Karen Cooper

Blog

4/9/2010 9:55:35 AM

The Why

Cooper / 1 Comment
Topics: about painting | life drawing 
Greetings,

Welcome to the Cooper studio, Jefferson, Iowa.  It's one of those kind of days where there's no middle of the road.  It will either be productive to the max, or absolutely a nothing-accomplished kind of day.  Surely you know what I'm talking about here:  such perfect, crystal clear, sunshiny kind of weather---it fills you with all kinds of energy, or it makes you want to go find a comfy lawn chair and soak it all in.  There are no options in between.  I am going to shoot for the energy laden route.

But before I commence with the energy, I have a tidbit I'd like to pass on.  About "the why"---why we paint what we do.  I was reading Robert Genn's twice weekly newsletter this morning, which included a  letter from Charles Philip Brooks, titled "letter to the student of painting".  Isn't it great when someone puts into words something you have been trying to say forever?  "Ha!"  you say, "there it is, exactly what I mean!"  On occasion, people quiz me, or plain-out just look at me quizzically (!) when I, or my work make reference to life drawing.  I paint people, it's what I am compelled to do.  But.  I am also compelled to learn to do it the very best I can.  Creation is too beautiful a thing to muck up with a poor reaction/rendition.  But listen to how this guy Brooks says it, with so much greater eloquence:

The threefold responsibility of the artist is: to creation, to individual talent, and to humanity. For creation – the whole of nature – we must cultivate prayerful awe. This is our source of work and our refuge as well. We should seek harmony with nature.

I think it's fair to paraphrase his "cultivate" with my line "always the student", and that, right on the heels of life drawing group meeting last night.  Wow---now you are expecting a great drawing as proof of my study, right?  Good study did happen at last night's group, perfection did not.  In fact, completion did not happen either.  Dare I say the building blocks are all there, and correctly placed as well?  Possibly I can finish up some of the volumes without the model.  We shall see.



Thanks for stopping by. 

Later, Cooper




Share This Post

Comments

1 Response to The Why

Wonderful sketch.... You picked a really difficult viewpoint (I'm sure on purpose) -- getting the figure to look like it's supposed to with as much foreshortening as you've been faced with in that pose took all of your good skills. I'd say that yes indeed... the building blocks are there AND correctly placed!! well done!

Posted by Marian Fortunati · via karencooperpaintings.com · 198 months ago

Leave a Comment

Remember Your Info
Check this box if you want email updates when people comment on this post