The Artful Retreat

Oyster Boats

2008-11-30T17:07:00.006-05:00

This is the third and final acrylic painting from the demonstration that I did for the Southern Saratoga County Arts Society. These oyster boats were docked in Beaufort, SC on a quiet Sunday afternoon in the spring - not really oyster season. This painting is also available for purchase; simply contact me through my website. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Demonstration in Acrylics

2008-11-23T22:55:00.000-05:00

Last week I gave a demonstration in acrylics for the Southern Saratoga Arts Society. I had three paintings in three states of progression and worked on them using techniques for each of their stages. As promised, I am posting them now; the remaining one, of oyster boats' will be posted next week. The top painting is of bourgainvillea growing from a balcony in Puerto Rico. It was Christmas time and looked so beautiful and lush. The Purple Bus intrigued me everytime I drove by it. And, it was parked by a green barn. What a combination! Good thing I took pics of it because two weeks later the bus was gone!
As a recap of the demo, I use tempered masonite, gesso it, then apply an appropriate coat of acrylic paint. I paint in long, smooth strokes so that you cannot feel any texture. I block in the large shapes, then work on the smaller shapes. At the very end, I do detailed work. I spray it with a sealer and it's ready to frame. To purchase these paintings, simply email me for more information.

Put your 'self' out there

2008-11-06T21:00:00.002-05:00

Some people prefer paintings to photographs and this is the audience I am addressing. The reason for choosing a painting over a photograph is that it reveals some of the artist; there is the artist's personality in it, how they see the world. This became evident to me a few weeks ago when I was in NYC to visit the Kirchner exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kirchner was a German expressionist and the exhibit showed some of his paintings and how he developed them from concept to initial drawings to quick paintings on paper, then the final work on canvas.
It struck me how Kirchner approached his paintings totally uncensored; with free abandon, not worried about critics and the fact that his paintings were such personal responses to his environment. Many of the initial drawings, were gesture drawings. I think that many of us could learn from this. Our paintings would be far better if we felt 'uncensored', free to visually record your own personal vision without any criticism. If a painting is personal and has emotion invested in it, the painting will touch a chord with an audience. Conversely, when a painting is stiff, no emotion is invested and it is done mechanically, it is difficult for a viewer to become involved in the painting. For that matter, a camera is a better tool. It simply records what it is pointed at.

The Pink Sheet

2008-09-28T21:18:00.004-04:00

Generally, I start my paintings from the center of interest then work my way out toward the edges. I realize that this is not conventional, but it works for me. Last week I did a demonstration for the Bethlehem Art Association and promised to post the finished painting; here it is. I started painting the bouquet and vase because their colors are what charged me in the beginning and propelled me through to the completion of the painting. It also helped me to establish my working palette which I always limit to five colors. The title of this painting is "The Pink Sheet."

Painting parameters

2008-09-21T17:11:00.000-04:00

Edges. Sounds simple enough but it is hard for many students to incorporate edges into their paintings or drawings. A very common problem is that the subject is drawn and abruptly stopped when the edge of the paper is near. In a still life, flowers or leaves are shrunken so that they can fit on the paper. An object is suddenly drawn leaning toward the center so that the whole thing can be fit in. It is a tell tale sign of a beginner, someone who just doesn't have the confidence to draw or paint right through the edge. I often encourage these students to tape a piece of paper to the edge and draw right onto the extended paper. Once they do this a few times, they realize how much better and more natural the painting looks. It is okay to draw objects so that they are only partially shown.

Commitment

2008-08-24T17:08:00.003-04:00

Sorry, it's not going to work. Saying that you will try to paint everyday is a sure guarantee that you will fail. You need to be more specific. You need to set "x" number of hours a day which are strictly devoted to painting and stick to it - no matter what. That last part is important - no matter what. Sure, life gets in the way, there are appointments to keep, calls to make, people to see, etc. But they need to be scheduled outside of your studio time. The difference between someone who is committed and someone who just says they want to try is that the committed person has set time aside for themselves devoted solely to painting. Everything else takes a back seat. You can do all the other obligations, but not within the hours that you have set out for yourself. And, let everyone know. Eventually, your friends and family will honor the guidelines that you have set and they will respect you for it. It may take a while, but it is worth it. When I first started out, I made sure that I told everyone what I was doing and what my studio hours were. I know that I came across as being rude, but I had to honor myself and my time. A few people told me that they wanted to call during studio hours but refrained from doing so; I am sure they were hoping that I would exempt them from not contacting me during those hours, but I didn't. Rather, I just reinforced what they said. I would say, "Thank you for honoring my time in the studio." And it worked! Now, I rarely get phone calls from friends when they know that I am in the studio. Now I can really devote that time to painting - and be guilt-free!

Cropping

2008-08-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

This is an exercise that requires guts, but believe me, the lesson will stay with you for life. Choose five really good drawings that you are proud of. Drastically crop all five of these drawings. This exercise will strengthen your drawing, make it more powerful. The first time you do this, it will be very difficult, but you will soon find this tact the best solution for some loss paintings.

Confidence

2008-08-03T20:14:00.001-04:00

Your confidence will be reflected in your work, no matter how much you think otherwise. You will have solid lines, directed. If you have no confidence, your lines will vary in intensity, they will waver, sometimes, they will seem to be missing altogether. That reflects your confidence in what you are doing. This is where you simply have to abandon all preconceived ideas of what your drawing should look like and trust yourself. Trust that you have good judgement and can record exactly what you see. It will come through. If only we could do art with full abandon!!!! What a celebration that would be! Here is another sample of a student's partial blind contour.

Contour drawings

2008-07-27T20:59:00.003-04:00

In this week's drawing class we did contour drawings and what fun we had. I had a great time watching my students 'get it!' Their drawings were done in blind and partial blind contours and looked so refreshed; they had such character. Some flowers that were done actually picked up the personality of the flower - shy looking daisies, proud bold lilies, swirling sea shells. I highly recommend contours drawing. If you're not familiar with it, it is drawing while keeping the eye on the object 95% of the time and on the paper the other 5%. The pencil line is one continuous line in a full blind contour; you can pick up your pencil in the partial blind contour. The key is to trust yourself, that you will do fine. I've shown a sample from one of my students. She wanted to quit after drawing the first flower; she felt 'it didn't look right.' I told her to trust that she has done well so far and it will all come together in a very consistent drawing. More about that in my 6/29/08 entry. And, it is a consistent drawing. Isn't it fabulous?!

Making art a lifestyle choice

2008-07-12T23:35:00.001-04:00

An easel and paints and brushes and clean water should always be at the ready. When I first started painting, I called myself a kitchen table painter. Many years ago, when my baby was asleep for the night, I would grab my paints from the basement and bring them to the kitchen table and paint until 1 or 2 in the morning, then pack everything up again and start over the following night. I did this for several years. When I finally decided that painting was going to be a lifestyle for me, I set up a studio for myself with my paints, fresh water and a painting always in progress and up on my easel. What a difference that made. I found that throughout the day, even if I passed my easel for a single moment, I would be assessing my work. If something was absolutely pressing, then I could pick up the brush and paint in what was needed and leave the easel. If I had not done that, I would not have always had my painting on the front burner of my mind, so to speak. I would have missed out on a lot of opportunities to really cement in the idea that art was a way of life for me and I was really committed to it.

Upcoming shows

2008-07-06T23:00:00.000-04:00

In August, I have an exhibit at the Blue Mt. Lake Arts Center with an opening reception August 19th. You are all invited. Truly, I would love to see you all there. But, that means that I have been painting like a madwoman and now I must start matting and framing all my work. Yikes! Before that, we will be leaving for vacation. Just another working window knocked out....hmmm. So, I'm getting a little stressed. Just thought that I'd make it a little easier, and show you one of my new pieces that will be in the show. This one is of a church in Old Town Key West. Just wanted to do a little experimental work with colors. It was a challenge that I set up for myself. Always a good thing to do.

Trust

2008-06-29T21:11:00.001-04:00

In this week's drawing class, we got to discussing trusting yourself and your abilities, that whatever marks you have made on the paper are good. We were doing partial blind contours when someone said that they had to look to see what they had done so far in order to get a good likeness. My theory is that if you are very focused on your subject and trust that the marks you have made on the paper are true to the subject, and you just keep on drawing at the same pace with the same focus, it will all come together and read with a consistent style and recording. It is when you start doubting what you see and record and want to go back and redo parts of a drawing that you can really get into trouble. If you keep your mind on the subject and your hand at a steady pace, you will automatically do well. So many people have doubt and it shows up in their drawing. As soon as you start doubting, that's when you lose focus and start faltering. Have faith in yourself and your ability to record what you see. Trust in your abilities.

Honor yourself

2008-06-23T20:18:00.000-04:00

Honor yourself. Set time aside for yourself. You schedule appointments for other people, for taking care of your physical needs, health needs, needs of others, but what about for yourself and your own mental health needs. Needs of your spirit, your soul. Did you schedule an appointment to replenish that this week? Why not? Isn't it just as important? It is even more important. I truly feel that spending time creating replenishes the spirit. Have you done that this week? No? Because of guilt? Go ahead and schedule an appointment for yourself. And, stick to it! When that coveted time comes, remind yourself that it is your duty to yourself to play. Simply play. With paints, a pencil and paper. And, don't cut your appointment short. You wouldn't do that for any other appointment, would you? Before your play session has ended, be sure to schedule your next appointment. It is important that you keep these appointments because, in doing so, not only are you feeding and renewing your spirit, but you are honoring yourself.

Arts Festival Weekend

2008-06-15T18:05:00.003-04:00

Just finished taking part in the Arts Festival Weekend. It is a three day festival showcasing all the arts in several venues throughout our town. Visual artists were invited to paint on Broadway to give the public a chance to see artists do publicly what most of them do privately in the quiet and solitude of their studio. I painted one of our town's most beloved marble sculptures in a reflecting pool; they are called Spit & Spat. I had a wonderful time meeting new people and getting to share some of my thoughts on art and answer their questions about my work and art in general. It is a great way to break down that barrier that seems to exist between artists and the general public. Thank you to those of you who came out to visit while I was painting and those who came to the reception earlier today. It was a great time. This weekend's result is shown here; I painted this in pastels for a change of pace. By the way, both the painting and prints are available. You can contact me here or through my website: www.susanwiley.com.

Old paintings

2008-06-08T22:30:00.001-04:00

Never throw out your old paintings. Ever. You should save your paintings - dated, of course. If down the road, you become discouraged in your painting career and feel that you haven't made any progress artistically, you can go back to your old pile of paintings and see the tremendous progress that you have made over the years. And believe me, if you have been painting all along, then you have been making progress. This will be visual proof and put you back into the swing of things!

A challenge for you

2008-06-01T18:33:00.004-04:00

I was at the Nashville airport last weekend and had a two hour wait. Actually, I was feeling guilty with all that time and not doing what I encourage my drawing students to do. So, I pulled out my sketchbook and began drawing. Anything. Anyone. Very inconspicuously, of course. It was good. I felt satisfied when my ride finally came. I had practiced and helped hone that eye/hand coordination. I also got some good sketches of pigeons that were bathing in a puddle. Who knows what paintings they might show up in. The studies are at left. So, here is the challenge: Carry a small sketchbook and pencil with you every where you go this upcoming week, and record whatever is front of you when you have a few minutes. Record the time, date and how many minutes you spent on the drawing. I can guarantee you several things: you will have much better eye/hand coordination at the end of the week and, if you continue doing this, it will facilitate the ease with which you can draw at any given time. You will pick up details much more quickly. You will catch nuances that you would have missed before. You will gain more confidence in your drawing skills. Not that speed is your goal, but the more regularly you draw, the faster you will be at completing your drawings. Besides, a visual journal is a wonderful thing to pass on and share with others. You will teach them about expanding their visual world.

Patience

2008-05-18T21:00:00.000-04:00

This is really more on the previous blog, just a different aspect. I cannot stress enough how much you have to have patience once you commit yourself to painting. Yes, there are times when you want immediate results without doing the grunt work first, namely, drawing. I mean really drawing. Drawing is the framework for all your paintings. If the painting doesn't 'have good bones,' then it will fall apart. To have good bones, you need to spend time drawing and coming up with a well thought out design, value assignment and composition before tackling the color issue. More often than I would like to see, I have students who will spend a few minutes drawing, then immediately start painting. I understand the excitement of seeing color on paper, but then they are disappointed that the painting doesn't 'look right.' No matter how much color is used, if it doesn't have a good drawing, a painting will fall apart. That is part of the commitment issue. It ties right in with being patient. Slow and steady. Being ready to commit and investing yourself and your time (patience) and energy is worth it in the long run. The painting will have a solid framework and be worthy of applying color. You will be much happier with your work because of the patience and time you took to develop it.

The Engagement

2008-05-11T19:50:00.004-04:00

This is my latest painting which I finished this week. These protea were so stunning with the deep crimson against the brilliant white; they simply had to be painted. I will be going to my niece's wedding this summer and this still life reminds me of that. Besides, 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' really suits this painting, doesn't it? This is a full sheet painting, 22" X 30," and is available.

Tidying your studio

2008-05-04T20:48:00.003-04:00

I have a solo exhibit that I am preparing for and am nearly in a panic mode. My studio is filled with projects that I will tackle as soon as I am finished the present one. Mind you, there are at least a dozen of them waiting in the wings! I can't seem to focus for very long; I get sidetracked by the projects that are ahead. Well, this past week, I found another diversion - reorganizing my studio. This project has taken me five days! Now that I look back, I can understand why I haven't been able to focus - my studio was way too disorganized! Now that my studio is reorganized, I can clearly see only one project that I am working on. Period! Not twelve other projects every time I turn my head! It seems easier to focus when there is only one project at hand. A good lesson for me, once again. Somewhere a long time ago, I remember reading that the workspace around you reflects what is going on in your head. Yikes! How frightening is that!? But, I can see some truth to that. So, I would suggest that you take the time to declutter your space and clear your mind of everything other than the project you are working on at present. You will be able to focus a lot more easily, the project should move more easily also.

Painting outside

2008-04-27T21:22:00.001-04:00

What fun we had this week! We painted out of doors - a little chilly but it was refreshing to paint spontaneously and visually record what was before us. Paintings become fresher because of the quick decisions that are made. There are fresh strokes, unexpected use of color; paintings look more lively, have more energy. If you cannot get out of doors, try painting in front of a window. You might need your binoculars so that you can see what you're really looking at. Also, limit your time as you would if you're outside. That way, you won't be tempted to niggle; your paintings will stay fresh. I really wanted to include pictures of student paintings but didn't work that into the class, so I am including a picture of an outdoor drawing I did in North Creek. It's groundwork for a future painting.

Jamie Wyeth Exhibit

2008-04-20T20:43:00.002-04:00

Omigod! This past Wednesday was one of those ‘it’s so great to be alive’ days! It was a day filled with sunshine and warm weather. I went to New York City specifically to see the Jamie Wyeth exhibit, Seven Deadly Sins. And what a powerful exhibit it was. It did of course feature the seven deadly sins, the inferno, purgatory and paradise –all done through sea gulls. I truly felt privileged to see these first hand and even more so because they were done recently, in fact, some were done in the last few months. Each painting was done in a very spontaneous way, they seemed to have been done with no forethought, as if cardboard was picked up, drawn upon, then a few strokes of paint were applied. Yet, after studying these longer, it is clear that Jamie has spent considerable time in Maine observing and recording these ocean birds in all aspects of their behavior. Paint strokes were very efficient and colorful. To add icing to the cake, Andrew and N.C. also had works on exhibit. What a powerhouse of a family!

Are you afraid to commit?

2008-04-13T21:20:00.001-04:00

So many people have this problem that I find it amazing. People say that they want to paint, draw etc., yet they cannot sit still long enough to hold a pencil or brush in their hand to put anything to paper. Yet, in the same breath, they will refute any ideas you give them to help them make that commitment. Of course, the big one is "I don't have the time," or "I don't have any space," or "I'm working full time," and the list goes on and on. Is it fear? What will I do with that huge blank sheet of paper, they ask. Remember - to conquer your fears, you have to meet them head on! Set a space for yourself; your own little sanctuary where you can tune out the rest of the world. Space just for you. Your sacred space, so to speak. Even if you must take off the door hinges and use the closet as your 'studio.' You will be surprised how often you paint when you find that you no longer have to spend and hour setting up. Everything is out already. Just go to it! Put anything down on paper. Just go through the motions. Regularly. After a while, you will want to focus and do more, tackle a project. I have more thoughts on that, but I will save it for another day. Meanwhile, work on that sacred space. Commit yourself!

A painting exercise

2008-04-06T23:19:00.000-04:00

A good painting exercise is to do four thumbnail sketches, then choose one to develop as a 5X7” painting. It is easy enough and fairly quick to do. Now, take that same painting and turn it into at least a half sheet painting, preferably a full sheet. All of a sudden, the dynamics of your painting have changed. You will find that you need more to say and whatever you say must be stronger, have more impact. It requires more of your attention. You need to provide the viewer with more to entertain him with, whether it is in the composition, color, texture, etc. You must now create a complete stage/setting. What applied to the smaller version cannot hold true for the larger one. It forces you to think differently and longer about what you are trying to say.

Taking a break

2008-03-30T15:26:00.004-04:00

I have been away for three weeks and just got back from a very needed R & R! It was wonderful; I recharged my batteries in so many ways. I went to a 'retreat' and painted all week long. It was total self indulgence and I loved it. One of my resulting paintings is to the left, it is titled 'Jazz Musicians.' Then I spent five days in Beaufort, SC and another five in Asheville, NC where I put my camera to good use for possible future paintings. But now I look forward to teaching tomorrow. I gave the students plenty of assignments to do while I was away and am anxious to see if they followed through; it's always exciting for me to see students forging ahead and trying to stretch their limits when I'm not around. It tells me that they are charged and really committed to painting. It makes it so much more fun for me when I know that we are all equally charged!

Watercolors...How American

2008-03-08T21:26:00.001-05:00

Just a thought…I just came from the ArtExpo 2008 in NYC this past week. I wanted to check it out to see if I might enter it next year and, before entering any show, I feel it is necessary to check it out first. Although it was a wonderful show, I couldn’t help but notice the near absence of watercolors. This of course, is very disappointing to me on several levels. Of course, I am biased in my opinion; after all, I am a watercolorist. I love the medium. The transparent, glowing colors, not to mention how they move, interact with you, and yes, even cause unexpected surprises. The medium is alive. It is always presenting new challenges and requiring the artist to think of new ways to problem solve. It is just one of watercolors’ inherent qualities. Okay, so let me get back on track…I was also disappointed because I feel that watercolors are so American. There. I’ve said it. That’s right. Our American artists and their roots were completely neglected and, in my opinion, not represented. Yes, it is the British who moved watercolors ahead in the 18^th century, and of course, with the manufacturing of watercolor paper in England, the medium really took on a great deal of popularity. But it was Americans who took it to the level it is today. Collectively speaking, we have pushed the medium to tremendous heights and have produced an enormous body of work since the late 18^th century, beginning with Winslow Homer. Personally, I feel very proud of that fact and that I too am trying to take part in that growth and push watercolors to its limits. Back to the show…I did see two watercolorists, one from Israel, the other from the United States and, as it happens, from my hometown. What a coincidence. I am proud of her and her work. It was refreshing for me to see such luminous colors, such transparency. Watercolors really do sing. Now my question is…will I join in her ranks next year? I feel the need or urgency to represent watercolorists.

Being Bold

2008-03-02T22:07:00.001-05:00

Watercolors requires one to be bold and that is a difficult thing to do when just beginning to paint. I try to encourage my students to be confident in their approach to painting. Rather than placing a small still life in the center of the paper, either make the still life larger so that it pushes the edges or crop it so that it looks as if you intended to have the painting push the edges. This makes for a stronger composition. Of course, most students prefer cropping; it seems safer, not to mention less work. On the other hand, I urge them to go large. How can you ever learn how to paint when you’re working on a flower that is about the size of a quarter?! What fun is that? Be brave. Why not make it the size of a large grapefruit? Then you can have fun watching the paint move in a large area and you can really see the interaction between you and the paint. Going larger, out to the sides of the paper turns a shy little painting into a proud and bold painting. It reflects your confidence. Remember that your painting involves the whole sheet of paper, not just the center.

And a new blog is born...

2008-02-24T22:15:00.001-05:00

Every year I try to set a new goal for myself, pushing my comfort level a little bit more. My goal for 2008 is to get this blog up and running by March 1st. So, my window is narrowing and I've 'just gotta do it!" This is an exciting venture for me because I am really making that very public commitment of a weekly post. I absolutely love to teach, so I will base each week's post on my art classes. Some weeks I may cover other topics that I think might be of interest to you, sometimes I will post my latest painting, or just whatever happens to be on the front burner, so to speak. Of course, I'd love to hear what you would be interested in learning about as well. So, here's to us - because you will be joining me on this new venture, too! Be sure to check back March 1st.