Cleaning House

Have you ever thought about how the past may alter the future? Do you believe that stress can come from dragging all that baggage around or having too much stuff? Since October I have been trying to get back to painting regularly and one thing I have noticed is that I am being strangled by stuff and the past.

I decided to start deleting old posts here on the blog that "A" don't relate, and "B" don't provide value. This is hard for me, because blogging here has been a lot like a journal, a record of what I've been doing as an artist since I started blogging. One thing I noticed is that I am doing a lot of planning, but not a lot of doing.

As artists, we tend to be pack rats. We hold onto old art that has not, and probably, will not sell. The art isn't our best work, but we can't throw it away. Nonetheless, that "baggage" we are hanging onto, those posts that have little or no value, and the stuff cluttering our lives, our studios, our workshops, etc, etc, may be holding us back and/or causing stress.

Clean your studio, throw out old "non-selling" artwork, delete files on your computer that don't provide value or need, and if you're a blogger and have posts that no longer relate to your mission...clean it up. Make room for new ideas, and new art.

Cheers

UPDATE: I deleted nearly 170 posts from the blog.

Before the Rain

Getting out of the studio and painting is one of my favorite things to do. Monday was a frustrating, and quite unproductive day creatively. Therefore, when the sun popped out Tuesday I grabbed the plein air backpack and hit the road in search a place to paint before the rain started in again.

The view I decided to paint - © Michael Warth

The clouds to the South looked pretty dark, but the view North was looking pretty good as you can see in the photo above. I figured I would have a few hours to get the painting blocked in, with the colors and shapes done enough to finish the painting in the studio. I took several photos to help me later.

I always work with a toned canvas, and typically make a quick drawing in pencil before starting the painting process. The 8" x 10" wood panel toned using Raw Umber and White was toned a week ago so it would be dry before packing it in my bag.

The painting was progressing quite well, as passers-by slowed to see what I was doing. Then again, since I took my son, and I was working out of the back of my Jeep, I bet it was funny seeing me out there painting while my son had the stereo jacked listening to his hip hop music. The thumping, the lyrics, and all was at times silly...but we were having fun. To be honest I even cranked the music listening to heavy metal as well. Yeah, I'm not a happy little trees kind of guy...there is something relaxing about listening to Five Finger Death Punch while making a tranquil oil painting.

The storm was coming, and I was pushing my luck. I rushed along getting the colors blocked in as fast as I could to beat the rain. I knew having the basics down, along with some quality photos, I would be able to finish the painting in the studio.

About two hours into painting, and quite comfortable by the way, it started to sprinkle and I ignored it at first. Within minutes, it was raining and I knew it wasn't going to blow over. I had a lot to put away, and even though my plein air set-up is quite easy to pack and transport, I wanted to get things cleaned up so I wouldn't make a mess or forget something on the road.

By the time I got things packed and I was back in the driver's seat, it was like a monsoon outside. Thankfully I packed up when I did. All was not lost though. I got enough done before the rain and I chose this spot because I wanted to make a day of it by heading further north after painting to hit an art store and great restaurant later in the evening.

Matt (my son) and I headed out to get to the art store about 40 miles north of my painting spot. I picked up a 24" x 36" belgian linen canvas, and we made it to the Irish themed pub, The Claddagh in the Brewery District for a Jamison Burger and Guinness. It was a great day, productive, and fun. Everyday should be like this.

In future posts I'll share more about my plein air setup, and how I like to pack my gear for a quick escape from the studio.

It's Time

Alternative Revolt Magazine - © Alternative Revolt

Still here? I know, I know, I've been gone for over a year. Many of you may know that I have been working full time for "the man" all while performing my duties as the Director of Photography for Alternative Revolt Magazine, my freelance photography work, and of course my work over at The Thirsty Muse.

Levi Benton - © Michael Warth

I've all but quit working as an artist. Though I have painted a few new works, I have really been lazy when it comes to fine art creations. Over the past few months I have been putting new work together, gathering the proper and much needed supplies, and have great plans to get back to what I love. The magazine is gone, and it really did take up a lot more time that I ever thought it would have. Furthermore, The Thirsty Muse takes a lot of time to produce and it does eat up a lot of my free time. With that said, I don't want to wait for January 2013 to start fresh with the new business model for Warth Arts.

I had a lot of fun at the magazine and I will miss it terribly. Meeting and photographing world famous rock stars (as pictured here at the left: Levi Benton of the band Miss May I), writing the popular 'Hopping Mad' beer column and even doing interviews with bands. The stuff back stage, on the tour busses, in the photo pit, and around the venue with literally thousands of screaming fans is something I could never try to explain here on the blog. Just know I made some awesome memories, great friends, and thousands of photographs I am deeply proud of.

Avenged Sevenfold - © Michael Warth

The work at the magazine taught me a lot about life, and what doing what you love is the most important thing in life. I have met individuals who have picked up a guitar, drumsticks, singing, etc., and made it their life's work. Many of them know I paint and wonder why I don't just make the leap and do what I love for a living. That's a long story for another post.

As of now, I have several canvases freshly "toned" and ready for me to start new work. The plein air bag is always packed and ready for an adventure, and the studio is due to be cleaned up and ready for new levels of productivity. I hope you will join me here on the blog to learn more about my paintings, the process, and the adventures I take on to make new art. It's Time...time for me to get back to the things I'm good at, and what I love to do. At times, I'll share what I'm doing in the world of photography, writing, and maybe even a little bit of my personal life.

A recently completed plein air painting...

"In The Field" 8" x 6" Oil on Canvas - © Michael Warth

Pencil Drawing - Still Fun!

"Fathers & Sons" - © 2011 Michael Warth

The drawing is a recently completed commission. Though I have not taken any commissions over the last few years, I really enjoyed doing this drawing. Most of the work I do now is in oil so this was a nice change of pace. Later this week I plan to frame the drawing and deliver it to the client.

(The Michael Warth Fine Art logo is just on the digital version shown online - the original does not have the mark)

What Would You Do?

I have pondered a question for many years and I have trouble convincing myself the answer is correct. Ever wonder why we congratulate people who succeed in going out on their own in business and yet we find it easy to judge a loved one by burdening them with the "what ifs"? What if you lose you house? What if you can't pay your bills?

What if you were told you only have a few years to live? Would you finally follow your dreams, or would you continue to play it safe? Failure, fear, and ultimately the fear of failure keeps one from stepping up to the plate. Maybe you strike out; maybe you hit a home run. Until you get off your butt, and step up to the plate you may never know.

Resistance

Art, specifically the process of creating art, is a battle. There is a war inside the artist with a force trying to keep one from creating. That force is resistance. 

Working at home it is easy to find "other" things to do besides the work that needs done in the studio. I'm not talking about art in the sense that it is a hobby or something to do when one is bored or relaxing. I am speaking of the art that must be created by the professional artists who know that without producing new work regularly their "tribe" (as Seth Godin describes it) of collectors move on to the next big thing. 

Procrastination, laundry, that movie on TV, dinner, and household chores keep the artist out of the studio and add to the resistance that must be overcome to create new work. As I sit here at the computer writing this post I have experienced years of resistance. I mean years! I have not created new work that excites me for a long time. And yes, there has been a ton of health issues, and other "things" keeping me from the studio. But, with that said, it is still resistance keeping me and my fellow artists from creating new work.

Are you experiencing resistance? Overcome it today, and just work...don't worry about the sales price, or where to sell it, just work! Get in front of the canvas, paper, or whatever media it is, and simply create. Do it regularly, and you may win the war within.

- Michael

Focus on Color

The Used Palette - Copyright 2010 Warth Arts

As artists we spend a lot of time mixing colors to get just the right look to evoke mood, realism, style, etc. However, a lot of artists get hung up on the right tube of color without understanding the concept of mixing the color one needs. Is it better to have hundreds of tubes of colors so that one can have the color they need? The simple and quick answer is no. Throughout history artists have been on a quest to develop a simple yet complete palette of colors to suit their needs. Why? Because it is always to better to be a master of a few colors than a blind user of "too many".

So how much is "too many"? It really depends on you and what you are comfortable with. I like 13 colors (includes black and white) for studio use and about 7 when I am working en plein air. With that said, I focus on versions of the primaries (red, yellow, and blue). I don't purchase greens because I have always liked my mixed greens better than anything I have ever tried from a tube.

If you are struggling with your colors, and you are overwhelmed with mixing, find a handful of your favorite primary colors and start mixing for practice. Use white to lighten the mix but be careful using black to darken. When darkening a value of a mixed color try mixing a dark color version first using a darker primary and see what happens when you add white. You may end up with a few more darker values of the color you mixed and have good light value versions to use too. For example, if lemon yellow and cadmium blue make a nice green but it is not dark enough to start with, try using cadmium yellow. Play with your colors and make notes.

- Michael

It is What it Is

Many of you know I am on a quest in life to live the journey without regards to a destination. In other words I am trying to live in the moment and stop worrying about the future, or at least stop letting the future rule my life.

Each day we are bombarded with choices. We judge and express ourselves without clearly asking "why" when we don't understand something or feel like an outsider. Why do we judge? Why do we set expectations in stone? I for one feel expectations may be the one thing that creates turmoil and anxiety in our lives.

What does any of this have to do with being an artist, photographer, and/or graphic designer? It's simple really. Stop creating expectations for yourself as a creative and simply create. One's ability to learn may be dictated by their interest in the subject. Therefore if you love to create then learning more about it is a breeze, right? Stop expecting to fit into the worlds mold of what a creative is supposed to be. Learn because you want to; not because you think you need a degree because your expectations tell you success comes after a degree!

Another topic for this "it is what it is" post is the judgemental word with expectations written all over it. The word itself kills creativity faster than a documentary on business ethics. There are even those individuals that regard the word I am talking about as the official label given to those who are given the sole privilege of doing their craft while others must remain hobbyists banished from ever eating at the big kid's table. The word; professional. What does it mean? Why do we need this adjective to label a career anyway. I love to hear folks call themselves a professional artist. Have you ever heard a surgeon say, "I am a professional surgeon." Would you want an amateur surgeon? Think about it for a moment...can you see why expectations drive the proverbial boat? In art, either you are, or you are not. Drop the professional label because it really makes one sound like they are compensating for weak creativity and poor business practices.

It is what it is...there is no reason to judge or to expect. What are you? Are you creating because you want to be something else, or are you creating because it is who you are? When I was a kid I watched a lot of Popeye the sailor cartoons. Popeye would say, "I am what I am" - it stuck with me. Be yourself, be the artist/person you want to be. Keep life simple and slow, enjoy the journey because the destination will get here faster than you think. The eternal dirt bed does not appeal to me these days, I am a simple man, a dad, a husband, a factory worker, a struggling artist, a dreamer, a son, and so much more. Don't limit yourself by calling yourself a "professional" or an "amateur" anything. Don't limit yourself shooting for expectations that others have created. It is what it is...I am what I am...be who you are. Stop judging, stop expecting, live life the way you want to and experience happiness filled by content, and harmony.

- Michael

News

Hi all,

My artwork was featured over at the Traveling Suitcase (LINK) last Saturday April 17th.

Check out the post, and thank-you Sandy for featuring my work and a little history of my hometown!

Michael

Getting Ready For A Show

Greetings everyone,

Over the next several weeks I hope to share my experiences getting ready for a local art exhibit where I hope to display at least 16 original works. In today's post I'll bring things up to speed.

Being Prepared:

Like many of my artist friends I was not prepared for a cold call from a gallery asking me if I wanted to have an exhibit in a few months. For one, it was short notification (many galleries give 6 months to a year as notice). I have read many posts from other artists who say have a good inventory of work so you can fill a show at a moments notice. Well, I wish I was more prepared! Even though my inventory is good, I want more impact, and I don't have as many "ready to hang" as I would like to have. Which means I have to spend more money on frames, matboard, etc. than I really wanted.

First Steps:

I told the representative of the gallery I would do the show and I was looking forward to the experience. We exchanged information and had a few things to take care of right away.

1. Gain a clear understanding of the gallery consignment/commission terms.
2. Determine the required number of pieces.
3. When was the exhibit? When is the opening reception?
4. Clear up additional questions/concerns and start planning.

On a side note - I can't stress the communication skills enough here. Do a lot of follow up, keep the gallery/rep up to speed on your progress, and answer ALL questions so there are no surprises.

Within a day the gallery rep sent me an email (we are using email as our "best method" of communication) requesting a piece for advertising purposes. He asked if I could email a picture of one of my paintings. I sent a print ready (300 ppi, JPG) file to him with additional questions and comments.

Keeping Organized:

I like to keep files organized on my MacBook Pro to help me with events like this one. I created a folder (Named: November Gallery at Ninety-Seven Exhibit) to keep everything for this show in my "2009 Exhibit Schedule" folder. I put a digital press kit together, filed email correspondence, and created a planner for the show. I have also added dates and deadlines to my Google Calendar (I recommend Google Calendar because you can access your appointments from any computer and you can even sync information with your MAC).

I did a preliminary inventory of work for the show and I do have plenty of work but some of it needs framed, and a few even need documented for my own record keeping.

Next Steps:

This coming week I hope to visit the gallery and talk to the rep face to face about hanging the show and what we are planning for advertising and the press (I have already been to several gallery events there - I would not recommend doing a show at a gallery you have never visited). Essentially, I hope to finalize the expectations portion of the exhibit so I can focus on framing, documenting, and being prepared to deliver the work to the gallery.

- Michael