Art Defined in Textile

I love the southwestern Native American textiles. The blankets, weaving patterns of brilliant color into geometrical designs are incredibly beautiful. In the Northwest, Pendleton Woolen Mills produces woolen blankets with fabulous designs and color.  Another art form… 
The southwestern weavings are incredible…some of subtle shades of grays with perhaps red or a muted turquoise; others brilliant in color. The process of hand weaving is so very time consuming. It is with pride that these artists display their work at the Indian Fairs and Markets.

 

Twenty + years ago I was working in the Denver area and had the opportunity to go to the Indian Market that was held at a stadium in Boulder. It was a festival of Native American Art with the rugs and blankets hanging throughout the show.   It was beautiful in the display of colors and craftsmanship.

I have a few pieces, a couple of small rugs, a Pendleton blanket that serves as a bedspread in a guest room. I guess what I love about these pieces is the use of color…they are bright, lots of colors and it doesn’t matter what the “seasonal” colors are in the fashion world…these pieces use the basics of color to play one off the other…just like a color wheel.  It’s all art.

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words…

So what about photography???  An art??  Of course!!  Well, that’s my opinion anyway.  I have some friends who are amazing photographers.  Like anything, there is a place for a photo, when it best defines a scene; one that isn’t best suited to be painted, but to be photographed.  Sometimes there are sunsets that are so absolutely incredible and outrageous that painting them would result in something a bit garish.  A photograph is needed to  define the actual beauty of the scene.

A few years ago I bought 3 photos done by Bill Hughlett, an accomplished photographer who is  a brother-in-law of my friends Steve and Dianna Woolley.    His work that I have, was part of a show that he,  I and numerous other artists participated in as a fund-raiser for the now closed Carnegie Art Center in Walla Walla.  What intrigued me about his work was the fact that Dianna told me they were not digitally enhanced.  Wow!     What an  eye!  The one of the boat hull and reflection was just such an intriguing piece…but the other two I bought were subject matter that I absolutely am crazy about… architecture – and that with a  sort of southwest flair with interesting entries, stairs, doors, etc. 

Someone who’s photographic skills have taken him down a career path and who photographs many of the local scenes that I paint is Mark VanDonge.  His work is spectacular with interesting light and composition.  His photos of the Blue Mountains are exquisite and he also does these great real estate videos of homes for the real estate market.

(Pioneer Park by Mark VanDonge)

His work, I think, has taken the housing market’s photos to entirely a new level of professionalism.  If you pick up any local real estate publication, you will find his work gracing the pages.

Look at the work of Alfred Stieglitz….what an art of how he photographed Georgia O”Keefe and many other subject matter.  His nude work of her was quite beautiful as were his fully clothed portraits…And the work of another great photographer – Ansel Adams.  Only photography can represent what he saw and the gifts he gave the visual world.  Incredible black and whites! 

Georgia O;Keefe by Alfred Stieglitz

My friend Kimberley Miner is a  photographer who has been very innovative and marketing minded in her work.  Last winter she offfered mini sessions of 30  minutes for photographs.  Les and I bought one and it was one of the most fun times to go out to a deserted old farmstead and let Kimberly photograph us and our dogs.  She said, “I am not going to pose you; I want to see you just do things you normally do.” or some such words.  We have never had as many compliments on photos of us or had as many be ones that  we liked.  Photography is Kim’s art!  

These are but a few of my favorite photographers who grace us with their “art!”

Arts or Crafts???

A few years ago a group of artists in my area got together and decided to form an art group of “fine” artists.  Well, everyone was a fine artist in their own right, but no one could come up with a definition of “fine art” that satisfied the entire group.  I think some of the ones that were bothered most with the critical need to define “fine arts” have since left the group and those who remain probably have a just a nice time getting together painting, crafting, creating…whatever genre they choose; fine art or not.   It’s their art!      

I think about the Native american art and some of the beautiful pottery that is done – even without a wheel to throw them on.  The sides are a smooth as glass and some of these  are made with coils of clay layers upon each other in a coil fashion, then the sides smoothed.  This is art… and in probably every sense of the word is “fine” art.  This bowl is from the late 1800’s and appears that the images were all drawn freehand and I am certain not done on a wheel.  

My Mother was a fond collector of Native American baskets and weavings.  She particularly liked pine needle baskets and at one time even made a small one.  On a trip to Wenatchee quite a few years ago she and I went out to one of hydro dams on the Columbia.  In their visitor’s center was a display of some of the most beautiful pine needle work I had seen.  It was done by a woman, local to Wenatchee.  We loved her work and ended up buying some pieces.  I gave my Mom a couple of the baskets and she cherished them.  After she passed away, I had got her baskets back and have since passed one on to my friend Carolyn who appreciates artful things and I still have a couple.  These were two of the baskets from “Joyce” of Wenatchee.  She did something that I hadn’t seen before…utilizing the base of the needles as part of the decorative effect of the basket rather than eliminating that end.

One of the weavings that Mom had was a flat reed/grass piece.  It was another thing that came my way from my mother’s estate and I honor it with a place on a wall of my dining room.  It had hung in my mom’s office where she wrote and sometimes painted.

Woolen weavings are a classic of the southwestern Native Americans and certainly are an art.  A long ago trip to the southwest was remembered with the purchase of a simple Navajo rug of about 3′ that I have always had hanging in my homes.  Subsequent trips to the Albuquerque area brought some other small rugs; but the first buy in 1975 from a trading post in AZ has always been my favorite.

So I look at these sorts of art or craft as “ART”… there is a lot of heart and time and energy and talent that is put forth to bring one of these pieces to completion.  And for lots of people creating art it isn’t about the fact that they are making a ton of money from their work…they do it for the love of the ART!…

Who gets to decide what’s “Art”???

What is your definition of  “art”?

When you stop  by a magazine stand and go to the art magazine section there are quite a few publications out that lobby for being art magazines.  There’s Southwest Art, Western Art, Wildlife Art, Art, International Art, and on and on.  So…what’s “Craft”?  Someone that makes one of a kind jewelry is an artist or craftsman?  A potter?  You ask a 100 people, you probably get a 100 different answers.  My take on it…it’s all art in some form.  I think  sometimes people stick their noses in the air at a certain type of art either because they don’t understand it or don’t like it.  Ok…it’s still art…and then someone says…define “Fine Art”…It is an endless topic….just go enjoy some art!!

I like to think that I paint from the heart.  I paint what’s right for me.  and depending on the medium in which I am working depends on the style it is.  I use photos or reference or go out in the field to paint.  I paint what feels right at the time.     

I like to go out and paint plein air when I feel  like time is not critical, but I also like to go out and photograph points of interest that I think might be a good source for a future painting.  It is an enjoyable time to spend looking for spots to photograph.  I put all my images on my computer and go through them periodically when I am looking for reference photos.  Often I go back to old images and find one that for some reason didn’t spike my interest earlier, but now is something is demanding to be painted.

I want to encourage anyone who wants to use their artistic skills…do it for  yourself and what makes you feel good.  I think about this woman “Virginia” who lives in our town and walks around town selling her art.  She has Down’s Syndrome, yet she is an artist.  She does watercolor paintings of lots of subject matter and spends a good deal of time “marketing” her paintings to shop owners, customers, people on the street.  One gallery downtown had a month-long art show for her…this was a pretty prestigious  show place, I might add, and they did one of their regular  shows  for her – .  She’s probably the best marketer of art for miles around!  That’s an artist hard at work!  My hat’s off to  Virginia!  And her paintings are great!   That’s artist success!

So whatever your “style” is, whatever you are trying to say with  your painting or whatever art you are collecting; just do it from the heart!!

spray paint and railroad cars…

The railroad that follows the Columbia River and provides transportation for paper mills and distribution centers always has numerous cars sitting idle, waiting to be loaded and moved to some other destination.  Some of these cars, from time to time, will be laden with graffiti from who knows where.  Sometimes you can pretty easily decipher what is painted on the cars with spray paint; other times not.  Sometimes you will see only words; sometimes characters.   I wonder who did the painting; where were they and why?  those railroad cars travel all over; a moving gallery of “art” – if you consider this art.  I think it is a type of art form…It may certainly not be one you identify with or even like in the least, but you must admit there is a certain amount of artistic talent needed to create some of the things you see on the sides of the cards.

Whenever I drive by railroad cars with the graffiti on the their sides, I wonder about that art form.  Where has that car been?  Who did that painting on the car?  Why?   Is is just graffiti?  Is it an art form?  I guess I think it as an art form or sorts.  I have seen some pretty intricate paintings even though it is defacing someone else’s property.  So I think it is sad that someone with obvious talent is doing a basically wrong thing by spray painting the side of a rail road car.  So what does it mean?  What do the words say?  Gang related messages traveling thousands of  miles in warning.   Some of the paintings have more than writing on them; some in really vibrant color.  I am sure it  relates somewhat to supply on hand at the time.  Are these “artists” skulking around after dark in the railroad yards looking for a clean canvas to deliver their message on?  Is it a warning or just mischievousness; is the message meant to go somewhere specific or is it random?  I wish they had canvases and a gallery…there’s talent there…

Art Stamps for the Artist’s Soul

 

What makes us do “art”?  Who knows…for me it is a something that drives me to create.  I am primarily a landscape artist, but I love nothing more than to do collages and crafty things such as using art stamps to create cards and such.  It is good for my soul.  So I guess that what makes me do art…it’s good for my soul.  I like to get a sense of accomplishing something.  Art does that. 

   Art Stamps are a fabulous way to express yourself.  Combine stamped images, some “found” objects, scraps of paper, ink, maybe some embossing powder, a heat gun, more papers, ribbon and you  have  yourself a project.  And it like when you start one thing and it turns into another project and then another and pretty soon you have a pile of cards or collage worthy of a frame and place on the wall!  When I get bogged down in painting landscapes and I want to still do something “art” like, I do just this…get in and start some projects with stamps and stuff.  Before you know it, I have several note cards done, ready for when I need a card to send the old fashion way via snail mail!   Bonus! 

Art stamps are such a great tool.  You can find a huge variety of stamps from whimsical to reproductions of fine art.  Personally I love the detailed ones of old world images, calligraphy, Asian symbols, architecture, etc.   I have  a good selection of whimsical for when I have youthful visitors joining me for a stamp session.  I have an awesome stamp collection…well over 1000 – and I use them.  I don’t buy cards for birthdays and Christmas…they get made by hand.  sometimes wrapping paper as well.  It’s my justification for collection!

I recently found a fabulous stamp store in Bellingham, WA  –  Stampadoodle.  They have an incredible choice of stamps for any want, plus wonderful handmade papers, pens, inks and more.   Other great shops are Impress in Seattle area and locally for me there is Craft Warehouse with some good stamp supply choices.  On line there are many locations to buy from dealer s and manufacturers.

 

 

 

Rubberstampmaddness is an online site that has a great choice of art stamps and supplies to please the crafters’ soul.  Somerset Studio magazine is published by Stampington and  Co.  They offer several magazines for a variety of artistic crafting through their publishing company as well as an online store.   All candy for the artist’s soul.

So grab a stamp or two, some paper, ink and embellishments and see what you can do!  Go create!!!                                                                                                                                                                              

 

 

Define Art…

Art…it’s a pretty personal deal.  My goal with this blog is to tell about something “art-like” in my world…or maybe one of my friends world.  We don’t all look at art the same way.  Thankfully!  Art can be the graffiti on the sides of freight train cars, the works of master painters, children’s projects from school, stuff you see on walks, a plate of food, a deli’s showcase, photography…So come with me on this journey.

(Jean’s wood cut images)

Art…A couple of years ago an elderly friend of mine passed away.  She was a wonderful artist who was talented in lots of mediums – watercolor, block print making, etc.  A patron of the arts, Jean was a founding member of the local Art Center and volunteered there for years.  Late in her life she brought some beautiful tiny wood block prints to the center to sell.  She said her kids had picked the ones they wanted and she had just decided to sell the rest of them.  I bought two of them and cherish them.  They hang together in my dining room in a grouping of  some small works.  Whenever I take a look at them, I fondly think of Jean, her great smile and gentle ways.  Art for her seemed to be done for purely pleasure.  She didn’t seem to care if  she made a bunch of money on her work; she did it for the pleasure of making art.

After she had passed away,  her children gathered things that they didn’t want and had a yard sale.  She had lots of interesting artifacts from around the world, but the two things that I fell in love with were two sets of wood block cuts for printing/imaging.  I am a huge fan of art stamps and have a collection that is quite extensive.  So when I saw these wooden boxes of wood blocks, I had to have them!  There is a collection of letters and numbers in different fonts, some well-worn; others hardly used.  On occasion I pick a couple and ink them up and stamp them into a project, but mostly I just take them out and look at them and remember my friend Jean…