Archive: Workshop your Artist Statement!

[Cherilynn]

Hello Everyone!

I would love anyone feedback regarding my artist’s statement. Thanks in advance!

As an artist I am constantly observing the world around me, the crisp fallen leaves in Autumn against the bright blue sky, the urban landscape of buildings juxtaposed with the green trees, the colors at a fruit market. The world is filled with the interlacing of colors and we are continually reacting to them. While others might easily dismiss this interaction, I am energized by the relationships of color, texture, line and composition and our relationships to them.
These observations are an integral part of my series of pastel mixed media paintings called “Essence”. Each piece is created through the interlacing of colors, textures and line work in a very intuitive manner. My work brings focus to the subtle nuance of color shifts or the complete tension created from pushing complementary colors. I begin with thin layers of watercolor and acrylic paints, creating a compositional element. Once dry, layers are built with charcoal, acrylic and pastel mediums and then finally pastel; each color and compositional element reacting and interacting to the ones before.
My focus is on the process, the interlacing of spontaneous intuitive mark making and very careful intention. It is through the layering of media, a dialog is created between the artist, the painting and the viewer. Using the formal elements of painting as inspiration, I want to evoke atmosphere, mood and feeling that resonates with both the artist and the viewer. It is a conversation where the past and present merge from a sense of universal memory transformed through time and space.

[sandrajordan]

Hi Cherilynn

 

I like your statement, makes me want to see your work.  Just one thing, you have used the word ‘interlacing’ three times and it sounds a little repetitive, maybe you could think about using another word.

At the start of the second paragraph how about:

These observations are an integral part of my series of pastel mixed media paintings called “Essence”.  Working in a very intuitive manner I bring focus to the subtle nuance of color shifts or the complete tension created from pushing complementary colors.

Probably a dumb question but what is the difference between pastel mediums and then finally pastel?

 

[Cherilynn]

Thanks Sandra for your feedback and I love your suggestion.

As far as your question, Pastel is the soft pastel sticks and pastel medium is the acyrlic medium for pastel and sand grounds that I use to cover the underpainting so that I can paint with pastel on top of it.

[Beverley]

Hi Cherilynn,

I like your statement. It is clear and would entice me to look at your work. Well done!

Beverley

[Brad Rhoades]

Hello All,

OK, I shortened this from the advice on the phone call. I put it in the “first” person too.  I put a quote from a song at the end….should I lose this? Or keep it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

 

My art is about escaping to a place or time where you felt like a kid, you felt safe, you still dreamed, laughed, you weren’t working every day and paying bills, life was fun, playful, filled with curious wonders, and you were still able to close your eyes and imagine you were on some crazy wild adventure.

I am influenced by artists such as Henry Matisse, Salvador Dali, and Vincent Van Gogh. My style is kind of like if Surrealism and Impressionism went on a date and had a little too much wine to drink, my artwork would be the result of this wonderful encounter.

Remember to keep pursuing your dreams because life is too short.

“There’s no time to lose I heard her say,

Catch your dreams before they slip away.”

Dying all the time,

Lose your dreams,

And you will lose your mind.”

• Rolling Stones, Ruby Tuesday

[Deleted User]

Hi Brad

I think if you feel the lyrics capture what your work is about, go for it. Make sure it’s perfect though, according to original liner notes. The only other point you might think about is reframing the opening part, instead of your art bringing back some feeling that is gone  (since we’ve stopped dreaming and just work all the time and pay bills now) phrase it in a way like your work captures those sparkling memories and keeps them alive, timelessly suspended, safe from having to ever let go or lose them.  Your work is really lovely and your color skill is wonderful.