A Word on Painting 10/28/2011
"Trust NO One" - Mixed Media - 29x71"
It is an odd feeling I get when I finish a painting (or at least make myself stop working on a painting). I’m not sure they are ever really finished…just complete enough to allow me to want to go on to the next canvas. I still go through and add strokes or adjust lines on ‘finished’ paintings that live in my studio, even though they have been ‘done’ for quite some time. When I finish a painting, especially one I have worked on for a long while, it is a mix of feelings actually; but I think more of a sadness that the conversation and dance with the painting/canvas has come to an end, and now I have to let it be on its own out in the world to face the eyes of strangers. Painting for me has always been like tackling a set of challenges that need to be worked out and solved in order to meet my expectations of the visual message or story I’m trying to portray and convey. Someone asked me the other day if I’m ever really happy with my paintings in the end, or if I ever feel disappointment. I immediately responded that I’m sure I don’t feel disappointment, but I do always wonder if I have done the canvas justice or not. After thinking it through more later, I guess in truth it is a disappointment, but not because I’m not happy with the end result, but because our painting story has come to the last chapter even though I refuse to read the words – the end. I admit, there are times I am disappointed and the painting just doesn’t work, and just didn’t exist as I had wanted it to exist, and so it must be abandoned. Not forgotten mind you, just set aside to tackle at another time. I know that I have satisfied my end of the bargain with a painting when I find myself really wanting to look at it. Very close and far back, I move back and forth taking in the subtle details I have worked in with each layer. I find myself evaluating my performance as a painter. Did I technically execute this painting, and solve each challenge the best that I could have? Such is the case with the painting pictured here. As I work through a painting I make notes in a notebook about what I wish I had done different, or how next time how I can better achieve an effect, or how I can add a layer here or there with a different medium. In between I will swatch a dab of paint to remember a colour mix I liked. Before I begin my next painting I review all my notes, start to finish and I challenge myself to figure out how I can be better as a communicator, a painter and a creator to my canvases and for me. As my latest painting dries, I am beginning to go back through my notes, as I am already sketching out the next idea and have a fresh canvas on the easel eager and ready to go. I have also noticed some additional work that will need to be done on this painting when these current layers dry… At any rate, the goal is always the same. Paint for myself first and hope that others will like it enough to want to look at it close and far back. People don’t have to like it, I just want them to want to look at it, and maybe even think about it. 3 Comments Sidebar 07/27/2010
 Transition - Click to Enlarge It is funny how life will lift you up on its wings allowing you to soar to new heights one day, but then leave you mid-air to fall, crash and wait to die. Some people are lucky. They endure happiness and their climb from a fall is much shorter. Actually, happy people piss me off. This occasional climb is where my art becomes a necessary companion for me. I utilize my art as a distraction, to allow myself to feel sorrow, to heal, to live, breathe, be angry or happy, and to sometimes change my perspective. Art takes me on a journey and sometimes it helps me to find the proverbial ladder back up from the depths of a dark place in my mind and a darker place in my heart. And sometimes it is what allows me to remember those smile muscles. Art also gives me a way out and allows my mind to wander and live outside of me for a while. I fashion it much like sitting in a comfy armchair with a book, loosing yourself and opening your mind so that you might travel to new worlds and exotic places, sail rough seas, take on lovers, experience sexual fantasies, fight wars, fly planes or float anywhere out of your life…if albeit temporarily…so this can be art for me… Much like life, art is subjective and has admirers, critics, lovers, enemies, friends, clock watchers and blind people. But it still exists only to be held up and loved; or to be destroyed by its maker. In the same fashion it is only our own right to destroy or do harm to ourselves. For me my art has always been the friend that never went away, the lawn that never needs mowed, the roof that never leaks, and it will never remind me of what time it is. It will just be with me and take me on journeys of discovery. Just like people and our ability to love and hate equally; art and it’s various forms and subjects and styles won’t appeal to all people. However, each thing created might have something hidden within it that is a small part of its creator that will enlighten, enrage or open our minds to new things…if albeit temporarily… Now Showing! New Painting Video 10/22/2009
Things are back in full swing for King Studios! Needless-to-say, I have jumped back in with both feet and I’m off and running on several new projects. It took me a little bit to get back into a schedule again, but I think at last count I have about five paintings in various stages, each with their own energy and spirit that calls to me at various times. So…I am keeping myself very busy! I have been promising and hinting at a video about my most recent Juarez series painting. And ta-da! Here it is! I am calling this painting ‘Juarez Bass Man’ and it is a 36x72” Mixed Media painting. This fellow may very well be the last in the Juarez series – I am tossing and turning over one more that has been swimming in my brain pool – but I’m not sure. Of course if I do paint this last painting that is living in my head, then that will make a series of 6 paintings which is a very nice even number as opposed to 5 which is an odd and dodgy number. We will see what time and temperature bring my way! Maybe I will and maybe I won’t – but I probably will, maybe. In the meantime – enjoy this video! A now, a brief editorial rant, for those of you with above average intelligence that may find yourself offended or distracted by the opinions expressed here, read no further and enjoy your day. Keep your comments and letters coming, I absolutely adore them! For the rest, read on…for THIS is a small example of why Americans are such entertainment for the rest of the world. A friend of mine shared this link with me about a news story of a man, in his own home, who at 5:30 in the morning was spotted - by a woman and her son walking outside - going into his kitchen for a cup of coffee in the buff…IN HIS OWN HOME. The woman was apparently offended, as the yenta bitch took it upon herself to call the police and report the man. The very man, who was in his OWN F&@#$%ing home, minding his own F&@#$%ing business. And now IF charges are filed it could result in a misdemeanor and a possible jail sentence of one year. This is the kind of stuff that makes me crazy! Thus, the reason my friend shared this with me, as he likes to see me crazy. With all the things going on in our country that are so devastatingly horrid - such as gangs of kids beating honor roll students to death with broken rail road ties; armed gunmen shooting pregnant women; people busting into homes and slaughtering families for $20 and some change; armed boys sticking up children at bus stops for their lunch money and i-pods; women and men – not to mention old ladies; being mugged at ATM’s for their grocery money…does this really seem necessary? One, and let’s get this straight America – nudity is not a representation of evil. The body is a beautiful vessel in every shape and form and everyone has one, and depending on the model it may come with a vagina or a penis! (...and in some cases both) Get over it. Two – mind your own F&@#$%ing business! What in the hell gives someone the right, to a)peek into someone’s windows and judge the activity therein – especially at five-f’ing-thirty in the morning – and b)take on the responsibility to take action against this person. What is next!? Will she be errantly peeking into someone else’s window while walking the dog or her son outside, and notices someone watching an R-Rated video and turn them in to the police for watching a ‘dirty’ movie in the confines of their own home, in which someone in the film might have cussed or was naked? This is the kind of petty, backward, close-minded, pea-brained crap that makes me get that wrinkle in my forehead that won’t go away…the one that surrounds the little vein that pops out. I have suspected it for years, but now I know – yep…that little vein is indeed a stupidity detector, and unfortunately it is not going to go away anytime soon. E2=Eclectic Emergence - Show Follow-Up 04/23/2009
Hello Everyone!  Aw hell...it's a start anyway! Poetry Pants...a painting! 01/21/2009
Yes indeedy doody! A finished painting...I think. Ok..yes. Maybe...alright...we will go with yes! At least I think so. OK...final answer - Yes. January Radio Show & Painting Update! 01/09/2009
Hello Artist friends and neighbors! WHBU - Cagney King - January Show A really major project that has been on my plate is illustrating a children's story. WHEW! What a job! Between the planning, the learning curve and the character development, I worked on that project for nearly a year! Now that I have that done I can really not find any excuse not to really be working in studio! If I can get permission, I will see if I can share some of the illustrations and the story with you! I had never gotten to try my had at illustration, and certainly have a very healthy appreciation of the illustrators that I studied and admired in preparation for this journey. Now that the project is over, I can say that I really learned A LOT, and might just try my hand at illustrating some of my poems in the future. By Request! 07/22/2008
Hello everyone! I have had several requests of which I will address in this blog post...one request was to see Pedro in his hat! I mentioned several weeks ago that I finally figured out how to get the poor boy in a sombrero...well - here he is!  Folks have also been asking when I might get around to making another video. So...here it is! I have been having great fun with a super cheap digital camera I found for $8 bucks! Hilarious! It doubles as a web cam...as you can see. I think I might use it for my character animations if I ever get around to it. It is only about 1.5"x2" big, so it is very easy for me to carry around in my pocket and be wierd with...and I tend to lean toward spontaneous wierdness! You will have to jump over to the photography page and check out the photo slide show with some of my favourite photos that I have taken! I have had great fun capturing the things that I always see and try and take mental pictures of...now I can just be mental and take pictures!  You might notice that in the background there is not a fire truck to be seen...that is because they had to go! Once I finish the painting in the studio, I will post it in the gallery for all to see. I had a great day, enjoyed talking to the people that stopped to chat, and managed not to pass out from the heat. Although the back of my legs are a bit pink! I'm happy to say that I only suffered one minor industrial hazmat accident when the wind blew my turp and liquin all down the front of my shorts. If that wasn't bad enough, when I went to wipe it off, I managed to smear oil paint all down the front leg in a lovely colour of orange. Oh well! One more pair of painting pants can't hurt! Work Continues 07/18/2008
 And so the work continues! As you can see, my time has been spent working with the white blouse and the white bib of my Juarez girls. I have to admit, I've been struggling, as white paint doesn't generally hold the brush strokes I want to see as I move and shape the paint...but, I finally think I'm getting somewhere. Layer on layer I'm starting to get some results that I like. Few more layers for shaping and contrast are in order I think...Thanks to everyone that has stopped by studio 8, or left me comments on the work in progress...great help, and HUGE encouragement. This weekend will be a very busy one! I have been invited to paint with the Hancock County en plein air Society, and I am looking very forward to that! We will be at the By Air, By Rail Festival in Fortville, Indiana. There will be hot air balloons, booths and lots of activities going on...and thus lots of things to paint I'm sure. Plein air painting is rather new to me, as I don't often get off the easel...so I am looking forward to stretching my boundaries a bit. I will keep you all posted as to how I do, and if I have a painting that is worthy, I will share that as well. At the very least, I will try and remember my camera to get a picture of the group. I hope everyone has a great weekend! Back to the Easel 07/14/2008
I would like to thank everyone who came out to July's 2nd Friday event! It was great fun! I am always glad to see you, especially those of you who suprised me! How lovely! I am just overwhelmed. I was visited by some friends that I have worked with for nearly 12 years+ and consider so dear to me! Then, I was suprised by my best friend from...high school! Can you believe it! We have kept in touch all these years (I won't count them out for you!) but we have never actually gotten together. I am still reeling from the night. I also got to spend the evening with my favourite sister and my Nephew. This is always so special - even more so since He and I share the same birthday! Aries unite! Between all the great people in my life that are supporting me, and all the new people I meet each time, I just LOVE the positive energy that Studio 8 has brought into my life, and it has also created the reason for people to get together and enjoy art and reminiscence about life, friendship and the importance of sharing and not just getting together, but staying in touch. I hope that Studio 8 remains an open portal to this on-going communication and encourages more reunions!  Well, now back to work! Here is another photo of my young Juarez girls (see blog entry 5/29). You can see that I am now moving out of the blocking phase and into more detail and depth building. As I mentioned before, I have been having to take breaks because I was getting too tight. But now I am getting energized as I start to see the whole painting fill in. I have added some freelance detail to her head scarf, and will keep working away at the layer building of the white blouse and the babies white bib. As usual! I would love any feedback, and if you want to see her in person, stop by Studio 8 for a chat! |  Cagney KingI am 98% Artist (110% at heart - but bad at math) and 2% human being. I keep working hard in the hopes that one day my art story will be like the great artist fairytale. You know the one - the one about how the poor, struggling artist rocking on the edge of insanity is toiling away in her studio day after day, when one day a handsome person comes to see her work, and decides that she should be rescued. From that day on they pay her to paint, pimp out her work and buy her beer. Everyone lives happily ever after. ArchivesJanuary 2012 CategoriesAll |
