Personalized vision and realism
Properties of our eyesight are very unique, indeed. There are no two persons, who see everything exactly the same way. We could say, the way we see is just as unique as our DNA, fingerprints, iris of the eye and similar extra fine things. Therefore, when we create something, some people will love it, some people will think it’s nothing special and some will either ignore or dislike it. That is normal. The thing we have created has still the same value for us personally, at least it should, because its objective value does not change depending on subjective likes or dislikes. It’s social media which either stamps some creation as success or disregards it.
High ranked mediocrity
I do sometimes wonder why a painting which is really good does not get that many likes as something rather average. Go figure. Partially, this is because of ranking. Let’s say, I post my image at the right time and it immediately gets 30 likes in the first 20 seconds. That’s it! It immediately moves up the ranks, and that is all we need. New likes follow, comments are posted and we’ve got the attention of the invisible viewer mass. Now, does the response always indicate that we are becoming a master in some area? Not really. We still need to have our self-criticism and apply our personal judgement.
Versatility
We should have options, always. The trends are out there and whether to comply and act on them is up to us. People sometimes suggest: you should paint more abstracts, you should do some black and white art, you should post more drawings and so on. I could do all of the above. The problem is, however, that I do create art which I am deeply in at any particular moment. I am not good with following trends and I actually do not care that much about them either. It is bad for marketing, no doubt about that. However, it is the only way to stay true to oneself and do more of my own realism.
Specific realism
I love realism. I need to clarify, it’s not any realism, but my personal enhanced realism. We could say, it’s high definition because I adore adding something still tasteful, but very detailed. Details are risky, but they also make a view very unique. I love specific colors and cannot stand some other particular colors. I do not like using black, in fact, I use it only for mixing up other colors. I love greens which are mixed up from black plus blue, plus yellow plus burnt sienna and white. Some grey shades require black. I really dislike black in watercolors. I never have used even 1 drop of black in any of my watercolors.
The choice of subject
We normally paint what resonates with us. I at least do. I have also many favorite subjects: still life, seasonal landscape, buildings, perspective and flowers. I think all young people want to paint portraits and figures. I did, too. Some stick to them and some move over to other subjects. I love painting and drawing from reality, and to paint face or figure, I’d need a model. That complicates things because it makes me dependent on somebody else. With my subjects, I choose time, place and medium.
Too many paintings
I’ve read how people complain they don’t have enough artworks in portfolio. I think it is also problematic to have too many artworks. I’m adding 2-3 a week in average. I have numerous paintings in different completion stages. Some are drafts, some half-done, some need change in color or more highlights. I get tired of one medium or subject quickly. Therefore, I switch from acrylic to watercolor and vice versa, I sometimes do just pencil drawing or pastel drawing. I love creating all kinds of drawing-based art because I’m very good at drawing from reality, and for that matter, drawing anything.
Preferences
My preferences are very noticeable when it comes to art. I love clean colors. I never use paint straight from tube, but the mix must be clean. It is easy to create any color from 3 primary colors, plus black and white in acrylic. I add burnt sienna, burnt umber, ocher and many shades of blue. That way, my palette is complete. I’m not a big fan of Ultramarine. Instead, I use Prussian blue and brilliant blue. Seasons have huge effect on me. I basically paint spring in winter or early spring, summer in spring, and fall in summer. Does that mean I cannot wait until the actual season arrives? Yes, it does.
Summer place 2 and Breezy daisy field
I would love to post just one painting in every article, but there are so many lined up. I will limit myself to just two this time. Summer place 2 is the second one in Summer place series. Breezy daisy field is also continuing the flower field series. As usually, I started them for demo purposes at art classes. The summer place 2 took about 2 weeks and daisy field about a full week to complete. My paintings consist of many layers and under-layers. It is best to paint any acrylic painting on color-coated canvas. They both are the same size: 18 x 24 inches or 46 x 61 cm. One is horizontal, the other is vertical. I’m very sure, the internet display will make one look larger and the other smaller.
Grey of spring and lush green of summer
It is still cold outdoors. This April came with such a nice promise of spring starting early. What a disappointment! It is almost May and we have freezing temperatures every night. That is why I am a lot in very strong and very rich green color. I’m not trying to overdo, but it feels so nice to surround myself with this color at the moment. My love relationship with green will pass, too, but it’s so pleasant to look at such art and be around it.
Here you see art currently for sale: Shop original art
My art prints and other art products on FAA:
Awesome 🙂
Thanks very much!
I enjoyed reading your insightful article, especially how individuality allows us to see things differently. Art is subjective, but I am learning that I must open my mind the explore fresh ideas and now rely on stereotypes. When I see something that does not fit my idea of “beauty” I now take a second look, remembering that many people, even experts, did not embrace Monet, Van Gogh, Manet. Always enjoy seeing and reading your posts.
Thanks very much for such a great comment!
Our definition of beauty and what attracts us also change over time. It’s similar to foods we prefer. As one gets older, they might start enjoying something which they hated at young age.
That is also very true about art and the way we create. It’s a process which never stops and we are always evolving. I feel sorry for artists, who started following some trend, got hooked on one concept and that’s all they did and do. I know one artist, who created backlit trees. He tried something else because doing one thing over and over can become really bothersome, but the other subjects never took off.
Life is not that long as it sometimes seems, it’s worth exploring everything we feel attracted to.
Ranking can be painful and it can hurt. I have many paintings on Fine Art America. Some of first ones (I signed up around 2011 I think) have many thousands of views and lots of comments. etc. I have painted meanwhile numerous way better paintings, but they never get a chance because they obviously do not rank that high based on views and interaction.
I sometimes do not like art which is praised as very good. From globally known masters, I probably value Cezanne most. I love outstanding Latvian and Russian masters, but they’re not well-known here.
I truly appreciate and enjoy our conversations on art. I have come late to the idea of creativity, for I worked in the world of numbers. But, taking a step back to reflect, even that is a creative process. Over the past 10 years, I explored my connection with art and have come to feel that as you wrote so eloquently, “it’s worth exploring everything we feel attracted to.” Then idea of ranking and benchmarks is anathema to me. We cannot allow others to determine what we should like and enjoy. I agree wholeheartedly that art “is a process which never stops and we are always evolving. Thank you again for a wonderful discussion.
I am glad to read your thoughtful response. Indeed, art is very democratic , and it’s never too late to get involved or simply deepen your interest.
I think most people discover why we need such thing as art during their lifetime. It’s possible to live and pass away never knowing any single artist or their work.
It is, however, such a wonderful source of everything. I believe people, who are good at it, and these, who simply like to play around with artistic tools and mediums, anybody gets their share of pleasure. At some point, it becomes clear life can offer so much more than daily bread and routine.
I live for those marvellous moments when everything comes together and a work of art is complete.
I think you have developed a good eye for interesting artistic adventures. I noticed these on your blog which I will visit soon, probably tomorrow or over the weekend.
Thank you so much for your comments and stay safe!
This is SO lovely!
Thank you very much!
My biggest problem at the moment is too many paintings and no real display and storage space. Acrylic paintings are easier to store.
I’m glad I have this website and some social media sites to showcase my art. However, I was going through some photo files and I came to realization that I have to do something to make space.
Obviously, all shows and all art events are cancelled, and I personally do not think I will make any in-person events for quite a while, that might include time period until next spring.
I appreciate any comment and any word of mouth to bring my art closer to viewers and possible people, who’d love to purchase some.
Have you ever tried Etsy? I’ve been thinking about putting some paintings up there. The timing is tricky though because of the lockdown. It’s like the whole world is on hold at the moment.
I have. I didn’t like the process.
I will try a few more sites where I do not need to do shipping. Shipping from Canada is a killer.
Basically, I might have sold more paintings, but since most of my paintings are medium and large size, as well as very large, I could not handle the shipping.
The last painting I shipped to Europe was 30 x 24 inches and the shipping cost was $364. So, that was just like really out of line, plus that took like 3 weeks or something, it almost missed the wedding it was a gift for.
For people, who have small and tiny paintings, that might be a good solution, but since the shipping cost really restricts me to shipping only small watercolors on paper, it is kind of tough. I do have to wonder how shipping becomes such high cost service as soon as it is from Canada. I have shipped things from Europe to my house, and that was like 10 times less.
Superb my friend 🙏👍🙏
Thank you, I appreciate your comment! I just also published red radish post on lifeschool, too.
The more you know about a subject, the more you realize that people not familiar with the subject, it will be difficult to understand.
As to people likes, and dislikes, or lack of appreciation for something you value more, like a painting over another one.
As you mention:
“There are not two persons, who see exactly everything the same way.”
Knowledge of the subject, gives you a great difference in your choice, and value priorities.
Many years ago when I read a lot of painters biographies, it will strike me their comments on why they liked a certain painting, from a fellow artist, over another one, plus if they commented, their opinions will be very illuminating, bringing their own experience into their argument.
I sort of smile when you mention “Too many paintings.” My own experience with painting was limited, to a three year period, more of less, unfortunately I gave up when my whole place was overburden with so many paintings, and not satisfied with my skills yet.
Beautiful paintings, Inese. 🙂
Thanks very much! Such an insightful and thoughtful comment!
I believe I am too serious. I never moved over to one hour paintings because I just don’t think they are any art. Quick drafts mayby.
When I’m saying too many paintings, I mean they are everywhere and I have run out of any display space. However, husband once asked me: do you know what you’d get for all this amazing stuff if you sold every last one of them? I took some average numbers and did a quick calculation and it didn’t even reach 100 thousand. That is for 15 years of work plus materials and in case I sold them all. Technically, that’s not I would want to do. When I feel not up to anything, I can sit and admire some parts of some of them. I do that sometimes and I remember what it took to get them in such condition.
The worst part is probably that we need to put paintings online as photos. There might be a few out of very many thousand photos which display colors as they are and balance as it is. There is also no feeling of size.
You might take up painting again. It is a good way to meditate. I think everybody nowadays wants perfection in anything. Is that even necessary? Judging by how some students never finish what they started I would say we are wrong. The result isn’t everything with creativity, and the process beats it 100 times.
I used to draw and paint only portraits when I was young. I’m very good with drawing from life and that gave me money to get through university. I might later become so disappointed in people that I just literally turned to nature. Ever since it has been the safest refuge.
For blog likes and who’s reading anything at all, it is simple. I have lost contact with the best blogging friends over years and it seems to me the ones who join instead are way more self-centered. You see it everywhere: you like mine, I like yours and we’re all happy. Which beats the entire purpose.
I definitely love your blog, I always find there something new for me and simply like the unique thoughts.
Well, I still own about a half a dozen of my paintings, but they look terrible!
It’s just that I knew, will take me lots of application, and dedication to it, before I could say, now my painting resembles my idea, of what I am looking for, and frankly the last three places I have lived, lacked space, too many books, and the rest of my possessions, take all the space I have, adding paintings to it will be unthinkable, unless I will get a big house, and that its not something I can do, at least at the moment.
Reading, writing, and a little bit of teaching, are enough for me.
I am of the idea to be a Renaissance Man, unfortunately, on our day and age, it’s something impossible, unless having a mecenas (patron) or be rich myself, and I am not.
On the day when specialization and the fragmentation of Knowledge is the rule, rather than the exception, I guess even in the old times it was so.
And here we are…
I like when someone really reads my blog, rather than receiving a like, when it took them 3 seconds to reach the bottom of the post, and click, without reading anything, but I guess today when everybody is so busy with so many, useless, or so many other choices, even if good.
Thank you again Inese. 🙂
It’s what you think! If you want to see terrible, scroll sometimes through Google images and type in the subject plus painting or art. It’ s mostly digitally altered, etc.
It is true that painting takes space. I totally feel the lack of it, although, this place is really big.
However, I agree that if you feel very dedicated to something, it should be rather one than many.
Being Renaissance Man is great. I think that is your biggest advantage since it ensures you approach things very differently from majority and that is a plus.
Well, I’m myself a bit out of line of all art scene of today. It is so that people tell you should paint this, try that, but how can you do what you do not feel attracted to?
The specialization is also sometimes doubtful.
I’ve noticed that some people click on 20 post likes, and they have no idea what I even write about or do. It’ s because of 2 blogs, they might think I’m 2 different people.
That is a trend: like, follow, etc. for follow and like back. I don’ t always and more often than not I simply disregard when I see there has been zero interest.
Stay safe and keep your great writing!
Thank you, great reflections, I also write in other forums talking about stuff I would not dare to put on my blog, since through my life I have read so much stuff, that no longer care to read today, but I have a solid knowledge of it, but no longer really interested, mainly Historical stuff, but since I have it, decided to use it, you will be surprised as how many people read it, and even comment, the funny thing I had set a few of my blog posts of the past, and few people care for them, which prove my point, people mostly do not share my taste, or care about what I do like, except for one post that its doing great, the reason is that people from India seem very interested on the subject in question.
The great malady of our day, few people care to read seriously, its all about entertainment, and to satisfy whatever they perceive as important, like my twenty one year old student, who rather than be taught the stuff I know, should be appropriate to give him, mainly a solid good base to build into it, he prefer to ask me for what he wants to learn specifically, stuff that I know will not benefit him at all, but in his ignorant mind believe to be important.
Several times I have to remind him, that it’s not the student who can go to the teacher and tell him:
“That stuff is boring and does not interest me, rather teach me this.”
Like a child who rather see the cartoons on TV than pick a school book.
Well I have rant enough, sorry Inese, take care. 🙂
Oh, I enjoy reading this!
I know that for the most part nobody would probably notice one blog gone unless they check with previous comments and so on.
It is quite funny, yes, how that happens. I used to have also very nice conversations with some people over the blog.It is a good point: nobody should count on the fact that those, who like posts, also share our taste.
There were a few bloggers, though, who genuinely were worried when I had complications after one of the surgeries. This lady still stays in touch, she’s from Ontario, too.
Your posts involve many ancient cultures, and it is not surprising that these subjects resonate also with people from India or China.
I have only seen a few Latvian blogs, but they also somehow disappeared.
I personally liked your posts because I found there thoughts similar to mine, like totally against the mainstream settings. I did sometimes write like that and nobody liked it too much. Your writing is also for the most part neutral, in order not to appear as offensive, in that meaning neutral.
Tell me about students! Maybe I was born to be teacher, but I have been teaching since the third year at University. and I said I never want to be a teacher.
I have also quite a character because I’m used to teach. Ok, thanks very much for these nice comments and all the thoughts!
I’m loving green at the moment too. Is it because I’m so much more indoors right now? I don’t know. But, I also believe the only way to make art is to make that which we are “deeply in at any particular moment.” Otherwise, why not do something else in the world? Happy Spring!
Thank you!
I think these green paintings came out really lively. I could complain once more how iphone 11 pro max makes any picture way too bright, but I won’t.
I’m working on new series, too.
Our spring is very slow and late with just a few nice and warm days. It is getting greener outdoors. Nobody wants to feel like they’re not in control, in this case, one cannot leave house. It is easier for me because I’m very used to that.
Spring is fantastic, but short. I’m kind of lost, I do not have much motivation to do anything. I do not feel like making online classes because I don’t like that. Maybe at the moment. People are getting so little from watching online instruction, especially if they have no experience.
I am working on a few books, not sure when I will get them done. White flowers are in the focus right now.
I appreciate your nice comment. Stay safe!