Thursday, February 4, 2016

New Work & Loosen Up!

Good Guys, Bad Guys
image size 12" x 16"-
painted acrylic papers on watercolor paper

The above piece was completed a few days ago and is a riff on my last piece shown here. I wanted to use the same colors again but in different proportions. The piece began as a smaller paper sketch using scraps from the last project. I am not sure about everything but I do like the inclusion of more "biomorphic" shapes. 

An Idea About Loosening Up.
Recently I read once again that another artist was trying to "loosen up". In the past, for a variety of reasons, I have been dismissive of this comment. I have negative connotations, stemming from my childhood, with both the phrase and the idea. At this point though, after hearing the phrase so many times in the art world, I'd like to understand just exactly how this directive can be applied to painting. There must be some merit in the idea if everyone is talking about it. It might pay to consider some ways in which a painter might loosen up or even conceive of the idea of loosening up. What could that look like? 

When I hear the phrase, I tend to first think about the abandoning of any game plan. Does this mean then that a person paints something willy nilly, without any kind of a plan? I suspect that people believe creative types are very spontaneous. In reading a fair amount of artist interviews given by contemporary painters though, most of them say that they either start with a very detailed plan and leave themselves open to the possibilities of change or that they start a painting in an open ended fashion and continue to hone in on their ideas. Even an action painter has to prep a bit before they run up to attack the canvas. They at least have an idea of which section they are heading for with a loaded brush in hand. Their next mark might be a total surprise but it's likely based on the last mark. 

Another approach would be that painters abandon any sorts of "rules" that have been established through the ages. Things like rules based on the color wheel, design set ups, and rules regarding how to avoid tangents. Personally I tend to think about about edges and color usage. I admire painters who handle edges in a variety of ways. And I admire painters who seem to make their colors sing without shouting. Are those loose qualities? Did they just happen spontaneously, emerging out of the artist's brain without any practice or thought?

The phrase could also mean a relaxing of standards. Just do what you feel regardless of the outcome. This idea has some merit also. Perhaps it is the closest thing to someone realizing their creative vision. But what about craftsmanship and skill and learning? What if what comes out isn't exactly what the artist wants? What about people's perceptions?

Myths of any sort are tricky to grasp. They can explain any number of real events or tangible visions or even vague ideas. They can even help to dispel something that isn't true. What then does it mean to loosen up? I wonder if people could really mean that they want to somehow advance their painting skills but don't really know how. Or maybe they don't really know how to articulate that vague feeling of dissatisfaction, of wanting to paint differently, to make better paintings, or to somehow enjoy the process more. I almost wonder if people say the phrase because they don't quite know what else to say? Or it is something that is expected? We do those sorts of things. Sometimes phrases are just a starting point for a larger discussion. Or even an excuse to look inward more closely for personal and meaningful answers to a very complex question. So the next time you use this phrase, consider what you really mean. What are you trying to actually say? It's worth a thought I think.


If you have something to add please let me know. I am always interested in adding other viewpoints to my database of ideas. And I will probably write about this topic again soon:)

Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby

10 comments:

  1. Really like the colors in this piece Libby. It reminds me of a machine of some sort - very imaginative.
    The phrase "loosen up" is one that I have said to myself for years. To me, it just means "don't be so tight - let your lines and images flow more - let loose a bit!"

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    1. Judy,

      The machine reference is good. It's one of the things that I had in mind also:)

      And thank you for your thoughts on "loosening up". I want to know for sure what people mean when they use that phrase in reference to their art.

      Thanks as always for your visit and comments, Judy. I appreciate it!
      Libby

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  2. Lots of movement in GG,BG. I enjoyed the eye path and your color harmony. I was surprised to read Biomorphic shapes as it has been a long time since I have heard it. Wasn't it a brit who came up with the term? Anyway - I know exactly what you mean.
    You raise all types of interesting ideas on what exactly does "loosen up" mean.
    I think Judy (above) has defined hat most artists mean when they use the term loose.
    Loose is the opposite of tight or stiff so if you paint between perfect lines in a smooth manner so to speak, then it is considered tight. Some fabulous work is done that way.
    When I hear an artist announce they want to loosen up I applaud their instinct to move on to another step of growth. No doubt once they are successful at it they will then advance from loose into another goal. . Surely the whole purpose is to keep making new discoveries of the miracle of art making. Life long learning!

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    1. Julie,

      Smart girl! It was a British writer who first coined that term. It was subsequently applied to Cubism and Abstract Art. See how great Wikipedia is? LOL:)

      Your experience in teaching is so useful to me so thank you. It was good to hear that when your students use the phrase "loosen up" it's likely that they do so because they want to progress to the next stage of learning. It's what I was tending to think myself because frankly, it's something that I would probably mean too! Just goes to show that a good listener (like I bet you are) can figure out what someone is saying.

      I thought the topic was so interesting so I will probably think about it some more in later posts. I am particularly interested in why some older artists seem to stop stretching and growing. What happens?

      As always, thank you for your comments and insight. I appreciate it.
      Libby

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  3. Dear Libby - Good Guys/Bad Guys is filled with lots of wonderful movement as well as good color. I am always learning so much when I stop to visit. Loved the questions and thoughts you posed regarding "loosening up". It was interesting to read Judy and Julie's take on the meaning. Possibly when someone begins drawing and painting they tend to focus more on technical skills. Later as they get better in this particular area they do start to paint outside the lines. For me I love seeing all types of art and can appreciate those who draw and paint very realistically as well as abstract and impressionistic. Guess it comes down to each one's artistic journey and where they may be on that path. Thanks for getting my brain thinking Libby - wonderful post as always. Hugs!

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    1. Debbie,

      It's good that you brought up painting or drawing in a technical sense. Also that you mentioned more realistic painting as compared to work that is more of an impression or an idea of something (or maybe even just form for form's sake). I think it is all very interesting. Even just having a few viewpoints interpreting the phrase "loosen up" has been educational for me. It helps to see that other people use the phrase differently.

      Thanks you as always for your visits and comments. I love getting other ideas!
      Libby

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  4. A very colorful and harmonious piece, Libby.

    I have used the term "loosening up" myself several times as well as hearing it often. I never associated anything negative with the phrase. To me, loosening up in my case has to do with brushwork. I have a tendency to paint with medium to longer length strokes leaving hard edges. Most of the works I admire have softer edges which give the work a suppler, gentle feeling. It can really change the feeling of a painting. Also, the use of shorter strokes varies the color application and adds energy or movement if that is needed. Compare it to knitting where one person's stitches are tight affecting the gauge and look of the knitted piece as opposed to a looser approach that offers movement and flexibility.

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    1. Carol,

      It's funny how you come to associate certain words and phrases with being either good or bad. I think of brushwork also when I think of the phrase "loosen up" but mostly in relation to edges-hard or soft or disappearing. The idea of longer and shorter strokes is interesting also.

      I suppose my negative interpretation comes from my own background as mentioned but also because I have heard it said by other painters who seem to want to change their style for some reason. It's as if there is something wrong with what they are doing and they are seeking a "right" way of doing things.

      It's all just a great discussion and opportunity isn't it? So many ways of doing things and of learning how to make something the way that you want to make it.

      Thanks as always for your insight. I appreciate it!
      Libby

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  5. Had to read about biomorphism. Learn something every day! I found myself trying to identify the good guys vs the bad in your work. I did not reach a conclusion, but it did hold my attention for some time and that's good, right? A success in my book! I cannot add to the comments here on looseness as it was all said and very well. The opposite of loose is tight. There is place for both...thank goodness. :)

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    1. Lisa,

      I know right? I didn't know too much about the word either until I started to investigate. It really is something that I am interested in pursuing.

      And you sure are right. I think there is room for every kind of style and approach. Loose, tight, and in between!

      Thanks for your visit and comments. I appreciate it!
      Libby

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it! I reply back in an email if you are signed in and I can see your address. Otherwise I will post the reply here under your comment. I tend to cut and paste my emails too so that others can experience the back and forth which I think is integral to blogging.
Libby