Sunday, November 24, 2013

From Darkness to Light

Here's a small painting of a lamp, that started out sedate and ordinary, and ended up like this.  Like a writer's character, sometimes the objects in a painting take over.

6" x 6" acrylic on board
As you know, there is so much to see everywhere and in everything.  Lately I've been snapping pictures with my phone at any place that these wonderful scenes emerge.  When I was a boy, I used a camera to snap pictures of trees and the sky and stuff.  Once, I remember, I put a drinking glass over the lens and snapped a shot.  I was told then by the adults around me that I should use the camera to take pictures of posed people instead.  That's when I laid the camera down.

I realize that I haven't changed much despite their best efforts.  Here is my contribution for Shadow Shot Sunday.

Taken during a morning jog
I've been restless with watercolors lately.  But some interesting things have come of it.  Like this:

8" x 10" watercolor on Daler Rowney NOT paper
I've also been discovering some interesting art blogs and podcasts on artists and the art scene.  Often they add fuel to the fire that consumes me.   Maybe you'll enjoy them too and like me, be educated, entertained, bemused, and confounded.  So check them out (but not before leaving a comment here, of course.)

I've been listening to the Modern Art Notes podcast for more than a year I think.  It is excellent.  http://manpodcast.com

A wonderful blog that has links to ever-changing art articles and criticism is Painter's Table at http://painters-table.com

From Painter's Table, I found about the podcast "ahtcast" which is far less polished than Modern Art Notes, but has artist interviews and is fun and interesting.  It is at http://www.ahtcast.com

A wonderful blog called "In the Make" features studio visits with west coast artists at http://inthemake.com

And from "ahtcast" I learned about a blog with videos of artists in their studios called "Gorky's Granddaughter" at http://www.gorkysgranddaughter.com

From there I learned that artists are a quirky bunch.  But you knew that already, didn't you?

33 comments:

  1. Let me be the first to comment before exploring all that you have explored. I love the character you have created out of a desk lamp! The colors do the talking and they are saying funny things.

    I am sorry your photographic spirit was over powered by the adult nation when you were a boy. With my Mom's Brownie I took whatever ever caught my fancy too--and have ever since.

    Your watercolor is lovely Dan. It tells me how much I'll never know about watercolor. The translucent overlays are impressive.

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    1. Thank you, Linda! Yeah, the colors are kind of funny - really, they make no sense but that is what is great about painting - it is not photography. I have gotten a very positive response from this little picture, and I hope to take something of it with me to later works, if only that colors talk!

      I was a bit timid as a lad and trusted adults implicitly. It is only as an adult that I have learned what a lost conflicted bunch adults are. If I had it to do again I'd be a rebel like you.

      You understate your skills in watercolor - you do things I can never do. This watercolor is almost a doodle. I did it while I was watching tv. I think that distraction put me in the zone..

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  2. I came for the shadows but I'm mesmerized by your art!

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  3. Just what I need ... more lovely distractions. You are a true artist...if you do portrait photography, it will be unique.

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    1. Thank you. Maybe I'll try portrait photography one day, but right now my plate is full.

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  4. That lamp is GREAT. I love it, because it's packed with energy and good humor.

    And I would like to time travel and inform that the adults who told you to pose people for pix, the Grip and Grin school of photography, that they were all wet. Glad you didn't let it stop your artistic movement, though.

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    1. Thank you so much, Boud. I like the idea of conveying humor in art. It is as important as all of the other emotions. It is too easy to blame only the adults in my childhood.

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  5. It's so freeing, now, to have digital photography so that we can shoot all and whatever. No film and developing to pay for out of our hard earned allowance. Everything is fair game and the inner child is welcome! Blessings on you Dan! Keep writing and making art.

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    1. I am sure that the cost of developing the film had something to do with the discouragement of experimentation. I love that I can stop and take a picture virtually anywhere. Thank you, Joy. I hope to keep writing and making art. (And thank you for the blessings too.) The inner child is a necessity!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing your paintings. They are always a joy to behold!

    Shadowy Stone

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    1. I love your haikus and your photos - and glad I brought you joy. Thank you.

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  7. As always, an inspiration. I can hardly wait to check out your links. As for your artwork, just keep on going!

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    1. I hope you do enjoy the links. I woke up this morning and lo and behold one of my favorite artists, Sangram Majumdar, was on Gorky's Granddaughter. Exciting!

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  8. Ah, you're beginning to see the light. I like the prism-like colors on what I'm guessing is a chrome lamp. If I look closely, will I see a reflection of Dan?

    And what long legs you have!

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    1. Yes, Hallie, it has taken time for me to begin to see the light. I am not the brightest bulb. A reflection of me? I hope so! Excitement/enthusiasm - that is what I want lighting my life!

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  9. Love the lamp! (Coming back tomorrow to check out the links)

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  10. Love your lamp AND your watercolor… you are in a growth spurt as an artist I think.

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    1. Captain, you always say the most wonderful things. If I had a fortune cookie and opened it right now, I'd want it to say just that.

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  11. I really like the direction your experiments are taking you. I think the real Dan the Artist is immerging.

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    1. Real Dan the Artist! Whoopie! I love those words. Put them together with Elaine's "growth spurt as an artist" and I am in heaven. Let's hope it continues!

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  12. Your lamp painting is spectacular! I just love it.
    It is so easy to be shaped by others opinions of what we should and shouldn't do and it's difficult to break from them. However, acknowledging the source and understanding your motivations is more than a start- it's a grand beginning of a wonderful journey.
    The shadow shot of the elongated stance in front of a bidirectional arrow says you are expanding as an artist. You are exploring your options.
    Again- I just love your lamp painting!!!

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    1. I am so glad you love the lamp painting! It is almost as fun as your comics! I love your interpretation of the shadow shot. It is so true..

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  13. Oh... forgot to say I love the watercolor too!!!

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  14. I was paused by your lamp while scrolling through google+ it intrigues me when art moves me in a way that I can't define. Thank you.

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    1. Wow - thank you. It is quite special to me that you had to pause by the picture, and were moved. :)

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  15. that lamp is fantastic....I absolutely love it. I love your shadow and watercolor as well. You are a very creative dude. :)

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    1. Thanks, Celeste, for the compliment. I love it when I can free myself to be creative. Every now and then it happens. With the lamp, I was starting quite traditionally, and then just went crazy. With the shadow shot, I was jogging and had to stop when I spied this scene - it was an amazing moment for me. And for the watercolor, my mind was freed by distraction, so there was no planning, no inhibitions - I just responded to each mark as I laid it down. It is wonderful that inspiration can happen in so many ways. We artists are truly blessed.

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  16. What do adults know about creativity? I also love that painting of the lamp and the watercolor. I always enjoy seeing your photography too. There is a common creative thread throughout your art. Going to check out those links now. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. beautiful acrylic and watercolors, love the painterly style. sure like to see your realistic portraits Dan!
    and thanks for let me joint your google plus circles.

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  18. So glad you added me to circles. I love this post with so much info and inspiration. Delightful painting of lamp!!!!

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