I watched a wonderful program on Matisse last night. It made me realise that my new series 'stripped naked' was indeed a good idea. Matisse started out doing relatively constrained and traditional works, paintings that fitted in to what was expected of him at that time. It wasn't until he had bowel cancer that he started to feel free and started to do the art that was a true expression of himself.
I have felt constrained, conditioned and shackled by what has been expected of me. People tell you what they want you to paint, parents want to be proud of you, people want to see what they expect to see, this is why people like Matisse were so important because they broke away from all of that.
The series I am working on tries to break away a little bit, but I still feel I'm not going far enough with it, I'm not being brave enough. I feel like I'm in a straight jacket, I need to break free, I need to find what is deep inside and learn to express it. I feel frustrated and keep going back to doing what is expected, such is the force of conditioning.
Matisse stripped his work naked. He took away more and more elements, he let color speak for itself, the emotion it creates was enough. He put colors where most artists would not. He played with shapes rather than get bogged down with details.
In this series, I am exploring taking elements out, stripping my work naked. Currently I am taking the color out, letting the shapes do the talking but I need to go much further, much further...
Orchid 1 - oil on canvas
Orchid 2 - oil on canvas
Orchid 3 - oil on canvas
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written by KathysArt, May 10, 2010
Ohh yes I want more freedom too.. I so get that. I don't want to think outside the box I want to LIVE outside the box. It is soo hard to get past other people's expectations and then our own nasty words to ourself haunt us too. I continually have to tell myself to be quiet ... Ohh man those continual voices!
written by Susan, May 10, 2010
Your new work is extremely moving. The important thing is the communication -- your earlier works were excellent at conveying life and aesthetics. This is a bit more raw and communicates...!
Very well done, you are singing in your voice.
Very well done, you are singing in your voice.
written by mooaany, May 10, 2010
Cathy, some of you shows through your work no matter what you do. But to be completely naked and exposed intentionally takes a transition that is not necessarily joyful......at first, I don't think.
One of those things that hurts at the beginning and ends up relievingly joyfu l at a point. As with much, it is the traveling to an awakening. You can do that for yourself only, but I think often times we wish to explore that side of ourselves so that we can feel that someone else will understand us.
Or at least know us for what we want to be. I can attest to that often.
That is another beauty of making art. We can communicate for many reasons, and in many forms.
I look forward to seeing more of what you wish to show us, and I am sure that many will see exactly what you want to us to see, but don't be surprised if some of us see even more then you wanted to portray.
Or Is this exploration merely color and a desire to change your art? In the Matisse I see a poem and a portrayal of traveling within. But that is often time what I look for.
I personally think you are an artist that thrives to be at one with your subject, I can imagine you trying to feel what that flower feels, the air on it's petals. That is the message that I get.
One of those things that hurts at the beginning and ends up relievingly joyfu l at a point. As with much, it is the traveling to an awakening. You can do that for yourself only, but I think often times we wish to explore that side of ourselves so that we can feel that someone else will understand us.
Or at least know us for what we want to be. I can attest to that often.
That is another beauty of making art. We can communicate for many reasons, and in many forms.
I look forward to seeing more of what you wish to show us, and I am sure that many will see exactly what you want to us to see, but don't be surprised if some of us see even more then you wanted to portray.
Or Is this exploration merely color and a desire to change your art? In the Matisse I see a poem and a portrayal of traveling within. But that is often time what I look for.
I personally think you are an artist that thrives to be at one with your subject, I can imagine you trying to feel what that flower feels, the air on it's petals. That is the message that I get.
written by Cathy - Admin, May 10, 2010
I really feel constrained and wishing to break out. I've had images of artworks using straight jackets, shackles, that kind of thing. I feel like I need to just do what I feel like doing, not what is expected of me. The thing that really hit me and forced me to really think about this was that another artist said about my work that it was JUST beautiful. She meant it as a compliment but it hit me really hard. It made me realise that I don't want to produce something that is JUST beautiful. I want to do work with meaning, put something of myself into it. I think that's what was lacking before.
My parents were perfectionists, criticising me every step of the way and it's made me afraid to express myself. Those are the shackles I feel. That's what I want to break free from. The question is, will I know what to do with this new awareness? I am still pulled back to what feels familiar so it really is a struggle I am going through.
My parents were perfectionists, criticising me every step of the way and it's made me afraid to express myself. Those are the shackles I feel. That's what I want to break free from. The question is, will I know what to do with this new awareness? I am still pulled back to what feels familiar so it really is a struggle I am going through.
written by mooaany, May 10, 2010
Aha perfectionist parents, and you making beautifully perfect art!
Come on girly go all Dali on us, I would love to see what you can do, I challenge you to show me something disjointed but still you. It will still be beautiful. You owe it to yourself to portray your freedom. Shackles with wings going north of you.
Come on girly go all Dali on us, I would love to see what you can do, I challenge you to show me something disjointed but still you. It will still be beautiful. You owe it to yourself to portray your freedom. Shackles with wings going north of you.
written by Cathy - Admin, May 11, 2010
You see how apparent my shackles are?! lol The problem is, now I'm at a loss and I don't know what to do. It feels scary but also exciting but I have no idea what I will produce now. Such a strange transition I'm going through.
written by mooaany, May 11, 2010
If you move forward you are bound to come out the other side, am I wise, or what!
written by Cathy - Admin, May 11, 2010
Haha! You're a very wise little owl mooaany. I spotted that a while back.
I just have to keep trying things. When I watched Matisse, I realised that his final destination took his entire life to achieve. He was so old and sick when he did a design for a church in which he simplified things even more. That was his final destination. It's like finding just a few words to say exactly what you mean without going around the houses. I waffle way too much! lol
I just have to keep trying things. When I watched Matisse, I realised that his final destination took his entire life to achieve. He was so old and sick when he did a design for a church in which he simplified things even more. That was his final destination. It's like finding just a few words to say exactly what you mean without going around the houses. I waffle way too much! lol
written by Cathy - Admin, May 17, 2010
I had another revelation today. My life feels pretty colorless at the moment because of our isolated circumstances. I think this is why I feel like stripping the color out of my paintings. Like Picasso had a blue period, I feel I'm having a colorless period. It never dawned on me until today how much I feel has an affect on how I paint.
written by KathysArt, May 17, 2010
Ya know that is so interesting Cathy.... so true. For a long time I painted very sad women with white backgrounds. I realized years later that the white backgrounds felt very symbolic to my life. I had a production pottery studio and so PRODUCTION was the name of the game. I had 6-8 contracted workers too but it was not enough to fill orders so I made product too. I never got away from not having to do it myself except for about one year. It was that year that I painted my "Lost at Sea" series. They all had white backgrounds. What I realized years later was that the background was significant because I had never been anywhere. I had been at a table sculpting face mugs, 120 per day for 20 years. There was really not much time to go anywhere. I felt empty... and thus white.
written by mooaany, May 17, 2010
It sounds like for both of you a journey into self was the thing. At a point in one's life thinking people have to ask themselves certain questions of why. One method of coming up with the answers (that you may think you know all along) is through our favored mode of communication with ourselves. I think there are certain things in life that trigger the need. Key is where and if you want to go.
It is a journey folks, some people need to take it, some avoid it, and some people are enamored of movement.
It is a journey folks, some people need to take it, some avoid it, and some people are enamored of movement.
written by Cathy - Admin, May 17, 2010
Yes Kathy! That's exactly it! It's so symbolic but it just hadn't dawned on me until now. Being in such an isolated place, it's like you felt. I don't see people, I don't travel and I can't even go to an exhibition to feel inspired. Thanks goodness I've got this site and you guys to keep me inspired! lol
written by Cathy - Admin, May 17, 2010
I think our posts crossed in cyber space Carmen.
It really is a journey, not just with the paintings but to understand ourselves. Knowing where you want to go is really difficult and required constant introspection. It sounds indulgent but I think as an artist it is crucial to go through these transformations. Matisse didn't know where he was going, he just kept on going and finally, at the very end of his life he felt satisfied that he had arrived at the point where he wanted to be.
It really is a journey, not just with the paintings but to understand ourselves. Knowing where you want to go is really difficult and required constant introspection. It sounds indulgent but I think as an artist it is crucial to go through these transformations. Matisse didn't know where he was going, he just kept on going and finally, at the very end of his life he felt satisfied that he had arrived at the point where he wanted to be.
written by KathysArt, May 17, 2010
It's an interesting thing about isolation... First all my years of production pottery and now...Just having moved from the Big Island of Hawaii. We moved because of the isolation of where we lived on that island and the fact there few places to go for artistic stimulation. This was true for me anyway. Now I am near many places and you would think that I would go to them. I longed and dreamed to go to these places; museums and galleries. I think a chemistry took over my soul though. Now even though these things are finally available my chemistry is still locked into isolation and I guess a certain fear of leaving my house. Gads I cannot believe my honesty here... normally this is something I have shared only with you Cathy. But since we are on this subject it deserves some dissecting. White spaces on canvas equal nothingness, and I so yearn to leave that circle of space, but my chemistry has changed and my heart has a lot to catch up with. Outside there is sunny day and I just need to convince myself that if I go out and greet it, that I will find the road to recovery. I am getting there though and I think I am because I realize it all. On step at a time, noticing the serendipity of good things. I have been lately and I can feel a part of me that died coming back... be it tiny pieces I feel a difference.
written by Cathy - Admin, June 01, 2010
Sorry Kathy, only just spotted your reply. Funny how you describe that a part of you has died inside. It's exactly how I feel being here in such isolation. I feel that if I don't get out of this place, it will be dead forever and I will stand still. I don't feel that I can reach my potential here, no one is listening anyway and I am not being stimulated other than on the internet. I need so much to get out of this place, never felt it more strongly but will I stay locked in this frame of mind? I hope not but it does take an extraordinary amount of effort to be motivated these days. The white canvas, a hole of nothing, I can relate. Stripped naked, that's how I feel. Stripped of everything vibrant that was within me, that's what isolation has done.
written by studio318, June 01, 2010
I've enjoyed the honesty and struggle here. I'm digesting all this as I reflect on my love/hate relationship to the business side of creativity. For me, I've found that I enjoy art so much more when there is no purpose, either of viewership or of potential sales. When I paint for sales, my art is not my own. I don't know how to enjoy the marketing and business side of art. It doesn't seem to match me in any place. Probably not exactly the same situation as the "white" space---but I guess I'm trying to find where my meaning is as an artist as well. When I do have opportunities to sell the art, my interest becomes tainted in some way. It's an odd thing, and I'm not sure when I'll completely understand this push pull mentality. It is a journey. Each day I feel differently, like I had Art Attention Disorder or something. Are all creative types plagued with these emotional swings? It's always nice to know we aren't alone as we find the answers.
written by KathysArt, June 01, 2010
wow.. it all feels so sad.. and yet there is something about it that I NEED in order to feel creative. Yup I think it is common.
written by KathysArt, June 01, 2010
Cathy.. you should trade houses with someone in Hawaii for a Summer or.. Go to Kauai, I have lots of art friends there. I might even be able to help find a trade. I know that ticket/airfare would be expensive.. just an idea.
written by Cathy - Admin, June 16, 2010
Kathy, wow! Hawaii, that would be amazing! Alas I don't want to give up my cats so they're a big tie. If I had someone trustworthy to give them to, I probably would, at least for a while but the French here hate cats. So sweet of you to think of this. Thank you.
Studio318, I too have a real struggle with this. I'm trying to come away from the selling part of it so that maybe I can get to enjoy the journey again. The constant pressure of having to sell to pay the bills really spoils it for me. We're trying to change things in our lives so that we can bring in money another way and give me the space to start experimenting and enjoy my art again. I probably will still sell but without the pressure, it will be so different.
Studio318, I too have a real struggle with this. I'm trying to come away from the selling part of it so that maybe I can get to enjoy the journey again. The constant pressure of having to sell to pay the bills really spoils it for me. We're trying to change things in our lives so that we can bring in money another way and give me the space to start experimenting and enjoy my art again. I probably will still sell but without the pressure, it will be so different.
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