I’ve been so inspired after reading “Problem Solving for Painters…” by Gregg Kreutz. The title sounds like one of those dime-a-dozen art instructional books, but this one truly is a gem, right up there with “Alla Prima” by Richard Schmid.
I also just started reading “The Art Spirit” by Robert Henri, which ought to be a part of every representational artist’s arsenal of supplies. I’ve never read much of artists. I have a couple books by Anthony Ryder and Ted Seth Jacobs, and I admire them beyond measure, but I am too impatient for their approaches. Gregg Kreutz’s book opened doors for me where before I was blocked, and Robert Henri so far is awakening in me the love for learning that brought me to Ted Jacobs so long ago.
So, back to Colorado: a couple weeks ago, I tried to attend an opening night of some local art societies’ exhibit, and got there 5 minutes before it closed to find it empty with locked doors. I haven’t met many other artists out here, at least not representational, working artists, and then walking up to those locked doors nudged me again with the feeling that I’m in the wrong place for making a living as an artist.
I slumped about for only an evening and then packed up my easel (Alla Prima Pochade – the best I’ve ever used) the next morning, determined to create something exceptional.
I found a car salvage place with old VW micro-buses lining the perimeter. They wouldn’t let me inside but I could stand out in the field next to the lot and paint whichever bus wasn’t too veiled by weeds. I settled on one, a ’66 I think, and from the brush stroke it all felt right. The painting came together in two sessions, complete with gnats caught in the canvas. The next day, I found another treasure, an early 60’s with layers of painted signs half sanded off.
On the last couple days, I finally painted an old house I’ve seen a hundred times driving along a busy street near Boulder. Painting this one took a greater deal of concentration because of hundreds of large trucks passing ten feet behind me at 65 mph. I especially like how remote the place looks while in reality, countless vehicles roar by it all day long.
Five days of great painting, a little sunburn, and I discovered the Plein Aire Artists of Colorado, which I’ve joined but haven’t painted with yet. That will be for next week. I know there’s serious artists out here: Dan Beck, Quang Ho, Ron Hicks. Even Richard Schmid used to be nearby here. I’m gradually breaking out of my hermitage, and getting better work done in the process.