tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618025896103645633.post4924840252810228614..comments2023-11-25T08:33:24.935-05:00Comments on art, birds, nature: Thoughts On My 500th PostKen Januskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16984782169460110520noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618025896103645633.post-24466476792290611272013-02-04T08:50:58.725-05:002013-02-04T08:50:58.725-05:00Hi Gabriella,
Thanks for your lengthy response, a...Hi Gabriella,<br /><br />Thanks for your lengthy response, and the shorter now diappeared one!! I've been fooled as well many times where the comment authentication process made me think that my comment had gone off into the ether.<br /><br />From what I can tell far more wildlife artists come from the science background than the art one. And it makes perfect sense to me that you'd like to pay homage to what you see. I constantly find myself in that position. In the long run I think you can't go wrong painting what you love.<br /><br />But as you say it can get boring seeing so many stereotypical wildlife scenes. That's when I think you start to notice the artists who are original, like the ones you mention. Even if they're excited by the very same thing I think the good artists try to find a way to portray that in a fresh way, not necessarily original, just fresh.<br /><br />I know you mentioned de Groot before. I was happy to see a video interview with him at Wildlife Art Journal. A very down to earth guy.<br /><br />I wouldn't be intimidated by 'fine art.' To me the best thing that can happen to art is for people to not be intimidated by it. There's such a tremendous variety of things taught in a 'fine art' education that it's very hard to say what really constitutes a fine artist or fine art. Do what you love and call it and yourself whatever you like. There's a good chance it will be just as good as what others may call 'fine art.' And probably it will be a lot more honest. I don't believe you ever get real art when it isn't honest.<br /><br />But enough on that! Good luck to you and your journey. I think persistence and confidence are your two best friends along the way.<br /><br />Ken Januskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16984782169460110520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618025896103645633.post-1888715501257037932013-02-03T18:51:28.729-05:002013-02-03T18:51:28.729-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13110316253802545811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3618025896103645633.post-37667122890112845612013-02-03T18:46:06.053-05:002013-02-03T18:46:06.053-05:00Congratulations on your 500th post! I can't re...Congratulations on your 500th post! I can't remember at what point in those 500 posts I found your blog, but I'm delighted to have been along for at least some of the ride. <br /><br />I've found your thoughts on wildlife art and contemporary art interesting. I guess I came at this from the opposite side. My father was a science teacher and I grew up outdoors. (I wanted to be a scientist but failed miserably at math.) I suppose it was only natural that I started into wildlife art with a strong urge to realistically reproduce what I could see in nature. My influences were field guides and the art in nature magazines and museums. I even went on to get some training as a scientific illustrator. I dreamed of being an exhibit artist in a museum. I've always been so in awe of nature that I suppose I also aimed to paint photo-realistically almost as a homage. However, as time has gone on, I find myself bored with the stereotypical magnificent buck in moonlight or majestic eagle paintings that seemed to dominate wildlife art shows. I find myself wanting to add more expressiveness into my work. But I will admit to being intimidated by the idea of trying to become a "fine artist". It seems a bit presumptuous of me. Hopefully one of the benefits of getting older is that I will care less and less about that! <br /><br />You mentioned Bob Kuhn and Michael Warren in your post. Ever since I got into wildlife art, I've liked them. As you know, I'm also an admirer of Robert Bateman's work. I think he was my original catalyst and although I am at the point now of trying to (struggling to) find my own artistic voice and move away from very realistic representation, he is still one of the greats to me. My newest inspirations which probably reflect the current point in my personal artistic journey include artists such as Fiona Clucas and Ewoud de Groot (who I got to meet in Bozeman, MT last year!). <br /><br />I'm curious to see where this journey takes me, as I am interested to see where yours takes you. Here's to your next 500 posts! Gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13110316253802545811noreply@blogger.com