With Loving Care

I have been recently thinking about the idea of art as being defined by the conveyance of strong or specific emotion as opposed to being created with simple “loving care.” Are these ideas in opposition or in agreement?
There has been the argument that true art should convey or inspire emotion. After all, it was Cezanne, the father of Modern art, who once famously stated, “A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.” Tolstoy took up this refrain with his book “What is Art.” In it he states, “To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then, by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds, or forms expressed in words, so to transmit that feeling that others may experience the same feeling – this is the activity of art.”1 Tolstoy attempted to broaden the idea of what art is. He felt that the concept of art covered a range of human experiences that directly transmits an emotion from the artist to the audience. Tolstoy’s example was the story of a boy who has a frightening experience with a wolf and then relates the story to an audience filling the audience with the same fear that he felt. For Tolstoy, this is the essence of art. The message is clear and expresses a specific emotion. This would then seem to imply that art which does not evoke feelings/emotions is not art. Can this be true?

I am thinking of the Greeks who chose to imitate nature with their sculptures. If you look at early Greek sculpture from the Archaic era, you notice the works are not full of emotion. The expressions are flat and the stances are stiff. Is this then not art? Is it simply to be categorized as craft or artifact? What of a well constructed hand thrown burl bowl? Is it so hard to imagine and describe this work as a piece of art? The same could be said of a fine handmade chair or a blown glass vase or even a pleasant landscape painting. None of these things seem to convey or express great emotion, but neither are they simply pretty objects. There is more to them than that. When done well, they call to us and beckon us towards a greater beauty that resides within them. I may not feel passion or rage, jealousy, love, or any other definable emotion when viewing such works, but my eyes do linger on the curves, textures, and other visual elements in order to experience their beauty. Often, in doing so, I am able to connect with the creator of the work and experience a sense of humanity in a way that I don’t when viewing other, more mundane things. Despite a certain lack of emotion within the work, I feel certain I am nonetheless experiencing art.

I submit that for an object or thing to be called art, it need not express a specific strong emotion, as Tolstoy would have us believe. Rather, objects or things that are to be considered art may exhibit two qualities to earn that title. That is, the quality of conveying a sense of being done “with loving care” and the quality of having been completed with the intent to create art. If the work follows such criteria, a more subtle form of emotion is transmitted to the work.

We are all familiar with the term, “done with loving care.” It conveys a sense of having completed an action with deliberation or concentration beyond the ordinary. It denotes a level of presence, concern and craftsmanship by the person performing the operation that is beyond simply that of attempting to finish a task. A parent may prepare a soup for the family dinner. A gardener may tend to a bed, or sculptor may carve a piece of stone, all with loving care. In doing so, the human spirit is transmitted through the action and into the thing being acted upon. The fact of that transmission is that it can be witnessed and experienced by those who come upon the finished work. The soup contains a flavorful quality and beauty that is savored by the family. The garden acquires a peaceful aspect to it and the vegetables grow well. The sculpture holds within it a sense of form, texture, and line that the gaze lingers upon and calls to the viewer to engage it.

Of course, cooking a soup or gardening is not the same as creating a piece of art. One may say the soup tastes wonderful or the garden is very pretty, but one would not generally say that either are works of art (although I do not rule out that either could be considered art under the proper circumstances). This is where intent comes into play. Intent is the desire and purpose in making a work of art, or rather to make something that can stand alone as a beautiful creation. It is the deliberate actions taken to make art. For example, a wood carver when creating a bowl intends to create a beautiful bowl and to create it with as much beauty as he is able. The carver shapes the bowl and decorates it with loving care along with the intent of creating a work that can stand alone as a beautiful object. Thus, when we see the finished work, our eyes linger on it, and we feel a sense of well-being in doing so. We relate to the bowl beyond its utilitarian purpose and see it as art. We are able to sense the artist’s loving care and his intent.

This leads back to Cezanne’s statement, “A work of art that does not begin in emotion is not art.” What does it mean to both create a work with loving care as well as with the intent to create art? Is that not the expression of emotion? The term, “with loving care,” assumes that love is part of the activity, and love, after all, is certainly an emotion among other things. An artist may have love for his materials or his subject. He may find that, in working with his hands, he becomes more aware of himself or his humanity. This type of emotion, however, is subtle, and the word “love” in this sense is not so easily classified. Love in this instance is not the same as the love we have for a spouse nor is it the love we have for a child. Neither is it the all-fulfilling love one feels from a religious perspective. This love is a quieter emotion. Perhaps the best way to describe it is as the quiet joy of creating. The making of art often requires repetitive movements and is an absorbing experience. It generally requires a calm and thoughtful mind. I myself feel at peace when making art. It becomes a quiet and meditative moment in an otherwise busy day. That quiet joy, however, is emotion, and, as stated above, the act of creating with this sense of loving care transmits itself into the thing being created. One could then say that the Greek Kouros, the wooden bowl, the handmade chair, the vase, and the painting did all begin with emotion. In being present while working and investing the work with loving care, one is working with emotion, and perhaps, after all, it is that aspect which we are responding to when a work calls to us as art.

Footnote: This argument does not attempt to address all art. A cursory look at art history can identify art forms that are considered art, but do not easily fit within the category of being made with loving care or with the intention of being art. Duchamp’s ready-mades come to mind, as does Nauman’s “Fountain.” It may be that a definitive definition of art requires categories of art. However, the notion that a work of art should begin with emotion does not exclude those objects that are made to be beautiful and express the simple joy of creating.

1 Leo Tolstoy, What Is Art (1897).

The State of Contemporary Art in Arizona

A New painting on handmade watercolor paper -Bruce Black, 2012

Recently, while walking around Old Town Scottsdale, I was disappointed to see how many contemporary art galleries have closed.  I have been looking for a gallery to carry my work and am now faced with the reality of a far diminished scene.

Having grown up in Arizona, I had the opportunity to see our contemporary art scene develop.  For the longest time, all you could find were cowboy art galleries.  Some of them were, and still are, excellent galleries.  There also, of course, have always been the touristy galleries with the syrupy cowboy and Indian paintings that only perpetuate certain stereotypes.  However, for the longest time, beyond cowboy art (good or bad), there was nothing else for the would-be art connoisseur in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Gradually – at times it seemed at a snail’s pace – a contemporary art scene started to gain a foothold.  Long-time contemporary art galleries, such as the Riva Yares Gallery, led the way.  Now we have the Gerbert Contemporary Gallery, the Bentley Gallery, and one of my favorites, the Lisa Sette Gallery.  These are well established galleries that show well established artists and seem to be hanging on despite the drop in the market.  There are others of course, but more and more the contemporary galleries of Scottsdale are closing their doors.  As I walked down Marshall Way in Old Town Scottsdale, I peered into closed gallery window after window.  We worked so hard to develop a contemporary scene and now it seems to be disappearing.  I was encouraged somewhat to see the Art One gallery still open, but even it has been relegated to half its original space and the work is piled all over the place.

Of course, there is the burgeoning downtown Phoenix scene.  Among them, the Eye Lounge stands out. Many of these galleries are still only open at irregular hours, and the work can be hit or miss.  I know that these galleries are also just hanging on.  I’m rooting for them and hoping that more prominent galleries will take a foothold downtown.  The Bentley Projects gave it a try early on, but doesn’t seem to have much going on with it anymore and is only open by appointment only.

I hope that after all the work it took to create a contemporary art scene in the Phoenix area, we will be able to hang on to it.  We need these galleries to help fill the cultural gap that our city has always had.  We are not a cowboy town anymore and need alternatives to that art form.  I encourage everyone to get out and visit the contemporary art galleries we have left.  Just go for a visit or join them on Facebook.  Now, while the weather is beautiful, is a great time to go do some gallery hopping!

As for me, I am continuing to look for a good gallery to showcase my work.  Galleries are reticent to take a chance on new artists now more than ever, but I am confident that I will find the right partner.  In the meantime, my work is always for sale on my website, and I am exhibiting all over town in various venues.  Check out my website for a list of dates and locations.

Bruce

Adele kicked butt at the Grammys and deserved to do so, but……..

I loved that Adele did so well at the Grammy awards.  She has  a great voice and has such poise on the stage, but I couldn't help wondering, what about us visual artists?  While the singer songwriters such as Usher, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and company, all line up on the red carpet to receive their well deserved accolades, and the actors of both stage and cinema do the same at the Oscars and Tony's, where is the award show for the visual artists?

Perhaps this is just sour grapes or simply the reality of the solitary nature of making visual art, but I really think we should have something.  The visual artist toils and struggles and works to perfect his art form.  Yes, the most successful artists do get to have nice shows in galleries with fancy openings.  If you become well known, you can potentially ask large sums of money for your art, but shouldn't we get some kind of fancy TV show?

Here's what I envision. It begins with a long paint spattered carpet with numbers on it that don't correspond to anything.  The artists don't actually walk down it, but hire more beautiful self assured people to stand in for them while they sneak in the back to avoid the press.  Then during the show, there are all sorts of random surreal events as the dadaists in the group meander about reciting nonsense poetry while flinging confetti in the air.  If you want a drink, you go to the Bruce Nauman fountain area to receive your spittle of a beverage.  When the artists do get their awards, they mumble something incoherent about Neo-post modern simulacra and then shuffle off or simply start cursing random obscenities.  In the end, most people just find a hiding place and make notes in their sketchbooks or ride their bicycles around the ballroom.  Inevitably chairs are lit on fire and marshmallows are roasted.  Scotch drips from the ceiling, and people walk around with their mouths to the sky bumping into each other and getting run over by those  damned bicyclists.  Finally, Adele herself takes the stage and begins belting out Rolling in the Deep.  The artists are mesmerized, and finally order is restored.  They are gently ushered out of the building and back to their studios for everyone's safety

Hmmmmm, I just don't know why the visual artists don't have an awards show yet.  Maybe next year?

Bruce

PLEASE COME SEE MY ART!

I am excited to announce three upcoming venues which I will be participating in.      Please come and see my work live and in person!

• March:  One man show at the  Orange Table in Old Town Scottsdale (7373 Scottsdale Mall, Suite #6, Scottsdale, AZ 85251,  Ph: +1 (480) 424-6819)  This show will run through the month of March and coincide with the Scottsdale Arts Festival.  The Orange Table is located just next to the Scottsdale Civic Center and has great food and, of course, great art!
• April: My painting “Strawberry Cake for August” will be on display at the Herberger Gallery from April 6 – July 8. I’m excited to have the opportunity to show at the Herberger gallery again. It is a great venue and I appreciate the opportunity.
• April: In April I will also be having a show up at the Cibo’s Carriage House for the entire month.  There will be a first Friday event there, and if you haven’t eaten at Cibo before you must.  This is one of Marla’s and my favorite restaurants downtown and our son Liam loves the pizzas.  (603 North 5th Avenue  Phoenix, Arizona 85003).

There now, that’s three venues to see my artwork and even buy a piece. Don’t forget, you can always purchase artwork directly from my website as well.  I hope to see you all out and about on the Phoenix and Scottsdale art scene in the coming months!

Organizing and Painting

Let’s get organized!  Last weekend was a  busy weekend for me.

Mostly, I organized the studio/office space in order to begin the new year on the right note.  Of course, when you begin to organize one area you have to then organize other areas in order to accommodate the shifting of materials.  I ended up also cleaning and arranging our garage closet and hallway cabinets.  It took a lot more time than I expected, but it sure feels great to have an organized work space.  I don’t know about you, but I was always the kid that cleaned his room prior to starting a new project or large homework assignment.  It just feels better!

 I have also begun planning for my upcoming one man exhibit at the Orange Table.  The exhibit was scheduled for April, but has been bumped up to March. Yikes!  I’ve still got to select the works and get it all matted and framed!

Finally, I have also been managing some painting.  The paintings above are some new pages in my art book.  I have been continuing to work abstractly and also adding some symbolization.  Paul Cezanne once famously stated, “a work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.”  This of course was the beginning of Modernism; the idea that an artist should not seek to duplicate nature, but rather invest his works with the emotions and the spirit of humanity.  My work has always sprung from emotion.  I don’t mean that I could point to a  painting and say this equals this emotion etc., but rather the paintings have always been a seeking of some kind, a way of accessing emotions or parts of myself that are difficulty to get at by other means.   I think Cezanne had it right, and I have found that those paintings and artists that stay with me the longest are always ones where I can feel something from them, a yearning perhaps.  Hmmmm.

Well, that is all for now.  It is back to painting, and I encourage everyone to clean out at least one closet in honor of the new year.  It feels great.

Bruce.

New Pages for the Art book

Well it is a new year, and I am back to work teaching.  I’m really looking forward to this semester as I get to work with our high school seniors teaching them sculpture.   We will be looking at the works of such artists as Michelangelo,  Brancusi, and Ricard Serra to name just a few.  In addition, we will be jumping right into carving and molding our own unique works.

I have been continuing to paint and to work on my small book of abstractions, “Notes to God.”  Already, I am discovering some previous themes entering the painting.  Namely, the symbol of the pyramid as well as the symbol of the tree.  Both symbols carry a spiritual weight and have rich histories dating back to pre-christian eras.  The pyramid for me represents an eternal upward moving form that, that while reaching for the heavens, remains solid in its foundation on earth.  The tree has always represented, in my mind, the tree of life.  It also reaches for the heavens, but as its limbs go higher its roots grow deeper.  Two great symbols don’t you think?

It is great to be back to painting.  The one thing about painting is that it is never a waster of time.  Regardless of what others may think of the final work, the experience is forever rewarding and calming.  The final result is the a reflection on the state of your being in that moment.  I know I always feel better when I am painting regularly.  You don’t have to be a great artist to pick up a brush and make something.  Just get started and enjoy the process.

Bruce.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

For me, the best part of the holidays is being with my family, and I define family as all those for whom I care deeply about and who care deeply about me – be they relatives, co-workers, or long time friends.  I love hearing from people I haven’t heard from in a long time, who only come to town once a year.  I also like talking on the phone with friends that are thousands of miles of way, just to catch up.  Then of course, there is the gathering around the table to commune and share well wishes.  So to all of you,  I wish you a happy holiday season!

An old Irish toast:

A Christmas wish-
May you never forget
what is worth remembering
or remember
what is best forgotten.

Happy holidays,

Bruce.

Starting to Paint a Book

It’s a beautiful morning here in Arizona with the sun shining and everyone bustling with holiday to do lists.   I chose this morning to sit down and start painting a book that I intend to title “Notes to God”. When this book is finished it will contain twenty-five (10″ X 6″) original watercolor paintings completed in a spiral book with Daler Rowney 140 lb. paper.

I have completed books full of small paintings before, but never with the intent of it going out into the public and possibly being owned by someone else.  Artist’s sketchbooks are intimate glimpses into their lives and often considered by the artists to be far more personal than any work they ever hang in a gallery.  I intend this book to have that same spirit and will have to trust that it will find a worthy home.

I began this book with a small abstract painting and am guessing that most of the paintings will be abstract, although the creative process is what it is, and what this book will be in the end is anyone’s guess.  Abstraction is something that I seem to always gravitate back to.  I love abstraction as a vehicle of expression, and while I know many people find abstraction difficult to access, I have found it to be a very clear language.   It is a language that attempts to touch those large unknown spaces that fill our beings and are difficult to truly reach or describe.

Paul Klee once famously stated, “I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes shape music.”  This beautiful statement touches on the large feeling that abstraction seeks to convey and the difficulty of describing that feeling through direct linear language.  I have described my abstractions as meditations.  They are simple quiet, introspective  moments.  Following Klee’s thoughts, they are poems without words.

I hope you will follow me as I make this book and even join me in a dialogue about painting or abstraction or simple process.  I will continue to inform you of my progress as well as try to further explain the work.  For now, I need get back to painting.

Have a great day.  If you can, set some of that holiday hustle and bustle aside and do something just for you, something quiet and introspective that reaches for those large unknown spaces.

Bruce.

This is the first painting in the book.

You Can’t Hope Your Way to Greatness

As I continue to develop this site and work on building my art business I have been thinking almost everyday about a quote I recently saw.  The quote was, “You can’t hope your way to greatness.” I found this quote in a small book called, Lessons at the Fence Post by Paul D. Cummings.  It is full of nice little tidbits of wisdom passed down to him from his grandfather George W. Cummings.

This particular quote stood out to me as I thought of my art career.  I have been waiting patiently to be “discovered” for some time now and have come up with a lot of excuses as to why that hasn’t happened.  Strangely, none of those excuses were that I was rarely making art, and when I did it went under the bed or got tucked behind a shelf for safe-keeping.  I just don’t know why art collectors can’t seem to find their way behind my book shelf in order to pay tribute to my work.  They really should be more persistent!

Oh, but wait, maybe I have needed to stop hoping my way to greatness.  Maybe, I have actually needed to put my artwork out there and begin to think more like an entrepreneur.  After all, as great as Van Gogh was, he only sold one painting in his life and that was to his brother Theo so it doesn’t really count.  Of course, I would not presume to put myself on the artistic level of Van Gogh, but I would like to put myself on a higher level business wise.  “Selling” myself, (and facing the rejection that inevitably comes from putting your work out there) is uncomfortable, but with a little effort I have already had far more success than rejection.  In addition, I have been learning some new skills and actually having some fun with it all.

I think this lesson applies to all kinds of people, not just artists.  If you have been waiting for someone to discover your own unique talent or explaining your lack of success away with excuses, stop.  You simply can’t hope your way to greatness.  After all, it was Alexander the Great who once famously stated, “There is nothing impossible to him who will try.”  And they didn’t call him great for nothing.

Bruce.

Learning WordPress

Hello all,  I have been learning to work with WordPress, which is the software used to run this website.  So if you have been following this site and wondering if the author has gone a bit crazy, well the answer is of course yes.  But, I have also been learning quite a lot and hope to have a more functional site up soon.  Everyone says that WordPress is the easiest thing in the world to work with and that is probably true for many people, but for me it has taken quite a lot of tutorials, a book, advice and as always, the help of my web designer Anthony.

I have also been trying hard to get up to date with the latest in social media marketing and am hoping to add e’commerce to my site soon.   I’m open to any and all advice, so please let me know what you think.

Finally, the picture on the right, “Strawberry Cake for August” will be up at the Herberger gallery in April for their celebration of Arizona’s one hundred years show.   This will be my third showing with them, and I have found it to be a terrific place to showcase my work.  Please go and give it a look.  At the same time, I will have a one man show up at the Orange Table in Old Town Scottsdale.  I’ll post more information about the openings for both exhibits later on.

That’s all for now,

Bruce.