Quote of the Week: Goal

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

James Scott Bell, writer
http://www.jamesscottbell.com/

Setting goals is simple for Lucy. She loves Toddler Time at the Museum but it's not looking at the art nor the creative time in the art room which is her dream. It's "I'm finished. Let's go to lunch at the Sunshine Bakery." She almost always meets her deadline.

Photo: "Lucy and her abstract painting."

Note: Sunshine Bakery is a local favorite with German deli roots.
Soups, Sandwiches, Josephines, Sunshine tea . . .

BushStrokes - photos and text (c) AAB

Quote of the Day - Our Deepest Fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."

I pulled a paragraph from another blog because it spoke to me. Not expecting to use it here, I only noted that it had been quoted by Nelson Mandela and was from writings by Marianne Williamson. (apologies to the blogger.)

This is only part of a paragraph which has great and wonderful thoughts, but I cannot get past this one yet. My inability to reach for 'beyond' is sometimes my nemesis -- perhaps, indeed, my deepest fear.


BushStrokes (c) AAB

Quote of the Week: To Do Our Appointed Work

Consider the lilies. While the lilies do not toil or spin, they do their work, draw up sustenance from the earth, and drink in the dew, rain and sunbeams. So we are to do our appointed work. It we do this, trusting in God, he will supply all our needs.

Matthew 6:28 translation from the People's New Testament

As the daffodils begin to spatter color along the roadside and early white plum blossoms mark fence lines, it seems this scripture from Matthew is a good "quote of the week."

Conversations in the winter of this economy seem to focus on the crises which the world faces. For some, it has meant a major loss of money, home, or job - certainly devastating and worrisome times for them. For others, it is simply the inconvenience of increased prices or products not readily available. For most it is an awareness which will mean a change in how we use the earth's resources, how we learn to use our gifts and how we pay attention to what we have.

It is a time
to consider the lilies of the fields,
to change our conversations,
to push through the fear,
to boost our own creative energies,
to offer our best efforts

It is the best time to do our appointed work.



Photo: Daffodils & peach trees, Trenton, SC -- 02/09/09

BushStrokes (c) AAB

Quote of the Week: He Has Spread His Influence

I'm a secretive bastard. I would never let anybody watch me painting... it would be like somebody watching you have sex - painting is that personal to me.

(Andrew Wyeth, 1917-2009)

I did not intend to let the week go by without mentioning the loss of Andrew Wyeth. I thought this quote was a good one to consider for this week. Maybe we couldn't observe his process, but from him we have learned just how personal painting should be. We have watched his paintings for evidence of his work ethic, his abstractions, his unstated truths. And over us all he has spread his influence.


i-Phone Photo: The Old Kitchen in Late Afternoon
Quote: This and others from Wyeth at Robert Genn's excellent resource:

BushStrokes (c) AAB

Quote 0f the Week: What Works Best

"For me, photos as direct references tend to get in the way. . . . The photos of things I like and notice have their own importance to me -- quite separate from paintings that arise from memories or visual impressions of those things."

Rebecca Crowell
in her blog "Rebecca Crowell Art"

New Paintings and Thoughts on Photography

-o-o-o-

Looking back on the images I have selected to accompany my blog, I have noticed that, quite often, they don't seem to "match" what I'm writing; yet, put together, they make a connection for me. I understand Rebecca's statement that they tend to get in the way as direct references.

I don't want to paint a photograph or write a snapshot. I want the photograph to help me share a "memory or impression."

Sometimes I forget what works best.

Photo: The Path
BushStrokes (c) AAB

Quote of the Week: One Word

Get quiet and listen to your Wise Self.

Christine Kane
http://christinekane.com/blog/

Christine has once again suggested selecting one word to define one's focus for the year. I haven't settled yet on one of my own nor one from her clever list. Maybe I need one which will help me with matters of indecision. I'll think about that. Maybe I need to choose one for procrastination. Maybe I should just pay attention to today's quote and just wait for my One Word.

Christine's lists of words are here:

Today's photo:
Tops

BushStrokes (c) AAB

Sometimes It's Just Good Craft

The craft of telling stories takes time to learn; the art takes a lifetime.

Sonia Simone
in her blog: Remarkable Communcation

I have rephrased the quote today because I needed this reminder: The craft of making art takes time to learn; the art (of making art) takes a lifetime.

The difference between the craft and the art is easy to understand in most creative endeavors and the role of good technique (the craft) cannot be dismissed.

• In writing, words are selected; sentences are tweaked and paragraphs are molded to complete the thoughts of the writer. I read, I write and, occasionally, I turn a phrase which sings just out of reach of "craft."
• In music, scales and chords are practiced; arpeggios and phrases are massaged for voice or instrument to translate the notes on the score. I practiced, I learned proper fingering and phrasing during years of piano lessons, and, occasionally my playing reached just past "well-crafted technique."
• In art, the medium and techniques are explored, elements and ideas are merged in a composition of space, light and shape. I sketch, plan and paint and occasionally, I create a painting which breathes with life just beyond "nice."
  

I'd like for all my creative attempts to be 'art' and I have practiced the craft well, yet I know I have often fallen short. I know that the craft vs. the art is important in the journey, but, for a painter, sometimes the words seem muddled and it is easy to forget that my 'art' is not always "Art." Sometimes it's just good craft.

BushStrokes (c) AAB

Quote of The Week: Patterns of Faith

" . . . . In the end, the message was: knowledge doesn't exist unless there is a will to find patterns, a believe to do things a lot better."











"This also has some connection with a bible verse I love and guided my life since childhood,
'to have faith is to be sure of the things we have, to be certain of the things we cannot see.' "

Patrick Ng

A playground slide and the creative process -- both require patterns of faith and certainty to begin the journey.

Patrick Ng lives in HongKong.

http://moleskine.vox.com/

@AAB

The Power of the Letter

Quote of the Day:

Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.

John Adams, 1765

A note came from a nephew in my Adams family with this quote in the cancellation stamp.

In this same week, an Adams uncle called to request some family tree information for his granddaughter. Is there something in the air?!!!!

Well, yes. An HBO special on this interesting President and his wife, Abigail, will begin on March 16, 2208. At http://www.poweroftheletter.com/, this paragraph explains:

"Today, it's easy to forget the value of a heartfelt, handwritten letter or card. But the written word holds a singular place in the American story.

In his prolific correspondence, John Adams left us a remarkable first-person account of the birth of our nation, as well as a candid portrait of his life and personal relationships. John and his wife Abigail's letters offer a window to our past; we can be inspired to revive this tradition, to return to the enduring power of the written word, and leave a legacy for future generations."

"Cherish the Means of Knowledge . . . . Let us dare to read, think, speak and write. "

Not a bad motto, for John's family and for mine.

@AAB

Quote Of The Week: Gesture of Humility

Once a brush is useless for one purpose, find something else for it to do. Treating your tools with respect is part of the whole gesture of humility you bring to painting."

I have often clicked on a link to handprint.com, usually because someone has referenced a section for the valuable information which Bruce MacEvoy has set out with such clarity and creativity. I generally just read what I need to know, but on this day, I browsed. No, I rambled. Here are some things I loved:

"wating for something to take hold of me | of
my life | the sense that school like hospital is
a place where people wait for a change
they cannot command"

"(watercolors are like people: they turn out badly when you try to make them into something they're not. i didn't know what watercolor was, or could be.)"

"this wasn't my usual retail experience. the patrons and upkeep immersed me in the unfamiliar side of art, the disordered, whimsical, erratic, random side of art, the somewhat tacky and stifling side of art ... very unlike the overeducated, professionally groomed, highly directed approach to life that made up my own delusion of life's meaning, wrapped around me like my soft leather jacket and porsche sportscar."

I'll plan to ramble here another day. The thoughts, the solid information freely shared, the inspirations -- all are reminders that my creative energy needs the added awareness of gestures of humility.

Update: Since this is such an extensive site, I thought the site map might be helpful.

@AAB

Good Mirrors

. . . as fun as it (making art) is, we still need good mirrors to see our potential sometimes. > > > Pete

On a recent afternoon, I was looking at the leaves on my street with camera in hand. When I turned around, I was surprised to discover that they were mirrored in the windows of my house. I suppose those leaves are there in every season, but when I look at my house, I just see the need for paint or a spot to be repaired or the leaves to be raked. I like the idea of seeing the potential reflected instead.

Good mirrors change what you see and feel.

AAB

Quote of the Day: Email is . . .

. . .we now trust email as a magical, instant and secure communications tool. It's not. It's sort of a cross between CB radio and two cups and a string.
. . . Seth Godin

10-4

Yesterday Was Good Enough

Yesterday, saying she didn't get it, an artist passed along this quote, "In art, 'good enough' is not good enough." It has been around for a while and has been discussed by better than me, but I understand it.

While researching dates for artists' birthdays, I sometimes discover obscure ones whose lovely, well-done, even powerful work has been overlooked through the years -- it is good enough, but is just missing the mark.

Yesterday, I sat in a church where a 'good enough' organ has been replaced by a new and glorious instrument.*

On Sunday mornings, as Jamie Council Garvey plays the new Dobson, it is easy to HEAR the truth in this quote, but sometimes the choir or congregation is singing or there are other distractions.

Yesterday, there were no distractions as the season opened for 'Concerts With a Cause.' The guest musician was Olivier Latry, titular organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris. As he played, the new organ 'sang' through both delicate and rich passages which were never just 'good enough.' Neither the organ nor Monsieur Latry missed the mark.

Later at the reception, there was a delicious moment when I responded to the French-accented request for a 'doggie bag.' But perhaps that is an entry for another day.

Yes. Yesterday WAS good enough.


*To share the new Dobson organ at St. John United Methodist Church, this free concert series is offered to the community by generous contributions and the offering just before intermission benefits one community charity. A reception follows which allows the audience to meet both the guest musicians and representatives of the charity, which yesterday was Catholic Social Services. 2007-2008 schedule is at http://www.stjohnumcaugusta.com/ConcertswithaCause2007-2008.htm.

AAB

Quote of the Day: Continuing Education

My argument was, 'You do those very well already, try doing something you're not good at.' That's what education is.

Jim Mateer

Today's quote comes from an article about the author/artist of Funky Winkerbean in the Cleveland Freetimes. The statement is from Midview High School art teacher Jim Mateer who taught the clever and creative Tom Batiuk. I was directed to it by my friend Karen and her very poignant blog entry. Both the article and the blog are worth a second reading.

The Internet continues to be a source of inspiration, fun and challenges for me. First, I learned about emails and lists of people with similar interests; for me, it was a group of painters. Now, I explore a few blogs daily and I subscribe to a few I like and I write two of my own. I have tried to learn as new stuff comes along and to overcome my technical ineptitude.

I'm trying to get better at something I'm not good at.

AAB

A Quote for Labor Day

Mr. Samuels was interviewed in 2002 for his 100th birthday. He had this to say about his work ethic and his long life. "Try to stay out of debt. Don't worry. People worry about stuff and die."

(He must have been worrying lately. He died last week at 103.)

Quote of the Day

I am always interested in what we miss when we try to focus
on what we see. For example, when you take a photo you will
always feel a bit disappointed after the exposure, because it's
never representing what you perceived when you took it.
::: Peter Doig :::


artquotes.net
Inspirational art quotes and fine artists
http://www.artquotes.net

Quote of the Day

Okay. If you miss the quote of the day, here is a link I enjoy. http://www.losanjealous.com/nfc/

How can you miss? The pairing of the Nietzsche quotes and the Family Circus cartoons is random. If you don't like the first one, just try again! Here's one of my favorites.

The Nietzsche Family Circus
We have art in order not to die of the truth.

permanent link for this one is:
http://www.losanjealous.com/nfc/perm.php?c=94&q=146