Steve's Art Blog

"Show me your achievement - and the knowledge will give me courage for mine."
Ayn Rand

24 February, 2010 New Zealand time;

Aside from taking lots of reference photos, not much sketching is happening so far this trip. An error in planning the distances resulted in shifting a rest day to a cycle, train, cycle day. The most dramatic views are occuring as we struggle up a steep narrow road, or down the other side with our hands in a death grip on the brake hoods.

For those of you who wish to follow our trip it is at http://www.kayaks2.com/Blog/NZEC2010.html

7 February, 2010

My last images came from Australia. By coincidence this week I will be heading to New Zealand. A stones throw on the warmshowers map we have been using to arrange accommodation for our month long bicycle odyssey.

I plan to take lots of photos for future reference images, as well as sketch out any potential paintings to ensure I note the right hues and values. New Zealand has many breathtaking views as we discovered in 2006. With luck and a concentrated effort I am sure there will be plenty of material.

Landscapes have never been my forte. I am planning to work on this during our adventure. New Zealand has been described as a "compact British Columbia". This is very true as we discovered when, in a day of bicycling, you could leave the seashore, ride through mountain passes, river gorges and end up on a desert plateau. After a couple more days you can reverse the order and find yourself on the other side of the country listening to the crashing of waves again.

Along the way you will inevitably pass by hundreds if not thousands of sheep. If you are lucky you will see them being herded by well trained and trusted sheepdogs. Border Collies being favored for their cleverness and boundless energy.

Dogs are my favorite subject to sketch or paint. They seldom critique your work! With the preparations for the trip keeping my easel idle I thought I would reach back to 2002 for this weeks images. While sorting through some stored boxes I had discovered a photo (taken by Jon Buckle) of the tricolor Collie that was my constant companion in my teens.

The photo was well over 25 years old and beginning to show signs of wear and tear. I decided to capture my memories in Pastel. Working dark to light on Canson Mi-tientes paper I feel I captured the essence of Lieka. He loved the adventures we had in the hills around home, always looking forward to our next trip. This longing for the open fields and the high mountains was indeed the feeling I hoped to portray. Perhaps it is true what they say about a boy and his dog being of similar mindsets.

Steve

Pastel of my teen years companion.

24 January, 2010

Technology

This past week I have been overwhelmed by technology. In preparation for our upcoming bicycle tour of New Zealand we have acquired a Netbook. The learning curve and transition issues have been interesting to say the least. With luck I will be able to blog along the way as we travel.

As I was working on the Netbook I began to realize just how much I have become dependent and liberated by technology. This blog exists through the magic of the Internet, all of our distant communication relies on technology. Tech advances continue to free up time to pursue dreams.

In art photo references are becoming more prevalent with the use of digital images. The cost of taking dozens of photos has led many amateurs to surprising results when one, or more, shots turns into a winner. An artist must always be aware of the limitations of these images and be prepared to adjust their work accordingly. That said, in doing the painting of my father I relied on a mix of photo reference, memories and certain details of a live model (my brother).

Another advantage of digital imagery is in the adjusting of hue & value. Cropping, rotating, and other distortions of the image can be accomplished quickly; avoiding the mental gymnastics and multiple sketches used in the past.

I recently sketched Blythe, having obtained the image (taken in Australia) off the Internet. Blythe's owners (in Australia) were very pleased with the result, so I sent them the image in digital form. In the space of a couple of weeks the images have crossed the globe. With today's technology they now have the ability to take this image and print it out whatever size they wish, on anything from paper to canvas. Liberating!

Steve

Photo reference

Blythe sketch

Graphite sketch of Blythe

16 January, 2010

Lost art returns home

Through Andrea's generous thoughtfulness a treasured print has been returned to me. Concerns of water damage were quickly put to rest upon re-framing the print.

Thank you, Andrea.

This brings to mind the question, "Is artistic ability a gifted aptitude, or learned trait?". Presently being debated on my favorite Art forum, Wet Canvas. My take on the matter is that we are all gifted. Somewhere along the line we choose which gift to pursue. I have seen plumbing that was pure artistry in its workmanship.

That artistic ability is a gifted aptitude could account for families who generation after generation successfully pursue art. Robert Aller (1922-2008), my mother's uncle, was the only Artist in the family. While I have a small collection of his work, my favorites are the two pictured here.

The linocut print of the Swedish woods was a gift in the early eighties and now hangs above my computer work station to inspire my artistic bent. His self portrait hangs in my studio to remind me to continue the pursuit in spite of self doubt.

Thank you, Uncle Bob.

You can google Robert Aller and you will find links to his biography; The Man Who Speaks With Wolves and links to Maltwood at UVic where he made his last donations. One of my favorites is A Conversation with Robert Aller Catlin Lewis - Curatorial Assistant

Steve

Linocut print of Swedish woods by Robert Aller

© Robert Aller "inspiration" print

Self portrait by Robert Aller

10 January, 2010

Creative addiction, motivation, inspiration, perspiration ....

For most of my working life I was employed in creative occupations. Baking allowed for a creative outlet with edible expression of cakes and pastries. Sure to be consumed there was always room for more production. Carpentry once more fed my desire to create with somewhat longer lasting "monuments" to this addiction. As I pursue art in its many forms, I have come to accept I have an addiction issue. I desire the rush that comes from stepping back and realizing, that which hours or days before was merely a thought bouncing from synapse to synapse, has become tangible once more.

Even motivated by the creative addiction within, inspiration has always been the difficult part of art. I am not one who "sees" the image that I wish to paint. Nor do I wake in the night with "something I just have to put down on paper". I have an idea of where I want to end up and must plan, compose, and re-compose the thoughts prior to starting. The creation of the art then becomes perspiration as I work, then rework, the sketches, the preliminary attempts, the layers, the details and the touch ups.

In doing the portrait of my father I noticed that a number of skills had "rusted" during the six year sabbatical I have taken from art. This past few weeks I have been concentrating on polishing some basic skills. So in the words of that famous cyclist, "How do you like those apples?"

Steve

Apples, pastel on Canson MT coarse

Apples, graphite
apples on canson smooth

Apples, pastel on Canson MT smooth

3 January, 2010

Be it resolved ....

Resolutions have made a liar out of me in the past. I embrace the idea, but prefer to set goals for the year rather than set myself up for disappointment. So being the start of the year I will share my 2010 art goals with you:

Daily sketches
Weekly paintings
Start Marketing myself as an Artist
Build my Art Website
Join a Life class or group
Start Selling my Art
Obtain commissions for Portraits - People, Dogs, Horses

Speaking of disappointments, I have discovered that most paintings have false starts that may last from an hour to three days. This could be frustrating, yet I find solace in getting rid of the "ooglies" on my first attempts rather than near the end of what may be a weeks long process. I am hyper-sensitive to criticism early in a painting, preferring to get past the "ooglie" stage before inviting opinions from those I respect.

So there you have a little insight as to what makes me tick. Put your feet up, and I will be sharing more soon.

Steve

A 2001 sketch of my feet as I sat pondering my future. A rare view of one of my "abandoned" works. Most end up shredded or in fireplace, depending on the ritual needed to cleanse my spirit.

30 December Constructing Johnny

Original in the Collection of Lenore Mahovlic
Created: 20 December 2009
Medium: Soft Pastel, Nupastels,
Soft Pastels Pencils, Pencil Crayon
Surface: Canson Mi-teintes
Dimension: 13 x 15

2009 would be my Mother's 80th Christmas, her fourth since my Father's passing. I wanted to do something special for Mom. I had in the past presented Mom with a pastel of her father, this year I intended to paint my own father. It was somewhat intimidating. After a trial painting in Pencil Crayon (a medium I had not worked in since high school) I started the work in an assortment of Pastel mediums. And work it would be.

From my father I inherited my love of construction. He helped me build my first house, which led to my career in carpentry. Painting is similar to construction. You start with a vision, develop your plan (a sketch) from what you know (photo reference and memories/lessons) and proceed to build a solid foundation (initial layering or underpainting).

On this foundation you frame (outline) the focal point, apply the interior and exterior cladding (the initial tonal development) and correct any construction errors (his left eye needed adjustment). Once you are happy with the overall construction, apply trim and final finishing touches. Step back and appraise the result.

At this point I was happy with the likeness to the photo reference, but not so pleased as something was missing. This is the stage where I will frame the painting, then hang it on a wall so I can walk by and assess the finished painting. Input from family and friends was the same, the eyes were too small. As in construction this required a little disassembly and remedial work.

Luckily pastels can be forgiving. With my brother as my model our father's eyes came to light. The painting came alive. Mom was pleased with the result and prints were distributed to father's siblings, my siblings and children.

In his own way Dad contributed to my art. His love of building was the roots of my creativity. His determination and perseverance a beacon in my life when troubles were a plague for me. Like any father he was not without flaws. In my opinion he met life's greatest challenge, that of setting a good example for his children and grandchildren.

Steve

Photo reference
layout sketch

sketch and initial layering
framing - outline "background"

Outline face with hair and clothes
more tonal development

Tonal development and details

27 December 2009

I am finally taking the plunge. After years of resistance I am diving headlong into Facebook to share my art. This year I have had a few people query "who is the Artist" when observing the paintings in our home.

My explanation that I did not feel comfortable with such a title fell on deaf ears and actually resulted in a dressing down of sorts. Thoroughly chastised I felt the need to clarify, in my mind, the meaning of the title artist. I found little solace in the Wetcanvas.com thread "Do You Call Yourself an Artist?".

Having a little more free time than I should, I have decided to once more indulge my creative side. This indulgence will become, hopefully, more than a passing phase. I hope to create a lifestyle change.

So welcome aboard as I share my explorations into a talent that some suggest I have been blessed with. Along the way I will dredge up old works, present new work, and respond to queries about my art. Feel free to "Facebook" or email me if you have any questions you would like me to discuss. I highly doubt I will have the "right" answer, but I will try to give you my perspective.

Steve

This is one of my first "soft" pastels from back in 2002;

Terry's Fruit

"Beginnings" from collection of Terry Denouden

The truth lies hidden in the shadow between opposing perspectives.

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