arty-facts

Arty-Facts is a website devoted to art in all forms.

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It doesn't make much difference how the paint is put on as long as something has been said. Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement.

Jackson Pollock

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Writings & Rantings

Hey Folks- A lot is going on around here on my end of things. Sorry for being a slack blogger, but there are lots of good things coming this week! Tomorrow's going to be an exciting day as I take in some of what Richmond, VA has to offer. If you're going to be around Richmond, stop by the Fountain Bookstore at 6:30 for a signing with author Lena Roy. I'll be there too. You'll be able to spot me in my turquoise cowgirl boots. With any luck I'll be the only one wearing them. ;) That's it for now! There are a few other things we'll be seeing in Richmond that I'll be writing up under Field Notes. There's even a chance of me going down to Raleigh this Friday. Cross your fingers that my car doesn't blow up between now and then. Gotta keep the road hot. ;) Love & Art, Jenna.

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Tea With Me: Artist Interview

Welcome! This is our weekly installment of Tea With Me: Artist Interview. I have the wonderful privilege of introducing all of you to a great woman and inspiring artist: Mary Shannon Johnstone- I am sure you will love her as much as I do!:

[From "Lost Dreams and Tall Tales" series, All Dogs Go To Heaven, 2006]

Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

I am a photographer/runner/professor who lives in North Carolina.

What kind of art do you do? 

I do photography, and I work in both black and white and color.

How long have you been at your craft? 

I have been taking pictures since I was 13.

[From "Silent Home" series, The Afterglow, 2007]

What has been the biggest challenge for you as an artist?

Balancing all the different aspects of my life.

What has been the biggest reward? 

Engaging in the things I love, and that makes me feel alive. 

When did you feel you finally “made it” in the art sphere? 

I don’t think I have ever felt that I have “made it”. Actually, I hope I never feel that way. I don’t ever want to feel like I have reached a pinnacle or a place of complacency. My plan is to continue to challenge myself, try to look at the same things with new eyes, and to be an artist (and runner) for life.

{From "Breeding Ignorance" series, Cats in Freezer, 2009]

How has your work grown/developed/changed over the years? 

I think I used to be more focused on individual images and small series. Over the last five years or so I have started to see the connections between ALL of my images. They seem much more related than I ever thought they were.

Who or what has been your biggest influence? 

I love looking at other artists work, and I have been blessed with some phenomenal teachers who really pushed me. To name a few, Angela Kelly, Robert Clarke-Davis, and Barbara DeGenevieve.

In terms of artists/photographers who influence my work, most recently I have been looking at and admiring the work of Alesssandra Sanguinetti, Matt Eich, Alec Soth, Annie Marie Musselman. And Debbie Fleming Caffery.

[From "Winter Stories" series, Mies, 2004]

What advice would you give to other creative types? 

Work on your art every day.

What are your instant “Mood Lifters”? 

Running long distances.

[From "Milkbones" series, Cat, 2009]

Did you receive any formal training or education?

Yes, I got my undergraduate degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and my MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology.

Did you ever see yourself as anything other than an artist? Was there anything you’ve wanted to pursue before or since? 

When I was much younger I used to want to be a lifeguard. I liked their whistles and thought they looked important. I used to dress up as a lifeguard every year for Halloween. 

What is your daily routine like? 

No day is the same, but most days involve coffee, email, photographing, my visual journal, teaching, a run, and hanging out with dogs, and talking/running with my husband. No day is ever in that exact same order.

What is your favorite piece of art you have created thus far? 

Probably my visual journals. I make sure I work in it every day (photograph and write), and I am really proud of that. Most of the time it is not very interesting stuff, but I am proud of my dedication, and think my journal is an important tool for my photography, and happy living.

[From my visual journal, Dog  Plays While Man is Down, 2010]

If you could have any super power what would it be and why?

Flying. Without a doubt.

  If you would like to check out some more of Shannon's work please visit her website at: shannonjohnstone.com

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Fast Facts: Georgia O'Keeffe

In 1977 Georgia was awarded the highest honor to an American citizen called the "Presidential Medal of Freedom". Given to her by president Gerald Ford.

A fossilized species whose bones were quarried near her home were named "Effigia Okeeffeae" meaning "O'keeffe's Ghost".

She continued to paint until a few weeks before her death even though her vision was almost completely gone.

She took up learning pottery in 1973, two years after losing her central vision.

After moving to New Mexico she bought a Ford Model A to go out exploring. Friends helped her learn to drive.

She attended School of the Art Institute in Chicago.

She stopped painting in 1908 because she was discouraged with her efforts. A summer course at the University of Virginia rekindled her love of painting.

Her first solo show was in April of 1917- at the 291 gallery in New York. Which was owned and run by Alfred Stieglitz, her future husband.

After they were married Alfred Stieglitz took over 300 portraits of Georgia.

She died at the age of 98 and her ashes were scattered from the top of a mountain near her home.

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I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.

--Georgia O'keeffe

[fyvangogh]

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fyvangogh:

“Manchester-based artist James Birkbeck applied makeup to himself to look like one of Vincent Van Gogh’s self portraits and photographed the result. Simply amazing…”

(via) 

I know "Van Gogh" week is over, but this needed to be shared. :)

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I have things in my head that are not like what anyone has taught me- shapes and ideas so near to me- so natural to my way of being and thinking that it hasn't occurred to me to put them down."

-- Georgia O'Keeffe

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I hate flowers- I paint them because they're cheaper than models and they don't move.

-- Georgia O'Keeffe

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I feel there is something about unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore.

--Georgia O'Keeffe

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This week is Georgia O'Keeffe week here at Arty-Facts. I thought we'd start off with this video where they interview Georgia at the young and sprightly age of 92. As you'll see in the clip, she's quite the sassy lady. If I make it to 92, I hope I'm that freakin' cool!

Love & Art, 

Jenna.

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Tea with Me: Artist Interview

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Philip Ramsey. Both he and his art can be spotted in various spots around town. He's a cool gent and a fine artist. Enjoy!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I’m an old guy and I have had a long journey as an artist. Ive taught art privately and groups, painted murals for over 16 years, and painted portraits and original oil paintings for 20 years, and have given lectures on occasions.

What kind of art do you do? 

I presently concentrate on oil paintings and portraits. I formerly painted murals till all of the standing and moving scaffolding destroyed my back. I gravitate towards impressionism because it evokes emotion and memory. We don’t have memory in microscopic detail but remember the feeling it gave us and the visual impact that goes with that feeling. Impressionism accomplishes that feeling and people connect with that. They understand what is being represented and grasp the memory.

How long have you been at your craft?

I always tell people that I started my art when my mother gave me crayons at age 3. They were a whole bunch of crayons in a black decorative tin. I still have that tin in my studio. I received my first set of oil paints at 13 and didn’t know how to handle them. I had no instruction or mentor. Thus I became frustrated with my results and eventually gave up. I didn’t start again till age 31. I became very involved with the text and images of David Leffel, famous for his portraits and still life. I pulled my old paints out of the attic and followed his teaching. I determined to just enoy the colors and strokes and forget about the results. Thus, the results followed when I relaxed and told myself that I didn’t care.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as an artist?

There is no one biggest challenge but several. The biggest challenge of all I would have to say is finding a way to support a family and be an artist full time. Havent done it yet sad to say. My art has been a significant part of my income but never totally enough. I am very attuned to the marketing side of art and actually enjoy that side of the pursuit. My challenge is time to devote to art and art marketing and balance my “day job”, family time, and home ownership. It is also thus a challenge to produce and market art full time in South Boston VA. Do I move and leave close friends that I love and a place I consider home for 25 years? Thus the constant tug of war between being who I am created to be, an artist, and maintaining and supporting your family and community.

What has been the biggest reward?

The reward for me is standing before my easel and getting lost and captured by the feeling that encircles me when painting and having the confidence that I will love the journey and will know where the painting is going. To be honest, it is also very gratifying when someone considers your art of value to sacrifice their money to attain the art. Someone can stand all day long and compliment your art and talk about “how much they just love art” but until they fork over their hard earned money do they really demonstrate how much they “ love” art.

When did you feel you finally “made it” in the art sphere?

I don’t consider having made it yet. I feel like I will finally make it when I am completely independent of working “for the man” and can devote 100% of my time to art.

How has your work grown/developed/changed over the years?

Development and change take time. The greatest learning tool is repetition. Doesn’t sound exciting or glamorous but it is the brutal truth. I once pursued the martial arts and achieved my black belt which took 7 years. Someone asked “ so martial arts is sort of mind over matter zen kind of thing?” which I replied “no, it is learning a technique and doing it thousands and thousands of times. Same with art – there is no short cut which is how development occurs. I can now do a painting that once took 20 hours and now takes 4-5 hours or less, simply because of practice over a number of years. The most often asked question from people, for some strange reason, is “how long did it take to do that painting?” and my reply is over 20 years.

Who or what has been your biggest influence?

Several mentors and authors along the way have been a significant influence including my mentor John dela Vega of Argentina. John is an internationally renowned artist famous mostly for his portraits including Ronald Reagan. He lives at Nags Head NC and I occasionally visit with him from time to time. Other authors include John Howard Sanden, David Leffel, and Windsor Joe Innis all of which sells paintings and portraits for six figures and whose work reaches a point of excellence that few attain.

What advice would you give to other creative types?

Try to make the decision whether or not you want to live as an artist or support a family. You really cant do both. Nothing wrong with either life but both are difficult in coexisting full time. I would also advise maintain your style and creativity that has been uniquely given to you. Definitely be influenced by other other artsits but express what is uniquely yours. Don’t let life and the rest of the world that has no vision to squelch what you need to express.

What are your instant “Mood Lifters”?

Definitely music. To me music and visual art go together. They are not mutually exclusive. I cannot imagine painting without music and really producing anything of worth without music….well, good music. The music needs to fit the painting though.

Did you receive any formal training or education?

No. The closest would be a mentor/apprentice relationship with John dela Vega.

Did you ever see yourself as anything other than an artist? Was there anything you’ve wanted to pursue before or since?

Yes. When I quit art during my younger years, my heart turned towards the outdoors. I loved working with plants and actually grew vegetable crops to pay my way through college and eventually received my masters of science degree in plant and soil science. I partly went this direction because my parents convinced me that I could never make a living as an artist. I've always resented this.

What is your daily routine like?

I don’t really have one. My day job as an outside salesman for a vegetable seed company has me traveling over the states of Virginia, North and South Carolina. Sometimes I have able to bring my easel with me and set up at the end of the day for some plein air painting but I generally paint when I am home during the rest of the week.

What is your favorite piece of art you have created thus far?

I really don’t have one in particular. But usually my most favorite piece of art is the next one.

If you could have any super power what would it be and why? 

Hmm.. what a question. I’ve never thought of this. I wouldn’t really want a superpower. It is the struggle of the journey that makes life valuable. You forfeit this process and joy of this struggle if you try to bypass it. I wouldn’t want to miss out on that no matter how difficult. I would however would like the superpower of losing my beer gut in two days or something like that.

Find more of Phil's work and get to know him a little bit better at www.philipramsey.com & on FaceBook.

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Nerd alert! 

I love Dr. Who, and I finally got to see the episode, "Vincent and the Doctor". It's beautiful. It's wonderful. It's heartbreaking in such a good way. Find a way to watch it, you won't be disappointed! :) 

Love & Art,

Jenna.

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I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

-- Vincent Van Gogh

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Fast Facts: Vincent Van Gogh

 "Vincent" was a family name. He was named after his uncle & grandfather.

His uncle Vincent, "Uncle Cent", was a successful sculptor.

He and his brother Theo are buried side by side.

Originally considered being a pastor before taking up art full time.

More than 600 letters that he wrote to his brother still remain.

The source of his mental illness is still unknown. Over 30 different causes have been suggested by more than 150 doctors.

While the swirls and spirals in his later night sky depictions seem other-worldly, he was staying true to what he saw.

He painted over 37 self-portraits.

One self-portrait, "Self-portrait without a beard", is the third most expensive painting ever sold.

It sold for $71.5 million US dollars in 1998.

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I wish they would only take me as I am.

-- Vincent Van Gogh

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First Impressions

It happened my junior year of college. The art department was making a marathon day trip to Washington, D.C. to poke around some museums and participate in what I referred to as "Art History Boot Camp". This was the first time I would ever see a work by Vincent Van Gogh up front and in person. 

I have to tell you that several of my more enthusiastic classmates were questioning my sanity. (They had been all along, just even more now.) Mainly because I elected to go on this trip instead of stick around for Cornhuskin'. 

For those of you who may be unfamiliar, Corhuskin' is an event that is a mysterious blend of your elementary school field day, home coming week, hopped up on steroids and adrenaline. In other words: Not my thing. Ten hours on a bus to see works of the the greatest artists who've ever lived? No contest. 

But getting back to good ol' Vinny- I'm a bit biased when it comes to my impressionists. Firstly, it's my favorite art movement. (I can't help myself!) And they don't get much more dynamic and off their rocker as Vincent. 

When we arrived at the National Gallery a friend and I took off for the Renaissance wing. Mind you, love art. All of it. But I was itching to see the impressionists. If I had to see one more depiction of Mary and the Christ Child, no matter how well executed (eee, sorry for that punnage), I was going to puke. (And they prefer you didn't do that around the paintings.)  I was patient though and waited it out. Finally when my friend had had her fill we dashed like fiends for the "good" art, (kidding!). Turning the corner I was met face to face with my hero himself: 

Isn't he dashing? In a creepy sort of way I realize. 

Still, my knees gave out and I let out a noise that made my friend whip her head around and stare at me. "What's the matter with you?" I pointed noiselessly, with eyes wide like saucers to the painting above. 

"Oh, I see. I'll leave you two alone." With that she left to go stare at some more church icons while I held a staring competition with one of my favorite crazed, dead guys. He won. 

Obviously it was a day well spent and I had no regrets about missing the Cornhuskin'/Field Day on Acid events. Even if the juniors did beat the seniors that year. Yes, I'm rubbing that in. 

Hope you enjoyed this first impression- thanks for lending me your ear. ;)

What work of art has affected you? 

Love & Art, 

Jenna.

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I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.

--Vincent Van Gogh