artist

Returning from Israel

Returning from Israel
How will I describe this experience?
How do you sum up thousands of beautiful moments?
How do you make peace with the ugliness too?
Moments where you heard stories of the most vile acts from women who should not have to be so strong
There were lovely moments: gardens, chefs, ruins, musicians, a sense of home and hospitality half a world away
I saw rivers of water flooding through a dessert so deep that you had to firmly remind yourself that it is not usually there - that you who have never traveled get to see a rare and magnificent moment that locals flock to with wide eyes
Tomorrow, it will all be gone
I saw smiles, laughs, tears and the fears that grip us all on the faces of friends and strangers alike
How will I return from Israel?
Different

My first start to a painting in my Israel series is a kumquat tree in the garden of musician George Saman.

My first start to a painting in my Israel series is a kumquat tree in the garden of musician George Saman.

Thoughts on the Word 'Talent'

I believe that talent is an overused term that can be accidentally (or purposely -  but I want to be ‘glass half full’ here) be used to diminish the accomplishments of hard work. The terms overuse in creative fields can make these fields seem inaccessible except to an elite group who is born with talent. Natural aptitude or skill can only get one so far in this world. To quote Kevin Durant, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”.

When I was younger, I was not a natural artist. In fact, I was once teased as a teenager for not drawing as well as a two-year-old. I took that minor teasing as a personal challenge and began to teach myself to draw. Eventually, I decided this was a passion worth pursuing and began taking classes. I worked hard. I have been practicing near daily for years. I didn't have talent, I chose to spend my time working hard and learning this skill.

From an art educator perspective, I love to encourage a growth mindset. Adults who do not carefully consider the impact of their words make teaching this mindset difficult. Picture this common scenario, an adult walks into my art classroom, states that they are not artistic. They may even make a cute joke about not being able to draw a straight line with a ruler. Before they leave the room, they compliment a student or two on their talent before leaving. On the surface, this looks like a well-meaning adult bringing a fun moment to a classroom and trying to make a students day.

However, it can come off as dismissive to the student being told they are talented. They will be happy for the compliment of course- but it is far better to focus on effort and artistic choices. Worse, for children overhearing this compliment, it may make artistic success seem impossible.  When artistic success is treated as talent based, many students will neglect art as something they cannot learn. Why try and learn something when you need to be talented to succeed? Students begin to see creativity as something you either have or not. Historically, fine art used to be treated simply as a trade you could learn with time and a good teacher. Reminding students about the past teaches the lesson that anyone can grow if they put time into their passion.

Everyone loves a compliment, but I hope this blog makes you consider words other than talent when praising your favorite artists (adults and children alike!). Get creative with it! Is it their use of color that makes them stand out? Is it the texture of the piece? Meaningful subject matter? You can even simply say that it must have taken a lot of time and dedication to make the piece (it always does). Make an artist's day - talent is luck of the draw - but with hard work, you can make something with true pride.


What goes into a commission?

When working on a commission, it is all about truly understanding the needs of the client. Be prepared for a lot of questions! Usually, when I am hired for a commission, the reason can be deeply personal. A moment or a memory needs to be preserved in a way that other mediums cannot capture. It is always an honor and a huge responsibility to be chosen for these projects.

They are also much more work than simply painting in my studio that I must be ready to dive into. When I am painting in the studio, inspiration can strike and I can simply make a plan and set to work. With a client, I will be asking questions - colors, seasons, styles, what does the room it will hang in look like - and so much more. I will be taking pictures at every stage so that we can make changes as we go.

It is a process with a balance - where the artist and the client work hand in hand to make the artwork.

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Here are some basic questions to keep in mind when considering hiring an artist for a commission:

  • What subject matter?

  • What size artwork?

  • What materials (acrylic, oil, or watercolor?)

  • Which of the artist’s works are your favorite?

  • What style are you envisioning?

  • Is there any decor in the room that the artist should keep in mind?

  • What is your budget? (Keep in mind that commissions will cost more money than the artists other work of similar size/material because they take more time and are tailored specifically to you).

  • Is there any deadline to have this piece finished?