When I lived in San Antonio, I was a member of an art group there and we did shows wherein we would have to paint live. At first I thought I could never do that. I mean people watching me paint? No, this is what I do in the privacy of my apartment with music going and me "singing" and dancing along. So this is not a spectacle for the masses. Well of course no one needs to see that action but I just had to deal. It had to be done if I was going to be a part of this group.
So, finally, I sucked it up and I threw myself into it. The great thing, I later found, was the curiosity of children was not only entertaining but they made me really think about what I was doing. It's like tying your shoes. You know how to do it. You do it a million times a year but until you try to teach someone to tie their shoes, you really just don't think about the steps you need to take to get from A to B and so forth. The children got me to thinking about what I was really doing. They kind of gave me a kick in the butt and one that I sorely needed. I was getting stagnant.
I remember two little girls who wanted to paint with me but as they were nicely dressed, their mother felt it was not a good idea. But one of them kept asking questions. "Why you doin' that?" and I'd answer her. She'd digest the information...I could see the little wheels turning in her head. Then she'd ask why I was using a certain color and why was my tree shaped like that or whatever. It was a little trying but it truly made the wheels in my head turn too.
Well I've grown since then. I'm not timid painting in front of people any more. As a matter of fact when I moved to Corpus Christi I started my own art group. We're a tiny band of artists and we don't have a 501-C designation or anything just yet, but we work hard at our skills. It's not even work really. I enjoy it too much to call it work. Yeah, it can be tiring, frustrating and drive one to drink but I'd rather be doing this than almost anything else. So I got my little band of artists together and painting live. We painted out at the bay front, which I do NOT recommend because the wind is fierce. We paint at our shows. But where we've been painting mostly is at a bar called The Texan.
Yes The Texan has a generous backyard and the staff is very welcoming. Every artist can find their own space out in the backyard and work until their heart is content, or their work is done. It's not as difficult working in an environment where liquor is being served as one might think. Every once in a while someone who's had maybe a little too much to drink has some critique of your work that may not be too flattering but you just laugh it off.
I love painting out there. I just feel at home there because most of the people know me now and they want to know what I'm working on. I'll go and work there without my posse. It's that comfortable for me. Even one of the regulars there has offered to make me some special order stretched canvases no charge (well except for supplies) but still! They'll be a hell of a lot less cheaper this way than going through a supply house. It may cost me a couple of beers....maybe a shot....I still come out cheap.
My advice is to paint out in unusual environments where the general public wouldn't expect there to be a working artist. I'm actually thinking of getting with the local mall and asking them if my crew can go there and paint as part of a live art show. You know something different for their clientele. It's a good thing to involve businesses that may not necessarily be involved in art in the first place. It will get them to know the possibilities of art, the draw of art and the fun that it can be.
So, finally, I sucked it up and I threw myself into it. The great thing, I later found, was the curiosity of children was not only entertaining but they made me really think about what I was doing. It's like tying your shoes. You know how to do it. You do it a million times a year but until you try to teach someone to tie their shoes, you really just don't think about the steps you need to take to get from A to B and so forth. The children got me to thinking about what I was really doing. They kind of gave me a kick in the butt and one that I sorely needed. I was getting stagnant.
I remember two little girls who wanted to paint with me but as they were nicely dressed, their mother felt it was not a good idea. But one of them kept asking questions. "Why you doin' that?" and I'd answer her. She'd digest the information...I could see the little wheels turning in her head. Then she'd ask why I was using a certain color and why was my tree shaped like that or whatever. It was a little trying but it truly made the wheels in my head turn too.
Well I've grown since then. I'm not timid painting in front of people any more. As a matter of fact when I moved to Corpus Christi I started my own art group. We're a tiny band of artists and we don't have a 501-C designation or anything just yet, but we work hard at our skills. It's not even work really. I enjoy it too much to call it work. Yeah, it can be tiring, frustrating and drive one to drink but I'd rather be doing this than almost anything else. So I got my little band of artists together and painting live. We painted out at the bay front, which I do NOT recommend because the wind is fierce. We paint at our shows. But where we've been painting mostly is at a bar called The Texan.
Yes The Texan has a generous backyard and the staff is very welcoming. Every artist can find their own space out in the backyard and work until their heart is content, or their work is done. It's not as difficult working in an environment where liquor is being served as one might think. Every once in a while someone who's had maybe a little too much to drink has some critique of your work that may not be too flattering but you just laugh it off.
I love painting out there. I just feel at home there because most of the people know me now and they want to know what I'm working on. I'll go and work there without my posse. It's that comfortable for me. Even one of the regulars there has offered to make me some special order stretched canvases no charge (well except for supplies) but still! They'll be a hell of a lot less cheaper this way than going through a supply house. It may cost me a couple of beers....maybe a shot....I still come out cheap.
My advice is to paint out in unusual environments where the general public wouldn't expect there to be a working artist. I'm actually thinking of getting with the local mall and asking them if my crew can go there and paint as part of a live art show. You know something different for their clientele. It's a good thing to involve businesses that may not necessarily be involved in art in the first place. It will get them to know the possibilities of art, the draw of art and the fun that it can be.
*The image attached to this blog is ArtWalk and was created in The Texans' backyard in May 2010.
