From Functional to Fantasy

Clay. Wow. Interesting what I can do with it, right?

I Paint, Therefore I am.

It's been a while since I wrote a blog post about my life as an artist. No excuses, just living with blocks, burn-out, and every other pedestrian cop-out for stepping aside from my blog. Realistically, I fill my mind with so many images, so many concepts, that I get overwhelmed and stuck in the maze. And I start to cook something. Like food. Ah yes, a new year approaches. 2018. Wow. That was fast. I think I should make a resolution to create, post, blog, write, pot, paint, repeat. So you have my word on this, I will be back. If not with a vengeance, at least with a tweet, a post, an image, a comment or some other vacuous social media interaction. No really. I will be back. (Pardon me, Arnold). Wishing you all a happy and healthy and art-filled 2018.

Ramblings from a Sketchbook

Ramblings from a Sketchbook

After posting blog entries with the "finished" product, I thought it was a good opportunity to go back in time. I am not a fan of process as I have mentioned on many occasions. Rarely, do I lose myself in the actual task at hand. Yes, that's right. My art is a task, and I am a reluctant taskmaster. In other words... fearful of the final outcome of my hand and heart.

When I thought about the actual pleasure derived from decades of producing art, I reverted to looking through my many sketchbooks. A tribute to the real freedom and outpouring of the artistic construct -without hesitation. Without thought of opinion, judgement and critique of  anyone other than myself (and sometimes my art teacher).

Shockingly good, I thought after turning pages. The earlier the sketch, the more I liked the piece. Does that mean that the less trepidation I was feeling about laying down an image, the better the work? All the knowledge I have gained has coloured (excuse me) my ability to really paint or pot with reckless abandon. Is that a good thing? Who knows. Early work is rarely superior to a mature eye and hand. But tell me. Are not these sketches powerful, emotive and meaningful?

But it's too late. You can't go home. Or back to your initial instinct in art. My head is filled with unabashed fodder- educated and cemented in years of lectures and published how to's. The drive to be free is still there but tempered somewhat. Art education is critical- I always say that deconstruction can only be achieved when the parameters of formality of technique are firmly in place.

Happily, my sketchbooks make me feel successful, talented and confident- momentarily,but I can always go there with these overstuffed, private and dog-eared journals of my travels in art.

When "Untitled" is Appropriate

Untitled- Mixed Media on Gallery Canvas 3'x4'

When I first set out to paint a sizable expressionist abstract piece, I had planned to work instinctively. Most artists know that there should be a modicum of a vision. Otherwise a primate could paint (yes, I know they do). As I choose my palette, I did make some hard decisions. It should have some depth. It should have some lights, some very lights. And then, it should be textured because that's who I am. Textured. Yes, rough parts, soft parts, the dark side, and the exquisite bright. My life in paint mirrors reality. 

Off I go, brushes in hand, fabric, water, paint, an apple beside me, because I think I will eat something at some point. But I never do. Hours go by, I am so covered in medium to make the papers and the fabric adhere to the canvas. My back is hurting as usual. But I never stop to breathe.  And once done, I stand back and glow with pride because I covered a large canvas and it is awesome. For me, anyway. When I show it to my daughter's boyfriend, he asks, "what inspired you?". And the question makes me laugh. (Artists will get this).

So the only question left is the name of the piece. I realize that only the viewer can make that decision. I have made too many decisions creating it. Now it is your call. I call it "Untitled". 

IT IS ART. AND IT POURS TEA BEAUTIFULLY

Porcelain Tea Set- 4 Pieces. $500 Can.

One of my forays into painting came from the inability to explain why craft can be art. Functional craft is rarely considered in the same elevated stratus as other forms of art.

 Correct.

 It takes some real talent and understanding of form and function, chemistry,technique, style, firing and on and on to create this tea set. It is an accomplishment of a number of skill sets as well as creativity and originality. And yet, it is just a tea set after all. How can it be art?

I  no longer care to argue the case of craft versus art. All I can do is make beautiful objects which are permanent, one-of -a-kind, and artful. The obvious resolution is integral to my art and my craft. If I say so, it is. ART.

High Fire Porcelain Tea Set by Hannah Reim

And it pours beautifully.