We fired a large wood burning pottery kiln last weekend. We were able to get to high temperature but we did not hold it in reduction (make kiln smoke) for couple days so I hear that there is little color. If so most will have to be refired. What we learned:
I am going to be selling prints of three of my paintings using TikTok shop starting later this week. The paintings I have selected is a series of paintings of sheds and barns that I did just after my recovery from illness.
I spent past weekend helping my daughter move back from Brooklyn to Philly. I think Brooklyn is in her future. New York is such a fabulous place and Brooklyn in the summertime has an overwhelming positive vibe#
I am starting to get a morning routine of painting. Occasionally friends will send me links to artist that they think I would appreciate. I wasn't familiar with Chaim's work prior but I was immediately struck by how he uses squiggly lines in his landscapes. Here is link to to YouTube about what makes Chaim such a inspiring artist. There is a lot in his work that I relate to in mine. https://youtu.be/GUZioCQntLk?si=ueGS_oS-c9d-8bcw#
Watching video about Chaim inspired me to try and finish painting of horse and rider that I have been working on for couple days which is usually my max time before I put something away temporarily or for good. Here is link to today's effort https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRWTPU8P/#
What is that quest, that itch, that need to perform something outside oneself. The desire to be seen, heard. Is it over once it's over or is it just beginning to become something more human. When I paint it's not the destination, the result ,the product that I see or even want to see. It's the pure joy of picking up clay or a brush in a moment of curiosity that reveals itself in wonderful suspension of disbelief.
There are all these crazy examples of mass and energy interacting such as binary black holes and excretion disks and highspeed jets that black holes throw millions of miles across space. Cosmic filaments that seem to appear around black holes and vast regions of nothing. Where nothing or at least not very very much happens.
Here is an article on universe in New York Times. If the Times says it's so it must be is amorphism uttered by my parents in regards to acceptance pf opinions and facts in their day. Previously, I am sure, reported here is overview of issue with a twist. The author alludes to something's up with discrepancies in science describing creation of the universe. Here is opinion article from New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/02/opinion/cosmology-crisis-webb-telescope.html #
Today's Artist
Austyn Liston
Austyn is an art teacher from Los Angeles and teaches art to young people. I love his observations from perspective I normally don't hear, young, urbanite. On TikTok follow Austyn at https://www.tiktok.com/@austynliston/video/7266897343738514734?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7272465388813518342#
Had a chance to visit the wood kiln this week. Made a small gnome like structure reminded me of story about Kurt Vonnegut who was the only celebrity to reply to high school email asking for visit. Instead of visit he wrote letter talking about how art is really just an expression of our true self. How the artist sees themselves in whatever, song, photograph, painting, dance.#
Coming Soon, Tik Tok Store to purchase prints of my artwork as Mixtiles for affordable prices. #
Today's Artist
Jim West
Sculpture
I am going to try and do this daily where I highlight an artist on TikTok that needs or deserves some TikTokLove I was poking around and came upon Jim's TikTok account. As an aspiring sculpture I can tell class and accomplishment when I see it. I was amazed that this great sculpture was on tiktok with just a few followers. So follow Jim. I am not sure if or when he'll post more content but I want to know more. Don't you? Here is Jim's web site https://www.jimwestsculptor.com/work/the-work And this is his TikTok account https://www.tiktok.com/@jimwestsculptor?_t=8ex2wDQmAzz&_r=1
Thinking a lot this morning on the intersection of art and social media. One of my pet rants is how technology expanded music uptake while killing the visual arts. Due to how the technology works music was perfect vehicle for exploring computers as digital stereos. What they lacked in quality they made up for in range and convenience. Unfortunately, digital art, in my opinion, how not yet reached a jump off point. But, we may be getting close.
Computer screens unlike large glossy magazines are not enjoyable for viewing visual art works -- or at least they weren't until mobile phone's became large and clear enough to display art in such a way that people would enjoy it. Are we there yet? I don't know. And, I am going to explore this here a bit later (to be continued)
Today's TikTok post is for Finished Art Friday is a print I did using Mixtiles app that takes a picture and turns it into a light weight, reusable framed picture that are easy to sell and hang. MixTiles https://www.mixtiles.com/#
Some links for today
If you are thinking about starting a newletter for your community here is good real world example of what it takes at least in sports marketing Link NeimanLab https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/08/whats-it-take-to-make-a-great-daily-newsletter-axios-kendall-baker-is-planning-to-bring-one-to-yahoo-sports/
Interested in history are art from perspective of young, hip LA art teacher check out Austyn Liston on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@austynliston?_t=8ewcUXwauh1&_r=1#
This morning I feel I may be sniffing bit of change in my output. Recently I have been just cranking it out . . . grinding, if you will, making paintings and sharing them with small number of fellow artist on TikTok. I have enjoyed this immensely and would love nothing more than to continue.#
But, I don't know if its because been on long stretch (thankfully) of sustained, high level output where strokes just flow effortlessly. And, best part was inspiration was just a constant easy-going affair.#
Unfortunately, that may all be coming to a screeching end.#
Nothing shapes our experience of reality, and nothing limits it, more than our frames of reference. Every transcendent achievement of perspective is the product of a shift in the frame of reference, as is the hard-earned glory of maturity.#
Few artists have recognized this more clearly and made of that recognition a more enchanting plaything than M.C. Escher (June 17, 1898–March 17, 1972)#
Good article to read on artist MC Escher. https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/11/15/escher-creativity/#
This painting as all paintings are was an experiment. I bought a painting from thrift store and gessoed over the original which was a stretch digitally printed landscape. It was nicely framed. The canvas is not the best but for $5 I achieved my goal. Lesson, buy based on quality of canvas not frame.#
I have a tough time putting names to paintings. Usually I name them after songs that I listened to when I created the piece. What I like about this piece is I increased size of my brush strokes to good effect. Creating this painting was bit of up and down love / hate as they all are. This is first one I did from underpainting through completion documenting it in 3 or 4 TikToks. I like underpainting as it brings discipline to my thought process and brush strokes. I must keep reminding myself it's just a sketch as I tend to get carried away. I like the women's eyes (at least the red one on right) I love the guys face especially his lips and love the composition using color of the guy set back bit on left.#
I hope you enjoy it.#
Jeff and I are from the same hometown York, Pa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_York_race_riot Jeff and I are about the same age. Jeff went to high school mere miles from my high school. That's the similarities. The differences? Jeff is a famous artist. I am . . . not.#
TikTok combines two of my great loves music and art in an easy to use *produce and consume" experience for the user. The TikTok discovery algorithm seems to effortlessly grow connections between people with same interests.#
It seems like TikTok is one good way to build small communities of like minded people.#
maybe you have pieces you want to fire.#
maybe you just want to come and see it.#
Well I'll just keep on plugging away for now. As an artist I reach this point with a painting too many times before. Where you are sick of it and just want to move on. I usually put them aside sometimes for just mintues or hours and then sometimes they stay in discard pile forever.#
I guess I am starting a new canvas.#
We fired a large wood burning pottery kiln last weekend. We were able to get to high temperature but we did not hold it in reduction (make kiln smoke) for couple days so I hear that there is little color. If so most will have to be refired. What we learned:
I am going to be selling prints of three of my paintings using TikTok shop starting later this week. The paintings I have selected is a series of paintings of sheds and barns that I did just after my recovery from illness.
I spent past weekend helping my daughter move back from Brooklyn to Philly. I think Brooklyn is in her future. New York is such a fabulous place and Brooklyn in the summertime has an overwhelming positive vibe#
I am starting to get a morning routine of painting. Occasionally friends will send me links to artist that they think I would appreciate. I wasn't familiar with Chaim's work prior but I was immediately struck by how he uses squiggly lines in his landscapes. Here is link to to YouTube about what makes Chaim such a inspiring artist. There is a lot in his work that I relate to in mine. https://youtu.be/GUZioCQntLk?si=ueGS_oS-c9d-8bcw#
Watching video about Chaim inspired me to try and finish painting of horse and rider that I have been working on for couple days which is usually my max time before I put something away temporarily or for good. Here is link to today's effort https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPRWTPU8P/#
What is that quest, that itch, that need to perform something outside oneself. The desire to be seen, heard. Is it over once it's over or is it just beginning to become something more human. When I paint it's not the destination, the result ,the product that I see or even want to see. It's the pure joy of picking up clay or a brush in a moment of curiosity that reveals itself in wonderful suspension of disbelief.
There are all these crazy examples of mass and energy interacting such as binary black holes and excretion disks and highspeed jets that black holes throw millions of miles across space. Cosmic filaments that seem to appear around black holes and vast regions of nothing. Where nothing or at least not very very much happens.
Here is an article on universe in New York Times. If the Times says it's so it must be is amorphism uttered by my parents in regards to acceptance pf opinions and facts in their day. Previously, I am sure, reported here is overview of issue with a twist. The author alludes to something's up with discrepancies in science describing creation of the universe. Here is opinion article from New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/02/opinion/cosmology-crisis-webb-telescope.html #
Today's Artist
Austyn Liston
Austyn is an art teacher from Los Angeles and teaches art to young people. I love his observations from perspective I normally don't hear, young, urbanite. On TikTok follow Austyn at https://www.tiktok.com/@austynliston/video/7266897343738514734?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7272465388813518342#
Had a chance to visit the wood kiln this week. Made a small gnome like structure reminded me of story about Kurt Vonnegut who was the only celebrity to reply to high school email asking for visit. Instead of visit he wrote letter talking about how art is really just an expression of our true self. How the artist sees themselves in whatever, song, photograph, painting, dance.#
Coming Soon, Tik Tok Store to purchase prints of my artwork as Mixtiles for affordable prices. #
Today's Artist
Jim West
Sculpture
I am going to try and do this daily where I highlight an artist on TikTok that needs or deserves some TikTokLove I was poking around and came upon Jim's TikTok account. As an aspiring sculpture I can tell class and accomplishment when I see it. I was amazed that this great sculpture was on tiktok with just a few followers. So follow Jim. I am not sure if or when he'll post more content but I want to know more. Don't you? Here is Jim's web site https://www.jimwestsculptor.com/work/the-work And this is his TikTok account https://www.tiktok.com/@jimwestsculptor?_t=8ex2wDQmAzz&_r=1
Thinking a lot this morning on the intersection of art and social media. One of my pet rants is how technology expanded music uptake while killing the visual arts. Due to how the technology works music was perfect vehicle for exploring computers as digital stereos. What they lacked in quality they made up for in range and convenience. Unfortunately, digital art, in my opinion, how not yet reached a jump off point. But, we may be getting close.
Computer screens unlike large glossy magazines are not enjoyable for viewing visual art works -- or at least they weren't until mobile phone's became large and clear enough to display art in such a way that people would enjoy it. Are we there yet? I don't know. And, I am going to explore this here a bit later (to be continued)
Today's TikTok post is for Finished Art Friday is a print I did using Mixtiles app that takes a picture and turns it into a light weight, reusable framed picture that are easy to sell and hang. MixTiles https://www.mixtiles.com/#
Some links for today
If you are thinking about starting a newletter for your community here is good real world example of what it takes at least in sports marketing Link NeimanLab https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/08/whats-it-take-to-make-a-great-daily-newsletter-axios-kendall-baker-is-planning-to-bring-one-to-yahoo-sports/
Interested in history are art from perspective of young, hip LA art teacher check out Austyn Liston on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@austynliston?_t=8ewcUXwauh1&_r=1#
This morning I feel I may be sniffing bit of change in my output. Recently I have been just cranking it out . . . grinding, if you will, making paintings and sharing them with small number of fellow artist on TikTok. I have enjoyed this immensely and would love nothing more than to continue.#
But, I don't know if its because been on long stretch (thankfully) of sustained, high level output where strokes just flow effortlessly. And, best part was inspiration was just a constant easy-going affair.#
Unfortunately, that may all be coming to a screeching end.#
Nothing shapes our experience of reality, and nothing limits it, more than our frames of reference. Every transcendent achievement of perspective is the product of a shift in the frame of reference, as is the hard-earned glory of maturity.#
Few artists have recognized this more clearly and made of that recognition a more enchanting plaything than M.C. Escher (June 17, 1898–March 17, 1972)#
Good article to read on artist MC Escher. https://www.themarginalian.org/2022/11/15/escher-creativity/#
This painting as all paintings are was an experiment. I bought a painting from thrift store and gessoed over the original which was a stretch digitally printed landscape. It was nicely framed. The canvas is not the best but for $5 I achieved my goal. Lesson, buy based on quality of canvas not frame.#
I have a tough time putting names to paintings. Usually I name them after songs that I listened to when I created the piece. What I like about this piece is I increased size of my brush strokes to good effect. Creating this painting was bit of up and down love / hate as they all are. This is first one I did from underpainting through completion documenting it in 3 or 4 TikToks. I like underpainting as it brings discipline to my thought process and brush strokes. I must keep reminding myself it's just a sketch as I tend to get carried away. I like the women's eyes (at least the red one on right) I love the guys face especially his lips and love the composition using color of the guy set back bit on left.#
I hope you enjoy it.#
Jeff and I are from the same hometown York, Pa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_York_race_riot Jeff and I are about the same age. Jeff went to high school mere miles from my high school. That's the similarities. The differences? Jeff is a famous artist. I am . . . not.#
TikTok combines two of my great loves music and art in an easy to use *produce and consume" experience for the user. The TikTok discovery algorithm seems to effortlessly grow connections between people with same interests.#
It seems like TikTok is one good way to build small communities of like minded people.#
maybe you have pieces you want to fire.#
maybe you just want to come and see it.#
Well I'll just keep on plugging away for now. As an artist I reach this point with a painting too many times before. Where you are sick of it and just want to move on. I usually put them aside sometimes for just mintues or hours and then sometimes they stay in discard pile forever.#
I guess I am starting a new canvas.#