I recently did a 3-day outdoor art show. These shows are certainly a lot of work and very tiring. I ask myself sometimes if it%92s worthwhile doing them. No matter what happens with the weather, or other difficulties, the answer always seems to be yes.

I believe artists have a need to show their work, to get feedback. The creative process does not end at the completion of the work, it ends when you share the work with the public, when you see how people react to it, when you get their comments. It%92s a validation of sorts.

Doing any kind of show is challenging. You are putting yourself out there to be seen and to be judged. And you ARE getting judged, trust me. You watch people go by and what happens says it all. Some go right by, with barely a glance. Obviously, they%92re not impressed with your work. Some look for a few minutes and then go on. They were interested enough to look, but didn%92t really care either. Some stay longer and take a good look; a few look very carefully at several paintings and they are clearly interested in the work and in the technique you have used.

It%92s always a tough call trying to decide who to talk to, and who to leave alone. I%92ve learned from experience that there%92s not much point talking to anyone who is not obviously interested. So when I see someone looking closely and spending time, I%92ll go over and start talking to them. If I%92ve judged it right, they%92re quite interested in hearing and talking about my work.

Those few genuinely interested viewers are the ones that make it worthwhile. They give me the pleasure and satisfaction I look for. They give me validation. Although, let%92s face it, interest and compliments are nice, but the ultimate validation is a sale. When a person is willing to part with his money to get your painting, then you know he really likes it. And it feels wonderful. It%92s not even about the money, it%92s about the sense of value you get; you know your work has touched someone; it has value.

“The more people you engage in seeing, thinking and talking about your art, the more you%92ll build your audience. That doesn%92t mean exhibiting your art only. It means creating opportunities for people to talk back to you.” (Alyson B. Stanfield)

Your comments are always welcome.

Suzette

Talking about other forms of art, I just attended my granddaughter%92s dance recital (which I%92ve done every year for the past 12 years). The dancers ranged from 3 or 4 years old, to adults, but the majority were school-age children. Of course the cutest ones are the youngest; they are so lost on stage and keep looking to the side for their teacher%92s promptings, or else they stop and wave at their parents in the audience. Totally charming. As they get older, you begin to see the skills improving, the dances getting more difficult. I enjoyed it very much.

One thing I noticed is that, for me, I enjoy the dance more when I enjoy the music also. My enjoyment is affected by whether or not I like the music, regardless of the quality of the dancing. I wondered whether we are similarly affected by colour when we look at a painting. Could it be that colour affects us in a similar way, regardless of the style or skillful execution of the painting? That would certainly explain why abstract work can be so compelling. Or if not colour, then perhaps light, or contrast, or a strong focal point have the same effect.

Another thought occurred to me during the recital. In each group, you could see dancers who put their whole body and soul into the dancing, and others who seemed to just be going through the motions. What a huge difference it made. Here again I thought, are there painters who go through the motions, execute a painting quite competently, but fail to get the spark in there, that element that gives the painting excitement, life? Yes, I%92ve seen it lots of times, paintings that are well done but have no spark.

So here%92s to remembering that it%92s about more than skillful execution, it%92s also about excitement, surprise, imparting feeling and connecting with the viewer.

One more thing, as I watched these dancers, I thought about how hard they%92ve been working all year for their 3 minutes on stage and a little bit of applause. Yes, they deserve their time on stage. Artists need to show their work, and I%92ll talk about that in my next blog.

Your comments are always welcome.

Suzette

PS: This week%92s entry marks my 1-year anniversary of doing this blog. It has been a surprisingly enjoyable task. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

"The subject means little. The arrangement, the design, colour, shape, depth, light, space, mood, movement, balance, not one or all of these fills the bill. There is something additional, a breath that draws your breath into its breathing, a heartbeat that pounds on yours, a recognition of the oneness of all things." (Emily Carr)

Many artists plan their paintings before they start painting. They prepare thumbnail drawings, colour and value sketches; they can see the finished painting in their mind before they even start.

Sometimes, I envy those artists. I can%92t do that. I think that%92s due to 2 things. One, I%92m a very visual person. I have to see it to process it. Even learning another language, I can%92t do that by just listening; I have to see it in writing. With painting, I have to see the effect of the step I%92m working on before I can decide what the next step will be.

Secondly, I think it%92s a lack of patience. To take the time to work out the entire composition, to make those sketches, for me that would take the fun out of finally doing the painting. All my creative energy would be spent on the sketches, leaving little for the actual painting. Or at least, that%92s what I like to think. Maybe I%92m just impatient.

I like to think of the way I work as %92playful exploration%92. I have an idea and I start. As I evaluate what I%92ve done, the idea comes for the next step. The painting develops this way, one step at a time. Sometimes a step seems to be taking me backwards, but it%92s all part of the process. Even if something I%92ve done ends up being covered up, it%92s still there underneath, its spirit still energizing the whole.

Sometimes I start feeling that my process is haphazard, almost accidental. But it%92s not. It%92s not a lack of imagination as the steps are often quite creative and inventive. And usually, it is the progression of the painting which gives birth to the next idea. So, it%92s not really accidental either. It just feels that way sometimes.

I think I would summarize it as %92the willingness to not be in control, to explore and to let things happen%92. That%92s open-minded creativity as far as I%92m concerned.

"Each painting has its own way of evolving... When the painting is finished, the subject reveals itself." (William Baziotes)

Share your views on the subject by clicking on %92Comments%92 below.

Suzette