When it’s time to start a new project, the shape and scope of it aren’t always clear. Sometimes, the supplies on hand are enough of an inspiration; Chris came home the other day with used portraits on which he can paint over to reuse the canvas. The supplies came first and the concept will follow. Other times it starts with an idea in his head that eventually finds its way onto some canvas or other.
May has been a good month for art! Chris was in two shows, “2019 South Carolina Arts Awards Art Sale” by the South Carolina Arts Commision in Columbia, SC and “Biennale National Juried Exhibition 2019” by the Art League of Hilton Head in Hilton Head, SC. It’s not everyday that he is accepted into a show, so to get into two in the same month is definitely something to brag about. Chris entered three paintings
How does one become an artist? Is a person born to it, or do life and circumstances merge to forge an artist? Is it instinctual, like when a bird builds a nest and knows just how she wants it to be? Or is it something that can be taught? Perhaps all one needs is a creative spirit and the skill necessary to create can be learned through lessons and practice. Although this is a complicated
Chris has been hard at work in his studio the past couple of months and has recently finished some wonderful pieces that I want to share with you. Neither has been titled yet; most of the time the title is the very last part of the process. Take a look below. Here’s one of Chris standing next to the finished piece. He’s wearing his favorite painting outfit – Marvel t-shirt and sweatpants. It’s important to
One of the many wonderful things about living with an artist is that the house is filled with…wait for it…art. With a few exceptions, the paintings in our house are Chris’. One of my absolute favorites is “The Butterfly Effect”, which hangs in our bedroom. Almost every night before I fall asleep I look at that piece, even if just for half a minute, and admire it. It’s peaceful and soothing and I always feel
Abstract art can be hard to understand. As I’ve stated many times before, a common reaction to an abstract work is “But, what IS it?”. If a person fails to understand and connect with a piece it is nearly impossible to appreciate it. As a non-artist, this is something that happens to me all the time. “Isn’t this work AMAZING!” they say, to which I respond with my most enthusiastic “Uh huh!”, wait for an
Spoiler alert: This post is shamelessly self-promoting. Well maybe not shamelessly. Okay yes, shamelessly but not in the bad sense of the word. Of course we want to promote Chris’ work with the ultimate goal of selling it; there’s certainly no shame in that. And what better time to reach out to his biggest fans than the holiday season? So if you’re looking for a unique gift made by a local artist that will make
As I write this, Halloween is just around the corner (and as you read this, it will have just been over). We love Halloween in our house; it’s the beginning of the holiday season and it’s a fun night with friends, dressing up in our favorite costumes, and eating TONS of candy. What’s not to like? We’re lucky because our neighbors also like to celebrate Halloween. We are far from the most decorated house, but
To find inspiration for this month’s blog, I began reading a book Chris recommended, Abstract Painting: Concepts and Techniques by Vicky Perry. It was on the first page of the preface that I found just what I was looking for. She included a quote by Clement Greenberg that I immediately thought was brilliant and was totally jealous that I had not thought of. He said “…the onlooker who says his child could paint a Newman