I CONTINUE TO BE CHALLENGED

 

I have three paintings that are demanding my attention. 

 

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” – Leonardo da Vinci

 

My painting time is challenged by my need to write poetry and my poetry is challenged by my love of painting.

 

“Poets paint with words, painters speak with works.” -Annibale Carracci

 

I also continue to be challenged to find my “style” in painting.  It is well recognized that an artists need to establish a unique style that is them.  Well, all my paintings are my unique style. I paint what my heart tells me to paint. But which one is me?

 

“Dabbling with different styles is a great way to experiment,

but to really flourish as an artist, you need to focus on a style or two

that you feel really allows you to express your inner vision”. https://www.art-is-fun.com/art-styles

 

   

Working on "Mature Beauty" using Sgraffito method

Working on "May Your Marriage be Strong" placing one of 67 hearts to outline

 

This struggle to find my style is a struggle all artists must endure.  And endure I shall.

 

“…my signature style is my calling card, it's the reason clients hire me,

and fans and collectors buy my artwork.” Chris Leavens

 

“My style has taken over ten years to develop.” Craig Watkins aka Wotto

 www.wottoart.com

 

At present I am drawn to three styles, the one I just rediscovered is called Sgraffito.

 

Merriam- Webster’s definition “Sgraffito is decoration by cutting away parts of a surface layer

to expose a different colored ground.”

 

Sgraffito literally means “to scratch” in Italian. Layers of color underneath can be any combination of colors. I prefer to use a monotone color with dried white paint underneath. I apply a layer of dark oil paint (my favorite is to mix Burnt Umber with a little Ultramarine Blue) to a surface, usually a canvas board.  Then remove color using Q-tips, a pallet knife, and anything else I need to create an image. I love the challenge.

 

The other two styles for which I have my own names, Compulsive Abstractionism and Narrative Representationalism. 

 

Compulsive Abstractionism occurs when my creative spirits demand I reach for a canvas and paints and give myself over to them to create a painting.  It is completely involuntary with surprising results. 

 Compulsive action motived by an irresistible urge

Abstractionism is the theory that the mind obtains some or all of its concepts by abstracting them from concepts it already has or from experience.

 

“I paint because the spirits whisper madly inside my head.”

-Doménikos Theotokópoulos, also known as El Greco

 

Narrative Representationalism is a planned painting with the objective to paint a narrative I want to communicate. Mine always begin with a sketch but it ends up different. I use symbols and other visual references, but not humans, to depict the message of my narrative. 

 

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art  describes Narrative Art as such: 

“Narrative Art tells a story. It uses the power of the visual image to ignite imaginations,

evoke emotions and capture universal cultural truths and aspirations.

What distinguishes Narrative Art from other genres is its ability

to narrate a story across diverse cultures, preserving it for future generations.”

Representationalism: My definition takes exception to the common definition of Representational art.

 

“An art form that endeavors to show figures and objects exactly as they appear to the eye”

 Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

 

I define it as painting a narrative in words using symbols and other visual references except humans. 

 

Here are examples of all three, in order, Estates of Indiana, May Your Marriage be Strong, Disappearing Woman Glorified

 

    

 

 

Your comments would be appreciated 

 

As you follow my blog I want you to know you will be one of the first to learn I have found my style.  When will it be?  All I hope is earlier than Carmen Herrera did.

 

‘‘All I had to do was get old. The world came to me ­eventually

– I just had to wait 94 years, that's all.’ 

Carmen Herrera 

(Herrera's abstract works have brought her international recognition late in life. She turned 105 in May 2020)

 

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