Opinions

Subject: Re: Opinions Thu May 19, 2011 6:59 am

Isn't that what art is supposed to do...convey the artist's mood, feelings, etc.?

I think you're doing a great job!

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun May 22, 2011 3:06 pm

Ditto what Donna wrote. I think art should reflect the feelings of the artist. I'm so sorry about your depression, but I hope expressing it in your art helps in some way.

Sharabella wrote:: Truthfully, my depression has made it hard for me to paint anything lately, but when I try, it seems to end up in grayed or brown washes.

So, this is kind of like your version of Picasso's "Blue Period" maybe? I'm not an art expert, but that's what this statement made me think of.

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun May 22, 2011 3:50 pm

I have an artist friend who went (and continues to at times) go through depressive periods. The will and motivation to paint disappeared temporarily for her, Shar. Don't let that happen to you, regardless of the subject or colours you use.

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:40 pm

Well, vacation's over, so it's time to bring forth my dead. The old people version of what did you do on your summer vacation.

I painted, or at least I tried to paint. Tried is the operative word here.

First I tried this:

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Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:44 pm

Then this:

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Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Jul 17, 2011 5:56 pm

Then this:

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I think I'm tired of boats.

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Jul 17, 2011 6:23 pm

Nice. What's wrong with boats?

Subject: Re: Opinions Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:09 pm

You have a gift, Shara.

Subject: Re: Opinions Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:17 am

Clever girl.

I envy you your skill.

Subject: Re: Opinions Tue Jul 19, 2011 8:28 am

I wish I had a lot more skill. Nothing ever comes even close to the image in my head when I start a painting.

Subject: Re: Opinions Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:38 am

You get a lot closer than most of us.

Nice boats. I like the rope details on the sails.

Subject: Re: Opinions Sat Jul 30, 2011 7:13 pm

I guess there's just no accounting for taste. Of the last batch of boats I painted, this is the one that sold. (I didn't even like it enough to post it here.) I took a portfolio to work to show a friend (the one that sells them in her booth in the fall) to see what she thought and one of the managers was looking over our shoulders. He said "how much are you going to ask for them". My buddy said Fifty apiece after she mats them. He said that there was no way it was getting away from him at that price and ask if I would take a check. I would. So I made $50 for an unmatted watercolor.

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This is a photo and really only shows the center of the picture. Color is off quite a bit and it has a lot more sky and another small boat in the distance.

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Jul 31, 2011 7:42 am

I'm happy you're making some money on your art.

Looks a bit like a boat race. The suggestions of sails are quite interesting. There are many things to look at.

What do you dislike about it?

Subject: Re: Opinions Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:55 pm

I think your work is great. I love the way it lets the imagination fly. These paintings could be anywhere in the world. Kudos, sharabella!

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:01 pm

This is my latest large one. Barns in the snow seem to come easy for me. Probably because you really don 't have to paint the snow part.

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Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:31 pm

Nice!

When you're painting, do you talk about putting in "happy little trees"?

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:03 pm

Feels empty. Like no one's home. Pretty, but stark.

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:12 pm

LegoJulie wrote:: Feels empty. Like no one's home. Pretty, but stark.

That could be the depression coming through.

No Donna. As you well know, even in a good mood, I do not paint freaking "happy little trees" Blah

Subject: Re: Opinions Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:57 pm

Sharabella wrote:: That could be the depression coming through.

My depression? I don't feel depressed, but terrified these wild fires are going go come near enough to me to do damage.

You mean your depression? Why are you depressed? Cool weather is coming.

Happy little trees? Trees around here ain't happy, whatever their size.

Subject: Re: Opinions Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:44 am

It takes a lot of skill to do what you do, Sharabella. Thank you for sharing.

Donna, I remember that guy! When I was a kid I used to watch him on TV and want to paint too. I was always so amazed at how quickly and easily he could paint what he did. He had really curly hair, almost like an afro, didn't he? I think it was red or redish. And he was all sweet and Mr. Merry Sunshine. "Let's add a happy little tree over here." And in like a matter of seconds he would have this perfect tree.

Subject: Re: Opinions Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:38 pm

OK, I am now properly humbled. I promised a friend a little painting of a fox. Easy, right?
Wrong. Everything came out looking like a cartoon. She was happy, but I ain't gonna do no more critters------maybe.

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Or even worse.

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Subject: Re: Opinions Tue Oct 25, 2011 12:48 pm

That's one fat fox, but still obviously a fox. The eyes look too much like people eyes. Don't foxes turn white in the snow? Or is that just a few species?

You drew some pretty nice critters before.

Subject: Re: Opinions Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:08 pm

It's not bad, Shara.

Subject: Re: Opinions Wed Oct 26, 2011 4:23 am

Shar, I like the first one a great deal even if Monsieur Le Fox is on the puffy side. It's the size of the face (too small) in the second one that is odd. Fab eyeliner, though!

Subject: Re: Opinions Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:52 am

I could have drawn them without a problem. It's trying to paint them that messed me up. The "fur" just kept getting bigger and bigger. They look more like fat red wolves.

Julie, I think only arctic foxes turn white. One of them would have been much easier to paint, (and prettier) but it wasn't what she wanted.