The Beginning of Abstract Journey

Well, we have a show coming up titled "When Attitudes Becomes Forms" in July. So we have to interpret that for ourselves. So I thought I would do my Attitude toward Abstraction. As you can see I've had a bad start...I've taped paper here and there to see what I like. nope..I've played around with texture in a small are...nope...so I am slowly coming to the idea of putting molding paste over the whole canvas and going totally free flow...pouring color over it...

So here I start out...lets see where the journey takes me. On this one...the painting will take me...I'm looking for a direction...and I don't think this is it. Too many circles...etc. etc...

Which by the way the term "When Attitudes Becomes Forms" was first made and coined by Harold Szeemann who died at the age of 71. He was a curator of his generation. He defined the curators role. He sought, he said, to create shows that were "poems in space".

"Live in Your Head; When Attitudes Become Form, the first major survey of Conceptual art to take place in Europe was due to Szeemann. He introduced Andy Warhol in his first show in Europe. With this show the artists were allowed to contribute any work that they felt would be releveant that was subtitled "Works, concepts, processes, situations, information" marked an important methodological shift for exhibition practice. Some artists such as Lawrence Weiner took out three square feet of wall space, and Michale Heizer demolished the sidewalk with a metal ball, etc.. As the title suggested, this was not an exhibition of artworks but of "attitudes," the implication being that the artists themselves, as creative subjects and eccentric personalities were as much on display as their works.

Information from The Free Library an article written by Daniel Birnbaum

Artist Quote

"Where do you begin to find originality? By knowing yourself. I know that's not the answer people want to hear because that's not easy to do. But that is the answer." - Gorden McKenzie This so fits me!!! I just had to share it!

My attempt at Abstract-Representational

It's been fun just playing around with a paintings the last several cold winter months. I have found that I could just totally close off the world around me. I feel like I don't need food, friends or to even leave the house for any reason. Just staying in my studio listening to music and painting is all I need. Maybe it's my escape from the grey cold windy atmosphere that seems to be the norm. I wonder if I will emerge like a caterpillar in the spring when the sun shows itself once again.

I started this painting of Koi and just didn't like it. Then I just decided I needed to go beyond myself and just play with the piece and make an attempt at surreal. I must say I had fun with it.

I run downstairs and place it on the mantel...stand back in the kitchen...and study it... Normally most people do this in the studio...however my studio is the size of most peoples closet. This ritual goes on possibly 20 times a day. I guess that is one way to get your exercise!

So, as I post this....I will probably see something else that needs to be done. But......hey...that's normal for me. I once remembered a story of (I think it was Monet???) that Monet would sneak into the galleries that hung his paintings and would do minor changes.

Wow! Now I can see my marks are not straight...so as I said....back to the easel...at least another 20 more times...

A Day in the Studio

It was good to have a day today to just paint. I decided I would experiment a little with the hard molding paste. I layered it on canvas board and then painted over that. I really liked the texture. The painting is from a photo I took while visiting the Biltmore in North Carolina in the fall.

Art Barn Drawing Session

I'm posting the drawing from Wednesday night. I was an unhappy camper as it seems I get her back most of the time...so on the last pose I had to move and with all the face forwarding spots taken. I felt like I was a million miles away and couldn't see well (age!). So, it is what it is. Next time I'll get there earlier and grab a premo spot!

I'm still trying to come up with more designs for my commission piece. If there is one thing I've learned with commissions is COMMUNICATION-COMMUNICATION. We are all walking around this planet less than half the time actually connecting and communicating. It gets so frustrating...

Tuesday Gerrie ,Anke and I went gallery hopping in the River East section of Chicago. Most of the galleries were great and spent some time with us which is usually not the case. It was interesting.

I will say a lot of the galleries were carrying the same work they'd had almost a year ago.

I also don't understand why more galleries won't carry more traditional pieces. I say you can not find a classical figure painting (almost) anywhere. Most of it is contemporary or abstract. Don't get me wrong -I LOVE contemporary and abstract. It would all be more interesting if there were more of a mix.

My most favorite galleries in that area would be the Ann Nathan Gallery and Portals and also KH Galleries. They all offer something different though..It's all just opinion.