2012 APRIL BLOG

-
CONSTRUCT #5
The image is of another CONSTRUCT (abstract designs were discussed more in last month's blog). This and other paintings from our SikesArt website were projected on two large screens for one of the continuing education sessions at the University of Texas.  At the invitation of Bob Coffee, my artist husband and I kicked off the "Austin Artists" series for Quest members on the U.T. Campus. QUEST is one of 4 very popular continuing ed programs at the University of Texas at Austin. LAMP, SAGE, QUEST AND FORUM were founded in that order.  All have a curriculum of a variety of subjects to interest their members who must be 55 years of age or older.  Several years ago we made a similar presentation to members of SAGE. To both groups I remarked that they were getting two painters for the price of one.

To many it seems a curiosity that Charles and I are both painters.  We began  sharing our interest in art at age 14 when we were in high school. So I was not surprised to find him beside me in my freshman life drawing class.  Best friends became lovers only after we received our Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and parted ways.  In  1956 Charles was off to the army and I to San Antonio to teach in the public schools.  Only then did I realize something essential in my life was missing.  He did also and a marriage ensued. Fifty four years later we are still sharing a passion for art, a home and a studio, two adult children and five grandchildren.

The Quest session was great fun. The class aids passed out my business cards and I invited the 63 "students" to check out our www.sikesart.com website and to subscribe to this blog. Both of the web addresses are printed on the front of the card and on the reverse side is a detail of one of my paintings.  The first question to me was, "Which way is up and which is down?"

This question was a wonderful transition for our discussion.  Although the detail printed on the card was from a landscape painting, I insisted that it didn't really matter which way was up and that he could make that choice.  At that point I'm not sure he or anyone else was convinced of the validity of that statement. Because both Charles and I presented abstract and non-objective paintings as well as paintings of easily recognized subjects, I'm hoping that our discussions lead the participants to look for some of the basic elements that make a successful painting. The abstract work enabled us to talk about composition and to observe placement and balance; color, value and texture; line, movement, shape and form. My hope is that perhaps we advanced our "students" beyond looking ONLY for the subject matter. Attention to basic elements is what makes a good painting whatever its style.

I hope you had a wonderful Easter and are enjoying warmer days. Our winters are mild in Texas but our summers are unbelievably HOT. So, April and May are to be savored and celebrated.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Carole's FEBRUARY BLOG

-
Image
GULF COAST SPLASH 30" x 30" Oil on Canvas This painting is the result of my sitting on a sea wall at a friend's house located on the intercoastal canal in Port Aransas, Texas. Staring at the splashes against the rocks is hypnotizing. Like snow flakes, no two splashes are alike. As a result of a trip to the west coast many years ago and watching the waves break on the beach, I painted a wave. This painting reminded me of that similar experience. Toni, do you remember buying that wave for your son's wedding gift? The colors on our Texas Gulf Coast can't compare with the incredible blue of the Pacific Ocean, but I borrowed a little of that color for my Texas splash. Artist'd Privilege! MUSEUM SHOW: At the GETTY CENTER in Los Angeles until February 28 is "Rembrandt and His Pupils: Telling the Difference". If you can't make the trip, do as I did. The interactive on the Getty's web site allows zooming in on the images. You can test yourself b
Read more

CHECK OUT THESE IDEAS & COMMENTS:

-
AUSTIN ART MUSEUM EVENTS      The Francisco Matto exhibition at the Blanton Museum is a great one for taking your children and grandchildren. But hurry, the show comes down September 27, 2009. Enter the Univ. of Texas parking garage on M.L.K. Street next to the Blanton or park across the street adjacent to the Bob Bullock Museum. It was fun taking Michael (6) and Angela (9) who returned home, discussed the show with their parents and made drawings of what they saw. They especially liked Matto's found-wood totems.      Chuck Close's digital pigment prints are at Austin Museum of Art on Congress Ave. through November 8, 2009. The artist was asked why he didn't use more models when producing the huge frontal portrait heads. He replied that he didn't like people around. We can ask Austin artist Sydney Yeager about this. She was one of his subjects.  There is also a variety of work from AMOA's permanent collection. NETFLIX SUGGESTION      We really liked THE VISITOR
Read more

DECEMBER BLOG 2010

-
Image
Almost one year ago I posted an image of a painting that I call MOTION on my January blog. I was never completely satisfied with it but liked it enough to continiue to look for solutions. I spent an inordinate amount of time sitting and staring at the painting. I hauled it ( it is 30" x 30") to a meeting of some Austin painting friends where we share criticism of one another's work. Then finally months later, I placed it on my easel, took brush in hand and modified it enough to call it done. I would love some feedback from you readers who would go to the http://www.carolesikes.blogspot.com/ , scroll down to the painting below the HAPPY NEW YEAR on last January's blog and tell me which version you like best. A common dilemma of many if not most painters is knowing when to stop. Often when one is having fun moving paint around, the painting can become overworked. This one was a great challenge and I like nothing better. Other paintings seem to slide right onto the can
Read more