Journals19
Newest
A fun interview
1 min read
A friend interviewed me for her blog. She's a great writer and interviewer. jahangiri.us/2013/interview-wi…
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
2/7/2014 SOMart Gallery, San Francisco
2 min read
Thank you to everyone here who's encouraged me and provided feedback about my art. Today feels like a big day for me. It's the first time I've been invited into a gallery show after someone has seen my art. I've actually been in a couple few other gallery events previously but they were apply and pay your fees sort of shows. I had to get the courage to apply to those and see if they would approve my participation. Not that they weren't great shows. There were usually a number of highly talented artists there that I got to know and learn from. Great fun! But this one feels different. Maybe also because it's in San Francisco. That just sounds like it's going to be a higher level show. ANYWAY, the opening reception is this evening and the show is hosted by Artcrasher.com Hollie McLaughlin-Martin is the founder of Artcrasher and is hosting the show at SOMart Gallery in SF. The show runs this weekend, Feb 7-10th. Check out her website. She also hosts a virtual art show on her web page and is doing a tour of various galleries across the U.S. Thanks again to all you folks who have encouraged me with your comments and feedback - deviantArt is a pretty cool and inspiring site. - Todd
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
4/6/2013
1 min read
You gotta stay hungry and inquisitive. Creativity needs to burn through you if you want your art to keep evolving; At least as an abstractionist. I'm continually thinking of ways to modify and try something new, though i'm often too busy to make it happen. But you gotta live like today's your last to get really good at art. That's my challenge.
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
I found this book in the local library and couldn't put it down! It's called "101 Things to Learn in Art School".
Now I've always been hesitant to pay much attention to people telling me how to create art, but there's a lot of wisdom in this book. Some of the ideas it explains (each lesson is on one small page, boiled down to it's basic premise).
Your art needs to look good at 15 inches and 15 feet. If it doesn't, then you should keep working on it.
Nobody cares if you have mitigating circumstances in your art - "I tried so hard on this piece; or I painted it at a painful point in my life", etc. You won't be around to explain your special circumstances to viewers, 99% of the time, so it must stand on it's own.
You have to master the techniques you are using. A poorly executed piece or art based on a great idea or image doesn't necessarilly succeed.
There are so many other great bits of advice I pulled from this book; I'm feeling i need to purchase a copy for reference.
Todd
Now I've always been hesitant to pay much attention to people telling me how to create art, but there's a lot of wisdom in this book. Some of the ideas it explains (each lesson is on one small page, boiled down to it's basic premise).
Your art needs to look good at 15 inches and 15 feet. If it doesn't, then you should keep working on it.
Nobody cares if you have mitigating circumstances in your art - "I tried so hard on this piece; or I painted it at a painful point in my life", etc. You won't be around to explain your special circumstances to viewers, 99% of the time, so it must stand on it's own.
You have to master the techniques you are using. A poorly executed piece or art based on a great idea or image doesn't necessarilly succeed.
There are so many other great bits of advice I pulled from this book; I'm feeling i need to purchase a copy for reference.
Todd
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
Deep thoughts in early summer
2 min read
Just a quick rundown of some things I was thinking
- deviantART should give memberships to those who are big feedback contributors to other members, if they don't already
- I think I will buy a membership soon and check it out; it's not too expensive as I recall.
- I do crave feedback and comments. I would prefer constructive comments about the good and the bad in the art piece; as well as suggestions on what you would have done. But any feedback is better than none.
- It's fun to go out and comment on other people's stuff. You can tell they appreciate it usually. Many artists here are negative about the quality of their own pieces. No need for that.
- A friend thinks I should be in the Whitney Biennial. It's a nice thought though my work is probably stratosphere's away from the type of work that gets in. (Stay positive, referring to the above point ) But hey, it's a nice thought and something to think about --- I go to the Biennial website and find a lot of it fascinating; that in itself is inspiration to create with similar open mind.
- Too many abstract traditional paintings look the same! Enough said.
- I'm thinking about joining a local artists society. It also is not too much $$ for annual membership, I just wonder if it's going to be of much value. I don't want to hang around artists focusing on flowers and puppy dogs. I want to be challenged by people who think and act differently.
- Paint is too damn expensive in California. All those hazardous chemical taxes I think... Need to find a better on - line ordering alternative.
That's all for now.
- deviantART should give memberships to those who are big feedback contributors to other members, if they don't already
- I think I will buy a membership soon and check it out; it's not too expensive as I recall.
- I do crave feedback and comments. I would prefer constructive comments about the good and the bad in the art piece; as well as suggestions on what you would have done. But any feedback is better than none.
- It's fun to go out and comment on other people's stuff. You can tell they appreciate it usually. Many artists here are negative about the quality of their own pieces. No need for that.
- A friend thinks I should be in the Whitney Biennial. It's a nice thought though my work is probably stratosphere's away from the type of work that gets in. (Stay positive, referring to the above point ) But hey, it's a nice thought and something to think about --- I go to the Biennial website and find a lot of it fascinating; that in itself is inspiration to create with similar open mind.
- Too many abstract traditional paintings look the same! Enough said.
- I'm thinking about joining a local artists society. It also is not too much $$ for annual membership, I just wonder if it's going to be of much value. I don't want to hang around artists focusing on flowers and puppy dogs. I want to be challenged by people who think and act differently.
- Paint is too damn expensive in California. All those hazardous chemical taxes I think... Need to find a better on - line ordering alternative.
That's all for now.
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In