"The school of life"

"The school of life" is what Robert Genn calls his latest newsletter. He notes that every year about 900,000 North Americans try painting for the first time and 800,000 quit in frustration. "Apparently, at any given time, three percent of the population is trying to paint." He goes on to say "On the surface, painting looks easy, offers mounds of personal satisfaction and has the potential of big bucks. But then again, so does golf. And we all know that golf makes grown men cry. When closely examined, high-aimed painting is difficult, loaded with disappointment and the dubious benefits of poverty."- This is applicable timing as I was out the other day for an appointment for my husband. I took the books I "published" on my Mac and the doctor was appreciative - but-- immediately assumed I must be in the "big bucks" category. Complimentary, in a way, but far from the truth. Most of us persist because we *must* paint, but most of us would have starved if we had to rely on or art income. We carry on through sheer determination.
Here is Lawrence as painted. I showed, in previous blogs, the graphite drawings done in Life Drawing. Originally, the background was lighter, but, following a critique, I re-did it. It probably looks a bit more like a suggestion of foliage now and is more dramatic against the flesh tones. An artist has to keep questioning.

Whimsical prints

Yesterday I was at the Federation Gallery to pick up my painting from the "Canvas Unbound" show and to take a look at the new print show. I find printmaking intriguing but I haven't done any since Art School. However, yesterday I was thinking that there seems to be a different level of acceptance- or would that be theme of acceptance?- in prints than in paintings. Maybe it is brought on by their very smallness, but there is a lot of whimsy and some almost cartoon-ish pieces. I felt some might be the kind of stuff for doodles in sketchbooks but would be rejected if submitted to a regular show. Not to say that I didn't like them. I don't know enough to say whether the techniques were outstanding and that was part of the acceptance or not. I could only judge the images -and I found a lot appealing. Some brought a smile. I just wonder about the difference and acceptability. Or is it something that come with the choice of medium? Are people with a sense of whimsy - and showcasing it- drawn to the printmaking process? Something to think about.......for the illustration here, here is my Singer in Red.

Vancouver Riots

I don't usually blog about anything except art and art events, but I am rather sickened by last nights rioting after Vancouver lost the Stanley Cup Hockey final. These are the same streets I walked on as a child after Saturday morning art classes. This is where I prowled with sketchbook later on, as a student at Vancouver School of Art. This was just a hockey game, not a plea for democracy. As The Guardian newspaper notes, it makes us look like a fishing village, not the "world-class" city we claim to be. Politicians are saying it was a few yahoos and punks, but the hockey fans inside the arena showed a distinct lack of class and decency when they booed the Bruins at the end of the game. Where was the sportsmanship in that? After the violence and looting on the streets, while spectators filmed it all, Vancouver ends up with a reputation it will take a long time to live down. There is no point about extolling the virtues of a "livable city" and its natural beauty when its citizens end up looking like jerks and worse. .....For the record, I was at Wednesday night Life Drawing and not even watching TV!... painting is of a kayak just by Granville Island- I call it "To Each His Own" and it is a calm and peaceful view in Vancouver.