The Bluegrass Biennial

It is my pleasure to announce that my painting "Hen and Chicks" has been juried into the "Bluegrass biennial 2006" at the Claypool-Young Art Gallery at Morehead State Uniersity. This showcase of Kentucky's best artists is held every other summer.

I am shocked and proud that my work has been accepted into this show. I am pleased with the warm response given to my new body of work. If in the Morehead area, stop by to see the exhibit of Kentucky's finest artists.

It is from June 3rd-July 28 2006. The opening reception will be on Saturday, June 3rd 3:00-5:00. There will be refreshments and live music by Brett Ratcliff, an Eastern Kentucky old time acoustic musician. 

Spring Fever

Over the winter, I planned to use the 'inside time' to produce an abundance of work.
I was able to produce a series of paintings, but the cold weather and lack of sunshine
caused a mild depression which slowed down my motivation. I am grateful the winter
was not very severe this year.

Last month, I stayed warm at Homegrown Creations in Washington, DC.
to work on my indoor mural. I have finally gotten all of the walls covered with some paint. You
can see photos of the project by clicking here

I can't wait to dethaw my pottery studio.
It is difficult to keep my studio from freezing
during the cold months. Water is abundant in clay work, and when water freezes, it will
ruin a project. (similar to the way freezing water can crack concrete) I am excited to
get back to work in clay.

I am also excited to return to plein air painting.
It has been too cold to paint outside. I miss the fresh air and excitement of landscape painting. I have some specific plein air
projects that I am eager to begin. I will let you know how they develop.

In the past, I have cheated myself of the joy of spring by running south for the winter.
Here in the Midwest, we are getting the first signs of spring. The trees have a red glow,
and the bulbs are rising from the ground. I am discovering a new energy that comes
with the season. I am taking on new projects and utilizing my time better.

I am starting to feel that the new year brings great possibilities.
Now, I just need to get started on my spring cleaning. I'd like to know how you spent your winter. Do you
have seasonal projects that you are starting/finishing? Leave a comment to tell us about
spring where you live.

Art Competitions

I am planning to enter a few competitions for exhibitions in my region.
I see it as a can't lose situation. If I am one of the fortunate artists to be selected for the prize, the reward is obvious. However, I believe the process of submitting my work is a reward in itself.
The competitions are providing short-term goals for my studio work.
It is very easy to get distracted with long term goals, such as an art show 4 months away. It's easy to procrastinate and lose focus.

One jury requires 20 samples of the artist's work.
This has been an excellent opportunity to work in a series. My 20 pieces will all relate to each other. I believe unity in the work will create a powerful display.

Competitions will help me develop my work.
I believe that artist's work is influenced by economic factors. Art that makes a good design in a home or office is easy to sell, but does not always express a complicated thought. I believe that museums and other exhibition venues are more interested in what the artist has to say than whether the work is pretty or easy to sell. This provides an excellent opportunity to experiment with new ideas and break comfortable molds with my art.

What do you think?
Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences with art competitions? Any suggestions for other artists? I would like to hear from you, so please leave a comment for everyone.

Have a great week!
ken

Communicating with art

Communicating with art
This blog has been a great way to practice my writing skills.
I am not a natural writer, and posting a new blog each week can be a challenge. My ultimate goal is to improve my communication skills. The arts give us a unique way to communicate. A picture says 1000 words, a song can change your mood, and a book can change your mind. Our work as artists can do more than simply entertaining others, it can change their lives.
What do I want to say?
I am still developing my art, but try to use it to encourage others. I believe as artists, we should encourage others to peruse their own creative talents. Our society has too many negative stereotypes for artists. I wonder how many artists have not even tried due to fear of having a stereotype pinned on them? I want to be an example that you can follow your dream, be an artist, make a living, remain sane, sober and keep both ears attached.

What do you want to say?
Do you think about what you want to say when you create your art? Is there a single message you are communicating with your work? Can art be just for the sake of decoration and entertainment? What works of art that have left a strong impression on you (or society)? Please leave your comments on the blog, I look forward to hearing from you!

Have a great week!
peace
ken

specializing

I have thought a lot about specializing.
My father once described a commercial he saw on german television: the commercial asks, 'which would you rather listen to?' showing first a plays all musician with cymbols on the knees, an accordian, and harmonica. The second image was a symphony violinist. The point he was trying to make was clear.

To make great things you have to focus.
A lot of marketing advice reccomends specializing. Do one thing, and do it well. Don't try and be everything to everyone. In order to become a master artist, you must focus your attention exclusively on your craft. Multi-tasking and 'having too many irons in the fire' can be counter-productive.

I can't focus, I want to do it all!
I paint: with oils, acrylics, watercolor...anything!
landscapes, portraits, whimsical, abstracts...depending on my mood. I work with clay and can't decide whether to work with functional (cups, bowls, etc) pottery or sculptural...so i do both. I tend to obsessively work on one thing until I reach a point where i am burnt out, and then i will shift to something else. It is a good cure for artist's block.

I am trying to tie everything together.
In spite of my different moods and mediums, a unique voice is developing. My style is a fusion of many different passions. I have been working in series with the idea that each painting will relate to the one painted before and after it. The goal is a uniform look when all the paintings are shown together in a room. It is hard sometimes to avoid tangents, but they can be the next series.

That's as close as I can get to specializing.
I know that not all artists have a problem with focus, because it shows in their work. I wonder if they had to struggle against the desire to 'try everything' before focusing? As I continue to develop, my many obsessions might fuse into one great work. I hope so.

Can anyone else relate to this?
I am interested in hearing any stories and suggestions. Are you a good multi-tasker? What techniques do you use to focus on a project? Do you know any successful 'jack-of-all trades'? What do you think was their secret?

I really would like to hear your comments...if you aren't sure how to post to the blog, feel free to email me: usartdude@hotmail.com

Here is my first post!

I have finally gotten around to starting this blog.
I am looking forward to fine tuning my writing skills (and YOUR writing skills) . I do not want this blog to be like many that are one sided. Please participate, because it is boring to talk to yourself, or a wall, or a blog that no one ever reads!

One of my goals for 2006 is to create a stronger internet presence.
I live in a very remote part of kentucky and do not have internet at my house. I want to develop a workflow that allows me to keep my website, groups, blogs as close to real-time as possible. With the help of public libraries, hotspots, and friend's broadband, it is possible.

I am also going to make my webpage web standard compliant.
Basicaly, I will have to completely re-write my site, BUT it will be easy to update and it will work on any number of browser, machines, etc. I have ordered a book called "bulletproof web design". If you have any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

I am continuing the traditional get fit resolution.
After running 2 marathons, i have become a full fledged madman. I am training for my 3rd which will be Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon. My goal is to complete the 26.2 mile race in less than 4 hours. This requires a strict regimen of running, exercise, diet and more running. Of course, i am interested in any fittness type discussions.

So, what about YOU?
I would like to hear what kind of resolutions you have made for the new year. Just think, if you share your resolutions with an audience, your chances for success are greater!

Thanks for Visiting (and posting)
I am going to try and post once a week, so please bookmark this blog and tell your friends!

have a great week
ken