Beginnings are sometimes easier than endings, often last shorter than one would like (re: the so-called honeymoon period) and are generally markers for well, something new, right?
Integral to all starts is the question of "when to do it?"
Today seems like a good day. It is a Tuesday and I have lots of memories of Tuesdays as being days of significance.
J. Wellington Wimpy's, "I shall gladly pay you Tuesday...for a hamburger today" for instance from Popeye. Non-sequitering into a moment of wondering if people in the 30's knew how prophetizing those words are (think "debt, debt and more consumer debt").
Olive Oyl was the character most people associated me with, by the way. I don't think they meant it as a compliment.
-ending that line of thought and getting back to Tuesdays.
"Tuesdays with Morrie" is a book still holding a place of honor on my bookshelves / having "Marie Kondo-tidied" ages ago, only those sparking books staying home.
There's more, but I'd like to get to the art topic that sparked this current stream of thinking.
Recently, someone asked me if I listen to music while painting. My first response was no.
No, I do not listen to other peoples' creations while creating my own. My paintings have their own cadence, movements, tones, octaves. To listen to someone else would, in my feeling, disrupt the song of my own work. My paintings already have a cacaphony of others' voices within them, mainly, every experience I've ever had in my very short life thus far (46 years not being a drop in the bucket related to humanity's length of existence). And my job as I see it, is to open myself to a quieter voice, streaming into my consciousness from what I feel is something mystical, magical, wonderous. Something that sourced poetry, sonnets and all those marvelous experiences that hopefully cummulate in a resonance of knowing beauty, kindness, purity...
The other, more "me", personality pieces, the training in how to paint, the thousands of hours of practicing technique, editing composition, makes my works human. I've talked to a lot of artists and every one of them describe the "something" sensation a bit differently, some calling it soul, others choosing to remain at "something bigger than me."
Whatever it is, I feel it is a joint venture in creation.
And then my brain, during this conversation of whether I listen to music while painting, remembered... ah yes, well, ahem, I DO listen to music a lot while I am "warming-up" or making studies of which there are many...many.... many.
That same "something" and human skill mixed to create such beautiful compositions I definitely imbibe aural-ly on a regular basis; literally drinking it in with my ears. Music, afterall, is a great way to connect and feel, to change a mood. Music for me is a great way to (groan, I am SUCH a sucker for puns), CHANGE MY TUNE.
So, more questions answered coming up. Most probably on a Tuesday. Maybe not EVERY Tuesday, but perhaps the 2nd Tuesday of the month is easily accomplished.
See you then, J
if anyone is interested, a small book of paintings (50 pages) is now available.
If you've got IG, go take a look at the latest post.
Relationship of all things.
An archatypal interplay of destiny or is it an escape from Descartes' allegory of the cave?
Had a lovely chat with colleague Bernhard Rauch and the famous Valerie Fischer on gallery night in Regensburg.
Jordnaa Rae Gassner @ Regensburger Galerienabend
Kunstgalerie
Watmarkt 4, Regensburg, Germany
Die Regensburger Galerienlandschaft ist bunt und vielfältig.
Tauchen Sie ein in die lebendige Galerienszene der Stadt:
21. September 2024
18-23 Uhr
oil on canvas diptych
100 x 100 cm
I think I love you.
How our egos make everything so damned personal.
Wiesbaden's a great place to visit; great place to show art; come and join us! September 13-15, 2024
Wonderful newspaper (Mittelbayerische) article (in German) the new gallery in the UNESCO city of Regensburg in Bavaria, Germany.
What makes an artwork sing to you?
SAFE WORK.
When and how does an artist get convinced what they are doing is wrong? Unfruitful? Not what the public wants? And so on. And why it is important we listen to our own hearts/inner direction.
Change is a constant; the same river cannot be crossed more than once.
13. April - 19. Mai 2024
Wir laden Sie und Ihre Begleitung zur Eröffnung der Ausstellung
am Freitag, 12. April um 19.00 Uhr herzlich ein.
...
Inviting you to join us for the Vernissage at 7pm on April 12 at the Kunst- und Gewerbeverein in Regensburg, Germany. Hope to see you there!
Never too late; there is ALWAYS something to learn.
Image title: "Titans on the Eastern Hill"
120 x 100 cm oil on canvas
15 remarkable people, 1 fine master painter teacher, 1 yoga instructor and cinnamon roll baker, 2 ateliers, 1 kitchen, and a TON of good energy (and PAINT!)
There is only one material absolutely essential in my studio; oil paint and/or a combination of pigments and linseed oil so i can make my own.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
“Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about… say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.” -Rumi
The I AM YOU exhibit found in Florence, Italy is a great success. Amazing artists and a wonderful show.
This year's show is a wonderful mix of sculpture, drawings, paintings...
Main photo of my triptych, "The Big Catch", acrylic on canvas.
Just some thought nibbles on what traveling does for me; to relax, inspire, motivate.
Through opposing force we grow.
Taking a break? Nah! Just refocus on what nourishes.
Working at not freaking out over the new.
MarshallTerrence has written, "intervention art is simply using the world around us as a sort of “recycling” project to up-cycle it into art, just like turning old clothes into new items. Like ripping your jeans up to give them a more grungy look or painting on them."
Creating new spaces with positive vibes
As artists, we must create.
When we don't create, we are not artists
The drying aka oxidizing times of oil paintings varies. Most would say, however, that they are thoroughly "dry" after about 100 years. Soooo romantic.
Flashback to Times Square
Mary Ann and Team will be receiving new works (oil on canvas) this week. They have been voted Best Art Gallery 2022 by Fort Lauderdale Magazine.
Incredible location, great atmosphere, competent, interesting artists.
Please come join us, stop in and say hello, buy some lovely artwork. :)
Extending a warm welcome to Redwood Art Group's writers for choosing me as one of 6 artists to spotlight for Spectrum Miami 2022. Many thanks!
When creating art, be courageous in changing something that may already be "finished", may already be "published", but may not yet have found a new home aka "sold." (or you just don't like the way it looks/feels.
*In German*
Valerie Fischer and her camera crew showed up at the studio for a talk about life and living in Germany.
Lovely article by Marianne Sperb about a fantastic experience exhibiting at Krones' gallery in Neutraubling, Germany.
Catching up; a note of thanks to Circle Foundation for the Arts for the inclusion in issue 31
QUESTIONS ANSWERED #1:
DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE YOU ARE WORKING IN YOUR STUDIO/ATELIER?
Source: M. in Munich "ArtMUC", October 2022.
iPhones, boats, water and Italy
Looking back at Top 99 Regensburg photoshoot with Claudia Niebauer and Andreas Fuchs (the talented photographer)
Over-sized, gigantic artworks on wood, canvas or other supports is not always practical, even though the visual impact is often impressive. For those who wish to fill up more wall space, however, while adhering to ease of transport or hanging, polyptychs could be the creative answer.
To see "Peaceful Vigilance" in it's warthog form, use this link: https://jordanarae.com/GalleryMain.asp?GalleryID=202507&AKey=ETWC4N8D
Welcome Visitors! to my newly designed pages of art and dialogue; I'm glad you could make it.