On A New Year

 Happy Near Yew! .... I mean ... Happy New Year! That first sentence was a casual malapropism when I started to type. I kept it because it shows me that I am human all too human. We make mistakes and our chRACTER ( did it again ) ... I mean "character " is tested in how we will react. Let me start by starting this way.....

 A gal came into the Gallery wanting me to paint a black and white oil painting of her wife's father. He was in the Navy and this picture with time had really faded and had been soiled with neglect. It was never my intention when I started the Gallery that I would be doing these sort of paintings. She really wanted to know if I could make sense out of this bad photo and paint something that would be a lasting momento. Of course I agreed. I felt there was enough there that I could paint something reasonably close to what he looked like. As you can see from the image above it came out pretty good. It took about 5 hours. As a portrait painter , it helps to know a bit about anatomy to pull these sorts of paintings off.

 But as I was painting this picture it seemed metaphorical on how we want to preserve the past and how important family,  and the memories we make with our families , especially with our parents means to us. Things keep changing on us and its hard to go back ... but we still try to get those "good times" back and perserve them just the way we want them. I used to be a 30 x 30 pant waist. Then 32 x 30 . Now I've ballooned to a 33 x 30 and I can't squeeze into some of my good pants now. So can I go back to 30 x 30 ? Probably not but 32 x 30 is within striking distance and darn if I'm going to go out and buy a new ward robe.

 But as this New Year 2011 starts I will look back at 2010 and probably say  onward and outward to better things but in actuallity if living 50 plus years has taught me anything, new surprises will come along with challenges and disappointments. But sprinkled in the whole soup will be triumphs and breakthroughs. Sorrow and Happiness is all part of the mix. Along with a change of a new digit comes the desire to get it right this time around. We say to ourselves ... " I resolve to do this and then do that ! "

 So for some of my young readers ( that means 20's and 30's ) I will post what I have learned as an artist working in a studio/gallery in uptown Auburn as well as making a living as an artist since I graduated Art Center College of Design in 1980. Here it goes....

1. If someone asks you to be somewhere at such and such a time you be there at said time. They are counting on you and you being late speaks volumes about how you manage your time and shows a lack of respect . Hey , they will think to themselves , I got here on time. Why can't they?
2. If you cannot be there on time CALL. As humans we can all understand when some unforeseen circumstance comes up ( a flat tire ) . By calling , you are communicating that you respect and value their time and you want to inform that the appointment is important to you.
3. As an artist working on commission, most people will want to know how much a painting will  cost and when will they be able to have it. ALWAYS be clear on the cost up front right away. The advantage that an ol' painting hand like me has over a younger artist is that all the necessary items for production are owned and time tested and estimating time etc. has become second nature after years of painting images. A good rule of thumb is to add a week and if you finish sooner you come out like Johnnny on the spot.
4. Always get some money up front. That proves that the buyer is serious and holds your feet to the fire in getting it done. Keep good books and a record in print of what was agreed for the paint. Such as ...  30 x 40 oil on linen , 3 daughters , 2 dogs and a mariachi band in the back ground. If you get multiple commissions it will be hard to keep it all straight unless you write it down.
5.  Again, if you see that you will be late , notify them at least a week in advance. Nobody wants to hear bad news at the last minute. This shows that you are considerate and that you are aware that they have an emotional and financial stake in getting the finished product. Again, people will understand that you are creating something by hand and that it takes time and that you want to deliver an excellent result. Who wants crap on time?
6. You are judged by your last work. I've learned that the hard way. A paying customer expects consistancy. But sometimes we paint stinkers , anybody looking at this Blog knows I've had several bow wows in here. Offer the client a break in price for the next one or give them a small painting or a bottle of wine or something that communicates... I want your business and this won't happen again ( although as a human it will! ).
7. Understand that we are in the emotion business. Some people cannot tell the difference between a Kincaid and a Michelangelo. To them, one is no better than the other. Also, if they like it , whether its good or bad they will still pay for it. A good book to read is by one of my heroes Desiderius Erasmus. I believe his little treatise is called On Praise of Folly. As far as being excellent in any field of endeavor he says, only a few people will truly know how brilliant you are!
8. At the end of the day, you will be satisfied being you and not a mere trace of some other artist. We all have influences. But the trick is to be original. And by being you and truly you ... you can be original...... but more on that at some other time..... that's a whole can of beans.
9. Use the best materials, within reason, for any endeavor. A dull blade makes for more work.
10. A truly blessed artist can find contentment if he is on the right path meant for them. Sometimes it can take a lifetime to figure that out . That does not mean that you will always be satisfied with your end result ( who truly is? ) but the process in itself can be an exhilarating thing in itself.

well thats all for now .... back to painting!