The arts matter - and so does drawing crowds

Differences of opinion are what makes the world of art so wonderfully, beautifully diverse! While I like that image you posted, it just doesn't really grab me.

What most fascinates me in art is color and light -- in fact, I always say that if it weren't for color, I wouldn't paint at all (I leave it to the judgment of others whether or not I am an artist-- I am certain, however, that I am a painter. ;)) So, I am most drawn to those artists who I feel are doing the most interesting and creative things with color, like California artist Camille Przewodek ( http://www.przewodek.com/ )

Secondarily, I am becoming more and more fascinated with the perfect brushstroke-- for which Sargent is so noted and celebrated, at least by other artists. I can't think of a contemporary western artist who I study for this reason, but the best I know of is Richard Schmid ( http://www.richardschmid.com/ ) Also, if you don't have it, his book "Alla Prima" is fabulous-- I re-read it every year or two.

I know what you mean about the emptiness of most abstract art-- to me, it just seems to exclude humans, as though we were of no importance. That's why I call it nihilistic. It just seems dead. I used to feel when I went to a museum or gallery that I had to look at everything, to study it all, because the very fact that it got hung on the wall meant that it was good, or important, or meaningful and that I needed to understand it. But as I've gone deeper and deeper into both my own painting and the study of art down through time, I've lost that belief. Now I just sail on past, maybe chuckle or snort, and spend all of my time on the good stuff. That's unkind of me, though, since I'm not sure if that de-humanized stuff is really a clever con, or if it's actually an expression of profound despair. Francis Schaeffer believed the latter.

I am not a professional artist either but I do take commissions occasionally. I am too lazy to want to be pleasing people all the time. I do dog portraits and other animals. I have been drawing, painting and taking classes and workshops for 25 years. I have watched students come and go during that time and the ones who decided to go abstract always seem to be the ones who can't draw very well. I think it is a cop out. Drawing is what I do best, it is the painting that is hard. LOL

I'm not sure if that de-humanized stuff is really a clever con, or if it's actually an expression of profound despair.

Your comment about nihilism is perfect. And I think they do feel dispair. How about the Democrats now? Most of them feel dispair, eh? Is it just the cool attitude or an easy out? I always tell my students (when dealing with Matisse) that his works looks really easy but that it's not easy to make happy works. It is easier through life to pout and sulk, or to have a positive attitude? I maintain that it is harder to have the latter...but that it is far better.

I don't really love Aponovich's work. I just put it up there as an example of fine realism. Haven't checked all those wonderful web sites yet. Will do that now.

hi all,

i just wanted to comment on this even though i know the thread is dead and gone. i wanted to talk about something that is really important to me personally; the relationship between young modern art and being conservative.

i can completely understand why alot of modern art turns conservative people off. it is the domain of very pretentious people, it often shows no obvious proof of talent and it is completely saturated with leftists.

and i also cant begin to tell you how isolated i feel in this crowd with the conservative beliefs that i have!

but to me, the most important thing is that we are losing this culture war, and one of the most effective ways to influence young people is through art; modern art, trendy art and pop-art. its just a fact. these people have ENORMOUS influence on youth culture. i wish there was a conservative group that funded art targeting this demographic and that i could find fellow conservatives interested in funding projects. i would especilly like to meet conservative artists. film and video works are extremely popular right now and i dont even think there is a presence among conservative artists in this area. when you think of where the money comes from, its mainly only left wing groups interested in funding;they know that the money they spend reaches lot of young people. organizations that fund the arts gets regular newspaper coverage through the openings thhat are covered in the press.

i just wish that i could explain this problem more thoroughly. i see a really big opportunity and would like to know if there are any other people out there who feel the same way and are frustrated by this complete domination by the liberals of all the arts institutes, small galleries and centers of arts and culture.

i really respect more traditonal forms of art. i also believe that we cant forget about the more experimental areas of art that we're way way way behind in. cant we combine the traditions we so respect with the modern technology and the excitement that is just a sign of our times? i dunno. i would really appreciate your feeback on this.

very best
-e

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