Why You May Have Better Cultural Taste Than Most!
Did you know that I used to make a living from commissioned murals, tromp l'oeil and faux finishing? I still do some murals and examples of them are on my site. But that's not the point I want to make here, what I want to talk about is what I learned about the art that many people have on the walls of their homes, even expensive dream homes that can afford some of the better art available.
Do You Know Who's Hanging on Your Walls?
I often work with interior designers, those artists of a different medium that can visualize your whole house, room by room, who know every high end name in fabrics, furniture, accessories, wall treatments and papers etc. I very much admire them and I cannot do what they do. Designers love to be hired by the wealthy who are able to have a large budget to get their interiors just right. What a pleasure to be able to create without too much thought for cost. Each chair around the dining table may cost thousands, the light fixtures can be imported from Italy and the cost may easily be in the double digit thousands. A tiny decorative pillow that is rarely seen may cost a weeks pay for some of us. Same goes for the rest of what they fill their houses with, you get the point. (I LOVE these customers by the way, they provide work for of many, many people!)
After the house becomes a showcase for the best of the best, then we come to the art for the walls. Many times what I saw on the walls in million dollar homes with all the best designer furniture and fabrics etc. were decorative prints, often manufactured in China and many that you could get at any home decor chain store. While there is nothing wrong with decorative prints, in my opinion they do not do justice to the beauty of the rest of the house. Many designers and home owners do not have real art on their radars and it becomes an after-thought with very little of the decorating budget assigned to it. More time, care and money can be spent on the wallpaper or wall-finish or even just the plain wall paint color than the art. Yes, the contractors painting the walls of a room may cost more than the decorative prints that are placed on them.
Did You Know....Not All Originals are Original?
Sometimes I saw original paintings instead of just decorative prints. What the homeowner may not know is that many 'originals' are more mass produced 'art' from China. There are many factory-studios where the same painting, often plagiarized off a real artist's work from America or Europe, is painted over and over again. Original painting? Hand painted, yes. Art? Is it or isn't it in your opinion? That's at the higher-end of the art from these factory-studios and some of it is very well painted. In many cases the 'original art' is painted by multiple 'artists'. Each one has one color and paints the same one or a few strokes over and over again as the painting goes from 'artist' to 'artist' down the conveyer belt. To any artist or a trained eye these are easy to spot as the style has such disconnect and it's obvious that the strokes are different all over the piece. There are many galleries, high end designer show rooms and 'exclusive' furniture and accessory stores full of this 'art'. They are filling a demand but I just want people to know what they are buying and how huge the mark up in price is. If they still are happy with it then that's fine but you cannot make a real choice without the real information.
Is A Brush Stroke Just a Brush Stroke?
Talking about strokes, did you know that an artist's brush stroke is unique and usually the more developed the artist the more distinct and refined their style, including strokes? Artists train and practice hard for years and years to get their strokes just right and to make every one count. Beginner artists often have no idea that it's their strokes betray their inexperience, it can take years just to build an awareness and an eye for them. The most 'careless' strokes can be the hardest. It takes excellence to make a stroke that looks like it was quickly slapped on but is done exactly how the artist wants. That stroke communicates something in a different way than a smooth 'invisible' stroke. (both can be equally important in paintings). What the viewer sees is something that they love to look at, something alive and magical about the piece they are viewing. You may just see a great painting, but the well trained, perfectly placed strokes are what makes it sing. Most of the time you need to see the original, not a photo or reproduction to really see this in a painting.
So, if you enjoy art and if you own original art, or even a print that you carefully chose, you are better informed than many, even many of the super wealthy who rely on their interior designers' choices. The pleasure that art can give you; just coming across or hunting for the right piece and falling in love with it; purchasing and owning the piece that captured your heart; being able to enjoy it, sometimes with glances, sometimes with long looks in different lights, seeing how the light changes it; knowing you own something special and even watching the value of that piece increase as you watch the artist's career develop, is something that you can value and be proud of. In my biased opinion it makes you a special person that I am deeply thankful for. Without you there would be far less opportunity for artists to develop their art. There would be far less beauty in the world. You, your understanding of, your love of, and your purchasing of art is the vacuum that art fills. You really do help in the process of the art that we artists create.
Thank You! ...for appreciating art, especially mine!
Copyright 2010 Carol McArdle
From Hobe Sound Magazine, December 2007 issue
THE ART LOVER'S BUG
By Carol McArdle
Like many people you may have bought art prints just to fill in a blank wall and you (or even your designer) may have chosen it to match your furniture, paint and fabrics. If so, you are missing a great chance to add enrichment and quality to your life. If you have bought original paintings for the same purpose, you are a step closer but in my opinion, still missing it! What is missing is the wonderful, esoteric pleasure of appreciating and experiencing art. You haven't yet caught the art-lovers bug. Just ask someone who has caught the bug. They will tell you the experience of looking at an original artwork is miles away from a reproduction of even the same piece of art. They will try to describe the pleasure that viewing and owning an original artwork gives them. They might find it hard to put it into words but the enthusiasm in their voices will speak clearly.
IT CAN'T BE FAKED OR FORCED
What is this bug? Here's the simple secret that art lovers have discovered. When viewing original art, what happens is a connection between you and a particular artwork. Something in the piece just goes straight to your heart and makes it sing. It is a bit like falling in love. It can't be planned, forced, or faked, it just happens when it happens. The only requirement is that you actually take the time to look at and experience original artwork. Just look and let is speak to you, no matter whether you understand it or not. Sooner or later, the bug will get you! If you have pre-set requirements and are just looking to decorate your wall, your heart will be closed to the experience.
Recently, while discussing art and why people buy art, a friend of mine said that it was a wonderful day for him when he realized that he did not like the work of a well known artist he was viewing at an exhibit, and even more significantly, he trusted his own opinion. He is no expert, just an expert on what he liked.
WHO'S THE EXPERT?
As simple as this sounds, not many people reach this point of autonomy in their artistic taste but are instead mostly influenced by the opinion of other 'art experts'. The truth is that you, the art viewer and buyer, are the expert when deciding what art to buy for your personal enrichment. The main reason to buy a piece of art is that you like it! You feel a connection with it, it speaks to you for some hard-to-describe reason.
Is there room for growth, learning and change in your expert opinion? A resounding yes! The learning about art never ends. To get you thinking, here's a very short list of check points that a person can use to help discern the quality of a piece of artwork and things that the artist themselves use to create their work. If you are unfamiliar with some of these terms then you could use them to embark on an art learning experience.
1. Composition. Does the composition have a main point, or is your eye left wandering all over the place with no satisfaction? Does it feel balanced? do you think the painting presents the artist's choice of subject well?
2. The use of accurate and interesting values (darks and lights)
3. Subject. The artist may not use an original subject, but it should be an original look at, or point of view about the subject.
4. Use of color. How choice is the artists use of colors, especially the subtle changes that really add intrigue and keep you looking. (and get lost in reproductions)
5. The "grabber". Something about the artwork grabs you and draws your eye in. This will be highly personal. What grabs me may leave you cold and vice versa.
6. Craftsmanship. How well does the artist use their choice of medium?
7. Artistic edge. Something that makes you realize that what you are looking at is above average, has the mark of a professional and gives off an energy.
8. Interpretation. What is the Artist saying? Does the artwork give you a new look at something? Does it make you think? Does it have layers or depth that keeps you coming back?
This list is the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more that can greatly enrich your artistic experience when viewing and buying art. If you would like a fuller list with more explanations I can e-mail you one. Just send your e-mail address to me at carol@carolmcardle.com or go to my website www.carolsheart.com and click the "stay informed" button. If you are not on the internet then I can send you a printed list via snail mail. Just send a stamped addressed envelope to: Carol McArdle, 18492, Bradenton Rd. Ft. Myers, FL 33912. You are also welcome to contact me with any other questions or comments you may have.
A piece of art will outlast nearly all your furniture, fabrics and paint and the pleasure it gives you will often keep growing and changing. No print can do that. Art can be passed onto your children and children's children for many generations, giving as much pleasure in a hundred years that it gave on the first day it was created. Finally, the icing on the cake but barely worth mentioning, is that many artist's work will greatly increase in value, especially if you find them at the emerging or mid stages of their career.
HOW DO YOU START?
Now check the calendar/happenings section of the papers, call local galleries and museums, go to some art receptions, form your opinions, give it time and you can catch the art-lover's bug! Who knows what pleasure you will add to your life. Of course don't forget to check out my art at www.carolsheart.com and get on my mailing list to hear about new paintings, art shows, awards, news etc. Enjoy!
Copyright 2007 Carol McArdle
.........................................................
Original vs. Mass-Produced -- in a world where everything is mass produced, art is the true original.
January 14 2007
Looking around your home you might be hard up to find anything that is not mass-produced. Just how many people do you think have the same carpet, sofa, fabrics, tableware, etc. that you have?
How do you find one-of-a-kind things? How can you even get to be one of the first people to see a one of a kind item for the first time? You have a chance on Saturday, January 20th at the 9th annual Wildlife and Wetlands Art Show at Delnor Wiggins State Park in North Naples.
Local artist and Art League of Fort Myers president, Carol McArdle will be showing her newest, never shown before paintings of local landscapes that are often never seen by people unless they wander off the beaten track.
What you see at Carol's art booth will be nowhere else. That is what is amazing about original art pieces, they are original, unique and only one will ever exist. Carol does have signed prints of many of her paintings but they can never replace the one and only original piece and only one person can own the original.
Copyright 2007 Carol McArdle
Chili fingers paint landscapes!
Demonstrating at Coconut Point Grand Opening
The weather is supposed to be in the low sixties this week-end, and I am supposed to be outside all day at the coconut Point Mall grand opening painting landscapes with oils. This might be a problem! I think it's cold when it's in the seventies, let alone sixties.
I am reminded of another cold day I had to work outside. I was when I was living in Ireland and I was a sign painter. I had a small Newsagent store sign to paint (a Newsagent sells basic groceries, cigarettes, candy and newspapers) and it was Christmas eve. Most people were not working unless they were in retail but we had no money to buy gifts and so I was painting as fast as I could in the freezing weather.
I was standing on a ladder, holding my paint in one hand and my squirrel hair sign-writing quill brush in the other. Each stroke was a challenge, going much slower than usual even though I was racing the clock to get done and get paid in time to shop for gifts. The paint had turned to glue in protest of the cold and my pinkie and ring fingers kept turning white and I was almost unable to move them.
Every 15 minutes I had to stop and go inside to thaw my fingers before braving the cold again. This went on until about 2:30 p.m. when the first snowflakes came down. I still kept going though for another hour or so until finally finished. I got the check, rushed off to the stores and Christmas was saved.
This week-end it may not snow but I am 20 years older, used to living in semi-tropical weather and am not getting paid a penny for chilling my bones. I think this will be a battle for my mind as well as my body. Wish me luck and come by to say hi, it will keep me going.
What is it About Abstract?
Some people just don't see the point about abstract and some people just rave about it. What do you think about it, and why does it always arouse such different and passionate responses?
I cannot say I have all the answers. In fact, I can't say I have any of the answers except what looking at an abstract image, view, painting, sculpture etc. can do for me.?
First of all, just like any other art style, I do not like all abstract, but I do like (make that love!) all the abstract that I see in Nature. I am always attracted to the organic myriad of colors, tones, shapes and textures. I bet you have admired them too but maybe just don't realize it.
Some more obvious examples are, the tree barks from birch to pine; the lines and patterns in stone,? (a granite counter top, or marble column is stone). What about the colors of the waters at a tropical beach? Haven't you taken a deep sigh as you gazed at the different shades of aquas, bright turquoises, deep teals and electric blues? That's the reaction I have to the visual beauty that is abstract. I feel nourished, refreshed and full of gratitude when I see it.
Most of the paintings at my Abstract and Realism in Florida's Nature art show will be representational but in each one you will find nature's abstract patterns. Also there will be some abstract paintings and photographs that I hope will give you a new look at the abstract beauty all around us.
