"Lake Front", 30"x22" Watercolor on Fabriano paper
Art Quotes; windows into the mind
Most of you have probably heard a lot of art quotes in your lifetime. In fact, you've probably seen some of them on the bottom of my monthly newsletters. I have always been intrigued with gaining some insight into how some of the great masters of art processed what they thought and saw. Essentially they were no different than us. They had a piece of paper or canvas, some paint, and some brushes. They also had a brain that allowed them to translate what they saw or what inspired them. We have a brain too, so once again, we are no different than they were. So why aren't we famous and revered like them?
I am not a psychologist by any means but like everyone else I have opinions. I think that they became who they were because they allowed themselves to be different. For a lot of people, and maybe most people, it's very challenging to be different because most of us want to fit in. What better way to fit in than by doing the same as those we're reaching out to for acceptance. They wouldn't dare condemn us because we're just like them. Do you think that Vincent Van Gogh or Picasso concerned themselves with "fitting in"? I really don't think that they were the least concerned with what others thought about their art or themselves as a person. How dare they be so different? I know from personal experience just how difficult it is to be that cavalier. When I began creating more expressive pieces of art I was met with a lot of criticism and even condemnation from those who insisted that I keep painting in the very tight and realistic manner that I had been doing for years. I tortured myself wondering if I made a wise choice by changing my style, but at the same time, I was on a mission to be more creative. As it turns out I found comfort and encouragement in other groups of people who accepted me for my newer style. I guess that in order for us to grow as artists we need to have thick skin because we will undoubtedly encounter the naysayers. It could result in death by a thousand cuts if we spend too much of our time and energy listening to our critics who are usually all too willing to give us their negative opinions of our work. The art quotes of the masters, however, suffice as a suit of armor. No doubt they too had to deal with the critics but they weren't pushed around by them. These great masters reinforce in my mind that I'm doing what is right for me. Here is one of my favorite quotes by Picasso;
"There are painters who transform the Sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who, with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the Sun."
Another is a quote by Paul Cezanne;
"Painting from nature is not copying the object, it's realizing one's sensations".
This is a quote by Marc Chagall;
"If I create from the heart, nearly everything works: if from the head, almost nothing"
As I see it, there is a definite theme to most of these quotes. Their art evolved from their heart as much or more so than their mind. They painted what they felt more than what they saw. Perhaps that is the missing piece of the equation that a lot of us fail to incorporate into our paintings. The heart appears to be the common denominator and, fortunately for us, we all have a heart too, just like they did. So it's agreed that we all have our paper or canvas, our bushes, our paint, our brain, and a heart. We have everything that the great masters had. I think that it's how we use these tools that will get us noticed as "Artists". It's just my opinion but I stand by it.
If you search Google for "Famous art quotes" you will be pleasantly surprised just how many you will find. They're a great inspiration and insight into some of the most creative and successful artistic minds in history. They laid it out for us and shared with us what ultimately made them great. In other words, they paved the road; all we have to do is be willing to drive down it.
We have a NEW Companion Website:
For several years we have received numerous requests that we offer prints of some of my paintings. To accommodate these requests we have designed a new website that is a companion to our current site; www.sterlingedwards.com.
This new site allows us to offer a large selection of prints of my paintings and even some prints of my photography. Yes, unknown to most, I'm also a photographer. There are also two galleries that feature original watercolors and original acrylic abstracts on paper that are available.
Another great feature of this new site is that you can choose from a variety of sizes and surfaces that you would like for your prints. We hope that you will check it out and be as excited about it as we are.
Gift Certificates
We have received several request for Gift Certificates recently so Diane and I have decided to offer Gift Certificates that can be redeemed for Videos, Live Classes, Art Supplies, and Paintings. (Not redeemable for workshops)
To purchase a Gift Certificate go to www.sterlingedwards.com. Click "Contact the artist". Let us know that amount you would like to purchase and the recipients name. We will send you an invoice.
On a personal note:
(Please read)
Lately I have seen more and more artists selling copies of my paintings on their artist websites, at my workshops, and in small shops and galleries. This is both illegal and unethical. It is also illegal and unethical to enter a copy of someone else's painting in a competition.
All work that you sell or enter in a competition should be of your own design and execution. Not a copy of someone else's work.
I really don't like having to even write this but it is becoming a big problem and it needs to STOP IMMEDIATELY.
It's theft of Intellectual Property and can result in severe consequences.
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