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NOTE: for feedback, and/or a tale, technique or critique please send email to: info@portraitsocietyofcanada.com - Subject: Artist Talk.
Peek in my studio to see beginnings, middles, and endings. This poem, however, is about more than my artwork—even if it might have caused the thoughts behind the words…
Beginnings are good
There’s hope, adventure, anticipation—all that interesting stuff
A new puppy
A new school year
A new pair of shoes
A new relationship
Middles stir indifference, doubt, delay—things we wish to avoid
They drag or they race—dreams held onto or dreams lost
A mid-term exam
A report half-written
An unfinished book
An intermission
And then there’s endings
The ones that come too soon, and the ones that come too late
Vacation over
Plate empty
Verdict given
Timed out
Priorities are different for everyone
And, it’s all in how we handle the lot we’re dealt
There’s so much that we can do, and there’s so much we can’t
Attitude makes a difference, so does effort
Some of us cope better than others
Some of us try harder than others
Some of us understand
And, some of us don’t
If you’ve been there, you’ll know what I’m saying
And if you haven’t, you may have a better idea of what’s ahead
We’re all so different
But we’re all so the same
Life being, too often, a challenging game
There’s winners and losers
No one having a real say about which side they’re on
Then there’s the times when no one wins or loses
Everyone ties
Beginnings, middles, and endings come to us all—eventually
And, like it or not
Some spend longer in each phase
Some are luckier in one phase than another
Some learn from experience
Some never will.
Susan R. Makin
The cycle of the artist
The exhibit in Saint John this past May emptied my studio of thirty paintings. This is the cycle of the artist, as far as I can tell. The studio is filled to the brim with new work, which is then shipped out and hung for display. If able, the artist attends their own opening show and upon it's completion returns to a slightly emptier studio. Since my show in Saint John , I have returned to my studio and begun a new body of work.
In terms of my paintings, my main interests have always returned to music. Through music, I am able to explain my work: music must be simulataneously structured and spontaneous. There must be contrast and emotion, a sense of constant movement coupled with complete stillness. I think the paintings I have been wokring on -- both landscape and figurative -- reveal my draw and passion for the movement of music.
A recent visit to the Leighton Centre * with artist and friend, Melanie Aikenhead, helped reveal some "outdoor music". Melanie and I found oursleves painting in a forest of birch trees on the Leighton Centre property. I have a particular love for the intricacy of tree branches, and of course there was the added bonus of the tree's shade on a very hot Calgay day.
Along with painting outside, I have also been focusing my attention on painting women. Throughout history women have mainly been painted by men, and I believe that as a woman-artist it is of outmost importance that I capture the strength of women with my own hand.
So the studio is basically re-filling... There are some photos below to give you a taste of a few of the new pieces on the walls. I will let you know when the next stage comes.
Until then, Enjoy!
Sincerely;
a m y d r y e r
* The Leighton Centre was established in September 1974 by Barbara Leighton. As stated in the Leighton Foundation brochure, "The Leighton Centre continues to pursue Barbara Leightons dream of promoting education and art appreciation for enjoyment by adults and children." The Leighton Centre provides a space for artists to visit and paint, display work, meet other art-enthusiasts and feel inspired.
Artist STRESS RELIEF—The Portrait Society of Canada
An "emerging artist" who paints professionally, full-time, can have a very isolating existence. This year, having decided to devote most of my time to prepare for the Biennale exhibit, I admit to being a little stressed. When I’m not painting, I’m trying to raise sponsorship funds, and left and right brain don’t always work well together!
When time is limited and exhaustion and lack of self-confidence take over, I’m happy for a few remedies. First, there’s caninekind. Studio assistant Poodle Pals, Lev and Sage, witness every up and down, make me laugh, and insist on going for walks. Second, there’s the company of others who can relate and understand. Last Tuesday (May 29, 07), I attended a Portrait Society of Canada master workshop on the ala prima style of painting led by Juan Carlos Martinez at Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club studio. Veronica Tsyglan, the society’s president supervised. Between Veronica’s exemplary organization and Juan’s unobtrusive mentorship, the experience was a revitalizing and relaxing treat—just the tonic I needed.
On a day when I thought I wouldn’t be able to paint (was "painted out"), and decided to experiment with less familiar materials and techniques, I was able to create a portrait sketch that pleased and surprised me. It’s 12in x 9in, oil on wooden board with a black gessoed base (and posted at the start of this blog entry). I call it "Waiting." When you’re an artist, there’s a lot of waiting and uncertainty. Each competition and grant you apply for has you on hold—wondering, hoping, and feeling a tad anxious, especially if you’ve had to pay an application fee and might never receive a response.
Even when painting others, there’s usually a self-portrait of sorts that shines through somehow—"art therapy" happens. Being among other artists and watching their paintings develop, as well as having reassuring and kind experts on hand, was a gift. After the workshop, I came home and painted again—invigorated from the experience. I was happy to feel part of a group of professionals that value the artistic vocation—as well as the skill, perseverance, and camaraderie it takes to keep going.
LOOKING FOR YOU
The brushes and palette have been cleaned, the canvases lined up, and the easel cleared. I lock my studio door and back out into the sunlight. My steps carry me along a familiar path until I reach my usual subway stop to board the evening trains. It took a few minutes and there you were standing before me - like a vision. I have found you, again. Of course, I stare – always. I know it’s rude, but I can not help myself. Today I spotted you on the train and surely I saw you yesterday too. I likely ran into you too at the store last week, or not? I have no doubt that I also saw you on my way home from my studio a short while ago, or was it months ago? Time seems meaningless, it may well have been a year ago – but I always remember: your look.
Instantly I know you for, although your appearance, gender, age and most obvious attributes change, the recognition does not. Where ever I go, I look for you and I see you. My eyes have searched you out when you are alone, with others, or surrounded by many, my eyes have searched you out over and over again. When you feel my stare (you are right, I did stare), promptly I shift my glance elsewhere -to the right and/or to the left to throw you off. I fumble with my business cards….Just now, the moment I spied you, I knew you were the one. A quick scan naturally confirms just how perfect and how beautiful you are. You have that something special about you that demands further investigation – I am enchanted – no I am inspired. The train slows to a stop; YOU get up and head toward the exit and disappear into the crowd.
Then, behold, I see you again, not the same you, but it is you. A different you – this time you are older, in fact, possibly, from the resignation etched in harsh contrast to your distinctively sophisticated good looks, much, much older. . OH! There is no available seat so I offer you mine. I am pushed along by the crowd and lose sight of you. There is still time, I must keep looking. Be you young, old, male or female; plainly dressed, partly dressed or even covered up – you will stand out among others, and I will know you. You will have that something special about you that first attract and then sustain attention.
Your attributes beg further study: you might have splendid lips (too narrow, too large, rounded like rosebuds, or otherwise different) a wondrously shaped head, a unique nose, or exciting eyes and/or brows, or maybe prominent cheek bones with a peculiar tilt to the head, or a long graceful curve of the neck, astounding shoulders, a long back and/or legs, narrow or wide hips, slender arms, delicate or monumental or even course hands, or huge feet with petite ankles. On the other hand, you may be a towering figure of a man with massive bulk, or conversely, a tiny bit of a woman –like a sparrow – barely there; you may have voluptuous rolls of flesh wrapped in tight skin; or, you may be ancient, emaciated with skin hanging on the bone.
YOU may not have any noticeable attributes, but somehow be ‘compellingly unique’. The ‘whole combined’ is what fascinates. Hey! There! There you are, and you are striking! Rushing to introduce myself, when handing you my “Portrait Artist” card, I say: “please do feel free to call me or drop by, I have been looking for you…”
A Portrait Artist