Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Bassman 18x18 oil


I live in a house with lots of sounds.  For many years it was the stereo and then my boys and their instruments (including drums).  The sounds grew louder and better over the years as bands came and went and their abilities improved and passion took over.  In all of this my husband was the master mind.  Teaching our children at a very young age the importance of music and knowing what you're listening to.  They grew up with knowledge of bands and their music that many of there friends had never heard.  When the boys wanted to learn drums,guitar, base guitar and eventually keyboard, Dad was right there with them getting information and taking them to pick out instruments.  From there it was amps, mics speakers, you name it.  All of this was fun for him and gave him a relationship and topic to discuss and debate with our boys.  In all of this a growing desire was emerging to learn to play an instrument.  So just a few years ago my husband picked up the base guitar and started studying as he does with everything he wants to learn.  Before long he started a garage band. He practices all the time and enjoys every minute of learning new stuff.  I must say he is a much more sensitive and understanding guy because of this creative force flowing from his mind, voice and fingers.  It is truly a wonderful thing to behold.
This is a painting not yet done and still in process.  It is a very transitional painting for me as I search for direction.  I have struggled with portraiture and stretched beyond my comfort zone.   Just yesterday I was  expressing defeat and fear of failure.  It passed, but not without a real hard look at what I want.  So here are some of the things I decided:
I don't want to be a portrait artist, but I want to paint people.
I want to get a likeness when I paint people, but not exactly.
I want to be expressive with paint and brushwork.
I don't want to follow all of the rules.
I want to be educated by the masters, but not paint like them.
I want to develop my own style and stay on my own path.
I want to have vision when I look at a blank canvas.
Mostly I want to paint what has meaning and important to me.
I will do this by painting whatever I need to so I can find my way.
   That's all I know for now and I expect it to change as I wander down my path.
   Painting is an exciting process to experience and express.
:)Thank you, Cynthia for not grabing my brush and for letting me be very uncomfortable.

9 comments:

LindaHunt said...

Intersting snapshot into your musical life...what a neat thing about your husband...my husband researches just the same.
Your words on what you want to accomplish in painting could be mine! Thank you for sharing because you made me feel much better about my learning process.

Pam Holnback said...

Everything you decided is what we should think about for all paintings. I see your bottom line as being what you love and passion. The rest will come.

Dana Cooper said...

Ah Dori, it is all right there in front of you! I liked how you expressed your goals, that would seem to be a huge step in the right direction...Cynthia sure knows what she is doing!

Anonymous said...

I think this is a beautifully composed painting. It's a real painting, not a figure study. Looks like a work of art with depth and feeling. Definitely on the right path.

Marian Fortunati said...

Dori.. Love the lightness of this...
Emerging...
In so many ways!!

I love the painting and I'm sure your husband does too. And you will when you decide it's finished.

Carol Blackburn said...

Beautiful story and painting.

James Parker said...

Dori, it's been a while since I dropped by and I've enjoyed browsing thru your delightful artwork. This painting is taking shape beautifully... and I admire and agree with your painting guidelines.

Gwen Bell said...

As a guitar player myself, this is a very familiar pose and you've captured it beautifully. He looks like you caught him mid-strum.

I really appreciate your list. Being able to articulate our goals and desires is a big step in bringing them into action. From the look of things, you are well on your way!

Sadia said...

Excellent post and painting! I totally agree with you that you want to have vision when you look at a blank canvas! It sums up everything !
Have a great week!