Watermedia Works: Art and Fear

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Art and Fear

Cognizantithesis 4

Acrylic & gesso on Yupo

25" X 19"

"Fears about artmaking fall into two families: fears about yourself, and fears about your reception by others. In a general way, fears about yourself prevent you from doing your best work, while fears about your reception by others prevent you from doing your own work."

David Bayles & Ted Orland

Art & Fear

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are serious about your work it is a must read. If you have read it already, read it again.

14 comments:

Peggy Stermer-CoxThursday, December 15, 2011 at 11:15:00 PM MST
Hi Stan, Hmm, thinking I ought to read it again! It's a great book, and I do like this series you're working on!
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Stan KurthFriday, December 16, 2011 at 8:10:00 AM MST
Thanks, Peggy! Whenever I'm in a creative funk this book makes it all better, motivates me to just keep on working.
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EvaSunday, January 1, 2012 at 1:16:00 PM MST
I have this book and loved it. It takes someone to pick out one of the many gems and quote them to remind me to pick the book up and read it again. Thanks, and Happy New Year!
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Stan KurthTuesday, January 3, 2012 at 11:19:00 PM MST
Eva - This book always picks me up when I'm in a funk. Happy New Year to you as well!
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Sandy MaudlinWednesday, January 4, 2012 at 1:01:00 PM MST
Exciting work on YUPO! Gret to find your blog.
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Stan KurthThursday, January 5, 2012 at 7:52:00 AM MST
Sandy - Glad you like it!
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Blue Sky DreamingFriday, January 6, 2012 at 5:03:00 PM MST
I like this...wonderful colors and movement.
Thanks for the book reminder...now to find it in the stacks!
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Stan KurthTuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:55:00 AM MST
Mary Ann - Thank you and good luck with the stacks!
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bondearteFriday, February 10, 2012 at 12:36:00 PM MST
I like this , wonderful movement and the color is l !!incredible
Congratulations
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EvaSunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:09:00 AM MST
I know I commented earlier on this post, but I forgot (how could I?) to mention how much I love the painting.. Another winner!!
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DJMonday, February 27, 2012 at 6:57:00 PM MST
You're doing wonderful work. Hope 2012 is treating you well.
Love & Laughter,
DJ
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NickWednesday, July 4, 2012 at 4:43:00 PM MDT
I like it, great piece. work bigger!
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Statement

One definition of intuitive includes words like feeling and instinct. These terms are mildly interpretive, and who can argue with artists who “feel” their way through paintings. My definition of intuitive painting is beginning the work without any preliminary thoughts or plans for a particular object or subject as an end, but rather starting on a blank substrate, making marks with a variety of tools, creating a library of design elements and applying design principles until a personal aesthetic is achieved. I do not use any external reference.

Marks are mostly random early on, but sometimes lines or shapes of thoughts occur during the process. Many of these are repetitive, my archetypes. It is not uncommon to find vague human anatomy, non-specific animals, interiors, buildings, furniture, vessels, surreal botanicals, automobiles/parts and a multitude of objects I have found interesting over the span of a lifetime. Some of these shapes may look familiar but are ambiguous enough to allow the viewer a personal narrative. This may be intentional or not on my part. I prefer mystery and intrigue over the obvious.

As paintings progress, more elements including color are introduced. These are random at first but as the process continues a shift towards design takes place. A dominant color temperature may emerge, or a glaze might unify colors beneath it. Values can shift to dominant light, mid or dark. Elements are enhanced, obscured or covered up. There may be multiple layers and quite often evidence of the beginning will peek through. I use a variety of tools to apply pigment or remove it in varying degrees. These tools include brushes, palette knives, scrapers, sticks, sandpaper, my hands, my fingernails and more. Gradually principles such as rhythm, harmony, unity, pattern, gradient, conflict, dominance, contrast, balance, repetition, alternation and movement coalesce into a composition I find esthetically pleasing.

It is one thing to make a pretty picture with good composition, but quite another to bring the viewer into a painting by such means and hold their attention with content. My objective is to evoke a pleasing visceral response from the viewer.

"There's a complex simplicity in Stan Kurth's paintings that is both paradoxical and straightforward. As he works with multiple layers of watercolor and gesso, his provocative images emerge. Ambiguity and form coalesce into a singular, cohesive vision that holds the viewer spellbound"

Betsy Dillard Stroud - Watercolor Masters and Legends: Secrets, Stories and Techniques from 34 Visionary Artists

About

"Artist and workshop instructor Stan Kurth has drawn and painted most of his life. An aunt, who was an artist and art instructor, became a big influence even before he began school. Stan lives with the conviction of “fear not” and that same attitude permeates not just his life but his art. His focus and dedication to his work have earned him signature member status in several watercolor societies including the National Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies - Master. He currently lives in Arizona."