Match Game

Listed below are some quotes from some famous artists.

Try to guess who said it. For a hint, their photos are listed in order of the quotes. 

The answers are at the bottom of the page. Click the names for a link to information about the artist.

1."Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth"

2."Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it."

3."People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it's simply necessary to love."

4.“I've been forty years discovering that the queen of all colors is black.”

5."Art is never finished, only abandoned."

6."The artist must train not only his eye but also his soul."

7. "If your hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint,and that voice will be silenced."

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Answers

1. Pablo Picasso

2. SalvadorDalí

3. Claude Monet 

4. Pierre-Auguste Renoir

5. Leonardo da Vinci 

6. Wassily Kandinsky 

7. Vincent van Gogh

"Genius is eternal patience."

View the beauty of the Sistine Chapel from the comfort of your chair.
Click the link below and enjoy.
http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

Just over 500 years ago a sculptor was commissioned to paint the Sistine Chapel. And what a job he did! It was accomplished in 4 years.Thousands have been inspired by his work. All done while standing. Not on reclined on his back. (That was just depicted in the movies.) Michelangelo Buonarrotti left behind a legacy.  He said, "Genius is eternal patience."

Mike must have been a VERY patient man. Commission work is not for the faint of heart. As an artist, your opening yourself up to eternal whiners and unreasonable demands. I tend to say no thank you to commission work.

Even while writing this blog, I am thinking about the time lost that I could be in the studio painting. Do we have time to be a genius anymore? Can we get paid for patience? Times have changed. We live in a rushed world. But shouldn't we be creating our best work? So how do we get a grasp on the ever elusive patience? I  try to work through my frustrations by trying over and over again. Then I usually feel the blood rushing to my head and the emotions beginning to boil and I have to stop, breathe and get away from it. Here are some pointers. (If you have the patience to read it)

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Patient

 Share your secrets. What do you do to remain calm in stressful situations?

Destiny

des·ti·ny   Noun The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future. The hidden power believed to control what will happen in the future; fate. Do you believe in destiny? I believe that my life is controlled by my choices. There is guidance. Sometimes our choices should be obvious, but there are times that we are oblivious to the obvious. When I was in high school I was chosen to participate in a special arts program for gifted students. I laughed at the teachers that gave me the opportunity and said, "Thanks, but I don't think that I'm a gifted artist."They whisked me away to visit an art museum in Miami. Then to an opera taking place at the famous Fontainebleau. I slid out of the ear piercing performance and explored the upscale architecture.  I rode the elevator to the penthouse floor, hoping to get a glimpse of the rich and famous. Out to the balmy Miami night sky. I was taken back by the kidney shaped pools and swaying, up-lit palm trees. Then back to the opera for the final standing ovation. I was also allowed to meet a famous artist and attend a brief lecture from him. Of course I had never heard of him but I thought his work was cool. His name was James Rosenquist . Those teachers in that high school were guiding me but I was oblivious. I didn't appreciate art. I never dreamed that I would become an artist. I was too immature and wrapped up in myself to even see.  Looking back, Things are a bit clearer. I truly appreciate the chance that they gave me. So often its clearer to others than it is to ourselves. How many times has someone told you that you were talented in a certain way? Hello McFly!! It may be your density! (destiny) We all have our talents and desires. Desire actually develops talent. But until we are ready to take actions on our desires, they will only be dreams. Be it destiny or pure choice, chances are given. Assistance is offered. The door is open. We can't look back and regret things that we didn't accomplish. Not even to yesterday. Each moment is new. As of now, I am a grateful artist.

Do You Believe In Santa

This artist featured in the video link, does a yearly painting of Santa.
The works are not for sale.
Makes you want one doesn't it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doR8cHgu8rU

What a great idea.

We always want what we cant have.

Limited additions become highly collectible.

It does not have to be a Santa subject, but after viewing the video, you can see how value can be added to a piece by portraying emotion and limiting availability.
Let's make some. Shall we?

Top Ten All Time Art Excuses

1. I’m not good enough
2. I’m too old
3. I don’t have time
4. I don’t know how
5. I cant afford it
6. I don’t have the space
7. There’s no one to buy it
8. I don’t know what to make
9. Other people need me
10. My dog ate my paintbrush

Not good enough
Practice makes perfect. But who wants to be perfect? You may be judging yourself too harshly. If you sit on a busy street and people watch, you will see how vastly different each individual is. This also goes to ones taste in art. Not everyone will like what you create, but someone will! And if you have gained something by creating it, be it self satisfaction, a pay check, or just relieved some stress, your on the right path.
Too old
"Grandma" Moses, Anna Mary Robertson was in her 70s when she started
Painting. This self-taught artist, became one of the most famous American folk artists of the 20th century and continued painting in her 90s.
Andrea Bocelli didn't start singing opera seriously until the age of 34. Some 'experts' told him it was too late to begin.
Stan Lee, creator of Spider-Man, was 43 when he began drawing his legendary superheroes and his partner Jack Kirby was 44 when he created The Fantastic Four.
Elizabeth Jolley had her first novel published at the age of 56. In one year alone she received 39 rejection letters but finally had 15 novels and four short story collections published to great success.
Mary Wesley was 71 when her first novel was published.
Harlan Sanders, the Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame, was 66 when he began.
Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing as a columnist in her 40s. The popular Little House books were written and published when she was in her 60's.
Phyliss Diller became a comedian at the age of 37. She was told by many club owners that she was "too old" to become a success.
Julia Child didn't even learn to cook until she was almost 40 and didn't launch her popular show until she was 50.
No time
As they say, there is no time like the present. If you think art is a priority, you will find the time. Even if it means losing some beauty sleep, missing your favorite tv show or shutting down the computer. Art take commitment. But with any good thing, its worth it.
Don’t know how
Learn. Take a class. Get a mentor. A lot can be learned by just asking, “How did you do that?” Books. Remember those things with the paper pages? There are still libraries open for your pleasure. When in doubt, Google it! How to_
Cant afford it
Look around at what you may already have. Most have a pencil and paper. I launched my ideas with a paint set that I got for Christmas and some paint brushed that I got from a thrift store. I brainstormed noodle art, twig art, and even garbage art.
There are grants. You can take out a loan. You can call your rich Aunt Betty.
There is was this movie that keeps going through my head. It wasn’t even a good one. It was down right depressing but inspiring still the same. It stars Jane Fonda. Its called “The Doll Maker.”
She was a dirt poor destitute woman that carved an old log…made a masterpiece, then chopped it into pieces and made dolls that sold. Sorry to ruin the ending but that was about the whole movie. Ugh! Anyways, she made something out of nothing. Art out of desperation. Inspiring!
Space
If your organized, your lap can be sufficient. Its where I began. Then I moved to the coffee table then to the kitchen counter.
Weather permitting, outside is grand.
No buyers
Expose yourself. Well, not literally! But that might help sales. Get out there and show them what you’ve got. Yard art, demos,
approach galleries, online sales, art shows, show everyone that you know. If your town has no recourses to sell you, travel!
What to make
This may come naturally in time. Do what you love and as your free yourself from the restrictions of worry it will come. The more you do, the more free you become. Relax and enjoy it. Some express art in baking, some in dance, just be yourself and stay in the now.
Others need me
Its nice to be needed, but being true to yourself will give them more to love.
It may be hard for the selfless type to indulge in what some consider just play time.
But if you are an artist then you must be an artist. Make time for it. Learn to say no sometimes.
My dog ate my paintbrush
Dip dogs tail in paint and back his hind end up to the canvas. Make him pay off his debt.
Do NOT personally attempt this with your new paint brush! It might sell, but I think it is far too dangerous.

Press Release

I was asked to compose a press release for a local gallery that my art is displayed in. It is never a fun event for me to write about myself. It is far too much like homework. With a little help from my editing friends, I was able to come up with something to send to print.
It is a great way to get free promotion. The papers are always looking for some good stories. So if your send yours off to a few, you might just see your name in print!

Here is a short "how to" to help get you pointed in the right direction. http://www.ehow.com/how_8793_write-proper-press-release.html

This is a link to my recent press release.

http://mountaintimes.com/art/articles/Laurel-Gordon-unveils-new-work-id-023575

Spiritual Artist

So often the subject of spiritualism is avoided like politics or religion.
So today I wish to speak a bit on the unspoken.
The world is full of unseen energies. There is a current that runs through us like electric through wires. That current can be felt by some. Others, can hear colors as song or see what cant be seen by all. Some receive visions. We all have gifts that can be developed. The world is full of mysteries and undercurrents.
Often with great art, people purchase the artist not just the art. They are drawn not just to their work but to who they are, what they represent, their back story, their spirit.
So perhaps the idea of becoming a great artist has more to do with who you are than just what color paints that you use or your application techniques. I also believe that
our creations relay what we put into them, kind of like a speaker projects music.

Meditation is a good tool for developing the "inner artist". It is also a way to unleash your creativity.
We can allow ideas to come rather than struggling to invent them. This can be accomplished by first asking for what you want. Then, relaxing and becoming the blank canvas. Breathing deeply can help you relax. A focal point can keep your mind from wandering. While searching for a video that could assist you in meditating, I happened upon this one. I found myself getting tears in my eyes because of how beautiful it felt.






"Sri Chinmoy was not only a prolific spiritual master, he also was an astonishing artist, working from within and renouncing any concept of the mind. This video is a tiny selection of his immense artwork that consists of more than 100,000 acrylic paintings and millions of so-called soul-bird drawings. Plunge into this visual feast of colors and forms... meditate with them and enjoy them!"
kedarvideo