Motivation

Henry Wienhold · 04-01-2004, 12:50 PM

To me painting just feels right, I know I'm in the right place. It's a connection deep within, and rather difficult to put into words. Possibly words aren't sufficent enough to describe my experience with painting, or my love for it.

I'm in competition with no one but myself when I paint. I challenge myself to improve, to try new ideas and concepts. The work of other artists past and present provide me with the fuel and inspiration to keep moving forward.

The goals that I have set for myself are quite difficult to accomplish and hard to achieve, but thats what I like about painting portraits and creating fine art. It's the difficulty, the hard that makes it good and worthwhile. If it was easy I would probably put down my brushes and quit.

To be able to work at something you love and get paid for your service is a blessing. The icing on the cake is when a client is totaly satisfied with the finished portrait, and you have given them something of value and signifigance.

Leslie Ficcaglia · 04-01-2004, 08:30 PM

There are many activities which absorb me but none which results in such a wonderful product as painting. When my studio was upstairs in our son's old bedroom I could wander past, go in to take a quick look at the current work, and find myself many hours later, painting away. Now that my studio is across the driveway I have to make a more conscious effort to fight inertia and get over there. It's so easy to be sidetracked by the computer, a good book, or even housework. I do not have a strict schedule for myself because days are often taken up with meetings or other obligations. Recently I had three commissions going at once - a first for me - so I needed to make time to put in more hours than usual. It was a very good feeling to be so immersed in the creative process.

I agree with Henry - to be able to be paid to do something you love is a privilege indeed!

Patricia Joyce · 04-02-2004, 10:53 AM

I am still so new at this that every drawing is a revelation for me. Many times as the drawing is developing, my mind is in awe. "Is it really me creating this??!" I, too, have the experience of complete wonder and total surge of joy when the person rises out of the paper, right before my eyes. The drawing catches that twinkle in the eye, or the softness of personality, the soft curve of her neck, the pride in his shoulders, etc.

However, cast next to the sunshine of this joy is the shadow colored with envy and sadness. At 48 I have lost so many years. It is often hard to read of other's lives, those my age and much younger, who have had formal training, and years of working on their craft.

So, TIME is my great motivator. I want the chance, yet in my life, to live at doing art full time, perhaps even support myself with my art (or find a rich patron to support me so I can do my art!! As in the days of yore!!) I suffer from arthritis and worry that my TIME is so limited, yet I have to work to support myself, with little left over for pursuit of my first love!

But, mostly, I am grateful and thankful to my Creator, for yet the chance to develop His gift.

Michele Rushworth · 04-02-2004, 11:17 AM

Quote:

However, cast next to the sunshine of this joy is the shadow colored with envy and sadness. At 48 I have lost so many years.

I just finished reading a novel in which one of the characters is a jazz musician, who played with ferocious intensity. The reason for this is that he came to music so late in his life. His motto was "Never stop making up for lost time."

Patricia Joyce · 04-02-2004, 11:55 AM

Thanks, Michele,

I love it! Might print it large and post in my studio!! By the way, thank you for mentioning the Frye Museum in Seattle. We visited it last Friday on our 1/2 day in the city and I was so impressed with the collection. Even the kids enjoyed many of the paintings and especially the illustrations in the first section of the museum.

I was suprised to see the two Bouguereau's, one at the peak of his career and the other at the end of his life. The last piece was almost impressionistic because he was so impaired by his eyesight and I would imagine control of the paintbrush and mediums. But still an amazing painting. I spent quite awhile studying them both.

I guess the desire, the drive to create art lasts until the end of our life. I was in a gallery in Key West last year was taken with some ceramic tile mosaics. They were figures painted over a series of tiles and just so beautiful and expressive. In this extensive gallery, the piece also caught my friend, Jack's eye. We learned the work was by a local artist. She has lived in the Keys for many many years, inependantly. She was in her late 80's!!!

One of my art instructors brought in a slide of an exquisite portrait. He told us that this gentleman's work keeps improving, year after year, but he had recently experienced a true leap in quality of work. He is 88 years old!

There's hope for me!!!

Michele Rushworth · 04-02-2004, 03:02 PM

Glad you liked the Frye. Sorry I wasn't able to join you that day. Aren't those Bouguereau's great!

Geary Wootten · 04-02-2004, 08:52 PM

OH....MY......GOSH!

You guys! My wife and I JUST returned from downtown Seattle where we spent 2 hours at the FRYE museum!!

How cool is this? I think I hear the theme song from The Twilight Zone!

I've only visited the museum like 6 times in the 6 years we've lived here. When we lived in San Francisco we went all the time to the Palace of the Legion of Honor where a Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer and William Bouguereau all have little tear stains on the floor in front of them where I stood a few times.

The Sheperdess......wow! I took my glasses off and got to within 2 inches of the brush strokes all over that piece. Holy mackerel.....what a smooth technique that was applied on what looked like the finest linen I've ever seen! Those soft, muted olive undertones, the cool blue middle tones, the perfectly blended dashes of orange hues in exactly the right spots.........just takes your breath away.

Then, like you mentioned Patricia, "In The Woods" (two sisters) in his 70s at the end of his life, with atherosclerosis and diabetes impeding his limbs.....and cataracts in his eyes, barely able to see what he was doing......oh, my. What can you say? Such a genuine lover of the figurative art and the best draftsman at his craft that's ever existed. He's now becoming my newest hero......right beside Rembrandt and Rubens.

Now THIS.....is motivation! Whew......'scuse me.....I have to go paint something.

-Gear

Geary Wootten · 04-05-2004, 12:17 AM

Patricia,

I would like to further reply and add a "side car" onto your concern. I'm 52 and even though I'm just now planning to go on my own as a full timer I did have some formal training years and years ago. However I feel what you are saying about the concern of moving out in our "second adulthood"....as I call it.

I very recently suffered a heart attack and I would like to paste a note that was sent to me by an acquaintance who was wishing me well.

<< Was watching a show the other night on CNN about the oldest practising lawyer in the USA who is still practising law at the ripe old age of 107 i beleive.

When he was asked what the biggest factor he attributed to living so long was -- He said it was because he had a massive heart attack at age 53.. This was a wake up call for him he said-- to live and laugh --eat healthy-- exercise every day faithfully-- ,and most important of all he said was manage his stress levels -- not allow stress in his life at all -- He said the best and happiest years of his life have been the years following his heart attack.

Why do i mention this? Because I hope the very same for you. I guess i know the emotional recovery is often tougher than the physical part of recovery-- . Wishing you the best Geary -- hope you have a very speedy recovery Best Wishes >>

Best Regards,
Geary

Kimberly Dow · 04-05-2004, 12:45 AM

I have many motivations, but it simply comes down to one thing really. I cannot NOT paint and be a happy person. My family insists I paint or I am not as nice a mother, wife, friend, etc.

I have never gone long without painting - I knew I would be an artist when I was about 5 I think. But, the few times I have (like after c-sections and such) - I was such an unhappy person and it translated down to the family. What's that saying? If momma ain't happy...nobody is?

I have tried doing other things..I even managed an Italian restaurant on a beach in St Thomas the US Virgin Islands...the money was wonderful, but I only lasted 8 months before I had a melt down. This is the ONLY way to go. I have no idea who said it, but I heard an artist (or read...maybe even here) say to someone asking about making a living at art: "If you can do anything else and be happy, do it. If you cant be happy unless you do this, then you have to." That is my motto - this is it - there are no other choices.