In my early years, I had to take care of what was happening in my mind; often going forward and then wandering off with uncertainty. It was then that a few of my art friends and I had the unbelievable good fortune of getting together with master artists who took the time to show us what they had carefully developed over their many years creating.

We were ready and needed to expand into our own strong, personal approach. We gain so much from them, finding further unique importance in values, shapes, light, shadow, color and design, edging towards realization of significant artworks. For several weeks each year, we drew and painted with them in outdoor locations. These were absolute positive turning points for every one of us. Times together with the heart-lifting high drama you would see in a memorable classic film. I’ll note that none of us had any intention at all of copying those masters; we laid onto canvases what had been waiting deep within our individual selves.

We are Ourselves

Don’t compare yourself with others. Remember, no one can be better than you; only you can be better than you. You are strengthening your way of interpreting what you see; learning by yourself and from well-chosen mentors. Like carefully picking fruits and vegetables in aesthetic orchards. We each patiently end up with our very own glorious salad, signed at the bottom.

Indescribable

I’ve spent most of my life creating. The first part was music and art, the second part fully into art for decades, and the third part art and writing. Throughout all this was plenty of travel, art events and shows. Endless observations, indescribable thoughts, ultra-bizarre decisions. You, dear reader, certainly appreciate that being in the art world is a golden gift to us. Others will never realize this, because it is rather impossible to describe our complex minds except when we talk amongst ourselves.

Art is a particularly special way to spend our lives. It starts with an obsession. No matter the age, an overriding passion will more or less get us from step one to two, step three and so on. The strength and joy of this journey can only be understood by those with the same limitless devotion.

Not for one second have I regretted being in the art world. It is adventurous and mystifying and totally inspiring at the same time. You’ll never know what the next week will bring you. And remember, special moments can happen by accident in your career. Know when they happen and be totally prepared with what to do. (Please read those last two sentences again.)

The Ring

 

Lights Out

A special thing happens when I’m in front of my art piece and shut off the lights. There’s still a bit of light coming in from the windows, and my piece gets much darker, but I can see its design. Once in a while I might push an area that needs a bit more importance. It’s interesting seeing our art under different lighting.

A Request

I’m now totally grasping much of what life and Mother Nature are really passing on to me as an artist. Now I need to live another hundred years to bring even further, such glories onto canvas and paper. Art is an eternal blessing.

You dear reader sense this: I like myself more as years pass by. What I’ve done, where I’ve been, who I’ve known, what I’ve thought. Through my art, I pour myself out for me and anyone who wants to wander around my mental garden.

Yes, I generally followed the basic “art rules” from when I was young; it kept me balanced and clear eyed for where my mind was flying. I do thank my younger self for following those rules. Rules that eventually got well mixed together with my eccentric individual self. 

Learn and Do

Learning art is fine, but also really doing it is where we need to go. I’m guessing it’s like a doctor graduating, watching and learning about heart operations. Then finally doing the first operation and then another and another. All the while, “learning on the job.” (Incidentally, I’d rather not be that first patient.)

I’m not “smart” when drawing, “wisdom” is a better description. Wisdom comes from working hard, doing something we love. Whether running a ranch, being a school teacher or a pilot—or creating art in a studio, perhaps on location. A life of “doing” causes wisdom. Smart or clever are not behind those inspired strokes; wisdom makes them happen from a knowing, heartfelt mind.

Here’s the Detail

Some details get lost within a shadow. Don’t feel that you have to put in those details. Even when we are small children, we naturally sense things going into shadows, often disappearing. So those details don’t always have to be drawn or painted to show they are there. Bits of them can appear as we see in real life or in the photo. Look at some of my works and see parts go into shadows next to parts that are rendered in light. Details are needed, but not necessarily needed throughout a work.

Alberta Elder

 

Who’s to Judge

Art does not have the kind of winners we see at the Olympics. In art, awards could very well be different depending on different judges. If we’re artists, right from the start, we’re winners in our lives. Including those into art even if not as a career. To top it off, often we are our own best judges.

Life is not built on awards, it is built with hanging in there and pushing the self ahead with challenges, technique, moments of clarity and pure joy. I’ve slowed down a bit, but I’m proud of myself and what I’ve gone through. I did what I dreamt of doing. My obsessions became my life. I can now observe others going that same route and feeling the passionate bliss day by day and year by year. As always: I’m with you.

I’m Here

Once in a while, I wonder what I would have done had I not gone into art. For instance, if my mother and father had not inspired me year after year with my art. I know this much, because of art, a fantasy world came showering down upon me. Without it, I’d have probably done something more conventional. But one thing is certain, you wouldn’t be reading these words.

Yes, talent is important, but working at it is the passageway to a lifetime of creating images on paper and canvas. The feeling: three levels above joy. Perseverance and focus. I look at failures as lessons learned. I never felt myself a failure even with not a dime coming in. There was a time where not one gallery wanted my works. Not one. That was then, and here I am now, for so many years, filled with indescribable pleasure.

Which Reminds Me

Right after art college I started my living as an artist with a peddler’s license and going door to door selling my art, also doing portraits on the spot—a dollar for a profile and five dollars for a pastel full face. I did fairly well, and my career continued from there.

My alter ego appeared one day when I was doing a character study in pastel. I was in my “studio,” which was the basement of a janitor’s store. My hand started uncontrollably doing spontaneous strokes and colors, making the portrait wild and surreal. My alter ego continued over the next while and did a number of uniquely personal artworks.

That janitor soon turned his shop into an art gallery named SALON D’ART. He was now an art dealer and his first art event was a two-man show, with works by me and works by my alter ego. My art pieces were $37.50 each, and my alter ego was charging twice that at $75 each. My alter ego sold all of his art pieces, and I sold four of mine. I got jealous and “had my alter ego leave town.” This is absolutely true and the only time in my life I’ve been jealous. It happened 50 years ago and there are many more details, but you get the gist of it.

Inner Out

My inner mind is extremely independent, and I allow it full reign when I feel it’s necessary. It could be during a conversation or an important decision. When I’m at the easel and hesitate, even slightly in an area, my experienced inner mind takes over with a fresh, ingenious spirit.

No matter my subject, I’m always excited while painting. It could be a dancer, an old fellow, a child. It’s like watching someone gradually appear before my very eyes.

Artists Understand

A beautiful face is close to impossible to describe in words. In fact, I would say it can’t be done. But when we see such a face, several billion cells in the brain fully understand such a vision. Those cells have had many years of observing millions of moments. Some of those moments remain.

So right now, find a photograph that has well-defined lights and darks. Draw in those shapes that you see. Take your time and be very specific. Don’t be “artistic,” be determined with those shapes you see. As your confidence grows, you’ll naturally push some of those shapes—that is when “interpretation” enters your art. But like with the piano, you practice and seriously understand the technique and then you grandly play the Chopin Mazurkas.

Take Your Time

We’ve all heard about the carpenter measuring twice and then cutting once. I’ve always brought that to my easel. Whenever working from photograph or life or even laying down lines directly from a photo. Make sure that you see the details with their color and values, and yes (as so often mentioned), shapes which you might want to stress slightly here and there. An easy example to see is simplifying the hair. Maybe with clothing and background. I’ve been known to push a color here and there. —