Advice for Wannabe Artists

Jerry Saltz is one of the few art critics still employed as a serial columnist.  So many writers have been forced off magazine and newspaper payrolls, assuming less specialized rolls with their publications or being replaced by adjunct freelance writers.  Saltz' work at New York magazine goes beyond simple art show reviews and delves into critiques of the broader art world including artists, curators, dealers, and museums.  He is particularly interesting to artists when he writes or speaks about the life of an artist.  His opinions often stem from his own experiences with creative success, failure, and frustration, and offer supportive insights for those who have chosen fine art as a career. 

Here is a link to a recent article of his entitled, How to be an Artist.  Be forewarned that the language and artwork in this article may contain an occasional four letter word and nudity, but also understand it is included to make appropriate points.  (Click me, cause I'm the link)

Abstraction

 

I came across this video today.  I have never seen a more compressed, yet meaningful, explanation regarding modern art and abstraction.   It takes 10 minutes to watch and is quite appropriate for high school students. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96hl5J47c3k

Lizzie Kripke Surfaces

Lizzie Kripke has been working with mural guru Meg Saligman.  I found out about it accidentally when my wife handed me a Super Bowl related article from the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled "Forever in Eagles' grip?" (Thurs. Feb. 15 section B-5).    The photo accompanying the article shows Lizzie painting a mural on Saligman's Philadelphia studio.  The image featured a bald eagle, talons outstretched, gripping Tom Brady and Lizzie was touching up the wings.   See more about Lizzie Kripke at:  ahttp://www.megsaligman.com/new-blog/lizzie

Long time, No Write

                                                   Chardin- "The Attributes of the Arts"
                                            Http://www.jean-baptiste-simeon-chardin.org

Pardon my neglect of the blog.  In defence, or lack there-of, I will quote a line formerly used to guide students:  "There are two kinds of people in this world.  Those who do, those who don't, and those who make excuses."  So I won't begin to make excuses for my neglect.

Neglect aside, I am continually reading, watching videos, going to shows, museums, looking at, and thinking about art.  It makes sense...I'm an artist.  However, I think sharing what I do and what I think might be important to somebody else too, for whatever reason.  So now your expecting some long wisdom filled essay...  No, I'm just sharing a passing thought that closes the distance between where   we were as students and where we are now.

I was reading a book called Magicians & Charlatans, by Jed Perl (a critic I recommend reading) who wrote about a Chardin exhibit (French painter, 1700's) at the NY Metropolitan Museum back in 2000 (I never claimed to be an up to date reader).  Perl's in depth descriptive praise of the artists work, especially the formal (visual compositional) aspects made me reflect upon works by former students, who may or may not have had prior knowledge of the artist's existence or work.  By looking at the student work you can compare Chardin's visual vector created by the (sometimes) carefully placed knife or brush and the student choices .  I'll let the work speak for itself.

Note: Please remember that beyond Art II students usually arranged their own still lives.  Becoming independent is an empowering lesson.  It is also important to remember that these drawings and paintings represent between 2 and 6 hours of work.  Although it seems as though it took days to accomplish the finished works, students were only in the art room for a short time each day.

                                          Adrienne Baer

                                          Kierra Westray

                                          Lindsay Chandler

                                          Hee Chang Lee

                                           Teresa Costanzo

                                          Josh Sehnert

                                               Arielle Goft

Festival of the Arts 2017

     How many years has the Festival of the Arts been going on?  I think it started in 1972 though I don't have that documented (we'll update this post).  You can do the math. But here are some scenes from this years show held May 17th and 18th at 7:30 pm, as usual.

 

Teachers:  Jennifer Silvius, Kristin Greenawalt, Mark Kobasz

  

These pictures may bring back some memories of your own art show.  Things don't change all that much; Just the faces and work.  In fact, some of those plywood boards may still have layers beneath painted by you!

Missed Post

Too many social media sites cause me to miss a step now and then.  I posted this link originally on Facebook, then realized I have a another important audience. So here is an article on Paul Carpenter, another SHS graduate, whose work is fairly well known in the Philadelphia area.  Maybe you've already seen his work and had no idea: artist-paul carpenter link

Jewelers Hub

SHS graduate, Leslie Boyd, was featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer's Home and Design section on Friday Feb. 17, 2017.  The article by Staff Writer, Samantha Melamed, categorizes Boyd's work as "sweet-and-simple to overstatement."  Remembering Leslie's work in school, I would expect something edgy regarding materials or concept.  One of the photographs features her and four other jewelers with which she shares a studio in the Bok Building.  Another shows a chain necklace of hers threaded through two silver wisdom teeth.  You can see the full article and read more about Leslie on her website.  The link is on your right:    http://www.lesliedboyd.com/news