Beyond Eyesight

Often we see an image of artwork and, as an artist, invest thought into how long it took the artist to come to the final production.
In a quick glance, one may say "that looks simple."
But minimalism is not always simple.
After a great conversation with a friend, I started looking into Frank Stella's work.

He always sketched before he painted, the white lights being bare canvas he painted around.
That means he drew the whole thing out, precisely, and then followed the pencil lines with his paint brush just as precisely.
The fact that your eye can glaze and skim over the painting ultimately means he painted it so perfectly, there are no flaws. A crooked line or missing white section would draw your eye immediately. I can't imagine how much concentration and patience these paintings took him!
He wanted to emphasize the picture-as-object instead of the picture being a representation of something. The flatter, the better. He even cut his canvas to great more variation in shape.

This is my favorite. Color choice, shape, size.
There must be something about painting stripes that becomes so appealing to the artist.
Perhaps I am like Frank Stella.
I would consider that smile-worthy.

Reflection

Sometimes, we get obsessed with things.
We have phases.
I had a big nutella phase.
But often we don't realize it's become such a big part of our life, until we look back and reflect on it.
Accompanied by that "oh yeaaa" feeling or that "oh shit" feeling.

Today, I reflected.
And I discovered.
That I'm going through a striped phase.

It soothes me.
Which I need.
The holiday season is a tricky time.
Best to keep busy and keep optimistic.

The Hump

Most people give up way before the hump.
They look ahead, see the hill, and assume they won't be able to make it over.
Most people
Are missing out.
The hump is there to challenge us.
To push us to our limits
And test our faith.
Most people are cowards.
And settle for "good."
When we only have such a little amount of time to reach that "great."
But being able to touch that "great"
No matter how brief a moment
Will trump over all things that only reached to "good."

These last couple of weeks I got offered two, count 'em, two art show opportunities.
Both seemed positive.
Both seemed sure.
Both lacked communication and bailed,
Either by ignoring the situation they created
Or by closing off the conversation with a "Good luck" goodbye.
I asked myself "Why."
I asked the heavens "Why."

Then I reminded myself that I do this FOR ME.
And I kept painting.


This is Rudy.
And he's almost complete.

A New Approach

A lot has been going on in my life lately.
My home life.
My work life.
My relationships.
Every aspect has been hit by an obstacle.
At the same. Time.
But last week I took a new outlook.
Tried things differently.
Kept. Going.
And today, I painted. For the first time in over a month.
I thought my life was too hectic, too busy, too chaotic to paint.
But, I think, in reality, my life Became chaotic and busy and hectic BECAUSE I wasn't painting.
So cheers. Cheers to a fresh start. And a different approach.

Preparation.

Progress.

I Love This

Lines

Rushed

I hate that I have to stop my creative flow to go work retail.
Here's to hoping one day I won't have to.

Darks

Me and My Inks

It's been awhile since I painted.
I've been itching for a day off to just be in my studio.
Today, with the rain, is a great opportunity.
I sit on the smooth, wooden floor, comfortable being indian style, and gather some supplies off my shelf.
Today is not an oil painting day, not even acrylics.
Today is about watercolor, or more specifically, my inks.
I miss my ink drawings on mylar. I miss the flow of the water, how the color spreads and pools.
Perhaps today is more about me and my inks.

Projecting Ideas

Today I finally got to do what I love most.
Create.

My head is so full of lively ideas, all intermingled in a mosh pit of confusion.
Some ideas are more aggressive than others, throwing their elbows and pushing their way to the front.
But each idea came into my head for a reason, so I will attend to all of them, shaking each hand as I come across them.

Here's an idea put into action. Le beginning.

Otherwise, I am just joyous I got to paint. My palette knives and paint brushes are extensions of my left arm, following the rhyme that lives inside my soul. (And, today, my acoustic playlist.)

Another beginning, more erratic than thought-driven.

Favorite color contrast.

A New Light

I am safely back from Europe.
What an adventure.
I traveled through four countries in 10 days.
I've never slept so well on such a hard mattress. Those Italians like a stiff bed.
Up by 6 am, home by 10 pm almost every day. Snapping away and loving every minute.

Most important of all, I've thought of a new series. They will come from my pictures and/or compilation of pictures from Europe. I'm going to incorporate architecture into these new ones, because the buildings over there were just too gorgeous not to draw.
Texture.
Speed.
And, of course, color.

I've also been looking at John Singer Sargent a lot lately. I think his brush techniques and rapid gestures will inspire my new paintings as well.

I might experiment some with the layers and faded coloring, although he used watercolors which helps with that effect. I do love watercolor though....
He also did some paintings of Italy.

I suppose he admired their architecture as well.
I can't wait to start. I already have so many ideas to sketch out.

But first, I must finish up my square paintings in preparation for my July show. The process of hanging the art work can sometimes be just as creative as the process of painting.

Neglected but Not Lost

This past month has been a hectic one.
Yes, no, yes, no.
Indecision has been a rival.
But finally, things have been decided.

I've decided I should be respected as an artist, even though I'm new to the game.
I've decided obtaining an art show is not always the best choice if other facts aren't as attractive.
I've decided I will always travel to an art show, rather than ship my work.
I'm on my way to deciding whether I want to continue with my carvings or not.

A week ago, I had an art opening in Greensburg, PA at a restaurant/bar called The Headkeeper. By far one of my coolest shows yet. Not to mention that I get along famously with the curator, which I've found is very important.
My opening wasn't what I expected: The restaurant has outdoor seating and an outdoor bar, and to my excitement, it was a gloriously beautiful day. The downfall was that not many people where inside the bar to enjoy my artwork. But I'm not too discouraged. My squares will be hanging for two months at one of the most crowded restaurant/bars in the area.
Even so, the experience was enough to be happy about. Everyone was so welcoming, even though I was an outsider.

As for this month, I am traveling to Europe for two weeks with my wonderful mother. I'm looking forward to my next series, which will probably derive from my experience overseas.

Also, I've booked another show in July, right after I travel back to Greensburg to get my paintings. The curator seems very nice and excited for my work, giving me an open mind on how to display my paintings.
I am so thankful.

I've started some larger squares, double the size. Here's the first finished 4' x 4' er:

Enjoying this weather :)

I Sense That My Senses Are Sensitive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwZx-udWuxI

I'm interested in my artwork being influenced by other kinds of artwork.
And no I'm not talking about famous painters.
I'm talking about our senses.
Each one so fragile, so sensitive, so easily molded by what is placed in front of us.
A single song can create a painting entirely different than if one was to paint in silence.
The way the carving tool fits in my hand helps me to curve and angle, using different pressures depending on the textures.
The smell of oil paint filling the room, enhancing the mood and concentration.

CocoRosie playing in the background.
A different kind of art.
A different sense.
Yet, we share the same drive to fulfill our passion.

The visual result.


http://www.dianabalderson.com/ -more images to come.

Feel Good

It's interesting how something so unexpected can inspire you.
A pair of balloons, floating together towards the clouds.
The shape of a shadow on the sidewalk.
The mind is a vessel. The mind is complicated, complex, intricate.
Yes, yes, we've heard all that.
But at what point do we believe it?
People say "words have the power to change a nation," but honestly I think it's the minds of the listeners.
We control our minds. We control our actions. We have nothing else to blame that on.

I was inspired today, in several ways.
I aspired to clean my room. I was motivated to decorate my living room with my paintings.
I desired to bake brownies and watch a new movie.
The Giant Mechanical Man it was called.
It was not at all as I expected it to be.
It was relatable, to my current place in life, my current mindset, my current outlook.
It was the constant struggle to live that most people in this lifetime forget about.
To live a full life instead of just to live through it.
There are people out there who desire a meaning. There are others that just know that "ordinary" isn't for them. People may view them as weird, strange, odd.
But I think those are the most interesting people of all.
They have the best conversations, the best ideas, and most often, the best dance moves.

As crappy as this picture quality is, I think the message and the music most accurately sum up the preface of this wonderful movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtYV_8FoClE

Right and Wrong

There are times when things seem right.
The crumpled up sheets on a bed, proving their purpose.
The smoky, vertical line on the wall above the mantle, reminiscent of the comfort from the burning candle.

There are other times when things seem all too wrong.
All the lights being on in your house, and no one being home.
Climbing in your car and realizing all of your pre-set radio stations are static.
The one person you want to talk to not making any effort to contact you.

But finishing another painting...
Although your fingers might be sore and your eyes might be strained...
Is definitely something that is right.

I'm ready for April.
The warmth and the rain.
Both things that feel right.

Before and After

The Squares

Exciting, whirling, zipping in and out, up, around, down.
Swerving forward, then backward, criss-crossing, vertical reaching.
Aiming and splashing, dashing, spinning.
Spilling in patterns, splatters, that matters.
Dripping, dropping, spreading, slicing.
Carving drastic, deep to the pink. Cutting away the color, revealing the rawness.
Exposed, simple, delicate.
Rough, messy brush.
Symmetrical.
Appealing.
As if a candle is burning; illuminating, smells sifting.
Emotion.
Vices.
Drive.

Nail on the Head

My show was a hit! I received a very positive response, and had a nicely grouped accompaniment.
Now, I'm not big on descriptive words or bragging, but here's a little commentary.
Colorful.
Joyful.
Surprised.
Impressed.
Proud.

And here's the visual appeal:

What a wonderful event.

Electric Feel

Startin' the New Year off on a good stride.