DATE: 05/20/2008 14:34:16 / MOOD: full of life

This blog is just to let people know that I put seven new paintings in my gallery on my site.  They are not new (in private collections) but I want to let people see how my style and compositions progressed. I hope you check them out and enjoy.

            &nb sp;     James Walker Henry    

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DATE: 05/19/2008 17:19:45 / MOOD: in love

This blog discusses the reason we artists create the masterpeices we do. Is it for the money? Is it to be known for ones art? Is it because you love to paint!  I myself paint primarily because I have all these ideas in my head, and as news breaks everyday, that's just more I feelI have to paint about. I feel I document lifes events through my art. Also, I would be lying if I didn't say the money is nice too!!!  And finally, yes, I would like to have a person in years to come look at my work and say,"Thats a James Henry". I feel almost sick if I don't paint something everyday.  Does anyone out there have the same ideas about their art like I do? Have you been sorta forced to go in a different style to bring food o the table? I'm from the midwest, If I'd paint wildlife, I'd mak a fortune.

           "BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND YOUR ART"

            &nb sp;      James Walker Henry     

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DATE: 05/11/2008 16:25:18 / MOOD: other

This blog is in regards to seroius artists that try to get in to everything with their work and meet deadlines , but end up with three or four half finished works and the deadline has past.  Thats what I'm doing at this moment.  I am in the process of doing three works and all three are half done. Then, like cramming for a test, I paint long periods of time to try and finish.  I normally try and do one at a time, I feel that I put the quality in if I  only pay attention to one than three or more.  Don't get me wrong, I won't do a half _____ed painting and put it out for people to see (If it isn't up to par, I'll destroy it rather than exhibit it) I just wonder if any other artists do this and feel overwelmed.  I eventually get them done and get back to a normal  painting schedule.  Is there anyone else that does this too?

            &nb sp;       James Walker Henry    

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DATE: 04/25/2008 09:23:31 / MOOD: disappointed

This is a blog that concerns the somewhat style of shock art.  I have had alot of people say that my art is shock art , which is not even close (believe me, if I wanted to shock people, I could paint some gruesome subjects!) I chose surrealism and dealing with social and political issues sometimes makes it that I have to incorporate harsh and not so pleasent subjects in my work.  An artist needs to paint  a style he or she feels good about, but not paint just to freak people out.  Good art is suppose to get a reaction from the audience, good or bad, but not created just to shock or disturb people.  I enjoy almost all styles of art and can tell if an artist is true to their style.  There are some styles that I feel are not considered art, but thats my opinion and personal preference. Paint what you feel and enjoy and if shock art makes you happy, then go ahead and waste your time, because real art patrons can see right through it. 
            &nb sp;    James Walker Henry     

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DATE: 04/23/2008 19:15:53 / MOOD: other

This blog is for those artists just starting out submitting their art (resume, slides, tear-sheets.....pretty much their life!) wanting galleries or other places to accept them.  Believe me, I have been working professionally for over twenty years and I still get rejections (not as much as twenty years ago ,but I still get them.) but the mind set is to take it for what its worth and continue to pursue your dream. For every rejection, there is an acceptance just waiting for you.  Build your resume with the positive and learn from the negative. I keep all my rejections in a folder and look at them sometimes to read their comments of why my work will not work in their gallery. This helps me when I get acceptance in a show (finding my audience and where my work is liked more) Finally, I just don't want good artist to give up, it's just one persons opinion, not the world.
            &nb sp;    "Keep Your Creations Alive!"

             James Walker Henry       

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DATE: 04/12/2008 10:47:08 / MOOD: full of life

Artscuttlebutt is a fantastic site for professional and hobbiest artist to showcase their goods!!  As I am sort of new to this site, I am amazed of all this talent on this site. I've already met some truely talented artists, which makes artscuttlebutt an important tool for artists to bounce ideas and view all different styles of work. I think there should be a sort of bullentin board on the main page(home page) so artists can list upcoming exhibits of their works. That way, when people first log in to the site, they will find this info right away and not have to go to a single site to find show dates. This would help artists get their show info to all that log on.  Just an idea!

            &nb sp;          "BIG SHOW = PEOPLE KNOWING!"

            &nb sp;                 James Walker Henry

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DATE: 04/05/2008 07:52:20 / MOOD: happy

This blog is to update the attempt to get an exhibit of art scuttlebutt members together for showing their art and good times!  I first thought I could get the Union Street Gallery to host the exhibit, but they are a rental gallery and are not available til the middle of 2009. I did however get turned on to the Tall Grass Arts in Park Forest (Part of Chicago) I am waiting on the director of exhibitions to get back with me, but was told they do exhibitions like this and it looks promising!!  For those who didn't read the first blog, I am looking for artists that are members for this exhibit.  They must be able to get their work to the gallery. Also, one requirement is they need to be able to come to the reception.  I already got a few responses that said they'd be there for this grand exhibit.  I am trying to get about atleast 20 members to have 2 pieces each to show. If I can get this a go, maybe another member will try it close to their home next year.  It can be like a mini-vacation!!!!!!  Let me know if your'e interested.

            &nb sp;                     James Walker Henry  

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DATE: 04/03/2008 17:13:22 / MOOD: happy

Since I came to artscuttlebutt, Everyone has been great.  I love how artists talk to other artists about art, living across the U.S.  They discuss how they execute their medium and converse on the art world in general.   I've made new friends and talk to old ones that also came to this site.
   This is my proposal, I want to get an art exhibition together with artists that are members of Artscuttlebutt.  I will curate the show, find a gallery to have it and set the date!!  It will be the artist responsibility to get the work to the gallery (where ever I can find one) and one requirement will be that the artist must come to the opening.  It will be like alittle vacation.  Since I am from the midwest , I am looking at the Union Street Gallery in Chicago for this event.  I will have more info later about this.  For now, I just would like artists to leave mew a note if interested in this venture.  I think it could be a grea time for all!!!!!!!!

            &nb sp;             James Walker Henry  

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DATE: 04/01/2008 13:39:46 / MOOD: full of life

Well, its seems my last blog went over well (Lot of people disagreed with my comment, but some agreed and thats who I did it for) This blog is in regard to criticism and comments artist are subjected to when they display their work to the public.  Just like anything else, when a person feels he or she did something good, they would like to hear praise and positve comments, but everyones taste is different and sometimes negative comments arise.  It's literally putting your heart out there and either someone will embrace it and smash it!  I have a friend (Earl) who is an excellent artist, he paints antique tractors. anyway, I helped him out with his first exhibit and it went well (I thought!) until someone said something about his detail being wrong.  He pulled his work from the show and I don't think he has shown his work in public since. When displaying your work, an artist needs sort of a thick skin. The artist needs to take the comments and sort them out and try and use the ones that are constructive to ones career. Art is suppose to cause a reaction from it's viewers (good or bad) which justifies the reason for creating art.

"ART IS FOR EVERYONE; DON'T MAKE IT PERSONAL"

            &nb sp;        James Walker Henry 

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