Comments on Teresa Mallen Studio: new projects...

Hi Country Dreaming, your are a blogger's dream re...

2009-02-12T20:09:00.000-05:00

Hi Country Dreaming, your are a blogger's dream reader. :-) You actually read a post thoroughly and then you took the time to make a thoughtful comment. Thank you very much!!

I think it is safe to say that Svetlana has a bias towards a rather specific version of art. Svetlana is a unique artist - she creates installation art(3D stainless steel sculptures, holograms, etc.) and for the past five years her work has been influenced by science - black holes, string theory and space/time. She is passionate about the expressive side of art as opposed to creating pretty pictures for our living rooms. Her comments reflect this perspective.

I think there is room for it all in this world. Yes, even the pretty art and the art that is done for our enjoyment. She did say that she saw her role as our guest speaker as being someone who was there to push us to new levels in our art. Given that the audience was made up of artists who show and sell their work and who want to improve, I think she was right to take this approach.

There is also the fact that pretty art is often art that sells! :-)

I think it is up to each individual artist to find their own voice and style. Grow, learn, be willing to experiment and if along the way you create some pretty pictures, well so be it. It's all good! Thanks again for your thoughtful response.

Thank you Jessica for your kind words. Of course the wonderful thing is that when we reach out to make a difference, we are blessed too.

I know little about drawing, but as far as helping...

2009-02-12T19:06:00.000-05:00

I know little about drawing, but as far as helping a child, I'm with you there. Thank you...I was going to ask what foundation you used if you hadn't mentioned it.

God bless!

Svetlana Swinimer's critiques are immensely helpfu...

2009-02-12T18:18:00.000-05:00

Svetlana Swinimer's critiques are immensely helpful and thought-provoking, however much one agrees or disagrees with the comments themselves.

She states: - Artists must always be growing and not "riding on the backs of others". We must be "discovering new territory or we are not artists". Our desire should be to grow, not to create "pretty paintings".

It seems that Svetlana is here encouraging artists to find or evolve into their own unique style. So far, so good.

But what's this about discovering new territory as mandatory, an absolute insistence and focus on growing, and downplaying art as the pursuit of beauty? How self-conscious should we be before the "taking ourselves seriously as artists" interferes with the creative process? And what about painting or photographing or playing around in Photoshop as we like to produce something that personally pleases us to look at, should we reduce that to a guilty pleasure?

As to the boring shadows, I agree completely with Svetlana Swinimer and the critic previously featured in this blog. Bring on that tiny hint of suspense and intrigue to captivate the imagination.

On following photo references too closely, Svetlana makes me smile since I'm a photographer ... Because I agree with her. My entire goal is to present what my mind sees, not what the camera sees. If the two happen to resonate, all well and good. If not, time to pull out the good old artistic license and use it.

As far as the number of color complements in a photo, I agree with you Teresa Mallen in that if renowned painters didn't follow a set limit, then the limit is definitely up for debate. Maybe one set of complements is the current fashion?

Thanks so much for your offer of help! I might jus...

2009-02-12T18:17:00.000-05:00

Thanks so much for your offer of help! I might just need it! Con gracias anticipadas...

Felicitaciones para esta nueva etapa de compartir ...

2009-02-12T17:59:00.000-05:00

Felicitaciones para esta nueva etapa de compartir su vida con Milagro! * sonrisas y buenos saludos *

Translation: Congratulations on this new stage of sharing your life with Milagro! * smiles and good greetings *

I can relate. I'm godmother to a little girl that my sister and her husband went to Colombia to adopt. :-)

If ever you need help translating a few words or phrases, please feel welcome to call on me.

(Will now leave an art comment in a separate posting, if that's all right.)