shows are the ultimate authority, and their choice can be a significant input on my artistic skills. Little did I know... Since then I have seen many shows, been in some, got a couple of awards, and above all - learned that selecting paintings in a juried show or selecting the award winners is a subjective matter that has a lot to do with personal taste. unless you type the criteria into a computer and let it do the choosing, personal taste will always be a significant of the choice. Can't escape that.
Now that I am wiser, I can only kick myself for responding so strongly (and oh so stupidly) to that rejection. Looking back after all I know about color and design, I now know the collage that was rejected was a good one. I did it right after the first Cirque Du Soleil show I went to (the unforgettable Varekai), so it was fresh and personal and expressive - well, damn good! And I don't even have the photo, as I deleted that as well. But I'll always have it burnt in my mind.
So - our organization is now having a juried show, for the first time in 20 years or so. Why juried? 'cause in our quest to find better venues for our members (as in not just a library, a cafe or an abandoned building...), we managed to get into Gallery Saratoga, a place that has a lot of foot traffic, in the quaint downtown of Saratoga. We were given one long wall in the gallery (and then granted another small space), that can only hold about 25 pieces - even after limiting the size of the paintings. We had 50 entries, which meant that 50% will be rejected. Artists could enter one or two pieces, and since I handled the registration, I was blessed with headaches galore due to the constant repeating of the rules and size limits to people over and over again, as sooooooooooo many artists do not bother to read and follow instructions. So, that was a joyous fortnight full of hair-tearing and a lot of cussing.I also volunteered to help hang the show. I love hanging shows! While exhausting, is so very satisfying to start with a bunch of paintings scattered around and end up with a nice colorful jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces fit harmoniously together.
Between these, I was very aware of the fact my paintings might not make it in, in which case it means I am doing all the work for a show in which I have none of my work.
Tough call, eh?
Going to the gallery on Monday morning, my fears increased, as there were so many good paintings there! We all seemed nervous, including our exhibits co-chairs who organized the show - nobody knew who's gonna be in and who will end up carrying the paintings back to the car. So we all registered our paintings, leaning them against the bare wall of the gallery, and those of us who were in the hanging team went to have lunch, leaving the 3 jurors to do their job. The jurors were former presidents of our organization (which means some day I may be asked to do this too), and they are very sweet women, but when they were doing the jurying, boy did they seem tough! Examining each and every painting with scrutinizing eyes, critiquing it and deciding which will stay and which will go. I wish I were a fly on the wall, so I could see how they did it. By the time were allowed back into the gallery, I was just curious to see which paintings made it in. I was also glad I did not need to do the jurying - as far as I saw, all the paintings were good, and selection must have been tough.Well, to my surprise and delight, both my paintings made it. The show is named "Let It Shine", to celebrate the approaching spring, and it's looking good!
Labels: Art, Major Achievements
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
(Im)mortal Creativity...
Creativity has many faces - here's one I find quite intriguing.
Now, that's what I call a series!!
Labels: Art, Major Achievements, Meta Bloggin', People, Wow
Monday, February 11, 2008
A Thousand Words - And Then Some #18
I am sure it's been a while since you last visited The JohnnyB's blog.
Yup, he hasn't blogged for quite a long time now.
But, if you do go there today, look around you at the empty, lonely desertscape. Listen to the whistling wind - can you hear that faint gloomy western tune coming from afar, played by a runaway convict on his harmonica? As one of those wheel-like plants (what are they called???) is rolling towards you, you'll spot popping heads of little animals with startled eyes gazing at you, ready to escape at the very sign of movement.
But do not get distracted by all that desolation. Do not let your spirit fall.
Look up and you shall find the green banner, exclaiming that today, February 11th, is exactly ONE YEAR since The JohnnyB has stopped smoking.
And since then, not a cigarette has touched his lips.
very, VERY cool, The JohnnyB!
previous 1000 Words... ...next 1000 words
Labels: Damn Technology, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs, Wonders of The JohnnyB, Wow
Saturday, January 26, 2008
ArtPact #48
Not a new painting, but rather a rescued one.
This one has made quite a journey along the Via Dolorosa... starting as quite pristine clear washes (well, very pristine for my usual style!) through a miserable correction attempt that led to a valuable lesson and then to a frantic quest of redeeming it - I think it is now done.
I brought it to our critique group on Thursday, and the responses were positive. The 3 group members who were following the saga on my blog said that had they not been clued in on the turmoil, they wouldn't even know there was a problem with it. LimaB even called me after the meeting to file an official request that I do not touch that painting, as it is really a good one."Please, PLEASE don't touch it, Nava", she pled, knowing the power of my self-destructiveness.
Well, needless to say, I did go into it today with a brush (sorry, LimaB), but just to add some very final touches, which I actually think have improved it. Now the left cheek is not a flat surface, but finally has form.
So, counting my losses: I have lost the clean washes of pure color, and some of the white of the paper.
But - I managed to maintain the white shape, as well as most of the shapes in the painting and the pure color in the important parts. For someone who is not a shape painter, with a chronic tendency to dull all the color - this is a MAJOR achievement!!
And, I have gained a lot of fun, as in my rescue attempts, I got into the careless mode, so I allowed myself to used some stamping and gouache, which add depth and interest. And let's not forget that this incident inspired a sentence of the month post.
Bottom line - I think this final version is much more a "Nava" painting, and it does capture the essence of the person much better than the clear cheery one. Hmm... does that mean I actually need to thank The JohnnyB? Or is it my natural inclination to take an OK painting and bring it to a point of disaster so I revive it and take it beyond? Ah well, that's just too profound for a lazy Saturday afternoon...
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Labels: Art, ArtPact, Major Achievements
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sentence of The YEAR
T'was the day before Christmas Eve. TreatieL and WeldyL came over, bringing a fun guest with them: KnocksYourSocksOff, to whom - in the name of syllable rationing - we shall refer to as Knox.
We had a great meal at one of our favorite restaurants, Ginger Cafe, where TreatieL made sure the waiters there won't forget her (it's a habit of hers...), and came back to our house for a post-dinner hang out, or as The JohnnyB put it in his hospitable way: "Why are you following us into the house?".
There we sat and sipped a The JohnnyB home-brew, talked and laughed and chatted and laughed and laughed and laughed. A lot of tongue fencing was going on, with The JohnnyB excelling himself again and again, exchanging deadly jests with TreatieL and Knox. WeldyL and I chose to take the fifth, as we could see we stand no chance against them.
At some point, TreatieL spotted a pair of charcoal drawings I did 3 years ago as an exercise in a basic drawing class. To me, they are successful technical exercises, but she gasped with awe, "You did THOSE?". WeldyL (an incredible welding artist) and I started to complain about how no matter what breakthroughs you make or what major progress you do as an artist, some people will always tell you "Ah, I like the way you used to paint before much more".
As we were discussing this existential issue, Knox stood up and walked towards the kitchen. With starry eyes and all the sincerity in the world, he said:
"Hey, you know which painting is my favorite? I really like THIS one!".
Took The JohnnyB and I a while to recover from the fit of hysterical laughter. The JohnnyB's was hearty and joyous, while Mine was mixed with deep offense...
...'coz Knox, who stood there with an innocent expression on his face (maybe for the first time that evening), was pointing at a one of the framed watercolor paintings on the wall. A wonderful dark painting of an island, mostly in muted grays except for some golden yellow shapes that stood out. A great painting. Definitely a work of art. Only... it's a painting by an East German artist from the island of Rügen, that The JohnnyB's bought when he went with his mother to visit her birth-place in Germany.
So - of all the paintings in our house, Knox liked THAT one the most.
As in, a painting I did not paint.
Needless to say, the level of joy went high (way TOO high, if you ask me!), with Knox, whose face turned an intriguing hue of a deep rich red (Perylene Maroon comes to mind), trying to make up for his faux pas, saying "Ah.... this is even worse than 'I like the way you used to paint!' This is like, 'I like the way you used to paint when you did not even paint'".Yup.
Later, I mentioned my pottery period, when I was failing to do one decent pot, and my pottery teacher commented with sarcasm, "You know, Nava, it's so interesting that so many experienced potters take years of pottery and struggle to reach the freedom that you seem to have right away..." (meaning - I suck!).
Knox sat up full of piety and fury, and said "I so disagree with the fact that someone else had the nerve to tell you to stop doing art!!!".
"Yup", said The JohnnyB, "you'd rather tell her yourself!".
And so, for next year, I wish that one of MY paintings will be someone's favorite.
Or, I can simply take down all the non-Nava stuff...
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Labels: Art, Faux Pas, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Ouch, People, Sentence of The Month
Saturday, December 22, 2007
ArtPact #44
Tyveking, again.
Still with the Sikh man whose photo I was fortunate to get.
Still with the same 3 colors dictated by the dice.
I am fascinated by the way a blurry photo forces me to dig into my creativity and make up the missing parts. This is much more fun than working from an ideal photo where everything is right there. A clear reference, while easier, also has the risk of "inhibiting changes and consequently curbing creativity" (in the words of Alex Powers).
I went for reductive painting - loaded the Tyvek with paint, and then started blocking in the shapes with a damp my brush. this time, I decided to document the process, taking photos of the different stages.
As you can see, the first stage was quite unnerving, and it's not always easy to remember to not give up and throw it all when things look, well, like that....
...but - that was just the beginning, so I went on to the second stage (which got gloriously worse!), and then got so much into the painting that I forgot to take more photos.
I thoroughly enjoyed wokring on this one - it was fascinating to finally see an actual face emerging from the total chaos.
Thanks to a brilliant critique comment from The JohnnyB, I managed to finally get some lost edges, something I keep striving for, but always fail to do. As the painters amongst you know, once you hold the brush in your hand, the thinking part in your brain just shut off and goes on a break. This time, I managed to actually think while painting - whoa! A novel experience, almost a scary one.
So, although the old frail man has transformed into one cranky dude in this version, I am quite happy with the way it turned out. Quite an attitude he has, eh?
[looking for a title], Watercolor on Tyvek, 12" x 9"
Can't quite title this one without leading the viewer to a biased interpretation - - - any suggestions?
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Labels: Art, ArtPact, Major Achievements
Saturday, December 08, 2007
ArtPact #42
I love the gold gesso version of MistyN I did last week. I really do. And yet, I kinda felt it had a religious feel to it. To prove my suspicion, JimmyB commented, "For me, it evokes a Madonna-esque quality". WebbieM even congratulated me on entering my "religious period".
OUCH!
That is exactly what I did not want. I have nothing against such paintings, but it was not my intention. I wanted to capture the moment, the expression, the light... I agree the pose lends itself to Madonna-ish associations, but I want to take a road less traveled.
So, loyal to WackieM's challenge, I tossed the dice again. Came up with a yellow (Cadmium Yellow Deep), a red (Permanent Red) and a blue (Cerulean Blue). Ahhhh - an obvious color triad, AGAIN!!
"Oh no!", I exclaimed to The JohnnyB who tried to point out that I am cheating by not going with what the dice had in store for me. "No way!".
Accompanied by his look of disdain, I threw the dice again, praying for a weird color combination. . .
. . . beware what you wish for!
There it was:
- Permanent Green #1
- Cobalt Violet Light
- Douchrome Cactus Flower!!! (yup, I have such a paint tube; in my defense - for the horrified artists among you - I bought it at a moment of weakness; it looked gorgeous on the supplier's website! I am only human!!).
Oh.
- - - My.
- - - - - - God.
The JohnnyB, seeing my expression, snickered "Happy now?", and went to gloat in the living room.
Well, I did say I want a wacky combo, right? so now it was time to pick up the gauntlet and the hideous combination of paints. Again, I couldn't resist the urge, and started a painting at 10:30pm, totally at loss as for what do I do with such colors!
And then I realized that when you get kicked out of your comfort zone, you just have to activate your brain, get creative, go beyond, push the envelope and other clichés.
I did.
"Cactus Flower", Watercolor W/N CP Paper, 11" x 10"previous ArtPact ... ...next ArtPact
Labels: Art, ArtPact, Desecration, Major Achievements
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
SOLD!!!
I wanted to paint.
I really did.
Honestly.
I even had the time.
But I didn't. Instead, I spent some quality time with my mat cutter, on the quest of cutting a double mat for a little bozzetto that I like a lot. A personal favorite, which I consider a breakthrough.
I measured twice - and once more for luck, while cursing the imperial system and its evil eighths and sixteenths of an inch that were lurking in every corner. (Are you ever gonna convert to the sane, metric system, people?!?). Using all my fingers, my tongue stuck out and my self confidence sliding down, I finally managed to cope with the calculations, feeling as incompatible as I ever did.
When I got to the cutting itself, I took special care to make the cuts flawless and clean.
I really wanted it to look perfect.
After all, it is not every day that I mat the very first painting I've ever sold!!!
Who'd have thought that this little painting would intrigue so many people, causing them to try and guess what's the story behind it? It was truly fascinating to witness all the interpretations, that went from nocturnal strangulation(!) through saving from drowning to a woman taking off her mask as she goes to sleep, no longer having to pretend.
Only one of my blog readers actually got what I really painted. A week later, she informed me she wants to buy it - and tomorrow it will be FedExing its way to her.
She claims she is very excited about this. Well, not as much as I am. It's a huge compliment when a person wants to own an artwork of yours. HUGE!
It's so encouraging, so rewarding to know that what you put on paper has touched someone to that extent - and at the same time, it's quite hard to part from it.
Which is why I am so glad it's going to a good home - - - Blogauthor and Wheeler, hope you enjoy it!
I believe I can now be considered a professional artist. And I wonder - can I say I have a patron? :-)
Labels: Art, Major Achievements
Sunday, November 11, 2007
ArtPact #36
I am trying to accept the fact that this may be a very small step for the art world. And yet, this little painting is a giant leap for me.
I love doing figures. I am fascinated by faces, people, stories.... but I have never, ever, dared to create a painting that has more than one figure in it. 'coz, like, what if I get one face or one figure right, and then totally screw up the other?
What then, eh?
With that, I knew I had to get over this silly hurdle. Yes, lone figures can have a compelling story, but a multi-figure painting automatically tells a story about the relationship between them.
And so, 3 days ago, I was relaxing a bit, watching one of my favorite British crime dramas ("Waking The Dead"), when I saw a scene that captured my attention. Something about the half-lit faces, the obscured features, the posture just wouldn't let go. I paused the show, did a quick drawing, and proceeded to render it with my long-forgotten cobwebbed watercolors.
At some point, it was quite beautiful, very fresh and one-breath painting. But, it wasn't done. Despite the beautiful clean washes I managed to achieve, it seemed flat, wimpy and lacking in personality.
Then, we had a surprise guest visit; someone with whom I used to work in Israel, and haven't seen for over 10 years. As he and The JohnnyB were talking work-related stuff, I got bored out of my mind, and at some point took the brush and kept working on the painting while still taking part in the conversation...
...not necessarily a very smart thing to do, as I overworked it. But, I managed to save it by darkening some areas, while keeping some of the pure hues (a major achievement for me, as I tend to always gray down any hint of color...).
Regardless of the end result (which I actually like), this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between me and paintings that are not limited to one single figure!
I was quite amused by the responses I got in our critique group - everyone came up with a story, asking questions about what's going on in the painting. Then, one of them said, "Never provide all the answers. Let the viewer try to figure it out". Since she's one of the smartest women I've ever met, I shall follow her advice...
* This painting was sold to Blogauthor.
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