Has the book on painting been closed?

Patricia Joyce · 10-19-2004, 01:11 PM

Mighty Mouse, My Hero!!
I think the only way I can show up in Atlanta is as a non-painter, I don't have the courage to show up with my paint box. But, don't worry, Marvin, my plan is to make this my "introduction to Marvin" workshop. Hopefully it will be the first of several workshops with "the Mighty Mouse"!!

I do have the Bargue book, ordered it as soon as I heard about it and I love using it. I have a notebook filled with drawings from the book. I have not considered Speed's book but will look into it. Thank you for the suggestion.

The worst and the most I can hope for in January is that I will be there, watching you paint, and the other students, DYING to be painting myself!! I really plan on being "juiced"!

Michele Rushworth · 10-19-2004, 01:18 PM

Oh, bring your paints..... really!

Patricia Joyce · 10-19-2004, 01:21 PM

Are you going to be there Michele? I am so tempted, but apprehensive, I have NO experience painting except for the three simple paintings I have done in this class (will soon be posting the finished "Girl with a Pearl")

Michele Rushworth · 10-19-2004, 01:48 PM

No, I won't be attending. I'm still trying to assimilate the information I've gathered from classes, videos and books from many different instructors over the past year or two. Perhaps in another year I'll sign up for more classes. Fortunately we have the Seattle Academy of Fine Art here which teaches great realistic painting so I don't need to travel so much.

But back to you... what do you have to lose by bringing your paints to Marvin's class? You'll learn more if you dive right in.

Debra Norton · 10-19-2004, 11:33 PM

Patricia, I agree with Michele, jump in there with your paint and brushes. I'm learning too, and it amazes me how much you learn by "just doing it." Be brave and take your paints to the workshop, I know you'll be glad you did.
Debra

Kimberly Dow · 10-20-2004, 12:46 AM

Patricia -

You've got more guts than this. Bring the paints. What are you afraid of? There will be worse painters than you and better painters - so what? I bet not one person will make fun of you - unless you dress funny or something.....but that;s another topic

It truly seems like such a waste of money to go and not take full advantage.

Sharon Knettell · 10-20-2004, 08:04 AM

To think the book on painting is closed is to deny the possibility of creating something that is not only new, but communicates to our age.

I think we owe a tremendous debt to the masters who came before us, but to worship at their feet denies us fulfilling our own possibilities. They all had problems to overcome and were always bravely searching for new methods and ways to communicate. To say real art has stopped say in 1890 and we have nothing more significant to add except to regurgitate the past, ensures that our art will become static and irrelevant. If you were to reread art history you would see that there was invariably tremendous pressure to keep the status quo, if many courageous artists did not comply perhaps we would all be doing Byzantine portraits.

I think one of the most dangerous trends in art, is perhaps not enshrined urinals, but nostalgia. I think when we think of contemporary representational art we should consider it not as a vehicle to recreate the stale motifs of the past, but to give ourselves as artists a more coherent way of communicating in our time. Paraphrasing Diane Arbus, who noted when looking through her lens, if she had seen the picture before, she would not take it.

This of course does not deny that the hard won skills of mastery, scorned though they are today, should be neglected. That goes without saying.

Patricia, bring your paints. Remember how the water when you first jump in is cold, but the more you swim the more comfortable it is.

Patt Legg · 10-21-2004, 08:23 PM

Patricia,

You sound exactly like me when I had finally made up my mind to take a workshop with Marvin. Trust me, you will learn and understand more after only one with Marvin then you can ever imagine----not to mention "he's really fun and not a stuff-shirt at all" ha

Hip -hip hooray to over 50--me too and loving it. Good luck and welcome to the greatest site on-line. Unfortunately I do not come here as often as I would like but do check in occasionally.

I hear the very same things you are saying from many of my students who have had previous classes in that area of learning.

Go for it and good luck.

Regards,
Patt