artist 'blues'

[Jackie]

After reading about school and health problems I realize that my problem now is small taters...but....

As you all know Emily is in an ARTS program where she primarily paints. About a year ago there were some staffing changes and one of the really creative people went on to grad school. Emily's paintings have changed with the change of staff. Before she used mostly pure colors (as I have done for years and years) but now they are trying to take her up a notch and getting her to mix her own. This may serve a purpose as far as educating her in art methods but to me it has resulted in many 'muddy' almost depressing compositions. Also it appears that whoever helped her compose her 'story' canvases with pictures taken from her sketch books is no longer doing this and she is just painting flowers and circles and butterfiles over and over again.

Yesterday I spoke to the head honcho asking her if Emily could do a painting to donate for the NDSC silent auction. I mentioned that one with her bright blue background would be nice . I was then told that they are discouraging her from doing that now and mixing her own colors and textures for her back grounds. I think they are shooting themselves in the foot because in the gallery Ems things have always sold well because of the bright colors and the stories that go with them.

I am all for her learning more about art (as I keep trying to do) but I feel they are directing her painting away from the fresh naive style that made people like it so much. Lots of people can do academically correct mediocre stuff and I hate to see Em fall into that catergory.

Not sure how to handle this...although I am sure if I speak up it cant hurt because they like her funding that keeps her in the program ;D but am reluctant to do so. Katie agrees with me that her work has changed and is not nearly as fun. Also the last two times I have visited there it seemed that the atomosphere was more serious and not as spontaneous. They use U of Texas interns for extra staffing and frankly thought none of the ones I met had any personality...LOL. I am hoping this is just a bump in the road and that maybe in time the current director will move on and that new more inspired interns will arrive. Em still LOVES it so I should probably just keep my mouth shut. I can always go to Austin before the conference and get her to paint something for the conf in her old style...LOL.

[laurasnowbird]

You said Em still loves it there, which is good! Is SHE still pleased with what she's producing?

I think it's great that they are not trying to limit her, and assuming competency, and as long as she's happy, I'd probably let it go for awhile and see what comes of it!

I think I would ask that they do a better job of helping her compose her subject matter though. Even with mixing colors, it seems she will get bored with butterflies and flowers in pretty short order.

[kg91207]

I guess a change for awhile isn't bad. But they don't need to be trying to change her style. It is awesome! And they do need to still help her with composing stuff, because that seemed to really work for her. She's got talent and they don't need to squelch it!

[Chris too]

I'm glad that she's getting to try some new things even if she isn't getting the great results she once got. What does Em think of these new methods? Does she like mixing her own colors? I would encourage her to speak up for herself with these teachers - if she prefers the pure colors, she should let them know that it suits her style better to use mostly those colors straight from the tube. But that doesn't have to mean that she never mixes - she is developing a new skill that she could use for portions of her paintings, but she should certainly be encouraged to both keep her style intact and to speak up for that style that I do love so much.

[Jackie]

Yes Chris...you are right ...and I think the reason I am so in to this right now is that I am taking a class from a Russian classical realist painter. We could not be more unlike in our painting if we tried. It was advertised as a class where you could come and do whatever you wanted with his input. ..wrong...LOL. He thought we would all paint in oil and want to 'glaze'. But he and I have come to a happy understanding and he appreciates MY approach and after a few false starts for both of us is offering constructive help without changing my style.

I suppose what Emily is getting is very good for her. And...I should not be concerned with the end result at this point in time. She has had no formal art training...just picked it up playing around with me in my studio and probably copying me a bit. I just hope that they don't take away her ability to express HERSELF in the manner she was so happy doing. And perhaps as in my case it will make what she was doing even better.

However I have had some friends who dabbled and produced things in a lovely fresh style. Then thinking they need more go to a Michaels class and produce a sofa size teacher directed painting...or start watching Bob Ross and paint 'happy trees'...LOL.

I would just like to see Emily keep the 'Emily' in her paintings.

[Chris too]

I seriously doubt that we've seen the last of Emily's honest, innocent, clean style. I do encourage you to remind her of the great things of her past paintings and of the popularity of her style. I just know that with your gentle encouragement, she will emerge from this experience quite intact and be better equipped in future to find ways of incorporating new skills rather than letting them overwhelm her style. It surely would be a sad day if we lost that great Emily style to something so fleeting as an art teacher

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

I like that Bob Ross guy. I watch him on OPB/PBS and have for years LOL.

I surely wouldn't want Em to change her paintings b/c of a teacher. There has to be a compramise somehow. Hmmmmm.....

Learning new things is always good and maybe you could just put a little bug in her ear about the painting for the NDSC and i'm sure she will whip up a spectacular masterpiece!!!