I love this tongue-in-cheek video by Scott Burdick lifting the lid on Barcelona's ban on plein air painting. As if the world does not have bigger problems! Yes I am addicted to art and will be skipping Barcelona. The Explorers (oil on panel) Here is to you and your loved ones - have a fantastic New Year filled with creativity and peace! I want to take this opportunity to thank you for sharing 2012 with me even if it was just for a few minutes reading my blog or catching up on my gallery. I do appreciate you taking time out for this. The new year will be even better with more art and my workshops kicking off soon. I know we will have a good time! Here is to 2013! These lyrics from the classic Turn, Turn Turn by the Byrds say it all for me. To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven A time to build up,a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven A time of love, a time of hate A time of war, a time of peace A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn) There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn) And a time to every purpose, under Heaven A time to gain, a time to lose A time to rend, a time to sew A time for love, a time for hate A time for peace, I swear it's not too late A little holiday opportunity to win one of my framed paintings. Just visit www.inspiresa.co.za for free copy of their digital magazine and look out for the giveaway from yours truly. You can also enter here. Simply fill out the form below and send it in. Closing date is 31 December 2012. Please note that this giveaway is for RSA only. In July I wrote a piece titled Art Investing has Nothing to do with Art. This topic followed a few older pieces written about the bizarre practices of the uber-wealthy who locked away so called investment art after spending far too much in the first place. I do admit that these articles may have sounded like sour-grapes, but honestly these ludicrous purchases are far removed from practically all artist's wildest dreams - or nightmares - depending on your views.
In recent news it was reported that prominent American art critic, Dave Hickey, has "turned his back" on modern art. The article can be read in the UK Guardian. Hickey's scathing comment on the purchasers: "They're in the hedge fund business, so they drop their windfall profits into art. It's just not serious," he told the Observer. "Art editors and critics – people like me – have become a courtier class. All we do is wander around the palace and advise very rich people. It's not worth my time." Hickey goes on to suggest that a change of outlook in modern art is required: "Money and celebrity has cast a shadow over the art world which is prohibiting ideas and debate from coming to the fore," he said yesterday, adding that the current system of collectors, galleries, museums and art dealers colluding to maintain the value and status of artists quashed open debate on art. "I hope this is the start of something that breaks the system. At the moment it feels like the Paris salon of the 19th century, where bureaucrats and conservatives combined to stifle the field of work. It was the Impressionists who forced a new system, led by the artists themselves. It created modern art and a whole new way of looking at things." Of course I enjoyed the reference to impressionism challenging the status quo of the Paris Salon. So where does art move to from here? If everything has been said already then what is the point of art. I would like to suggest that modern art still has an important part to play in the world. Whether as social commentary or to tweak the noses of the establishment. I have no problem with art that is committed to its cause by artists with purpose. Whether that cause is to show beauty or satirise a president's backroom antics. It is about freedom and credibility of art. What does not work for me is art that panders to the hedge-fund brigade and the commission-greedy hangers on who cynically promote such works as significant. It is no wonder that prominent art critics feel they cannot win. There is just too much money involved. Do we even need to take note of this state of affairs? After all is it not enough to buy what you like and let everyone get the art they want. The issue is one of credibility. In a world where great and beautiful art is still created by honest artists we need to see that those who influence the art world recognise these artists. If prominent critics can speak out we will see credibility return to art and that is good for everyone. Doodle for charity! This is a great initiative for anyone who loves to doodle (and who doesn't?). Have a look at www.1000drawings.co.za and send off your drawing to be auctioned for charity. I am happy to announce that one of my paintings donated to the Treasure the Karoo Action Group has been purchased by Mrs A Gravett of East London. The proceeds from the sale of the painting (R1500.00) will be donated to the TKAG. Please support them in their efforts to keep the Karoo free from fracking. There is one painting left, Karoo Windmill. If you are interested in the painting please contact me. What the frack is going on! This is the question right now regarding government's position on granting licenses to permit fracking in the Karoo. Politics is a subject I tend to avoid, but I do believe in environmental issues. Especially this environment. I have a particular love for the karoo. I have also produced many paintings of karoo scenes. It is a stunning area in South Africa's heartland, part of this country's heritage and ecologically sensitive. So I would like to encourage all those who care about this area to get informed and try to help the good folks who have made it their mission to save the karoo from irreparable damage. You can visit www.treasurethekaroo.co.za for more info. It is likely that they will have to take formal action soon to halt the process so as much assistance as possible would be appreciated. I am also donating the net proceeds from my painting, Karoo Windmill, to the Treasure the Karoo Action Group. I have marked the painting and I hope that I will be able to announce the sale and donation on this blog soon. (Daniel Novela with some bloke) My family and I were fortunate to get some time off this weekend to visit the Grahamstown Arts Festival. As always a weekend is not enough to take it all in. There is a risk of sensory overload. However after a day or so the sights and experiences filter a bit and I am left with a sense of gratefulness that I share a creative spirit with artists. I am also grateful that so many artists take the time and effort to show their work. Make no mistake it is not an easy business. I was happy to catch up with Daniel Novela who is exhibiting his paintings at the Albany Museum. Daniel is a firm believer in outdoor painting and outdoor references to give his paintings energy. He has a keen perception for nature that can turn the most bare highveld scene into a beautiful sight. A nicer chap is hard to find so pay him a visit if you are in town. Grahamstown is cold this time of year so I was happy to acquire this portable "heater" from the village market. It was put to good use both outdoors and in! Mr Shapiro from Cape Town makes these ceramic stoves which are truly functional artworks. As the title suggests it was also a time to take a break from the business of art, get my thoughts together and get back to painting this week. Inspiration visits when work begins. The arts fest does remind me that whatever creative direction we may follow we are all in good company. Welcome to my new look website. This site has more focus on art products, techniques, daily artists process and hopefully some feedback from artists. I do hope that this fresh approach gets things stirred up a little!
I also wanted to be able to offer artists the products that I find useful. I have learnt that certain kit is necessary while most is not. It is an expensive lesson. The items on this site are ones that I can vouch for otherwise they are not featured - simple. I will be giving more attention to plein-air painting and I am looking for other artists to share their plein air experiences in the good old RSA and abroad. Good travel spots? Upload some pics to the forum. The forum page is an experiment that will depend on you - share your art experiences! Personally I am not the chatty sort, but when it comes to art then I am happy to give my views. Have fun and enjoy every moment in art! |
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