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I am but a student
Steve, I could not agree with you more. It is like you say that art comes about when the heart and the hands/mind work together. Happy accidents are just that happy accidents.
I have found that by doing master copies I can learn much. I not only benefit from their skill but from their faults as well. I think that at times one can get so engrossed in a painting, when doing a copy, we tend not to notice what is amiss. Sure it takes much time and study to be able to see these things, of which I am but a babe, but it is there for the discerning eye.
When I was at the academy and I was on my first charcoal cast, while in the finishing stages, the face of Michaelangelo's David, I was asked to render the background perfectly smooth. When I thought that I had accomplished what was asked of me the instructor came by and by example afforded me in a 1" square what I was to accomplish. In my minds eye what I have accomplished with the background was perfect and it was but there was more to learn. At that moment, I could not understand why I must refine the background to such a degree of perfection. It was later that I understood and began to appreciate the benefit of such understanding. Then again having the understanding is one thing being able to use what you understand is what takes time and lot of hard work.
When I hear the words like "oooo you have it so easy just siting around drawing and doodling" I laugh for they have no idea. No one does! unless you have walked the walk. That is why today I can honestly say I can just scratch the surface and appreciate the work of the old masters and a few of the masters of today.
So, let us not forget the old saying, we can learn much even from the mistakes of others.
Enzie, you have put it all in a nut shell. That is exactly what it is all about. If one exemplifies the qualities the public will beet a path to your door. Sure one needs to let the public know that you are available and exhibitions are good but the best advertisement is word of mouth. Even though word of moth is best advertisement but remember it can be ones worst enemy. So, let us do our best and strive for nothing short of excellence.
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