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VIEWING 1 - 4 OUT OF 4 BLOGS.
SHOOSH!
DATE: 05/07/2008 23:30:21 / MOOD: in love
The Story of Shoosh
Early mornings I pack up the car with a fresh palette of oil paint, jars of thinner and a few canvas, and head out into the landscape. Along my journey I meet up with cyclists, parents taking their kids to school, coffee drinkers, hotel managers, etc.
As I sat under a Palm Tree painting the scene below, a father and his kids were playing in the wash emptying Tahquitz Canyon to my back. I could hear them throwing rocks and doing fun things kids do. As they left the stream, the older boy, about 5 years old, asked his father if he could see my painting. I told the father it was perfectly fine.
What happened next left me speechless. This young man gazed at my work in progress. A big smile swept across his face, he looked me right in the eye with complete understanding, he threw his hands up in the air and exclaimed,"WOW, your paintings have Shoosh!"
And there it was, not some hob nobbin art critic from the New York Times or the LA Times, or the Chicago Tribune, but a five year old with vision and insight years ahead of his time. This boy was able to transcend art theory and in one glance, create....SHOOSH! "That is it," I said, "you get it, finally someone totally and in one word gets what my paintings represent. SHOOSH!"
"Shoosh I" Oil on Canvas 20"x24"
"Shoosh II" Oil on Canvas 20"x24"
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Desert Bloom
DATE: 03/07/2008 23:04:36 / MOOD: happy
On Saturday, my brother in law, Dr. Bill, and I had a beautiful hike through a canyon I refer to as Rattle Snake Arroyo. There is an 80 ft waterfall about three miles up the canyon. Along the way the usually brown and prickly desert was a garden of flowers and happy lizards. The Barrel Cactus are shooting out blooms and the warm sun is wrapping its arms around the desert inhabitants.
The green hills and gardens of flowers are just astonoshing here right now. As spring moves along, the bloom will move to the upper desert. Joshua Tree National Park should go off in mid April. (4000 ft elevation)
As you move through the desert, the cactus bloom in different colors. The barrel cactus bloom an antique orange near PS. In Joshua Tree the cactus bloom red and fushia. At 5000 to 7000 ft in the Santa Rosa mountains the cactus bloom bright yellow.
Joshua Tree is one of my soul places. Today I solo rock climbed up several routes in the late afternoon. Normally , I will get my ya ya's out climbing and then set up my canvas and oil paints or watercolors and go to town for the remainder of the day. My studio is outside, either on site or under a palm tree in the back yard. I love the energy of the natural environment.
I hope you all can take time to visit the desert soon.
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Why Purchase Art?
DATE: 02/25/2008 21:53:59 / MOOD: full of life
I want to start a conversation with the scuttlebutt community on a grass roots movement to encourage middle class people to invest in the joy of original art. When I go into people’s homes I see sports posters, reprints of Monet and Van Goh, but rarely do you see original art by local artists. As a collective community I would like to develop a powerful, simple, marketing message we can all use on our web sites, in press releases and brochures educating the community why it is important to buy original art. Use this same marketing message in conversation with people considering an art purchase.
Does anyone have the demographic on who is most likely to spend $2000.00 to $10,000 on a painting? I know these same folks do not hesitate to pluck down the same amount for a flat screen TV and entertainment system. Here is a draft of what I am thinking. Please cut, paste and add your ideas to the mix. I know there are far better writers here than I.
**************************************************** An investment in original art is an investment in contemporary history. An original painting, sculpture, ceramic or glass object can be treasured and handed down through your family for generations? Pick the right piece of art and considerable value may be reaped by your grandchildren or their children.
When my friends grandmother was collecting art in the 1940’s, she had no idea the Man Ray watercolor of a tree she purchased would become so valuable. Her granddaughter proudly displays it in her home and talks about her grandmothers exploits to all who visit. A beautiful painting or sculpture will never lose value and in most cases will appreciate. Do you want your great grandchildren to have a glimpse of who you were? Purchase a painting they can hang in their house or donate to a museum in your name.
We are glued to the TV watching Antiques road Show. Those artists, whose paintings are now worth tens of thousands of dollars, were purchased by the owners or family members for a fraction of the current value. You can do the same for your family by supporting a local artist. In today’s financial climate, investors are flocking to art as an investment. Donating art to a local museum can be an important tax shelter for your family. Supporting your local artist is an investment in your community.
Yes, you can purchase a new car, flat screen TV or a fast jet ski for the same price. These things will eventually break and be discarded. An investment in art will last for generations.
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Speak UP!
DATE: 02/19/2008 23:07:47 / MOOD: other
As an artist, I am always looking for intellectual stimulation from fellow artists. Today artists are on their iPods, cell phones, and computers and rarely hang out in groups. When Picasso or Matisse finished painting they headed to the bistro for a coffee and good debate.
Here at the scuttlebutt I hear a lot of "I like that" or Nice Job, but why is it appealing to you. Better yet, why do you think there is room for improvement. We are afraid to give constructive criticism. Is it appropriate to post amateur art and not get a good dose of constructive criticism from the group. I believe this will make us all better and as a result we will really get to know one another.
I'll have a sticky bun and an espresso please. Move over and make room Renoir.
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