Journal: January 2012

Stop and go...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a great day on Sunday. My wife and baby were away from the house, so I settled down into the studio for a full day of painting. It takes a while to settle into the studio, but once I do it feels great. It’s also totally exhausting. And I love it. I’ve been working on several studio paintings that finally feel like they are starting to come together a bit.

Another quote from Ranier Maria Rilke:

“Reflect on the world that you carry within yourself. And name this thinking what you wish… Just be sure that you observe carefully what wells up within you and place that above everything that you notice around you. Your innermost happening is worth all your love.

Posted on Tuesday January 17, 2012 | 3 Comments

Basics...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a study from a figure drawing group. I did some drawing during the shortest poses and when we got up to 15 minutes I decided to try out some oil sketches. This was done in 15 minutes and as an attempt to get the basic shapes and color. It’s a great challenge to try to do some very fast paintings and force myself to prioritize my decisions and respond quickly. The model was great. He had some fun props and creative poses.

While away for the holidays I ran across a book I haven’t read in years, Ranier Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet. Reading through it again has been fun. I am definitely getting more from it than I remember getting last time. It is really great guidance for anyone leading a creative life. A quote from the first letter:

“Write about your sorrows, your wishes, your passing thoughts, your belief in anything beautiful. Describe all that with fervent, quiet, and humble sincerity. In order to express yourself, use things in your surroundings, the scenes of your dreams, and the subjects of your memory. If your everyday life appears to be unworthy subject matter, do not complain to life. Complain to yourself. Lament that you are not poet enough to call up its wealth. For the creative artist nothing is insignificant or unimportant… Your aloneness will expand and will become your home, greeting you like the quiet dawn. Outer tumult will pass it by from afar.”

Posted on Monday January 9, 2012 | 8 Comments

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