Monday July 12, 2021

There are many aspects of art.  One of which is presentation.  Or the answer to the question:  How do I want people to see my art?  Especially, the art I have created; although, to be fair to collectors, this applies to pieces that have been acquired.  Apparently, this is an art form in itself.  Lately, I have been experimenting with photographic still lifes which incorporate pieces I have done.  This is with an eye toward placing my work on the internet.

While this still in the beginning phases, it is promising.  At the very least, I get to work on composition skills more than I have.  

My current habit is to photograph works on the easel that I'm using.  Not bad, but not thought through either.

I keep changing, hopefully growing, as I work on various projects and studies.  There is apparently no end to learning, which is not too surprising.  People have been painting before we started writing.  That's what, 4000 years at least, of techniques, materials, and ideas that have been accumulating in our "collective memories" (written and oral histories); but, since we don't directly connect with our minds, we have to talk and learn as indiviuals.

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I have been reading a New York Times article about a slowing trend in global birthrates, and a suggestion that around mid century deaths will outpace births.

Assuming the trend holds.

The article reads dire; however, I do wonder if that was to sell "papers".   

My question is:

If there are more old people than youngsters, will this stupid assumption about old people being useless be replaced by the equally stupid assumption about young people being useless.  

You know what I am talking about if you have ever looked for a job after your 40th birthday.

Old Student Drawings

Today is Wednesday July 7, 2021 

 Drawing is almost a necessity for me.  

Moving a pencil across paper has a feel that calms me.  The feel varies with the paper.  Sometimes it feels as smooth as silk, other times it feels like the paper is fighting back.  The end result is the same calming but with different objects produced.

Ink with brush on recycled paper.
In terms of feel, it is somewhere
between painting and drawing.

Sometimes I draw with a brush.  It doesn't calm me.  The feeling then is more like the feeling you get after working out.  Satisfaction.

Just staying with pencil on paper is not a good idea.  The feeling stops being calming.  

Such excess seems to be numbing on many levels, because it only occurs when there are limits no stress to challenge the soul.  

No human is ever complete without a certain amount of stress.  

Seems odd.  

It is a long way of saying that I needed to push myself artistically.  I believe the popular saying is "Step out of your comfort zone."

Yes, people do need to do that from time to time.  But, when your boss says stuff like that, or "think outside of the box", you need to find out what your boss is thinking and do that.  He wants you to agree with him, not be creative.  (I have only heard this from male bosses.  I'm not sure what that suggests.  Most of my female bosses were more concerned with the job than their ego.)  Context matters.  Also, If you hear the words "work smarter, not harder" from anyone but yourself, more work is about to be dumped on you.  I repeat: context matters.

I hate those phrases.  I prefer to do without pop psych quotes from self help books.  Even if an author of such a dubious book was competent - the people reading it probably just heard what they wanted to hear.

But, I am off subject.

Still Life study.  Sketchbook graphite

I never try to tell a story in a picture.  It's not my main challenge right now.   Besides, people bring their own experiences to art, and make their own stories.  

I like that about Art.  

It is a two way bridge.   

Artist and Patron are connecting through a Work. 

Now that is a challenge worth tackling.  

 

Stipple Rendering.  Ink on Paper
At time consuming technique that can
 yield some incredible results

Abstraction  Ink Brush on Recycled paper

I draw almost every day.  

There is one problem.  

No one ever sees what I do, except when they walk by me while I am drawing in my sketchbook.  Oh, I suppose that is a way of exhibiting, but sketchbooks are just beginnings.  A point of departure for more polished works in the studio.   Sometimes, they are more exciting than the finished version.

https://www.instagram.com/powell_brian/  This link was established to show off my studio work.  So far, it has performed rather well for someone who just posts without thought.

This blog is turning into another way of showing my work.  I suppose it was in the back of my mind without me noticing.  

I am thinking more about what I am doing on this blog.

Social media offers a lot of opportunities for showing off; but so many sites depend on the shock value of images to draw views.  I prefer, both in drawing and in viewing art, the small subjects. Everyday life, small objects, still lifes, or abstractions exploring the relationships of materials and perception.    

Social media is a lot less nerve wracking than physically exhibiting.  I have the option of shutting off comments.  The physical work is about the same.  I don't have to convince a gallery owner to take a chance on me.  There is no contest entry fee or size requirements.  Even so, there is no substitute for an actual physical presence of a person contemplating a drawing or a painting or a photograph.  It is the same with music, listening to a recording is not the same as the experience you get in a crowded concert.

Mental Meandering

 Today is July 6, 2021

Not much happening.  

Woke up - minor event as long as I don't have to deal with people. 

Started laundry today, so...grumpy is the best I can do.

Not a morning person.

My mind is not really occupied, laundry is kept simple.

and

I tend to think about random stuff.

Dealy Plaza

There is in Downtown Dallas, a log cabin.  It's said to be the cabin inhabited by the city founder.  Local history.

JFK Memorial

The white concrete monument to JFK, designed by Philip Johnson is close to the cabin, along with the court house as a few restaurants.  The area is, or was since its been a while, fairly lively during the day.  I wouldn't go there at night unless I had no choice.  Which is a pity, since this monument was designed to be seen at night. 

Old Red, Museum, Former County Courthouse
Made with red sandstone

This image is of the old Dallas County Courthouse.  It's been converted into a museum.  The new courthouse is modern and not very interesting to look at.

There are things to do in this part of my city; however, they are not that interesting to someone who has grown up here.  

Why is that?

First, I've seen all of this more than once.

Second, Cities are meant to be lived in and do business in.  

Tourism is only one type of business.  There are surrounding this area a school, a church, a lot of government bureaucrats and courts.  All of which are not active at night.  Thus, the restaurants that serve them, shut down at night. If people have no business (like being a tourist which I am not) in an area, they go somewhere else.  If I have business there, its something I am in a hurry to get done and leave.

Third, There were few residences in this part of Dallas and I can't afford the asking price.  

Although, to be fair, the city is making an effort to attract people into dwelling downtown.  Mainly, young upwardly mobile people.

Don't judge.  Who else can afford to live downtown?   

But, it takes generations to make cities livable and desirable.  

I don't believe that any amount of money or services will make a city instantly liveable.  That is just a start, necessary because everything needs a beginning.  In some ways, a city starts with fresh water, a cabin, and farmers needing someplace to sell extra food.  (cities are surrounded by farmland)

People never actually make decisions based on logic.  A basic course in sales techniques emphasises this.  Logic seems more suited to justifying what has been decided.  So all the amenities and advantages of a city mean nothing, if people don't want to be there.  

Cities are strange things to build, but that word (build) is not very accurate.

Cities can be seen as layers, like an oil painting by Turner.  He liked to use a scumbling technique where thin layers of oil paint make up the painting.  Each layer allows a little bit of of the under layer to show through.

"Landscape with Water" by JMW Turner (1775-1851)
As of 2022 in the Tate Museum, London

The effect is incredible, in Turner's works.  

One layers a city over generations, and a little bit shows through each layer.  The ultimate effect can be seen in cities that have thousands of years of history.  Dallas is not that old.  

So my musing for the day comes to an end.  Boredom leads to grandiose thoughts and consideration of a painting by Turner.  Now it is time for me to zone out while folding clothes.

BPowell July 6, 2021 A chain of thought post, or just mental meandering.