Saturday, August 18, 2012

New Work For Fun

Copy-William S. Rice
This week I decided to make a copy of a block print by print maker William S. Rice. He was a California print maker working during the time of the arts and crafts movement and then later, well into the mid to latter half of the twentieth century. In the past, when trying to copy something, I've concentrated on the copying aspect of things. This is sort of the wrong way to go about it though, I think. It is easier to try and figure out why you like something and then how to emulate the idea. It turns out not to be a matter of what color to use or tracing a picture but more of trying to figure out why a painting or print works. What makes it work. In this case, as I was painting, I determined that it wasn't just black lines around a shape but more of carving out of positive and negative space to create shapes. So as I was painting I had to think back and forth about that-it wasn't just copying what I was seeing. I like the results too. I am not sure a steady diet of these paintings is the solution but this was instructive and the outcome is a pretty neat style. I'd like to try it again using my own photo and sketch.

 In other news, we went to the Crocker Museum yesterday. in Sacramento. It's a great venue and at this point I have been there often enough that I feel like I am visiting with some old friends. There are certain paintings I like to see while I am there. One of my favorites is by this man, Ralph Goings. He was a photo realist painter. I read a quote by him explaining his artwork and he essentially said that he developed his style just to annoy people; because he could do it, he did it and did it as well as he possibly could. Perverse I guess but I kind of like that sort of chutzpah. The second guy is this man,  Gregory Kondos. His work is new to me but I love the places that he paints. 

 OK, hope everyone is having a good Saturday. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby

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7 comments:

  1. Love that...I think you should try this. You love shapes so much that this could work really well for you.

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  2. I, too, like this style. It's very clean and sharp, and the earth-tone colors are very appealing. The Arts and Crafts movement was one of my favorite styles with an emphasis on simple forms. A very interesting post, Libby!!

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    1. Carol,

      The Arts and Crafts movement is one of my favorites for all of the reasons you mentioned: clean lines, great shapes, and wonderful earth tones. Till now though I hadn't quite figured out what to do with what I was seeing. Looking at relief prints now along with some of what I have learned has been helpful in tying some things together. I am hoping to keep trying some experiments to see if a "Libby style" develops:)

      Thanks for visiting and commenting. It's always nice to hear from you.

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  3. I agree with Carol. This seems to suit your natural style.
    I enjoyed reading this blog and I thought a lot about how long it took me to find out exactly what I liked and WHY. I think the really important part is examining WHY.
    I start many a class with everyone going through art books or magazines and the goal is to find errors and also a painting they like and then they have to tell me WHY they like it.

    Personally, I like so many different types and styles of art and that makes it more difficult. I have met artists who have a very clear cut idea of what they consider the RIGHT way to paint and never stray or stop to admire other types - in fact being very dismissive of anything other than their chosen realm. To me is is narrow but as they are very content then they are most likely the lucky ones.

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    1. Julie,

      The "why" part is tough to figure out and pin down isn't it? And your tastes change too with age, exposure to more art, and making art. I took your comments to mean in part that a person could learn to develop their own aesthetic over time. And also to recognize how some rules and guidelines actually function (by examining artwork) and then maybe how to identify your own path.

      I am weary of people who are dismissive of some types of art. Even when I don't like something, I know that there is probably at least one point to appreciate about the artwork. Hopefully:)

      Thanks again for the visit and comments. I always enjoy having a "back and forth" with you.

      Libby

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  4. A very thought-provoking post. What immediately struck me about your "copy" was that it does not look as though it was copied. It has a straightforward sort of appeal that copies often lack. I think this is the result of your approach to the copying process: not being overly concerned with getting the line and color just right but instead trying to capture the thing that made you want to copy it in the first place.
    Identifying what we like in something, what makes us want to turn it into art, I think is incredibly important to the entire process. We may never find the right words, but the attempt is so important.
    Glad I discovered your blog.

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  5. I love the insights you've developed and are sharing! I find them so true. Finding out what you like about something and reproducing that something rather than the whole thing is definitely a good plan, I think.

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