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| In the Distance 14x19cm acrylic on paper ©2012 Lisa Le Quelenec |
A frustrating couple of days, I'm struggling with writing an artist's statement at the moment, it needs updating for an exhibition that's coming up. This has to be one of the hardest tasks ever invented. My mind keeps wandering onto lots of other jobs that suddenly seem very, very important to do. You know the stuff, tidying and sorting the studio, sharpening pencils and lining them up in size order... I feel like I'm back in school.
I've started by mind mapping words, then letting sentences develop around them. I know what I want to say, it's on the tip of my tongue, unfortunately it's just out of my grasp. I've been searching the dictionary to no avail. Words, they are as elusive as the light I try to paint. I'm hoping that by not thinking about it for a while the words will pop magically into my head, the way they do sometimes.
All I can think of is this quote;
'If I could say it in words, there would be no need to paint.' -Edward Hopper
Hi Lisa, I remember doing mine and sharing it here on blogging artist land, everyone was so helpful as I remember feeling a bit in awe of it all. What I did was simply write about a few of my works it was for me really and then I shared it with the folks here. When I think of you and your work I always see you by the sea out there sketching doing your field study with the shells, drawing, making studies of the sea in paynes grey etc. It may help you to get started don't think about the statement just write and share it. If you look at other artist's statements you will only become confused as you cannot say what they say as it is their passion and work they are talking about. Be original and say 'why you paint the sea'! good luck.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere within the words you write, I hope you put in your love for the sea, the breeze, the colors :) I've never written more than a short blub - too boring - and wonder why it always has to be done and who reads them anyway? But maybe just jotting down words that come to you will cause it all to fall in line when needed.
ReplyDeleteoh yes, nightmare task!
ReplyDeleteand I'd use that quote in it :>)
Hi there Lisa!... "You" seem to paint from your heart and your comments seem to me to come from there as well.
ReplyDeleteWhy not pack away the dictionary... until it's really needed... set up two or three of your favourite paintings look at them and launch into a brief description of "Why" I paint ... moving to how I paint... sprinkling in some bio material to round it out!
Wish you luck Gal!
Good Painting and Writing!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Hi Caroline, thank you for your advice. I might have it ready later this weekend. I've done lots of head scratching and think I might be getting there now. I think the hardest part has been to keep it short.
ReplyDeleteMorning Rhonda, it is a task and a half! I'm finding it hard to put feelings into words..
Hi Vivien, I am tempted ;o)
Hello Bruce, thank you. That sounds like a good recipe. The dictionary has been on hand because I have a habit of making up words :o)