Wild - SOLD

Click Image to enlarge. Bidding has ended.
Size: 36" x 36" x 1.5"


Please scroll down to the previous post for a continuing discussion of simple (minimalist) art and links to 3 minimalist drawings of Pablo Picasso. The idea of how far a work of art can be simplified, edited or "minimized" and still be compelling, is in itself compelling to me. Next week I will try to find some examples of the opposite and explore what makes complex art succeed too. Don't forget to leave your comments and I will see you again next week!

Useful Link- Minimal drawings of Pablo Picasso

This week I am continuing the discussion about simple or minimal art and what makes it work, or not. Those of you who offered opinions on Adolf Gottfried's work last week, were not terribly impressed. Comments ranged from "boring", "I liked some of it" to "I have a hard time thinking that stuff as "real art". So this week, I am looking at minimal drawings of animals by Pablo Picasso. These drawings are very simple. What do you think? Are they boring? Are they art? Would you enjoy them if they were hanging in your home? Thank you for sharing your opinions! Click on the links below to see the drawings.

Dog
Horse
Bull

Rush Hour

Sorry, bidding has ended and is no longer available.
Size: 24" x 24" x 1.5"


Must I post a painting when it is due whether or not I like the piece? Posting one's art does place one in a vulnerable position. There it is, out there in the ether for all to see! The question of what makes a piece of art successful is brought to Post #31 through the art of Adolph Gottlieb. His art is very simple and yet it works so well. At least that's what I think. I hope you will scroll down one post to take a look at it and leave a comment on the topic and let me know what you think.

Useful Link: Art of Adolph Gottlieb

Have you ever wondered how great art can sometimes be so simple? A few lines, a few shapes and something both creatively compelling and engaging is the result? The trouble is, that while the results look simple and easy it really is not easy to do successfully. While searching for this week's Useful Link, I came across abstract expressionist artist Adolph Gottfried (1903-1974). If you click his name, the link will take you to so some of his art. I like his work and I am curious whether you do.

After viewing it, please leave a comment on my blog as to whether or not you like his art and why. If you like it, what is it that you think makes it work even in its apparent simplicity? (To leave a comment, simply click on the "comments" link at the end of this post.)

Edge of Town - SOLD

Click Image To Enlarge.
Size 24" x 24" x 1.5"

I am enjoying working on these square canvases. This week the canvas is smaller, so it was much easier to handle. A few notes: I discovered a site on MySpace that may interest artists. It is a juried, themed competition with prize. This is the link. Speaking of MySpace, I am in process of setting up my page there. My nice cousin walked me through the steps and got me started. More exposure is a good thing! Lastly, in Useful LInk #27, I said that I had written to artist Matt Sesow to ask how he managed to become so successful as an Art Brut artist. He was kind enough to write back and an excerpt of his answers is posted in the comments section of post #27.

Scroll down to post #29 for this week's useful link on Steven Givler, another very accomplished, self-taught artist.

Useful Link - Art of Steven Givler

It was hard to believe, when I received this link from a family friend, that this is a self-taught artist. But Steven Givler, who began painting when his wife secretly packed some paints and paper in his bags as he was being deployed to the Persian Gulf, taught himself very well. Be sure to click on his California Central Coast link. You can see his work here.

Abstract In Greens and Blues - SOLD

Click Image to Enlarge.
Size: 36" x 36" x 1.5"


I just finished this painting moments ago. It's still wet! Handling these larger, heavier canvases when they are still wet is challenging. Each time I reposition them as I am working or move them from my small studio office to somewhere that enables me to stand back far enough to see what they actually look like, which is important to knowing what more the painting needs, I get paint on my walls, furniture, self (which leads to more paint on other, unnoticed places) and clothes, not covered by my apron. I really need to come up with a solution or start working much smaller.

Please scroll down to the previous post (#27) to read about and see paintings of a
successful Outsider (Art Brut) artist. If you are an untrained artist, it will encourage you.

Useful links: Matt Sesow, Sussessful Untrained Artist

I was thinking today about how possible it really is for an untrained artist to become recognized and accepted by galleries. Researching on the internet, I came across artist Matt Sesow who did just that. He has been shown in galleries, been featured in numerous magazines and paints and sells prolifically. I just wrote to him to ask how he managed all that. If he responds, I will share what he says. In the interim, I do know this much: In 1995 Sesow sold 14 paintings in one afternoon on the streets of Georgetown (It would be interesting to know how he decided to price them and what size they were); the first time paintings by Sesow had ever even been seen in public. He also signed a five year contract to be represented exclusively by an art agent who bought some of his paintings that day. He has been painting full-time since 2000, and represents his own work now. His work is very raw and direct. What do you think of his work? Click Matt Sesow and take a look.

If you are an aspiring and untrained artist, I hope it encourages you as much as it did me.

Little Family - Collage - SOLD

Click image to enlarge.
Size: 40 w x 30 h.



Another collage for this week. It is not the strongest category on eBay, unless the artist is listed or otherwise well-known. But as it is one of my favorite art forms, I am using it anyway. This one is done in a primitive, folk art style, which goes way back to the 1970's for me, when I was making fabric wall hangings.

Please scroll down to post #25 below for this week's useful link on artist Romare Bearden. His collages are exceptional.

Useful Link - Art of Romare Bearden

Romare Bearden is one of my favorite artists. And his collages are especially compelling. Quoting from his biography page: "Romare Bearden's life and art are marked by exceptional talent, encompassing a broad range of intellectual and scholarly interests, including music, performing arts, history, literature and world art. Bearden was also a celebrated humanist, as demonstrated by his lifelong support of young, emerging artists." To see a few of his dynamically creative pieces and read his biography page at the Romare Bearden foundation online, click here. Once in, click on the tab at the top of his page that says "art & life".