Big Spring, Texas

Thank you Big Spring Art Association for inviting me to share my passion.  Special thanks for Jean Money and her efficient organizational skills keeping me on track.  Also thanks to  Lane Bond for making me feel at home.  The evening was perfect visiting with old friends and meeting new artist with like minds.  The below image is the demonstration painted for the association.  It is an interior low key painting taken in an ice cream shop or parlor if you happen to be my age. 

Pampa Workshop...

Had a wonderful workshop last week with some very talented ladies in Pampa, TX.  We zoomed in on value key paintings.,,,high, middle, and low key.  Trying something new is always a challenge but they stepped up to the plate.....or palette.....and plunged right in.  Unfortunately I didn't get shots of everyone.....below are some who wet a brush....Keep painting, ladies.

First Friday September 7, 2012

Well...I have been really busy and my blog has been neglected.  First a great 3 day workshop in Lubbock and preparing for a 3 day workshop in Pampa, TX....September 11,12,&13.  Also, painting some new things for First Friday oh! throw in those never ending jobs laundry/cooking/cleaning.  Whew! just makes me tired writing everything down think I need a nap.  Hope you enjoy the video and if you are in town come by and visit any Friday...
JoBeth

Copy or Plagiarism......fine line

Recently reading a publication online, one article caught my eye.  The winners of a recent competition were posted....1st place winner was one of those 'really' moments.  My first thought, was a question, is that my painting?  A closer look revealed  an identical copy from my web site with an unfamiliar signature.  Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! as Gomer would say...those of you to young to know who Gomer was....check out Mayberry, U.S.A.  Some of you reading this can relate... a deer in the headlights moment.  It's a flash back to the reference photo and the last brush stroke that  finished the painting.  The time of completion is mentally documented with your signature. The time is a prerequisite for painters because the most frequent ask questions from the viewing public 'how long did it take you to paint that?'   Composing an acceptable piece of work doesn't always come easy for most of us. Drawing, adjusting shapes, choosing colors, right technique are just a few major decisions in producing a work you would be proud to show your worst critic.  Unfortunately, this is not my first rodeo or experience with this issue.  How about recognizing your work on a wall knowing you didn't enter this show, because you'er the judge. I was tempted at this particular event to give myself,  Best of Show. Browsing through a gallery was another headlight experience.  A class work copy framed hanging with a familiar signature priced to sell.  Thoughts go through my head ....contact the artist for a  commission ' I want one just like this one in a different color...like red to match my sofa.'  Funny isn't it how our labored efforts jump off those walls...kind of like recognizing your kid on the playground.    Or another time as a judge,  awarding ribbons and prize money to find out latter the winner or winners paintings were not original.  Whoops!!!  Are those choices to copy made from ignorance, lack of ability or just plain lazy???  There isn't enough time or resources to keep check of every piece of art work out in cyberspace but integrity and accountability of the artist is monumental.
 
In defense of copy work, picking up a brush for the first time can be overwhelming. Do I have the right paint, paper, am I the only beginner in this class and what is a scraper...do I have one?  Just choosing the right brush for some can be a month long endeavor.  I'm not opposed for beginners to copy work if the intention is learning techniques, color, value or finding their style.  But hey! Keep those copies under the bed with those dogs we all accumulate because they come from the sweat of  someone else.  Let's put this scenario in the literary field....copy your favorite book word for word, change the names and location add a few scribbles of your own.....sign your name and send it to a publisher.  I am certain it would not make it to the best sellers list. Changing a few colors or lines doesn't make it your painting......

When painters pass from beginner to the next level....it is time to draw from their own imagination/sketches/photographs whatever references you choose for composition.  If composition is difficult,  study others works, books, search for workshops or classes that focus on composition.  Save yourself the embarrassment of plagiarism when confronted by the original artist, judge, organization or gallery. Bottom line....if you have painted long enough to know what a scrapper is and what it's used for it's time you produce from your own material.
Happy Painting....
JoBeth

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed.   C.S. Lewis

3 Day Workshop

A 3 day watercolor workshop, August 28, 29, & 30 from 9 to 4......Tuesday through Thursday.  Painting on paper or watercolor canvas it's you choice.  I will be demonstrating on both surfaces.  The workshop is $150 or receive a 10% discount if you pay before August 15.  Contact me for more information and a supply list is available upon request call  806 799 4474 or email jobeth930@yahoo.com. 

A Week in Cloudcroft

Another fun workshop with great artist...the week is almost to short....just as I get to know everyone it is time to pack and leave.  I could write a book 'Learning from Students".....they are always an inspiration and at times a challenge.  Below are a few photos that were captured during the week....

Work..work...work...

"Where's the Party"

Hard work deserves a relaxing meal on the deck........

First Friday September 7

Artist Touch

'Hats Off'' was selected for the new Artist Touch publication...this painting is 22x30 and the photo reference was an outdoor market covered with Guatemalan goods.  All of the colorful belts, bags, shirts, hats and scarves where like a rainbow of hues and shapes...

Attitudes

Coming to your favorite online catalogue soon!!!!

Practice stokes of color and shapes....

Visualize Don’t Copy

Photographs dictate color, values and the unnecessary fluff for those who depend on them for composition.  Local colors are safe choices for most painters, values are perdicitable, and at times to much information.  Stepping out of that familiar comfort zone.....green trees, red barn, blue sky is not life threatening.  Putting all those pieces together for the sake of composition takes time and several sketches to achieve the goal.  Painting what is there doesn't stretch the mind nor take much creativity.  No one has escaped that phrase from a novice 'it doesn't look like that in the photograph'.  My reply....'it did where I was standing'.  In my years of painting and instructing, the lack of understanding good composition is missing.  Photographs are reference...spur of the moment excitement.  I have seen or taken few photographs that are sound painting compositions.  Shapes, color, value, and sometime format needs a refreshing perspective to produce 'a one more look' when framed.  If ask to give a book review, would you rewrite the book....think of using those photographs in the same light....they are only references.   Learn to paint ‘what could be not what is’.  What is....is done...what could be is your interpretation of a familiar subject.  Speaking of the familar....we don't take the time to review any seen changes that may have taken place.....so, the familiar is repeated over and over....
JoBeth

Quote from C.S. Lewis

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed.   C.S. Lewis