Three puppies remind me to bark

On a recent visit to MOMA I was able to visit one of my favorite paintings - "Three Puppies" by Paul Gauguin.  I have always loved this painting, and for so many different reasons.
First of all - I love puppies!! and all things dog related!!! ok, and it does also match the couch....
In all seriousness, I really love the linework around the puppies, and the composition of the painting.  The application of paint is also quite amazing.   This painting feels so contemporary to me, and just so right on so many levels.
the text under the painting at MOMA reads as follows:
When Gauguin painted Still Life with Three Puppies he was living in Brittany among a group of experimental painters. He abandoned naturalistic depictions and colors, declaring that “art is an abstraction” to be derived “from nature while dreaming before it.” The puppies’ bodies, for example, are outlined in bold blue, and the patterning of their coats mirrors the botanical print of the tablecloth. It is thought that Gauguin drew stylistic inspiration for this painting from children’s-book illustrations and from Japanese prints, which were introduced to him by his friend and fellow artist Vincent van Gogh that year.

I think, reading this statement now in the year 2012, it is a far reaching thought that abandoning naturalistic depictions is anything beyond normal for artists today.  In fact it is probably rare to see an artist who does depict something naturalistic.  I kind of love that at that time, this painting was ground breaking, influenced by Japanese prints and Van Gogh.  

Imagine in art today, if there were such rules that could be broken so easily? (although I am sure at the time it was not easy)

When we think of art right now, so much has been done - materials, content, subject, style - I wonder where we go from here? 

I am trying to put myself in Gauguin's place at that time, that he made a conscious decision to follow some new influence, and not rely on old habits or patterns.  He went beyond what was expected of him, and I would guess that he painted with true integrity, hence so much of his work. 

For my art, I am hoping and praying in my non religous way that I may be able to think beyond my pattern and habit, to let something else influence me and guide me, and to create something that is completely mine and completely true.  

Now, go to your life, how many patterns and habits do we have? and how well do they serve us?  how often do you take time to examine if this habit or patter is really helping you - let alone taking you to the next level in your life - as puppies did for Gauguin?

I challenge you and me, in your life and in your art, to truly examine your norm, and ask yourself if you can let some change come in, and perhaps it is that change that will take you to the next phase in your life and in your art. 

Three Puppies by Paul Gauguin 

I see it, maybe.....

I have been wondering why it is so much easier to recognize something outside of yourself, rather than within yourself both with life and with art.
example #1: When I am teaching a lesson on typesetting (like an invitation and the fonts and style being used) students are quite able to point out what looks good, what is working, and even point out why something may look bad.  Yet, when they turn to their own work, they are unable to put into action the same observations they had just made a few moments previously.
example #2: Artists sometimes are lucky enough to have a group of peers and make studio visits to each others' studios.  Again, when it is not your work, it's so easy to talk about what is working in the studio, and what is not working.  It is almost crystal clear.  Yet, when one returns to the confines of your own studio, it then becomes almost impossible to see your own work objectively, then make objective decisions on how to proceed.
example #3: Often a friend of ours may be depressed or sad or stuck in their personal life.  We see it in them, they mope around, have slouched shoulders, breathe kind of shallow, conversations are strained or tiresome.  Its seems so obvious, so very very obvious, that they need to do this or do that to snap out of it.  If only this friend would read this self help book! Perhaps they should break up with that bad boyfriend/girlfriend! Quit that job they keep complaining about! The answers seem so clear when you are making them for someone elses' life.
So when it is your life, your slouched shoulders, your art - are you able to look outside of yourself, observe, analyze and apply a practical solution?  Why is this such a difficult undertaking?
Why is it nearly impossible to see ourselves from that external perspective and simply fix what is wrong as easily as you would fix a flat tire on a bike?
Why is it human nature to see oneself from only one point of view?

I am writing this to remind myself that perhaps as a bird I would have more than one point of view.  I could fly over my own life, I may see it from an upward approach, from a southern approach, from a ground up approach, from a tree branch, from a mountain range.  It would look different to me from the many angles I was able to approach it from.  So can I be a bird and fly over?  Can I truly see myself and my work from objective and ever changing angles?

I'll remember the words of Frank Sinatra when he sang "come fly with me, lets fly, lets fly away"  - although I suspect his intention was quite different than mine!

Post #33 Look at the big picture, but the details are pretty good too

The bird, the dog and everything in between     Oil on Panel       60" x 18"  

Detail

You know, this is one of those works that somehow never made it to my gallery page.
You can see the painting in it's entirety shown at the top of the page.  You can decide for yourself how to interpret it, what meaning it has for you.  You can see the general overall color.  You can sense the general overall mood.  You can see the general big picture space and desolation.  And that's fine, I mean it is, after all, meant to be seen as one big picture, literally.
Now, if you were to look at the detail of this painting, you may notice more nuance, the brushstrokes, the detail in the line work, the artists' hand.  You may feel more attached to this detail because it more intimately portrays a moment of artmaking.  Plus nice thick paint - who can argue with that?

I think sometimes in life we suffer from one of two fates -
either a) we only see the big picture or b) we only see the details.
As you would guess there are both drawbacks and benefits to each.  If I see the big picture, I remember the entirety of being, the wholeness of life, the even-ness that I may approach a day and a week and a month and a year.  If I always see the big picture, I may always be grateful for what I have.  Good things, all good things.  However, because I am so focused on the big picture, I may forget the details, and those details can be building blocks of the bigger picture.
If you are someone who always sees the details, you may notice everything.  Anything and everything, and perhaps you fret over the small stuff, and cause yourself unnecessary anxiety looking at all the little things when really the bigger picture looks pretty good.  But you notice things, you notice every little laugh, and all the little smiles, and all the little jokes, and you make a mental note of each special moment, which for those of us in big picture mode, we may not notice this stuff.
How about it, just how about maybe, if you, if we, if I, could truly see the bigger picture,  Really and truly see it (which in itself is quite the undertaking), but still notice the little details, and take our time to treasure these little details, minus the fretful obsessive part, but noticing these details and acknowledging how they make our bigger picture even better and even more whole.
I am writing this to remind myself in the instance of this painting, and in the instance of life, that sometimes I see the bigger picture, and forget all the little details along the way - and I am making a little mental Jenna note that the details are also so very important.
So enjoy your new year, big picture and the details, and think about how both can contribute to each other in the best of ways.

Post #32 POSTCARDS for sale

For those of you who enjoy my work, I have a package of 10 postcards (5 different images) selling for $5 including shipping!
please contact me if you are interested

Post #31 Quality, not quantity

We have all heard the expression quality, not quantity, and this may apply to any numerous things in your life. You may choose to get one quality item of clothing vs. two lesser quality clothing items. You may choose to get three organic quality apples, vs. five non-organic lesser quality apples. You've used this expression in your life before, I am sure of it.
I am going to direct your attention to my blog's name: art and life and address each.
ART: In the studio, where many many many paintings are made, where many many drawing are made, there is much quantity. I am both lucky and cursed to be able to produce as much as I produce. This leads to good things like being able to flush numerous ideas out, and see them realized; and not so good things, like having to store the entire series in my studio. While I completely support the process of flushing through ideas, and encourage everyone to realize various possibilities (numerous sketches, variations, etc), I was thinking that for me, maybe it's time to go for quality. So that I choose only the very best of ideas, the very best of compositions, the very best of colors, the very best of line, and make that my quality painting. I will not make as many perhaps, but quality is my new thinking. The idea here is to distill down all my energy and effort and only let the very very best show through. This is a process that requires patience, practice, and some good editing skills, but I think I am up for it.
LIFE: So I've spoken before how we may choose our thoughts. And are you choosing quantity thoughts? or quality thoughts? Are you letting your mind ramble on ramble on ramble on ramble on? or do you quiet it down, so that only what is important is what is heard? Do you blabber endlessly to friends and family about way too many topics? or do you only say only what is truly important? (although we all need some small talk, I admit). Do you tell yourself endless criticisms? or do you just reserve one nice thought for yourself and focus on the one thought?
If I asked you to memorize 50 words, there is a good chance you would not remember all of them. If I asked you to memorize 5 words, there is a good chance you WOULD remember them.
So put 5 quality words in your head, and memorize them. And when the quantity comes rushing back in, and when the quantity stressed you out, and when the quantity weighs you down, remove the quantity, and replace it with quality. The highest of quality thoughts.
The idea here is to distill down all your energy and effort and only let the very very best show through. This is a process that requires patience, practice, and some good editing skills, but I think you are up for it. In fact, I know you are.

Post #30 your CB walkie talkie cell phone conversation is my meditation

I sometimes have fantasies about being a different kind of artist - about being an artist who makes work that directly responds to the society I live in and walk around in. 

So, to the guy sitting behind me on the bus, talking loudly into his 2 way walkie talkie, I want to make an art piece about you.  I can hear both sides of your conversation, so I know where you are going and what you will be doing.  I am planning to not only record the conversation you are having and use it in my art piece, but to follow you to your destination since I know where it is.  

To the woman next to me on this same bus, now that I know your social security number, I think I'll take up a new identity  - how about yours? and then make an art piece about how i ruined your life.

and the the girl talking about her boyfriend problems, honey, just get out.  No art in that one.

So we've all been on that bus.  That bus with the talkers, the whiners, the crazies, the complainers, the laughers, the criers.  And sure, you could sit and have a fantasy about making an art piece, you could laugh about the whole thing, you could cry or you could just shrug it off.  Or, you could make it your meditation. 

To the man on the two way - I go beyond your conversation and I remember I am lucky to live in a world where we are able to have such free conversations.

To the woman, I go beyond your personal data, and I recognize we are all one unified people, living together.

To the girl, I go beyond your personal problems, and I value each relationship I have with each person I know. 

and on my bus, I go beyond frustration, I go beyond worry, I go beyond stress, and I make a choice to ride the bus with the fullest consciousness I have.  

And I hear your murmerings, and I love them, I really do, and I remember to go beyond this one bus ride, to go beyond this one day, this one evert, this one time in my life, and as I see the bridge in my field of vision, I am reminded of the largeness and wholeness that life has.  And in remembering this largeness, this wholeness, I am one with the bus, with the two way radio conversation, with myself as an artist, and with you my friend. 

Post #29 funny how that goes

It's funny how things go.
Turns out my "side" project turned into my main project.  I am uploading a new image from this drawing series for you to view.

These drawings are done on mylar  - mylar is a semi transparent drawing paper - and I am using the layers in the mylar to my advantage to help the content feel distant, and dreamy, and nightmarish, and real, but not real.  It's been a great way to combine all my thoughts into this moveable interchangeable flexible medium.

When approaching the idea of the "side" project I was able to be very free, very non-attached, I didn't fret about it, and most importantly, I just let it BE what it needed to be.  And, it took awhile for it to tell me what to do or where to go with this - but it being a side project and all, I didn't really worry about it.

I was thinking maybe I should think of everything, EVERYTHING, as a side project.  Art, life, you name it.  Just let it be, let it develop, don't worry too much, don't fret.

So what's your side project?

Post #28 put it against the wall

About a year ago, I worked on a painting.  This painting was just ok.  It had something to it, yet I knew it really needed more, something else.  I tried to observe and analyze this painting.  I tried to figure out just the right step to take to make it better.  However, I arrived at no conclusion at all.  I decided not to worry about it, and turned it to face the wall.  And I left it that way for many months.
I didn't stress about it.  I didn't freak out.  I didn't look at it, I just let it sit there.  I believed, in time, the answer would reveal itself to me.
In the meantime, I was working on many other things in the studio, other paintings, many new drawings, whatever came my way.
Only very recently did I realize I had the answer to resolve the painting.  I saw the answer as I was working on the other things in the studio.  So I flipped the painting around, and completed it.  And now it is as it should be.
Of course, of course, of course, I am thinking about this directly applying to life.  So maybe you have an unresolved issue.  We all do.  And maybe, just maybe, instead of freaking out, you just take that unresolved issue, and put it against the wall for awhile.  Don't dwell on it, don't worry about it, don't freak out.  You know it's there, against the wall for when you are ready.  And maybe you have the capacity to believe that the answer will reveal itself to you in time.
Now in the meantime, you can work on other things - a little bit of this and a little bit of that - and I bet you at some point, if you come back to that original problem, you may have the answer to it.
and everything will be as it should be - as if there were any other options!

Post #27 Are you creative?

Are you creative? Many times, we can look at a work of art and say to ourselves, wow! that artist is so creative! how did they ever think of that?

We see this creativity as a sort of gift, something bestowed upon only a few select members of society. and to a certain extent, this may very well be the case. However, I believe it is possible to foster creativity at every level. If you are a beginning artist or designer, what you may really need are some good work habits (see post below). Some type of discipline where you will just crank out a whole bunch of stuff. If you draw a tree and a dog, you may ask youself -

what if the tree were bigger? smaller? on the left? on the right? close to the dog? far from the dog? what is the picture plane was horizontal? vertical? what if the dog was this way? or that way? this is a good conversation to have with oneself when creating something.

So these are practical thoughts.

but I believe the most important creative tool you have is, obviously, your mind. Now the question becomes, how do I take this mind, and allow it to be free, to run in circles, to be open to be receptive to the flow of ideas?

Letting the mind quiet down allows your creativity to come to the surface. Artists have a studio for a reason - it’s not just so we have a place to put all our art stuff - its so we have a place to think - a place where we can let the mind simmer down, quiet down. A place where we can listen to our inner drawing, and let it come out.

Now couple a little quiet time with some good work habits, and before you know it, you’ll be cranking stuff out.

Now imagine you were just as creative about your everyday life as you were with your art? What would that look like?

I believe we are all creative people, some express this through art, some through fashion, some through home decor, some through words, some through food, or whatever.

You have this creativity within you - know this. and don’t just yeah yeah me - because what i am telling you is the truth. You are creative. So quiet that mind down, experiment a little, and you will see your creativity come through in ways you never even imagined.

Post #26 good work habits

Very often I will have an idea for a painting, and I can see it perfectly clear before it is even made. I can see the colors, I can see where everything would be placed. So sure, I could go ahead and execute this idea, and probably end up with something halfway decent, or I could do what I actually do - which is draw it out - and make 25 different versions of it.

When you are designing something, or constructing a composition for something, I think one of the most important qualities any artist can possess is to be open to change, and to be willing to experiment. Being able to discipline yourself to not just go with your gut, but to try out many many different arrangements, helps break down barriers in the mind. It also forms as a training device for when you have a creative block. You may end up doing a comp, and then ten variations of this comp. This is a good working habit.

There are so many possibilities and ways to achieve a successful image. Taking the long way down the path sometimes allows you to find the most useful way to do so.

So the challenge here, is to keep playing and keep pushing yourself.

In life, we may ask ourselves - do we always see the end of something as a predetermined destiny? Do we only see it one way? And only having one ending? Or do we allow ourselves to have variations, knowing that there are many ways that life can happen?

It has been said that we become unhappy because our reality does not align with our predetermined idea of how life should be. That if we actually appreciate life as it is, that you will achieve happiness. Well, that's what they say anyways..... (bartender, can I get a drink over here? )

So art or life, your choice, allow yourself variations, take the time to experiment, and yes, go with your gut, but be willing to change, be willing to play, be willing to take the long road, and know that there are many many possibilities waiting for you. yes, I mean YOU!

post #25 let go

As some of you may know, I have been perma-loaning some older paintings out. This has been a win win situation because it gets a work of art out into the world, and it clears a whole bunch of space for all the new work I have been making the past few years.

Artistically, I was thinking how freeing, absolutely freeing it is, to just release these older works out into the world without any agenda, without any regulation, designation, hidden agenda or other such nonsense.

And now I am wondering why it is so difficult, and challenging, to let go of LIFE's old mental junk. Why does it still clamor in our heads? We can easily part with that old painting or old sweater that no longer serves us - why can't we part ways with old thought patterns or things in our past as easily? After all, most of the things we are clinging to don't even exist in the physical realm. None of them tangible, yet so difficult to truly, really let go.

So I offer up my old though patterns, my box of mental junk from the past, to be free, to go out into the world. And in doing so, allow much more room for what I have now.

wow! this sounds like an excellent plan, doesn't it?

post #24 change is a coming

A girl steps into her large backyard. The sun suddenly dips behind a cloud and a strong wind blows in from the east. A bird squawks in the background, and the girl whips her head to the right to get a better look. A close-up reveals a slight look of panic in her eyes. We pan over to the long tall grass, which is blowing in the breeze. Somewhere in the background, we hear a dog barking. Back to the girl, she buttons up her sweater and quickly goes inside.

If this were a movie, you would know that a something strange was a brewing, and change is near, or something is about to happen.....

Ok, so it's not really a movie, its life, and art, and both are calling out to me. Both have their wind on my back, and both are cackling at me.

I can see this and I can hear it. I am aware of this big hairball tumbling by. Now, what do do about it is anyone's guess - but i think it can only lead to an interesting development in the studio, and an interesting development in life.

stay tuned......

I am just as curious as you to see what happens

post #23 your new year is NOW

Friends, it is time. So often we look at the calendar, and see that old year go, and new year come, and judge ourselves harshly and accordingly as to what we have or have not accomplished. This can often be a negative process - and who needs that?

Well folks, the good news is you can change your negative into a positive - starting NOW!

What if there was no new year, no old year? What if every day you awoke, you declared it a new day, brand new? What if you approached this new day thinking everything is possible, there are no limitations?

Imagine no limitations at all, in anything.

So wake yourself up tomorrow and just declare this day to be the start of the best day of your life. And do that every day, thus making each and every day filled with limitless possibilities, and every day better than the next, simply because you decided it to be so.

After all, you are creating your own world in your mind, why not make it a good one?

And as for artwork, why not let that be limitless and ever expanding? growing, always changing, ever evolving - that sounds like some good work you got there!

Post #22 - large swimming painting available

This HUGE swimming painting is available for permanant loan to anyone with a good home!

This super large swimming painting (measures 95" wide by 65" tall) could be in your home or office! ME: providing you a custom work of art on permanant loan basis YOU: will need to rent a uhaul to get it, and have a giant wall available contact me if interested