Recently I picked up a great out of print book titled, “The Art of the Artist: Theories and Techniques of Art by the Artists Themselves,” compiled by Arthur Zaidenberg. Published in 1951, there are over 40 short articles by mostly art professors. I read this today:
Landscapes by Eugene Ludins, Professor, Art Department, Iowa State University (in 1951), paraphrased.
“Painting landscapes directly and on the spot is tremendous fun. I couldn’t live without it…. Outdoors, the ideas and inventions and colors that couldn’t be dreamed up in a lifetime are waiting and obvious. The paintings don’t always turn out but that is not important, for in the process of looking I have supplied myself with new ammunition and vigor.
“I find it difficult to describe a method of approach that works more than just once. Whenever I believe I have developed such a method I find either myself or the conditions changed enough to ruin my set plan.
“I find I can lick this by starting out with a supply of various shaped canvases, all my materials ready and a completely open mind.
“Up to a certain point in the painting I am quite literal in putting down the objects and relationships as I see them, or at least those parts that I have decided to use. This is simply making use of these elements which originally excited me enough to draw me to a particular spot. In this phase of the painting the going is fairly calm and controlled, but at a later point — usually when the canvas has been well covered and all the main elements suggested — the real painting and fun begins. Here I let go. The landscape as it exists and as I first saw it no longer interests me — mountains and fields and buildings are moved or wiped out, and the canvas begins to exist as a thing of itself with a life of its own.
“In many cases [though,] I never reach the phase of the painting where I can be independent of the objects as they are.
“When it fails to happen I go home thoroughly beaten, carrying another dud to add to my collection.”
I just love that last sentence! Especially since I had written something along those same lines just this morning:
When working from abstract starts, you have to believe that “something” will appear. It might take a long time, but in the end, a creature almost always appears. Sometimes, rarely, you will cover the whole painting up in frustration and start fresh. (This is scary, because when a piece of art is “pretty good” it’s hard to destroy it. I don’t usually, which means I have a lot of mediocre paintings hanging around. Not bad enough to destroy; not good enough to show or sell.)
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I got permission from one of you yesterday that I could post photos of my new grandson Liam! So here are two, swiped from my son’s facebook page:
Happy Friday, everyone!!
Those are two handsom fellas! I know you are proud..Enjoy!
So beautiful Carla! So happy you shared your miracle with us today 🙂 All the best!
What a doll. Thanks for letting us see him!
Carla, thank you for the beautiful pictures. They made my day. Your son and grandson are both beautiful. Bobbie
Love seeing the “boys.”
for me it would be something like this: “when working abstractly, and something recognizable appears, I do whatever I can to make it go away. Sometimes, no matter what I do, that object remains in the painting, despite all attempts to conceal it. When this happens, I leave the studio feeling absolutely helpless to have control over anything, including my own painting!”
Isn’t it interesting how each artist seeks something different in their work?
Yes, it is SOOO interesting!! And wonderful, too!!
Your boys are so handsome and the littlest one is adorable. Thanks for sharing a peek. Wishing you a beautiful and maybe, sunny? weekend.
Handsome grandson Carla. Enjoy “grandmotherhood.” I’m sure that you have fallen deeply in love already.
I have!!!
What a precious child! Both are handsome boys. Grandkids really rock!
The baby is so beautiful and I always love the father and son asleep photos.
Liam is beautiful. I have grandsons myself, so I know what a blessing they are. Isn’t it amazing that you can love someone you just met so much !!
I wish him good health and happiness !
So adorable..;-)
I bet your a happy nana =^.^=
Absolutely beautiful photos
Beautiful baby. Loved the drawings you did of Liam, too.
The quote from Eugene Ludins was pertinent for me since I’m trying to decide where to go with a painting that is only part-way “there.” I am fearing losing “good parts” I already have by pushing farther.
Liam is adorable, how can you keep your hands off of him? Yhanks for sharing your joy.
Its very amazing ))
Thank you for the article and your thoughts, and the precious photos of miracles.
Oh my! How cute! Please don’t hesitate to show as many photos as you would like. I for one, love to see them. (I accidentally posted this comment on the previous blog entry. Sorry for the duplication.)
That’s a couple of really adorable guys you have there!
Quel magnifique Bébé !… Le Grand aussi…
I came by because of the Rice blog hop, but I saw the photo and could instantly be taken back to my sons as infants…struggling to handle twins with no forewarning or preparation. With a tear, thank you for sharing that photo.
You needed permission? Oh Woman! how could you restrain such joy? !!!
I’m accumulating plenty of I-can’t-destroy-it-but-I-can’t-do-anything-with it pieces at the moment. Ah, well. 🙂 Beautiful little baby boy!
Oh Carla, your son looks just as sweet as your grandson. Just lovely. xo