Thanks, all, for your wonderful comments to my posts. My last post, Understanding Art, included a comment that challenged me. Our good friend, Mark Sheeky, asked me “After years of analysis Kathy I wonder what you understand about art?" That’s a great question and one that deserves an answer.
My answer is contradictory: I’ve learned that I know very little about art and also all there is to know. I know little of the entire history of art, the myriad of materials and techniques used in all art forms, and the personal lives of artists past and present. There’s an ocean of information and my knowledge is just a drop in that ocean.
On the other hand, I know all there is to know about my own artmaking: I know why I paint, what I paint and how to paint it. I know my own world and can navigate it. In practical terms, that’s all I really need to know. (Sorry for all the "I's")
So, why bother to spend years reading about and discussing art theory?It's to satisfy my need to expand my understanding of my chosen profession. I no longer want to function as an artist in a vacuum, and need to connect with the art community and its roots. I’m curious. This has been a satisfying experience that has lead me to all of you! How great is that?
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Personal update: We’re finally moving to our home in Maine on Wednesday (16th). We would have moved earlier, but were waiting to close on the sale of our NY home. Just a few days ago the purchaser backed out (only one week before closing!). We were upset, but have learned to make lemons out of lemonade and are moving on. The house is back on the market and in the good hands of our realtor and a friend. It'll have to sell without us.
So, Wednesday is moving day followed by settling-in. I’ll try to check in whenever possible. Thanks for staying with me over the years and during my frequent absences. You’re all so dear!
15 comments:
Best of luck in Maine. I would think you are going to love it.
Interesting comments on understanding art. It is such a hard thing to puyt ones finger on. In highscholl I took art because I loved it in a class of a number of others who were there because the "those who know" could not figure what else to do with them. My senior year we had a new teacher fresh out of college who informed me at the end of the year that I would nver make it as an artist because I would not follow directions in producing my art.
Many times I have pondered that statement. Isn't that what art is all about. After basics-experimenting and trial and error and trials?
Good Bye my art friend. I will look forward to your posts and your passing through the area! Much of what i have learned, i learned from you. :)
Sending good wishes and hopes for a new buyer soon. Good luck with moving day, and may the de-stress gods be traveling safely with you.
That is a great picture! I clicked on it to enlarge it - thanks for posting that.
Here's wishing you new wealth of life, and I hope the NY house sells. What a hit to take after thinking it was a deal done. Ouch.
Your words about the expanding circle of knowledge are well said. The more I know, the more I realize I don't know.
The photo of you and hubby is wonderful! Best wishes for your move and I hope the NY house sells soon.
Thank you for your blog Kathy. You've connected me to art and artists and that has been very meaningful.
Certainly moving anywhere that involves the ocean is excellent and inspiring and a whole pile of other adjectives. Will you still be operating on dial up (from someone who knows what that is like)?
Maybe you are able to roll with the punches (like dealing with the house sale falling through) ....because of everything you've learned from studying art. Maybe those two things are related. Seems likely. I like that you analyze art...I've learned a lot from you and your blog! :) Nice photo! Welcome to Maine!
Good luck with the move! I can tell this isn't a recent photo of you on the rock. You wouldn't be barefoot out there right now! Sorry to inform you you'll be arriving just in time for mud season. Expect to still see snow, maybe lots of it. Although coastal means less snow. I look forward to the months ahead and the chance to meet. Welcome to Maine.
Good luck wishes wending their way to you as you and your hubby make the big move - may the day be warm and sunny, may the movers be geniuses at what they do and may nothing be broken or lost along the way!
Add my wishes to the others for a happy move to Maine. What excitement to have your world all fresh and new. There are a lot of people who are experiencing buyers dropping out due to financing problems. It's a tough sell out there. I wish you luck. You are very knowledgeable on the subject of art, you've taken me to places I've never been before.
Hi Kathy, I hope you have a successful move; good luck with the sale of your NY place. It was interesting reading what you have learned about art and your own art creating.
This would be a boring journey if everything worked out the way we planned, wouldn't it? Sorry the house sale fell through. I hope they lost their earnest money since they backed out at the last minute. Good luck in your move. If I were closer I'd help. Hope it goes smoothly and painlessly.
Hugs,
-Don
Good luck with the move and remember that any bumps along the way make things fun :) Your wise words about art could apply to life or any part of it.
That water looks perfectly fall-innable. I wonder who was taking the photo?
Kathy, I'm so sorry about the sale falling through that can be a burden; I hope your house sells very soon.
Meanwhile you both look very happy in your new environment. Best of everything in your new home.
What you know about art is all you need to know. Knowing too much Art history can be crippling to artists trying to find their voices. That was my experience. The process you chose is healthier.
Kathy, a great post about why you study art theory. You have a very valid reason.
The best part of this whole post is knowing you've made it to your new home. Sorry to hear about the bumps in the real estate road. My late husband Gary sold real estate for 25 years -- tough business. I'm happy that you went ahead with your move and the house will sell. Had to do the same thing when we moved to California during a real estate slump. I could not longer remain alone in Connecticut with two small children. I would have lived under a toad stool if I had to in order to get back together as a family. Eventually the house sold and all ended well.
Love the photo of the two you -- Maine is so wonderful!
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