As the year ends....

Today is my last official work day before year end .

Being self employed and a single parent does not seem to qualify me for official leave , however I am off to Jhb to spend Christmas with my much loved parents and hopefully regain a little sanity through their wise counsel.

Altogether 2009 has been a good year for me on the work front. My new work has been well received and in spite of the recession exhibitions have been successful. I have been fortunate to deal with the most wonderful clients. I can never express enough how heart warming it is for someone to derive pleasure from one of my paintings. Unlike most inanimate objects, a painting is usually deeply personal and carries part of my soul on the canvas. I like to think of my paintings as alive and hope that they bring upliftment and inspiration to those who view them and own them.

Not all of the choices I have made this year have been wise and perhaps I have not yet learnt to exercise the degree of restraint required to avoid emotional turmoil. Somewhere in the recesses of my brain something is telling me that at 40 something it may be a little inappropriate to experience the same highs and lows (although somewhat more discreetly) as my 16yr old daughter. Sadly, this has brought conflict into my usually peaceful life. However I am an artist, we have a tendency to be impulsive, at times extreme and always deeply passionate. I hope that in 2010 my passion is in no way diluted but I do intend to focus it into my work and be less side tracked chasing rainbows.

I hope that in the closing days of this year the conflicts I feel will be resolved by spending time with those who love me, sensible discussion and quiet meditation and in so doing, I can go forward into 2010 feeling positive about potential new projects and certain about the direction I am going to take with my work.

To my fans, my clients, my friends, a deeply sincere thanks for your positive input into my life this year. Your encouragement, kind words and unwavering support keeps me inspired.

I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful, peaceful festive season. May the best of 2009 be the worst of 2010 for you!

Much love and thanks

Bridgette

Venturing into PRINTS !!

In the last few weeks I have been investigating the viability of producing prints of some of my work .

It has taken a lot of hard work and research to find the best method of printing on the highest quality papers and canvas available but it has most certainly been worth the effort !

I have created a separate business venture for the prints , primarily because the service will ultimately be extended beyond that of printing just my own art work . Check out the website ! So people , if you have a photo you want to put on canvas or any one of the other styles we offer - let me know !

Initially this was a joint venture between a fellow artist ( photographer ) and myself but sadly , as is so often the case in business , one partner ends up doing the majority of the work and in my case , all the financial investment too . It was simply not viable to continue a work relationship with someone who was not sufficiently motivated to contribute towards making the business a success.

As an individual I like to live inspired , I am highly motivated and driven and could no longer deal with the emotional energy it took trying to motivate my partner ,having to recover from continually being let down and having the wool pulled over my eyes.

The printers I have selected and I will be running a few test prints tomorrow to make sure the quality and colouring is up to standard and thereafter I will be printing a series of limited editions on some work.

I am very excited about branching out into offering prints of my art . Prints can provide the opportunity of owning some excellent work otherwise not available. Many high profile artists view the medium as an integral part of what they do and have elected to do significant works in print, This has contributed to the increasing value of prints worldwide !

Have a look at this interesting article on prints

Colour Aura meanings

Many people ask about aura colour meanings. What are the meanings of aura colours? How do you interpreter auras? What does each colour mean in the aura? Everyone and everything has an aura. Our aura is filled with colours that reflect and depict each and every facets of ourselves. These colours tell everything about us and can be interpreted because each colour has a meaning.

RED:Relates to the physical body, heart or circulation. The densest color, it creates the most friction. Friction attracts or repels; money worries or obsessions; anger or unforgiveness; anxiety or nervousnes. Red indicates desire, vitality, power, the urge to win, to have success, intensity of experience, action, doing, love of sports, struggle, competition, force of will, leadership, strength, courage, passion, eroticism, earthiness, practicality, desire for possessions, sense of adventure, the survival instinct. A majority of young children and teenagers especially boys, have bright red auras. Deep Red: Grounded, realistic, active, strong will-power, survival-oriented. Muddied red: Anger (repelling) Clear red: Powerful, energetic, competitive, sexual, passionate Pink-bright and light: Loving, tender, sensitive, sensual, artistic, affection, purity, compassion; new or revieved romantic relationship. Can indicate clairaudience. Dark and murky pink: Immature and/or dishonest nature Orange Red: Confidence, creative power In a good, bright and pure state, red energy can serve as a healthy ego. ORANGE AURA COLOR: Relates to reproductive organs and emotions. The color of vitality, vigor, good health and excitement. Lots of energy and stamina, creative, productive, adventurous, courageous, outgoing social nature; currently experiencing stress related to apetites and addictions: creativity, the emotions, confidence, ability to relate to others in an open and friendly manner, sociability, intuition or gut feeling. The ability to reach out and extend one's self towards others. Many talented sales people, entrepreneurs, and people who deal with the public have orange auras. Orange-Yellow: Creative, intelligent, detail oriented, perfectionist, scientific. YELLOW AURA COLOR: Relates to the spleen and life energy. It is the color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared, creative, playful, optimistic, easy-going.: sunny and enthusiastic, cheerful, bright, great sense of humor and fun, optimism, intellectuality, openness to new ideas, happiness, warmth, relaxation. Uninhibited expansiveness, release of burdens, problems and restrictions. Talent for organization. Hope and expectation, inspiration. People with yellow auras encourage and support others by naturally being themselves; they radiate like the sun and they also may have a great ability to analyze complex concepts. Light or pale yellow: Emerging psychic and spiritual awareness; optimism and hopefulness; positive excitement about new ideas. Bright lemon-yellow: Struggling to maintain power and control in a personal or business relationship; fear of losing control, prestige, respect, and/or power. Clear gold metallic, shiny and bright: Spiritual energy and power activated and awakened; an inspired person. Dark brownish yellow or gold: A student, or one who is straining at studying; overly analitical to the point of feeling fatigued or stressed; trying to make up for "lost time" by learning everything all at once. GREEN AURA COLOR: Relates to heart and lungs. It is a very comfortable, healthy color of nature. When seen in the aura this usually represents growth and balance, and most of all, something that leads to change. Love of people, animals, nature; teacher; social perseverance, tenacity, firmness, patience, sense of responsibility and service, self assertiveness, high ideals and aspirations, dedication, puts high value on work and career. Ambitious desire for respectability and personal attainment, deeply focused and adaptable. Green is also the color of growth and of dedicated parents, social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other persons focusing on creating positive change in the world. Bright emerald green: A healer, also a love-centered person Yellow-Green: Creative with heart, communicative Dark or muddy forest green: Jealousy, resentment, feeling like a victim of the world; blaming self or others; insecurity and low self-esteem; lack of understanding personal responsibility; sensitive to perceived criticism Turquoise: Relates to the immune system. Sensitive, compassionate, healer, therapist. BLU AURA COLOR: Relates to the throat, thyroid. Cool, calm, and collected. Caring, loving, love to help others, sensitive, intuitive. Depth of feeling, devotion, loyalty, trust, desire to communicate. Puts great importance on personal relationships. Empathic. May be a dreamer or have artistic ability. Possibly tend to put the needs of others before their own and may ave the ability to meditate, and live in the moment. Blue may be emotionally sensitive, intuitive, inwardly focused, may enjoy solitude, non-competitive activities, be receptive and desire unity, peace, love and affection in relationships with others. They need a calm and tranquil environment. You'll find many blue artists, poets, writers, musicians, philosophers, serious students, spiritual seekers, and people looking for truth, justice and beauty in everything. Soft blue: Peacefulness, clarity and communication; truthful; intuitive Bright royal blue: Clairvoyant; highly spiritual nature; generous; on the right path; new opportunities are coming Dark or muddy blue: Fear of the future; fear of self-expression; fear of facing or speaking the truth INDIGO AURA COLOR: Relates to the third eye, visual and pituitary gland. Intuitive, sensitive, deep feeling. VIOLET AURA COLOR: Relates to crown, pineal gland and nervous system. The most sensitive and wisest of colors. This is the intuitive color in the aura, and reveals psychic power of attunement with self. Intuitive, visionary, futuristic, idealistic, artistic, magical.original, tends to be unconventional, often has psychic abilities, unusual charisma and charm, the uncommon ability to make their dreams come true, or manifest their desires in the material world, wish to charm and delight others and can easily connect with higher planes of consciousness. Playful, nonjudgmental, tolerant of others' eccentricities. Sensitive and compassionate. People who have purple auras appreciate tenderness and kindness in others. Not especially practical, they tend to prefer to live in a dream world of their own creation. You'll find many "violet or purple" entertainers, movie stars, free thinkers, visionaries, revolutionaries, and otherwise singular and magnetic individuals. Dark violet could indicate a need to take charge of their life, or perhaps, that the person needs time to spiritually ground himself or herself. LAVENDER AURA COLOR: Imagination, visionary, daydreamer, etheric. SILVER AURA COLOR: This is the color of abundance, both spiritual and physical. Lots of bright silver can reflect to plenty of money, and/or awakening of the cosmic mind. Bright metallic silver: Receptive to new ideas; intuitive; nurturing Dark and muddy gray: Residue of fear is accumulating in the body, with a potential for health problems, especially if gray clusters seen in specific areas of the body GOLD AURA COLOR: The color of enlightenment and divine protection. When seen within the aura, it says that the person is being guided by their highest good. It is divine guidance. Protection, wisdom, inner knowledge, spiritual mind, intuitive thinker. BLACK AURA COLOR: Draws or pulls energy to it and in so doing, transforms it. It captures light and consumes it. Usually indicates long-term unforgiveness (toward others or another) collected in a specific area of the body, which can lead to health problems; also, entitities within a person's aura, chakras, or body; past life hurts; unreleased grief from abortions if it appears in the ovaries WHITE AURA COLOR: Reflects other energy. A pure state of light. Often represents a new, not yet designated energy in the aura. Spiritual, etheric and non-physical qualities, transcendent, higher dimensions. Purity and truth; angelic qualities. Spiritually motivated, the ability to be open and receptive to the divine, or spiritual world. Can merge with ALL THAT IS. Probably unconcerned with worldly matters or ambition. Inner illumination, cosmic wisdom characterise the white energy. Young children, energy workers, and people who meditate intensely often will show bright white in their auras. Generally, white does not often appear in the auras of adults. White sparkles or flashes of white light: angels are nearby; can indicate that the person is pregnant or will be soon EARTH AURA COLORS: Soil, wood, mineral, plant. These colors display a love of the Earth, of being grounded and is seen in those who live and work on the outdoors....construction, farming, etc. These colors are important and are a good sign. RAINBOWS: Rainbow-colored stripes, sticking out like sunbeams from the hand, head or body: A Reiki healer, or a starperson (someone who is in the first incarnation on Earth) PASTELS: A sensitive blend of light and color, more so than basic colors. Shows sensitivity and a need for serenity. DIRTY BROWN OVERLAY: Holding on to energies. Insecurity. DIRTY GRAY OVERLY: Blocking energies. Guardedness

How long ?

A question I am frequently asked is “how long does it take you to do a painting”.

To answer that, firstly, it depends on a number of factors. The subject matter, the size of the canvas and to what degree I am inspired to paint whatever it is I am painting.

Truthfully, it takes years. By this I mean it has taken years to reach the point in which I can execute a painting in a relatively short space of time.

It has taken years of effort to quieten my soul, keep my intentions clear and respect each brushstroke of each painting.

After a great deal of practice I no longer need to think about all the necessary movements I must make, they have become part of my existence.

A blacksmith working steel looks to the untrained eye as if he is merely repeating the same hammer blow, but anyone trained in an art will know that every time the blacksmith lifts the hammer and brings it down, the intensity of the blow is different. The hand repeats the same gesture but as it approaches the metal it understands that it must touch it with more or less force..

The moment comes when you no longer need to think about what you are doing. You become the brush, the paint, the canvas, the art.

of demons and things

I have never in the past been able to paint when feeling miserable .Many have told me that painting is excellent therapy for stress and unhappiness and yet in my experience, anything I paint whilst stressed and unhappy is usually unsellable, in fact I have often torn a canvas off its frame or thrown a painting away because I have thought it such poor quality.

I had to go up into the studio yesterday to get some packaging tape. About 10 days ago I had un wrapped a canvas that I had stored away for almost 3 yrs. I had originally purchases the canvas in order to repeat a painting of Arum Lilies that I had done for a client. I loved the original painting until the client insisted that it be “enhanced “with rust paint which at that time was gaining popularity in the area in which I lived. Intended for use on pillars, pots and other various decor items, said client decided it would look great on a painting. I obliged and she was happy but I personally believed that it ruined the work.

As time passed my work changed and so when I took the canvas out the other day, my intention was to paint a very long landscape but for one reason or another, I didn’t get to it.

Much like meditation or yoga, it is said that painting focuses our attention. It is like separating body from spirit. When the body sets the soul free, the soul either rises up to heaven or descends into hell, depending on the person’s state of mind. In both cases, it learns what it needs to learn; to destroy or to heal.

Perhaps this is the very reason I don’t work when things are wrong. I don’t like facing my demons and I usually feel that I have descended far enough into hell on bad days. There is little need to encourage the visit.

Very out of character, I picked up a piece of charcoal when I went up to the studio yesterday and began sketching on the canvas. Admittedly, I really didn’t like dealing with the demons that transpired but sooner or later I will have to and if nothing else, it was interesting to see what finally became of the canvas that I had stored so long.

The painting is similar to that of the original before it was spoiled but somewhat ironic too that Arum Lilies won over landscape.

The flower is White. WHITE is not really a colour. It occurs when the whole spectrum of light is seen together or when red, yellow and blue colours are mixed. Everything is present in white; nothing is hidden, secret or undifferentiated.

A Greece legend says that the white lily is the symbol of innocence, of that who doesn’t know what danger is. By offering white lilies, you show your sincere love, full of respect and devotion. A lily is said to make one feel like unique, special from all other women.

I will hang the painting in my bedroom for a while. A reminder to love and respect myself; to remain devoted to being true to myself and to keep in mind that I am unique and special. It’s a gift I could do with right now.

Colour Aura

Some years ago, 2006 to be exact, I spent a long weekend in Cape Town with my daughter. Whilst browsing around the waterfront we stumbled upon a stall offering Aura reports. I remember seeing a program to this effect way back on TV. The whole concept of reading people’s colour auras off photos was quite new and frankly I initially thought it to be a whole lot of crap!

Firstly, I didn’t believe in the concept that people were surrounded by coloured energy fields and secondly, I found it impossible to believe that these fields could be picked up on camera.

Of course my knowledge of the science of light was scant – science being the least of my interests at school and certainly not a subject I ever had any intention of pursuing beyond that of the classroom. Ironic indeed that the effects of colour, their scientific properties and the role they play in our emotional and physical well being is now part of my career and my studies have lead me to become fascinated by the very same science that initially bored the hell out of me.

My curiosity overwhelmed my scepticism that day on the waterfront and I took my place at the Aura Video station with little expectation of accuracy. I could not have been more surprised at accuracy of the results. Not only was the analysis of my personality correct, but my aura showed very clearly the areas in my life which needed attention.

Now studying the subject in detail, the theory of colours, their wave frequencies and how colour affects us, it all seems quite sensible.

So what is an Aura?

For many people, the Aura is only the radiance of human beings. For scientists, it is a concrete, existing energy field that surround living creatures. The Aura is formed by subtle colour radiances which surround the body of a human being. These radiances can be perceived by a psychic. Each colour signifies a certain vibration which has different meanings.

The Aura reflects the individual state of consciousness. In that case, the colours of the Aura give us information about the quality of consciousness, as well as one's emotions, thoughts, abilities and the vital energies of a person.

The history of Auras goes far back into the past. Natural tribes, the Christian Mystics of the middle Ages, painters, and artists of all ages have shown the Aura in a radiant, shining ray of lights around human being, animal or plant. This information, which can be perceived by sensitive and psychic people, has been researched and proved scientifically in the last decades. Modern scientists measure the Aura as a electromagnetic field around living creatures.

Aura photography is based on the understanding of modern technology combined with the information that past cultures have known for millennia. Using this wealth of knowledge, we can create technologies that can help us view the coloured radiant Aura and allow us to open up new possibilities of perception for our inner worlds. The method technologies used to read ones Aura is known as "Biofeedback", since a physical reading of one's bio-signs is the main method of an Aura analysis.

These data parameters are then projected as a radiant, coloured aura field around the body on either a Polaroid photo or onto a computer or television screen. In no time thereafter, a brilliant colour photo or computer printout can be presented to the user.

More to follow soon !!

Interruptions

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.

I picked up a dusty book in the garage today that was lying in a pile of stuff I plan to donate to the SPCA .

I remember the story distinctly because when I read it I could relate to it so well. The main character in the book is a musician, a composer. On a remote island, she struggles for her artistic life in the midst of a relationship gone dangerously wrong.

At the time I read the book the similarity between my life and that of the musician ended in the last few pages of the book . The character broke away from her hell and became successful and happy.

There is a passage in which the author describes the process of creating a piece of music. At the time his comparison could be likened to that of many creative processes, whether they are poetry, music or painting. This description I found extremely accurate and once having read the passage was better able to describe my creative process to people who asked.

An idea takes root and won’t let you go. It puts out twigs and branches. These twigs get leaves, thorns, blossoms and fruit and occasionally you get fruit to sustain you. The problem is the idea must appear at the right time, you can only carry so much in your head until the next time you come across brush and canvas. The kids must be at school, the washing and dishes done and God knows what else.

When it’s going well, there is a joy about it . You lose touch with the world around you and the worst thing that can happen at a time like this is an interruption.

Emotional upheaval and unhappiness is the most debilitating interruption of all. It is internal and suffocates the both the mind and heart from where inspiration flows; so often there is seemingly no end in sight.

It was exactly this interruption that made me put away my brushes and abandon my studio for years. Once I recovered, the relief and delight at finding my ability to paint again was immense. So much so, I decided that emotional involvement was not something I would allow in my life as the sacrifice of my art was too great a price to pay when my attention was drawn elsewhere.

Aside from the fear of hurt and disappointment, I found such fulfilment in my painting that I became quite certain that it was art which would hold my heart and art alone. I readily shut the world out and any feeling of love or passion I experienced were only a result of loving my children or the passion I felt for canvas, colour and form and what I could create with them.

Lately there has been a change in my work, initially subtle but I was immediately aware of intensity in my work which I had not seen before. The more I worked, the more obvious this change became, then yesterday, I stood in front of a canvas and almost unconsciously painted a landscape with such ease and such passion for what I was doing that it almost took my breath away.

The irony is the very emotional interruption that I have so determinedly been avoiding is responsible for the change in my work. I do not doubt that interruption can be detrimental but I was never aware that passion and desire felt for something or someone other than my children and my art could be channelled into a painting with such intensity that it not only enhances my work , but makes it incredibly easy .

On the last page of the book, the musician sits in an audience listening to her own composition with which the crowd is enthralled

During the applause for the piece the conductor points to various section of the orchestra and in turn they stand to receive recognition for their part...

I stood in the garage this afternoon re reading the final paragraph. The ending was no longer different from my own story.

...“He looked down into the audience and beckoned Catherine with a high wave to the podium.

She rose”.

Studying again !

I have finally taken the plunge and enrolled to study again. I have yet to discover where I am going to find the time amongst running a home , working and trying to civilize three teenagers , but as with most things in life , if we aspire to something badly enough , we will find a way to achieve it .

As far back as I can remember I seem to have been instinctively lead by colour. This extends to the decor items I choose, the colours I paint the walls in my home and the clothes that I wear. I have never been able to pick out an item of clothing to wear a day before I wear it. What I chose in my wardrobe in the morning largely depends on the mood I am in when I wake up. I cannot randomly select something off the hanger, I look at the colours and make a decision based on which colour makes me feel best.

Perhaps many people experience this; however I was not consciously aware of it until I attended an introductory course on colour therapy a few years back.

The curiosity to discover more on the influence colour has in our lives , the psychological and emotional effects of colour and the way in which it can enhance our living and working environments has finally overwhelmed me. Although the internet is a great source of information, what is revealed about this fascinating topic is limited. Hence the need to study the subject in detail.

Colour surrounds us; it feeds and nourishes our senses. We see it, feel it and absorb it.

Our bodies are stimulated and energised by some colours, or calmed and relaxed by others. Mentally and emotionally colours work on a deep level, changing our mood and our sense of well being, as well as others’ perception of us.

Right from the wearing of black and white to represent death, birth and renewal, the world over, the beliefs that colours symbolize are communicated with an extraordinary immediacy which words can never match.

Artistic expressions

Last year a group of international artists published a book, the first in a series, “Artistic Expressions.”

Very exciting news is that my work has been chosen for the publication of the book “Artistic Expression II” to be released before year end in the UK.

The book is edited by Elizabeth Edwards of 1^st Angel Art magazine - http://1stangel.co.uk/aaw/, check out the website; it’s loaded with interesting articles!

The book features the works of 10 artists and a variety of genres, including drawing , painting and digital art.

A number of artworks from each artist as well as the artist biography will appear in the book; however ONE of the artworks submitted has to be a work of art never seen or exhibited before, and this is where I suddenly experienced a substantial degree of artists block .

The opportunity to appear in a book is not something that arises often and wanting to make the most of it, I want to produce a truly original work of art that is not only appealing to the majority, but which is, to an extent a personal expression.

I have agonised over this piece of work for weeks, considering and reconsidering canvas size and subject matter.

I decided that a nude study would be most appropriate, primarily being my trademark but also the best way in which I could express personal feeling.

I have finally formed the idea – almost fully! A nude study, a painting; not unlike my past work, but using a new technique. All I can tell for now, is that the name of the work is “Release me”, and NO, it does not allude to any form of BDSM, it is a statement of emotion!

Hope this wets your appetite for the book!

Model fantasy dispelled

There is one question with regards my work that I am asked more frequently than any other. “Do you use a model?”

Now, if this question were to be asked by a person genuinely interested in how I arrive at the completed work, I would be delighted to repeatedly explain the process, but sadly it is usually a prelude to or an attempt at a far more sinister topic of conversation and I am getting a little sick of it.

Only once have I ever been asked this question by someone who wanted a sincere answer, and that was because the lady asking the question had herself been a model for an artist.

Invariably the question is put to me by men who will often, on my reply, allude to a sexual fantasy they may have or make a sexually suggestive remark about the possibilities of what could transpire in my studio.

So, after the same question was put to me again yesterday, with the same follow through scenario I decided it time to burst the sexual fantasy bubble that seems to have attached itself to my art.

I do not use a model. Initially, when I began painting nudes, I used a model who I photographed (partially clothed, please note) and thereafter worked from the photographic material. Having now drawn the naked body for more than 10 years, I am very familiar with its structure, curves and any positions that the body could possibly achieve. I am familiar with skeletal and muscle systems as well as body language and if ever in any doubt, I am fortunate enough to have a body of my own to which I can refer, although this little piece of information has never previously been divulged for fear of inspiring further fantasy on the part of the person asking the question.

Perhaps the scenario of naked model and passionate artist is a recipe for endless fantasy and wild imagination and I have little doubt that erotic stories and pornography have encouraged the idea, however the reality of my work is very far removed from anything that could have a sexual connotation.

Firstly, finding someone to pose naked is difficult. Secondly, it is very seldom that I have a chance to work with no interruption; the need to see to a child or perform a household chore. Thirdly, my studio is a large room with direct access from the garage on one side, and from my 18yr old son’s room on the other which sees an endless stream of teenage boys filtering through to chat, admire art or grab a cup of coffee from the little kitchen area. There is no chaise longue, thick carpet and soft draping and the lighting is harsh daylight that pours in from the windows surrounding the room that both the neighbour and people in the street can see into.

Similarly, I have often had men propose their services, who are not only willing to pose naked for me, but incredibly enthusiastic about the idea. Once again, the emphasis on what it possibly could lead to being more of interest than any resulting painting. To again burst the bubble; male nudes do not sell to the extent that female nudes do and although there is a small market for them , it certainly does not warrant the employment of a male model.

Although art is indeed deeply personal and I do not live without fantasy, creating a painting requires the artist to concentrate fully on the work at hand. Dabbling in a little clandestine activity whilst trying to work would result in unsellable paintings, for me anyway .Of course I am aware that a little paint and a few soft brushes could do wonders for foreplay but if that were my choice of activity for the day I would not be disguising it under the pretext of work and certainly not with someone I barley know........

Artistic Arrogance

After a recent comment on my last blog, I decided to dabble with “digital art “for a couple of hours today.

The reason behind this is that apparently digital artists are often “made to feel inferior by their painting peers.” Initially when I read this, I was somewhat taken aback, but I should not have been. This sort of artistic arrogance has been around forever. Michelangelo of High Renaissance fame, regarded sculpture as the most technically challenging and intellectual artistic practice whereas Leonardo is said to have mentioned that sculptors were akin to bakers, being dirty and covered in dust.

Impressionism, recognized as a major frontier in art history and the threshold of the modern art movement, was initially a label given to these masters of the new movement, in insult!

Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas are now perhaps the most recognized names in art, yet they were ridiculed and insulted when they first began. Critics described their work as highly unsuitable for the public...the result of mental derangement.

Cubism received its name from the harsh insults art critics lashed out with against the style upon its first exhibition in Paris about 1910, one of the founders of the movement being Picasso.

Even today artists who use oils as a medium frown upon those who chose acrylic or watercolours and traditionally oil paintings are priced at a higher price than any other medium, which cannot really be justified in material costs because good quality acrylics will set you back financially as much as oils paints will and believe me, you will fall on your back at the price of 1^st class pastels.

Digital art is like any other art. It just is created using different tools than the more traditional arts. Art is not about the tools used to create it. It is about the vision, message, or emotion of the artist. Photography is a medium through which artist's may create art. Likewise, a computer is just a medium or tool through which an artist can express his/her vision of line, form, colour, composition and rhythm.

Digital Photography The artist uses a digital or conventional camera. The photographs are digitized and translated to the computer environment where the artist uses image editing and special effects software to perform darkroom type manipulations.

Photopainting This combines the disciplines of photography and painting. The artist uses image editing and paint software to go beyond dark room techniques to add further expression to the image.

Digital Collage This is a technique of combining many images from varying sources into one image. This is most commonly achieved by the use of layering techniques in image editing and paint software. The artist may also use images from x-rays or radar to produce images that the eye does not normally see, which expands the realm of human perception.

Integrated Digital Art This is the "mixed media" of the digital art world. Artists combine any number of the techniques to achieve unique results. The digital environment is much less restricted than conventional mediums in this type of integration and manipulation.

Digital Painting 2D: The artist creates 2D images totally in the computer virtual environment with the use of painting tools that emulate natural media styles. Sometimes referred to as "Natural Media".

3D: The artist uses 3D modelling and rendering software to essentially sculpt in virtual space. This method also makes use of all of the other methods.

Vector Drawing- The artist uses vector drawing software and creates the image totally in the virtual environment. This makes use of shapes which are outlined and can be filled with various colours and patterns. This tends to produce a harder edged or graphic look.

Algorithmic/Fractals This is art produced exclusively by mathematical manipulations. This is the so-called "computer generated" art. The art here lies in the invention of the mathematical formulas themselves and the way the programs are written to take advantage of the display capabilities of the hardware. The art also lies in the creative intentions and subsequent selections of the artist/mathematician.

Digital artists are repeatedly told “anyone can churn out that crap”. I challenge that statement. Anyone can paint and “churn out crap” but a distinction will be clearly visible between those who understand their tools, who have imagination, who work inspired, and those who don’t!

Give credit where due, no matter what genre the art. Show some respect for the vision, message, or emotion of the artist.

Airconditioner syndrome !

This evening I was forwarded a letter, which was written in response to an news letter to which I subscribe on the market and marketing, which pertained to art.

The writer of the letter holds the belief that artists who do not sell their art well only have themselves to blame !

He calls the syndrome we are purported to suffer from the “airconditioner syndrome”, which in essence is similar to low self esteem and lack of self worth.

Basically he explains this syndrome as such: An air conditioner is set to keep a room’s temperature at a comfortable level. When the temperature in the room goes above or below that level, the air conditioner kicks in and, by pouring forth hot or cold air, brings the temperature of the room to comfort level again.

Subconsciously, the ‘air conditioner’ settings in that person’s mind sabotages the will power to change, and he blames circumstances and other people for the failure. However, deep in his subconscious mind, he is comfortable because, remaining unattractive to the opposite sex, there will be no rejection. We all suffer from the air conditioner syndrome in one form or another, but artists seem to do it a lot.

The author of the letter then goes on to relate the following story

Walking through Hyde Park shopping centre a while ago, I found an exhibition of miniature paintings.

Most were beautiful, delicate, even sensitive. Some had little gold, red or blue bows on the side to indicate that they were competition winners. The prices for these pieces varied from R300 to R1800. Hyde Park shopping centre accommodates some of the most expensive shops in South Africa. The people who regularly shop there are seriously wealthy. They want, deserve and can afford the best. These miniatures were in that category. I asked the lady in charge of the collection if she had any idea how long it took an artist to produce such an exquisite piece. “About 4 hours” was her reply. Ignoring the cost of the materials and frame, (which is a stupid thing to do) that works out to R450 per hour? My garage mechanic, with standard 8 education, who changes the spark plugs and oil, charges more than that! The artist, who asked R300 for his painting, is obviously happy to earn less than a… (You work it out)

Most of those paintings remained unsold. Why? Because they were too CHEAP. No millionaire wants to put cheap paintings in his house or office. They don’t relate to cheap. I bet the artists believed that the paintings were unsold because they were too expensive.

Our intrepid writer has an easy solution for us !

He recommends we go cold calling on companies and businesses as he believes the largest market for art purchases lies in the corporate world. Every office or reception area needs art , right? If as an artist , you have an adversity to cold calling , simply get a gallery to represent you and market your work for you . If however , you do not have the business acumen to charge a good profit for your time and creativity , you are not entitled to call yourself an artist. According to this knowledgeable gentleman, you are merely what is known as an amdab. (Amateur dabbler) but don’t feel alone dear folk, you are in good company ! Van Gogh, was a complete failure as an artist, (He, probably like you, was a gifted amdab)

The final tip for truly successful sales, is to substantially increase the prices you ask for your art ! Now, please put your prices up, (A lot!) because you are ruining the market for yourself. You are competing with the cheap stuff churned out of Chinese art factories daily by the million. True artists start marketing and selling their own works. If you are proud of your paintings you will charge good prices. If you are ashamed of yourself as an artist, you will charge low prices. Your art does not reflect your self worth, the price you charge for it does.

An interesting topic for discussion no doubt , but I personally feel that people who have no knowledge of or no insight into the art market , should reserve such comment.

None of the artists I know have a lack of belief in themselves and all of them go to great efforts to market both themselves and their work.
Furthermore, it has been my experience that the people with "big money", are the people who part with it least readily and those that do part with their money for art will only do so if the work is an investment or by a well known artist that has a reputation for producing work of good quality.

I also feel it is totally unrealistic to price art according to the hours the piece took to paint. From a personal aspect, often my best works are painted in the least time and I certainly would never be bold enough to disclose the length of time it took me to create the work, lest the client
figured out that I was charging three times as much per hour as any advocate in the Shabir Shaik trial !
Of course one also has to consider the experience of the artist, the length of time they have been painting, previous exhibitions or accolades etc etc , all taken into account during the valuation or appraisal of art.

As a collector of art, I would never pay thousands for a work by an unknown artist. That's just the way it works, whether I am shopping in Hyde Park or not. We all have to walk before we run and lower prices to begin with certainly have very little or nothing to do with being ashamed of one's work !