Monday, February 15, 2010

We Must Dance, You and I


I drew the girl on the left in July of last year. After that, I went every so often (over a matter of months) to the same Quiznos restaurant where the drawing was done. When I could, I would sit at the very same table, and paint on location. [The manager now greets me as a co-conspirator. He smiles and asks, "So who are you going to draw today?"]

In those days, I painted using a Koi watercolor brush set with nine colors. I never finished though. I'd painted all but the girl. So this weekend I painted the girl with my Winsor & Newton paints and a traditional brush.

More recently, I drew and painted the picture below, with a similar color scheme.






We take steps forward, and we take steps back. Learning to paint is nothing, if it is not a dance.

In this instance, while I appreciate some aspects of these sketches, there is so much I would like to do better. That's the way it should be, I guess.

This weekend I attempted to paint wildflowers for Valentine's Day. This, as you probably know, is not my usual thing. Suffice it to say that the weeds took over the field. Then they reached out from the paper, as weeds will do, and finished me off.

The weeds strangled me.

My final thoughts were these: It's happened again! I've forgotten how to paint! I never knew how to paint! I only know how to color! I should use crayons!!

I have since recovered with, by the way, a newfound respect for those who do that sort of thing. And I will try again.

In any event, my computer has H1N1 or some other virus, and I am sending it away for repairs. So I missed Shadow Shot Sunday, and Valentine's Day too. Today I am posting with another computer.

So belatedly I offer one rustic rose for the occasion.

Take it.

Place it between your teeth, and dance. Take one step forward and one step back, as all artists do.

And when you do, although math would seem to contradict, you will not be in the same place as before.

I was at an art show today. One artist offered this advice: "Stick with it."

And I will.

37 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Dan. The paintings and the words. And you dance lovely, my friend.

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  2. How do you always do it??? You come up with the perfect writing to go with your sketches! Dancing? I never would have thought to compare art to dancing; although now that you mention it...

    I love the two watercolors up top, but wow! This flower is different for you. I really like it! I love all the scritchy lines in the background (spell check doesn't like the word "scritchy", but heck with him, right!?). The background reminds me of something I'd see from Leonardo da Vinci. And the flower...I like seeing the flower painted from a man's point of view. I can't place my finger on it, but it's different. Everything is great!

    BTW, the blog looks perfect, except I'm not actually from Galveston, I just visit it often because it's only 1 1/2 hrs away. I'm from NE Houston. It's not a big deal though!

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  3. I haven't visited for a while and you have been busy...I like the subdued darker quality of the 1st painting on the far right. Perhaps it is the unknown of the subjects back that suits the deep hues...

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  4. Sometimes two left feet, then some days its like floating on air. Love the thoughts, it def is like dancing. Great drawings, and the flower is great - lucky lady who got received it. (?)

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  5. I applaud your Quiznos work and I love seeing your work. It's a wee peek into your world, and a wonderful world it is, my friend. The rose is beautiful. It just looks so old fashioned or something. I'm with Raena - the scritchy lines and marks along with the color of the background are very reminiscent of DaVinci and set the rose off perfectly. nancy

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  6. I love the color choices in the first two drawings! Wow, the lime green really pops. The rose drawing with added watercolor is lovely also. It is so hard for us to be content with where we are in our abilities as artists. I wonder why we can't just say,"Here is how I work these days..." and just let it be and rejoice in it. We seem to always want to be "improving" in some manner. Which is ok. But when it keeps us from enjoying where we are at present, I wonder if the whole "improvement" thing is really helpful. Hmmm...

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  7. Dan, your drawings are always wonderful. They delight and inspire me! Being an artist can be very frustrating at times, and the dance you describe is right on. Just keep dancing ...

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  8. Your text and art are always so good. I like very much the lady seating at the bar, anf the flower reminds me too of Leonardo Da vinci sketchbooks.

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  9. Thank you again, for broadening my world. EDM is the portrait at Quiznos. The flower is such sweet appreciation of the day.

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  10. I can see why you like drawing at Quiznos, these are great sketches with wonderful color. And the rose, well the rose is beautiful!

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  11. This cracks me up:

    "My final thoughts were these: It's happened again! I've forgotten how to paint! I never knew how to paint! I only know how to color! I should use crayons!!"

    I think we can all relate to this, but you've put it so succinctly. Funny how this seems to be the theme this week with some of us.

    And... I think your rose turned out lovely, by the way, even if not as you envisioned.

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  12. Once again I find myself riveted to your story. Always interesting. And with your paintings you always seem to capture such a moment in time. I love that. Oddly, I love the cords coming off of the sign in the window. I think you did great and I especially like the rose. Such an aged look about it.
    .
    I frequently think I have no idea how to draw a single thing so I know exactly how you must have felt. At the risk of sounding like Cliff Claven talking about Florida (same subject over and over) I will tell you that I saw a rare interview with Bob Dylan years ago and the guy asked him how he wrote his songs and Bob said he didn't really know but that most of the time he was surprised that he pulled it off. Now I'm just sayin'...

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  13. the drawings are awesome !!! i love the two first one *.* i will follow your blog u r very talented

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  14. Your sketches of the restaurant are really something to see. They are truly wonderful. And that rose! Wow. Love it. Love the background, love everything about it. Your commentary is wonderful also. You had me right at the beginning by comparing making art to dancing. I had never thought of it that way, but you're right, it is. Don't feel bad about the flowers getting the best of you. It's just outside your comfort zone. Keep going back until you tame them. And you will. Love your blog!

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  15. Crayons are fun--I get a new box each year. Beautiful rose.

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  16. Great work Dan,love the rustic rose,never give up and enjoy the dance

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  17. As usual, Dan, I love your story. Now I understand why I prefer "slow" dancing! As in Art, it allows me to take my time and fumble around !! :o)
    I totally agree with Raena and Benedicte, your sketches in the restaurant are really good and this rose is gorgeous and really made me think of Leonardo Da Vinci !! ... See, you're on the path to glory !

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  18. My daughter is queuing up to use the computer, so just a quick comment! I love your wc sketches, you have you own consistent style that I like very much. But then the rose - a different style alltogether, and wonderfull too. And the bamboo of your previus post, wow! I like to see all your different styles, as I am experimenting with my own. Very inspiring. And the dancing allegory very true.

    I will. Stick with it.

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  19. I am always amazed at your in public work. I love the quiet dignity of your rose page

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  20. You are a fantastic dancer Dan! Thanks for the invitation- the music is great.

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  21. Beautiful writing & a beautiful rose!! You can paint.

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  22. That July sketch is wonderful, Dan. And oh, I wish I could write like you do!

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  23. Dan..I love your Quizno's paintings. Now, the expression goes "two steps forward, one step back" (you have written it as just one step forward and one step back).
    With 2 steps forward and 1 back...you still have a net gain of 1 step. Important distinction! I read some terrible statistic about how many painters quit during the first year. It is something like 85%! It's because it is much more frustrating than anticipated. No one prepares us for how all of this is so challenging. Our friends keep saying things like "oh...you must be having so much fuuunn". But we painters know the truth..it is often NOT FUN. There is PAIN in the word PAINTING. Your artist friend is right--keep at it, keep at it, keep at it! Painters have to be willing to fail over and over.

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  24. Beautiful ink sketches and the cafe drawn sketches makes one wonder what conversations were taking place.

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  25. Hi Dan, great advice and great sketches. The contrast between the rose, which has a kind of ethereal quality and the geometric background is really nice!

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  26. Hi! I think you got a very strong use of textures, you reach good expressions that way!

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  27. I like the colors you've used in the two restaurant sketches. I know exactly hat you mean about moving forward and back - the most important thing is not to listen to your inner critic!

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  28. I like the fresh color combination in your painting.
    Please, do stick with it but do it for yourself.
    Painting, first of all is a pleasure or:
    "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary" - Pablo Picasso
    Keep dancing!

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  29. It is refreshing and humourous reading your words and viewing your lovely sketches.

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  30. Beautiful post. Lovely writing. Thanks for the encouragement to take one step forward and one step back.

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  31. new post, Dan! new post Dan! new post Dan! (chanting for new art from Dan!)

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  32. What's that chanting?!! Oh - Thanks Celeste!! I hear you! I don't ever think I've gone so long without posting & it is driving me crazy, but the thing is I've been sort of experimenting/struggling, have a few unfinished things and nothing done yet. And life has been getting in the way at every turn too (I'm not quite sure why)! I'm hoping for tomorrow. I haven't even been able to visit many blogs. Aaarrggh!

    In any event, I am so grateful for the wonderful response of all of you on this post. Somehow I never expected to be compared to DaVinci so soon. ;) (And by the way, I can't dance - but apparently you think I can paint - and that's good!)

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  33. Dan, I always enjoy reading your comments on other blogs. There is a real honesty in everything you write. I like your art and I'm especially impressed with your rose. Love the very creative background and approach. You are truly an artist.

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  34. Dan-- your posts are always a joy to read. And the rose ROCKS!

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  35. What a most beautiful rose! Jaw droppingly beautiful and quite a magnificent sytle!

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  36. I enjoyed your story of your struggle and sure can relate - that's why I am really just getting started at 56 years old! I enjoyed seeing everyone's comments too. Guess I'll stick with it through my failures if everyone else can! You are doing much better than you give yourself credit for. YOU are painting people. Do you know how many people (yeah, me too) avoid doing people? Hang in there. You inspire me for sure.

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