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Corvettes. For many, they are the culmination of the American Dream. Okay, Maybe that's an overstatement, but it's undeniable that the sight of a person driving a Corvette is more likely than not a sighting of an immensely happy human being. Someone who has worked tirelessly for the right to own one of these badges of honor. So it was a great joy for me when I was approached by one of these fortunate Corvette owners, and asked to make a painting of their evolution. He has owned a C3 and a C7, and both were Laguna Blue, so we decided to make that the focus of the piece.
While I was working on this painting, I was also fortunate enough to be able to head home for the Holidays. Which was an amazing time, but ended up posing a huge challenge to getting this painting finished. Have you figured out the appropriate balance between spending time with family that you rarely get to see and accomplishing anything productive? If so, please call me. Not only that, but I was also trying to finish a bunch of paintings and projects that were to be gifts for people for Christmas, because that's what broke people do. Talk about having way too much going on.
Another challenge to this was being in a new environment while trying to paint. I had worked out how to paint in a cramped studio apartment in college, and on a futon-coffee table situation when I got a slightly larger apartment. After moving to Tennessee, I hit the jackpot with a second bedroom and a kick-butt desk. To my left, I have a bookcase full of reference and inspiration. To my right, I have a table on which I keep a full mug of tea, and my computer, with a stream of online art classes running constantly (Okay, and the TV by Paul's desk across the room is connected to a Roku and has been known to occasionally play Netflix. A lot of Netflix). And in front of me, I have a glass desk that raises and lowers to meet my needs. Needless to say, it is heaven. HEAVEN, friends. The gassy dog sitting under the desk can put a damper on things, but he's cute, so it's okay. Then there's the cat. He's not gassy, but can be equally scary.
So when I went home, it was a challenge. Setting up shop on the kitchen table, breaking constantly to make Christmas cookies, visit awesome Aunts and Uncles, and go grocery shopping for Mom, and battling the constant stream of fat cats, sisters, and psycho puppies was a recipe for getting nothing done. I'm not sure that was even an actual sentence, but as such, it was the most accurate depiction of my failed attempts at productivity during those weeks.
Looking back on this experience has given me an interesting perspective on art, though (yes, this would be the part where, were I watching a movie, I'd say, "Whoohoo, they just said the name!" and tee hee like a little girl). When the gentleman who ordered the painting gets to look at it, he will hopefully be reminded of many a sharp turn, the aggressive rev of an engine, and the pride involved with owning a Corvette. When others look at it, they will see anything from the evolution of a great American Car to a reminder of their own dream. When I look at it, the first thing that goes through my mind is the memory of trying to work on it at my Mom's kitchen table with a cat crawling across my lap and the sound of Hugh Laurie sassing other fictional doctors as my sister sat enthralled in another episode of House.
To be honest, I am the farthest thing from an Abstract Artist. I struggle to imagine how I could possibly attempt to create something that exists mostly for its ability to be viewed in vastly different ways by different people with any amount of intention. So it's a little bit jarring to think of the potential different ways that people can look at a painting that is so subjective. Yes, there are far less paths to take than that of an abstract, but it's still fascinating to consider.
I may be taking a bit of a leap with this, but still. So I have to ask. What do YOU think about when you look at this one? A family member or friend who had a thing for the Coke Bottle shaped car? Your own dreams to own one? Getting a speeding ticket? I'm just curious.
And now, on to the next one!
While I was working on this painting, I was also fortunate enough to be able to head home for the Holidays. Which was an amazing time, but ended up posing a huge challenge to getting this painting finished. Have you figured out the appropriate balance between spending time with family that you rarely get to see and accomplishing anything productive? If so, please call me. Not only that, but I was also trying to finish a bunch of paintings and projects that were to be gifts for people for Christmas, because that's what broke people do. Talk about having way too much going on.
Another challenge to this was being in a new environment while trying to paint. I had worked out how to paint in a cramped studio apartment in college, and on a futon-coffee table situation when I got a slightly larger apartment. After moving to Tennessee, I hit the jackpot with a second bedroom and a kick-butt desk. To my left, I have a bookcase full of reference and inspiration. To my right, I have a table on which I keep a full mug of tea, and my computer, with a stream of online art classes running constantly (Okay, and the TV by Paul's desk across the room is connected to a Roku and has been known to occasionally play Netflix. A lot of Netflix). And in front of me, I have a glass desk that raises and lowers to meet my needs. Needless to say, it is heaven. HEAVEN, friends. The gassy dog sitting under the desk can put a damper on things, but he's cute, so it's okay. Then there's the cat. He's not gassy, but can be equally scary.
So when I went home, it was a challenge. Setting up shop on the kitchen table, breaking constantly to make Christmas cookies, visit awesome Aunts and Uncles, and go grocery shopping for Mom, and battling the constant stream of fat cats, sisters, and psycho puppies was a recipe for getting nothing done. I'm not sure that was even an actual sentence, but as such, it was the most accurate depiction of my failed attempts at productivity during those weeks.
Looking back on this experience has given me an interesting perspective on art, though (yes, this would be the part where, were I watching a movie, I'd say, "Whoohoo, they just said the name!" and tee hee like a little girl). When the gentleman who ordered the painting gets to look at it, he will hopefully be reminded of many a sharp turn, the aggressive rev of an engine, and the pride involved with owning a Corvette. When others look at it, they will see anything from the evolution of a great American Car to a reminder of their own dream. When I look at it, the first thing that goes through my mind is the memory of trying to work on it at my Mom's kitchen table with a cat crawling across my lap and the sound of Hugh Laurie sassing other fictional doctors as my sister sat enthralled in another episode of House.
To be honest, I am the farthest thing from an Abstract Artist. I struggle to imagine how I could possibly attempt to create something that exists mostly for its ability to be viewed in vastly different ways by different people with any amount of intention. So it's a little bit jarring to think of the potential different ways that people can look at a painting that is so subjective. Yes, there are far less paths to take than that of an abstract, but it's still fascinating to consider.
I may be taking a bit of a leap with this, but still. So I have to ask. What do YOU think about when you look at this one? A family member or friend who had a thing for the Coke Bottle shaped car? Your own dreams to own one? Getting a speeding ticket? I'm just curious.
And now, on to the next one!