Mastery, from Steve Straus…3-Minute Coaching

Sep 26, 2014

(Quotes are capsules of information, reinforcement or enlightenment.)
“It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.”
                           –  Camille Pissarro
Coaching Point:
This is of course advice from an artist to other artists, but it extends to the rest of us as well. Doing something over and over frees you from trying to get it right. It frees you from living only in your head, logically and mechanically.
Whatever it is you are here to do, do it often, do it everywhere, do it incessantly, do it with passion and “one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character.” You have awakened into mastery.
What is the purpose of your life? What is your ‘art’?
What are you here to render?
Copyright 2014 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.
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On My Own Time Art Show -N. Texas Business Council for the Arts

Aug 5, 2014

On exhibit until August 14 @
On My Own Time Art Show (North Texas Business Council for the Arts)
Where: Texas Instruments, Texans Center
Results Are In:
   Works on Canvas – Amateur
   Second Place
   “Sunday Afternoon”
    Julie England

Immersion Adult Education II

Jul 22, 2014

They tell us if you want to learn a foreign language, try immersion in the culture with people who speak the language 24 x 7. I attended my third 6-day painting workshop. This July class was six days at SMU in Taos, NM with a plein air painting group led by Suzanne Kelly Clark. We spent the mornings in the field and afternoons in the studio. Mountainous Taos weather in July is monsoon season with extreme dryness and heat in the flat lands to afternoon rains in the mountains and city with burgeoning clouds, lightning and thunder. We headed to the studio from the field in early afternoons when the skies threatened to dump their rain on us or the desert heat overcame us in the Rio Grande Gorge.

The immersion learning experience is much the same; eat, sleep and paint all day surrounded by people speaking the language of painting. What a great experience! Typically a breakthrough occurs a few days into the intense daily painting workshop. After sequential long days of painting the same genre, such as figures or plein air landscapes, you get over some of your fears and blocking beliefs. You loosen up your brush strokes. You experiment a bit more, or become more expressive.

The thrill of seeing a small group of painters illustrate the same image in so many individual and creative ways is one of the the best take-aways. You see before you all the possibilities to express a given image. The second major lesson learned is the value of drawing as preparation for painting, focusing on composition, relative scale of objects and value (lights and darks).

Also there are the group dynamic benefits. Talking over dinner about your shared expereinces, discussing master artists who have influenced you or more informal beneficial remarks from your instructor over a glass of wine makes the experience special.

Try a painting workshop experience and like a destination vacation, you’ll remember the richness of it the rest of your life.

Visit with an Artist by Linda Smittle

Jul 16, 2014

“I love your work. The colors are vibrant. The designs are brilliant. Can you tell me about your process and inspiration?”

Margaret Canavan, the artist, nodded and smiled.

She moved closer to one mosaic and explained how she created her art from polymer clay, image transfers, and found objects. She told the story of how her husband suggested the “Love is a Puzzle” name for the piece that provided an extra challenge as she arranged and rearranged the pieces.

Ms. Caravan, Galveston Art League’s Featured Artist for July, spent most of her life as a psychotherapist and is past president of the Houston Polymer Clay Guild. The flyer describing her work concludes with, “Since retiring, she has had more time to focus on artistic endeavors. As a psychotherapist, she encouraged clients to develop creative outlets, which she believes contribute to her own mental health as well!”

Margaret agreed to pose for a photo with her artistic creations. “Please pick up a brochure and business card,” she suggested after we thanked her. We nodded and smiled as we walked out the door toward the next gallery on our Artwalk*.

Visit with an artist.
Develop some creative outlets.
Enhance your mental health and the mental health of others.

*From the ArtWalk brochure: For over 25 years, the Galveston Arts Center has hosted ArtWalk approximately every six weeks in the heart of the historic downtown district. ArtWalk is a coordinated evening of opening receptions and art-related events that are hosted in existing commercial galleries, non-profit art spaces and “other walls” – retail stores and restaurants. One of the Galveston’s Art Center’s largest programs, ArtWalk promotes the visual arts and supports our arts-based community, offering alternative places to see, purchase and learn about art. For more information visit WWW.galvestonartscenter.org.
Future ArtWalks are August 23, October 11, and November 29.

First Solo Painting Exhibit

Jun 5, 2014

The support of friends is priceless. Texas Women Ventures will host my first solo painting exhibit. Thanks and appreciation to Whitney Martin,  Susie Riggs, Lennie Sullivan and Greg O’Shea.

 

You are welcome to drop by any time during work hours before July 31 to see the exhibit at 3625 N. Hall Street, Suite 615, Dallas, TX ( southeast corner of Hall Street and Wellborn Street in the Moroch Building).

 

 A special note of gratitude to Mary Vernon for advice and guidance preparing this exhibit.

 

 

The first eight paintings shown on the web link above will be on view and available for purchase in this exhibit. All paintings are framed in walnut silohuette frames.

Donating Art to Charities

Apr 12, 2014

    Some would tell you that a good way to get your name out in front of the public is to give your art away. Maybe that’s true. And maybe that is why we are compelled to give a piece of art work to a charity for a silent auction to help raise money for a good cause.
     However, a long-time professional in the art field gave me pause for reconsideration.They commented, “People imply, when they ask you, that it is good for you to have exposure. Maybe the surgeon would like to donate a free operation for some exposure. I donate when I have to and when my dealer begs me to, I guess about twice a year.”
Next, there is the question of which charities to donate your art to. One art colleague prefers hospital donations of art, so that your art is hung on walls and viewed often by many to brighten their day. This was the first advice I received in 2012.
     When you do get your art in public, whether in a charitable donation, community art show, gallery exhibit or selling an art work, be sure to sign your name to the front of the art work and tape a business card to the back. Marketing may not be your business core competancy; however, it makes good sense to let others know who you are in case they want to also purchase a piece of your art work.
     You may hesiitate to donate or be present at the non-profit auction event because of too much exposure or shyness for all the attention. After discussing this matter with another art colleague, he mentioned: “Whether it’s a donation or it’s your paintings in a regular gallery, the main lesson is not to worry about feedback or others’ reactions.  When she heard I was having my first show several years ago, one of my art teachers said that an opening is like being at a cocktail party where there’s some nice food and drink with some nice things on the walls. Everyone is walking around and talking.  You’re there too, but the difference is you feel you don’t have anything on!  The lesson was not to pay too much attention when someone glances at your painting and quickly moves past it or when someone makes a negative comment.  It might be better to stay away from your paintings, she said.  Whatever, I hope you enjoy the experience. ” Yes, be a duck and let the water run off your back when you hear comments positive or negative.

 

After all, we paint because we love it, without the voices of others. It’s the process, the experiences and the sheer joy of visual expression we crave.

Destination Art Adventures

Apr 6, 2014

     Studying art includes getting out of the classrooms to galleries and museums. The combination of travel to an art destination with friends is one of the most fun activities on my agenda, and educational too. It is like two revealing, discovery opportunities in one: exploring the destination and the art.
     This year we are targeting major art markets in the U.S., starting with New York City, NY and following it with Santa Fe, NM.
     The New York trip was wonderful and at the same time, supersaturating with visual experiences.An experienced colleague put together a world-class itinerary including  museums, artist’s historic homes, studios, shops and galleries in all the main burroughs of the city. We travelled by taxi and by foot to outstanding world-class art.
     My main take-away is that by seeing collections of an artist’s work, for example the Guaguin  at MOMA http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1418,
one comes to appreciate an artists’ creative and imaginative wholeness. Seeing his oil transfer prints, drawings and sculptures, all inter-related to his paintings, was such a positive experience. It was inspiring to me, encouraging me to complement my painting with more drawing, print making and 3D design work.
     Towards the end of our week of NYC art, I also felt the law of diminishing returns. With each successive piece of art, the visual impact had to be greater than the numerous ones before in order to register in my brain as something I wanted to remember, recall and enjoy again. I was becoming happily, visually saturated.
     When possible, travel with friends to art destinations. Discussing and ruminating on the art during and after the exhibits enriches the experiences all the more as you engage others in dialogue and share ideas.

 

     Santa Fe, NM is next on my travel agenda to art destinations with friends. “Santa Fe is considered the third largest art market in the U.S. based on sales with over 240 art galleries and dealers in town. ”
– .See more at: http://santafe.org/Media_Center/Press_Room/City_Profile/

 

Most importantly, in New Mexico, we will visit the museum, historic home and research center of my favorite woman artist, Georgia O’Keeffe. A destination not to be missed; can’t wait!
http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/

Supporting Other Artists

Jan 25, 2014

Being part of the art community means supporting other artists. There are many ways to be involved in the community. The primary way is to participate and engage other artists. Go to their studios. See their work. Ask about their concepts behind the art and their inspirations. Attend their gallery openings and exhibitions. See art museum exhibits together. Find out where they studied art and ask about the teachers that inspired them the most. Exchange art work with them and start collecting. Discover who are their most creative students and proteges. Discuss art, artists and art events.

Recently I decided to purchase two wonderful drawings by Ted Houston. http://www.tedhoustonart.com/

He has been drawing all his adult life and his talent at figure drawing shines through. I put these two drawings in the hands of a skilled professional framer. The figures now jump off the page with sensual form even more so.

We support and encourage each other. But most of all, I admire his talent, his persistence at his craft and the way he sees a figure in a sensual, artful, yet gentle manner. His eye is fine tuned resulting in fine organic lines; not linear and jagged. I appreciate the years of study, long hours and hard work represented by these beauties. Keep making your art, Ted. You have my support.

Collaborative Painting Studio for 3

Nov 27, 2013

2013 has been a very fulfilling year, for both art and business. I am taking on a new urban venture starting in December. It is an interesting change: starting a collaborative painting studio with two other artists in Dallas.
Like going to the gym or going to work, we will have a collaborative art space to go to paint. Sharing the space, creative vibe and painting process will take us all in a new direction. There are other challenges that come with sharing space, but that is part of the urban adventure. I look forward to supporting each other and seeing the differences in our work. We can encourage  each other and be supportive during the struggles of painting. It’s an opportunity to accept our differences, share lessons learned, painting tips and new discoveries as well.
My hope for your 2014 is that you also take on a new adventure, even in your backyard.