Week 10 - Art is a Competitive Sport
As an artist, sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in a competitive sport.
A very creative and colourful sport, but a competition non the less. I find lately, that scrolling through social media can make me feel... lacking. Lacking in polished video and photo presentation, lacking in thousands of followers, lacking in youth and crop tops.
Look, I'm not saying the artists online are not deserving of their public adoration, but these days you need to be both an artistic and marketing genius. We're talking both right and left brain functions. That's a stretch.
From 1912 to 1948 art competitions were part of the Olympic Games. Like, what!! They were the original intention of the Olympic Movement's founder, Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, medals were awarded for works inspired by sport.
Unfortunately, in 1954, the Olympic art competitions were abandoned because the artists who entered were considered professionals, while the athletes were required to be amateurs. I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion... maybe the artists had too many followers on Instagram.
For the curious... between 1912 -1948, Canada won 1 silver, and 1 bronze in the Olympic Art Competitions during the games. John Weinzweig, won silver for Instrumental and chamber, 1948, in London, and Trait McKenzie, won bronze for sculpture, 1928, in Los Angeles.
So stretch those brush arm muscles, and know that art is/was a competitive sport.
Oh, and please follow me on Instagram... sfoxcranston just sayin'...
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Dancing in the Gloam - Acrylic 36"x36"
Just off the Easel... I'm feeling rather colour "cheeky" this winter, and I'm stretching my colour palette beyond my comfort zone. This new acrylic, Dancing in the Gloam, cracked open a couple of bottles of paint that haven't had a lot of action in the past. As Neal Walsch said, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone", I'm on a journey...
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Update on Eco Artist Paint Wastewater
I started this process using a 3 gallon pail thinking it would be more efficient. Well, as it turns out, 3 gallons of wastewater is a lot to process all at once. So, I downsized to a 1 gallon bucket next to my "dirty sink" area. It takes me about a week to fill it up. I've also rigged up a faster straining system. I flatten out the bottom of a wire strainer, put in a regular sized coffee filter, and then place the strainer on top a funnel. I can strain the wastewater within a hour. So much better.
You can check out the video on the process on my Week 3 Blog post.
Doing what I can for Mother Earth...
I am really enjoying your blogs and each time I read one I walk away with great information and insights but this week really hit home. I also enjoy scrolling through artist posts on Instagram. Crop tops aside lol, I usually find inspiration and new ideas to aspire to but sometimes I also walk away with a feeling of lack, a sense of “why bother “ especially with the aspect of marketing. So it’s nice to hear that someone who inspires me also has moments of lack. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us!
I am really enjoying your blogs and each time I read one I walk away with great information and insights but this week really hit home. I also enjoy scrolling through artist posts on Instagram. Crop tops aside lol, I usually find inspiration and new ideas to aspire to but sometimes I also walk away with a feeling of lack, a sense of “why bother “ especially with the aspect of marketing. So it’s nice to hear that someone who inspires me also has moments of lack. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us!
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge, techniques and creative process. I was in your Oct/Nov class at CAC and learned a lot. I have registered for the May workshop and am really looking forward to it.
1954 Instagram. Ha. I was 4.