Starting this thread for those who are artistically inclined or just appreciate art in whatever form. My +1 (Vito) is a very talented natural artist. He's done mostly drawings but has recently taken some art classes and moved into painting. Right now he's finishing up a copy of a Van Gogh Impressionist piece. He's got several others in progress. I will post pics soon (I hope). In the meantime, let's hear about your artistic efforts and experiences!

 

Being an only child I used to draw all the time to keep myself entertained. Art was something very special to me. What's so funny is it was the one class I was tossed out of in high school - I don't recall why. I've never had any formal training except a few How To Paint books.

I promised myself I would be painting all the time when I retired but I have not picked up a brush except to do one unfinished painting. I really need motivation but can't seem to find it. Although spending two days at the Ann Arbor Art Fair last weekend with over 1000 artist did help a little.

Here's an early painting my mother saved and framed that was done in 1964.



Here's one done twenty years later, 1984.



Here's a wildlife I did a couple ayears later.
For a while I was really into doing wildlife; gave
away a few that were better.



Finally, this is the last one I did in 1986.
I consider it my best to date. After that I
got really into restoring sports cars and
never picked up a brush again except for
one I started a couple years ago and never
finished.

[

Everything is ready to go but me. I seem to
have hit a wall and can't get over it. I know
I should be painting every day - at least
something. I've totally forgotten many of the
mixing tricks, etc. but who knows maybe its
like swimming and will come back.

I suggested Deb start this thread, maybe with
a push I can get my off my butt.

 

Very impressive, Dave. How I wish I had some creative ability. My recent attempt at "art" was painting some concrete stepping stones that already had a design on them. One of them looks like it was done by a six year old.

Looking forward to more pics from the creative folks we have around here.

 

I can see why...those are really good, Dave!! I'm going to get the +1 to post in this thread, too. Better to have input from the source. I doodle, but that's about it. I did do those paint-by-number things when I was little. Are those still around?

 

Ah, but what is "art"?

Oh, never mind. We don't need this to degenerate into an all-night dorm-room debate. I have to say, though, that my own tastes don't quite match up with those of the cutting-edge, New York art scene crowd.

One of our favorite places in art-consumed Santa Fe was the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, both for her work there (which they rotate a lot) and for their special exhibits of related artists. Some of her simplest paintings -- the adobe walls with a shadow and some sky, for example -- are just captivating to me, for some odd reason. I guess it's the "less is more" phenomenon. HPH

 

I'm particularly drawn to the Impressionists and still-life paintings. This one in my kitchen was painted by my late, dear Auntie. It's quite primitive, but I love it. Need to post a closeup.

 

I don't know much, OK, I really know next to nothing, about art, but I can tell you If I don't know what I'm looking at, chances are I don't care for it.

Dave, that last work of yours is really great! I'd hang something like that in my house!

 

Thanks Lainey, you are too kind. Besides that one I do display, since the old barn goes well with are barn beams in the family room.

 

I too love the color and loose feel of impressionist paintings. I saw two or three this weekend that talked to me. As I mentioned to my wife at the time, I have tired to paint these type of painting in the past and although they look so simple, they are not. At least not the good ones. In fact, the ones I really like have always been done by some very very good artists who really understand color, movement, etc. I imagine anyone could get lucky once or twice (ie, animal's painting them, etc.) but I haven't.

 

Illustration is a part of art, however, art is much, much more than just illustration. Art can be something like a Christo wrap, an Ansel Adams photo, an amazing stage performance, a stunning opera, a creative/effective advertising campaign, a logo, a building, and so much more. In fact, for me, art is the starting point, the catalyst or inspiration that leads to a physical manifestation such as a painting. I see that intangible inspiration as more the art than I do the expression.

I have majored in "art" my entire life, my bachelors is a BFA as in Fine and Applied Art. I have worked in the Graphic Arts Industry my entire life since college.