Learning about painting is tricky. There are certain basic ideas you can learn. Like the elements artists use to create strong work—things we may know from high school art class: line, texture, shape, form, color, value. As we study we learn to apply these elements with interesting filters—pattern, contrast, emphasis, balance, movement, unity, rhythm. Taken together these bits of learning give us something to look for in our work. They’re useful areas of inquiry.
Then there is mystery, connection. How do all these art ideas coalesce into something separate from learning, into what some call the “world of the painting”? Words are not the language of this world. This is the point at which the painting takes things into its own hands. It begins to speak—clearly and powerfully. Its language is material, intrinsic, wordless. All sorts of crazy things may start to happen. Plans go awry, blow up, even. "Progress" often screeches to a halt. This is when we can only listen. Painter and painting are in it together. Information disappears and paint takes over. Can I describe it? No. Not in charge here. Just following instructions.
Image: "Airborne" 24x24" collage/painting
Because you've asked: Many of the works on this site are available. If you're interested, have questions, email me,
sarapostart@gmail.com
Not Good For You Like Medicine, But Good For You Like Sky
3/4/2021
Learning about painting is tricky. There are certain basic ideas you can learn. Like the elements artists use to create strong work—things we may know from high school art class: line, texture, shape, form, color, value. As we study we learn to apply these elements with interesting filters—pattern, contrast, emphasis, balance, movement, unity, rhythm. Taken together these bits of learning give us something to look for in our work. They’re useful areas of inquiry.
Then there is mystery, connection. How do all these art ideas coalesce into something separate from learning, into what some call the “world of the painting”? Words are not the language of this world. This is the point at which the painting takes things into its own hands. It begins to speak—clearly and powerfully. Its language is material, intrinsic, wordless. All sorts of crazy things may start to happen. Plans go awry, blow up, even. "Progress" often screeches to a halt. This is when we can only listen. Painter and painting are in it together. Information disappears and paint takes over. Can I describe it? No. Not in charge here. Just following instructions.
Image: "Airborne" 24x24" collage/painting
Because you've asked: Many of the works on this site are available. If you're interested, have questions, email me,
sarapostart@gmail.com
