I don't mind being marooned somewhere, as long as I've got my paints. That's the subject of my new article in International Artist.
I don't know why, but the less choice I have in selecting a motif, the more successful I am. Maybe it comes of being forced to improvise.
International Artist (#109, June/July 2016).
4 comments:
Great, James! "The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep." Paul Strand
William Blake may also fit in here:
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour."
Great quote and paintings!
Great topic for an article. Whenever I've taught freshman drawing, and insist that they draw from life for most of the semester, students always complain to me that if they draw from life, "there's nothing to draw." Maybe they think if they're not drawing a gothic cathedral or a mountain lion it's not interesting enough? I think there is so much to be seen in subjects that most people would presume to be mundane at first, but I think it's those "ordinary" moments that are especially poignant to draw, because they're universal and seen and experienced by everyone. My RISD colleague Fred Lynch, recently started a series of sketches he does of people in the waiting room every time he goes to the doctor to get an allergy shot. His drawings are really charming and quirky, another example of a creative opportunity in what might seem a boring moment in time. You can see Fred's sketches here: http://www.urbansketchers.org/2016/05/the-waiting-continues_7.html
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