If there's a problem, fix it

Art is the opposite of math and other studies. There is no one answer and yet there are

many problems. Once you solve one  you often create another. Abstract art is challenging in 

that it is so personal and primal.The rules are the same. You have to pull all the elements of art

together in one piece; composition, color, value, line, pattern, balance, rhythm....... easy, right?

My experience has been that abstract art is not easier, it is actually harder. You are not trying to render a scene, still life, or model as they appear in front of you. You are trying to reinterpret them

in another language entirely, your language. Another way many abstract artists work is entirely from their imagination and intuition.

If you don't have a knowledge of abstract art it is easy to dismiss it. Despite my art education

and exposure to the arts I did not understand it until I took an abstract painting class with

Norma Mutch.  Art feels so much more expansive. My painting alternates between the two worlds of abstraction and realism. When I go to museums and galleries the experience

doubles in richness. Photography still feels like an integral part of my process but even that is 

changing. 

Charlie's Tree

9/6/18

I woke up at 5:45, brewed my french press and brought my a asian mug
out to my favorite chaise. The morning was cloudy yet as I sat looking over
at my neighbors yard I noticed the trunk of her tree was glowing an orangey
red. It was so incredible I felt like I was seeing things. I grabbed my camera
to see if I could capture it . Moments later it was gone. It felt so powerfully
like Charlie was in that tree; glowing and shining his light on me and telling
me he was happy.

The morning after he died I was sitting on the same chaise weeping and the
tiniest dragon fly landed on my knee and stayed there for a long, long time.
I wasn't totally sure about that but I am totally sure about this. On a cloudy
day with no sun this tree was GLOWING ! My Charlie bear, my love, shining
his light

on me. Nature is my greatest healer. That tree will always be
my " Charlie Tree "

Why do artists charge so much for their work?

Twenty five years ago I walked into the Lange Miller Gallery with my mother.

The building was old with tall ceilings, wide pine floors and the space was

flooded with light. The first thing I saw was a 5 by 5 ft oil painting

of peonies, tulips, a chair, pears and an empty white plate. The painting was a

riot of color and it literally stopped me in my tracks. I stood there completely

transfixed for 5 minutes, saying over and over, "Mum, look at this, can you believe it?'

I could barely breathe and I knew I was experiencing something profound.

My mother quietly went into the back of the gallery and told the artist, Janvier Miller,

she was buying the painting for me. It was $5000- and it was "my birthday present for

the rest of my life" It was the first real painting I ever owned.

Most mornings I have my coffee with this painting. It is like a muse of sorts. I never

love it less. At the time, $ 5000- seemed like a lot of money but now I truly understand

"why artists charge so much for their art " The response to that question, which was

asked of me a few days ago, will be my next blog.