Your Point Is Valid Too

Many artists are known for portraying a particular environment. A landscape once visited or a place that brings on a fond memory. Then there are times an artist creates something that exposes something from within their deep inner being. Something that causes a viewer of the work to ask, “What might be troubling that poor soul?” This work of mine, The Storm”, oddly enough, falls into the former category.

The Storm, is an Inktense watercolor pencil on watercolor paper work I did in 2012.
It was done during my annual stay in Villa 36-A, Westwind II Club, Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas. There was a big storm on Sunday, the day after my arrival, and I had a huge headache. To top things off, my villa had three slow leaks in the kitchen and living room. So, though this work looks as if it was done by a tortured soul… it’s more “situation descriptive”. The bad headache and stormy weather are both easily seen in this expression. What is not so readily noticeable in this Inktense watercolor is the fact that all of the water used to create it came from the rainwater that had leaked through our kitchen ceiling. Well… I had to do something with it.

   If you, dear reader, thought this painting was an expression of the inner turmoil of one who is deeply disturbed… I’m sorry if the image has mislead you. It’s just a guy in a storm with a nagging headache and a leaky ceiling, during what was otherwise a wonderful vacation in the Bahamas. You’ve heard it before… don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Having said that, I must also communicate something my decades as an artist and art educator have taught me. The act of viewing a painting is a real communication between the artist and the viewer. Just as a group of people leaving a theater, having all just viewed the same movie, walk away with different impressions of the same film… a group of viewers of a particular painting can also perceive the work differently.

   The various experiences in your life have helped create who you are and how you see the world. Those experiences also have an influence on what you perceive from a particular painting, regardless of what the artist worked to communicate. It is unquestionably important to learn about an artist and what they were working to create in a particular piece. But equally important (if not more so) is the feel, or emotion, one perceives while participating in a communication with an artist through that artist’s work. That is what causes an individual to be moved by a painting. That is what causes an individual to decide to continue the communication by acquiring the work… it spoke to them.

   Even after one learns what an artist intended to communicate with a painting is much different than what an individual viewer perceives from it, the viewer is best served by going with their perception. It is real with them, not just an academic notion. Much like many wine experts say don’t waste your time avoiding white wines with red meats if it pairs well for you and adds to your culinary enjoyment… don’t lose your part in what’s real for you in your experience in viewing a work of art just because a third party say’s, “but, but… but you’re missing the point the artist was trying to make.” 

Remember, your point is valid too.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher, a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. He is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes). Essex also maintains an online print-on-demand store where patrons can acquire gallery quality giclée prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work.

Find it at: https://society6.com/essexart

To view what Essex does, and to shop at his online store, go to: https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,

https://society6.com/essexart,

http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

By the way, to specifically acquire a print of The Storm, go to:
https://society6.com/product/the-storm1490583_print?sku=s6-9557410p4a1v45

An Artist’s Work, IS Work

  It’s true what has been said about working artists in the 21st century needing to balance time between production, promotions and brand exposure. My small art and entertainment business (EssexArt ABC, LLC), which I often refer to as a micro business (it’s just me) has me “working” virtually every waking minute. To be clear, I am absolutely NOT complaining and the reason I used quote marks on “working” is because I enjoy it so much. However, just because one enjoys what one does does not exclude the effort from actually being work. That is something every artist should strive to remember because otherwise they (we) tend to undervalue our efforts and time. Whatever form it takes, working artists work, learn from their working, then work some more. 
   I heard something the other day about Pablo Picasso. I really don’t know if it’s true or not, but it makes for a good lesson to artists. The elderly Pablo (yeah… we’re on a first name basis) was sitting by himself in a cafe and sketching on a napkin or scrap piece of paper. Unbeknownst to him, a woman nearby watched in awe as this 20th century master went about doing what artists do. The story goes that when Pablo finished, for whatever reason, he just wadded up the drawing and tossed onto his table. The wide eyed woman then spoke and asked Pablo if she could have the wadded up paper. His reply, “Sure… for $20,000” (or whatever the  equivalent for where this occurred). Thinking this outrageous the woman replied in astonishment, “$20,000! But that drawing only took you a few minutes to do.” Pablo then informed the woman, “No Madame, that drawing took me over 60 years to do” as he then retrieved the wad of paper, put in his pocket and strolled away.
   Just because artists enjoy their work and their spirit compels them to do it, it is work nonetheless. Everyone benefits when that simple notion is remembered and honored.
Cheers.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher, a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. He is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates  commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts  private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes).
Essex also maintains an online print-on-demand store where patrons can acquire gallery quality giclée prints of his art as well as other products that feature his work. Find it at: https://society6.com/essexart

To view what Essex does, and to shop at his online store, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,

https://society6.com/essexart,

http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

 

 

Bridal Shower Painting Party

Admittedly, as a guy I’m certainly no expert on the organizing of Bridal Showers. Nevertheless even I am capable of at least observing when Bridal Shower attendees are having a good time. Which brings me to the reason for writing this blog.

Recently I was contacted about conducting one of my private painting parties (I call them Pub & Paint) as part of a the activities for a Bridal Shower that was being organized. I’ve conducted many painting parties over the years, both public and private, but if memory serves me correctly, this was my first Bridal Shower painting party. If I do say so myself, even given the fact that among the 15 participating ladies there were various ages and backgrounds, it went over smashingly.

Lest I sound as if I’m about to dislocate my arm with the patting of myself on the back, please let me explain. Previous to the painting party a painting subject was agreed upon that would be of interest to the Bride-to-be. However, knowing that her interest in a particular subject matter might not be the same for every Bridal Party attendee, I wanted to be sure to also cater to the various tastes of those present. So I made sure, in my preparations for the painting party, to present a painting which had enough flexibility so each person was able to create a work on canvas that expressed who they were… and not solely who the Bride-to-be was. For example, I knew the Bride-to-be was a person who likes cats. I also know that when you have a group of people together, some of them will likely be people who prefer dogs. So I accommodated each in my preparations. Additionally, when it comes to colors, there is a much greater variety than the simple choice of cat people vs. dog people. So… I accommodated for that as well. Am I a genius? In spite of my proclivity to claim so to friends, family and strangers alike, the overwhelming consensus appears to be No (notice the capital N). However I do (perhaps more honestly) believe my experience as a classroom teacher for 33 years has helped me pick up a few tricks of the trade when conducting a class and that is how I can make, and did indeed make, the needed accommodations.

The bottom-line in this somewhat overly wordy communication (yes… I have been referred to in the past as verbose) everything worked well. All the attendees at the Bridal Shower took home a painting that, though similar to the others in their class, was painted specifically for the abode in which they live. I have also received feedback that everyone had a great time as well. I came away from the experience with proof of something I have suspected for a while now… that private painting parties make for wonderful Bridal Showers.

~ John Essex II is a retired art teacher, a two-time Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow and an Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Arts Fellow. He is also artist/owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC through which he keeps busy creating his own fine art, creates  commissioned art, does caricaturing by commission and at special events, conducts  private painting parties and is contacted regularly to play the bagpipes (yes… play the bagpipes).

To view what Essex does, and to shop at his online store, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt,

https://society6.com/essexart,

http://www.indyartsguide.org/artist/john-essex-ii/

 

Doh!

Needing a higher quality image of one of the paintings posted in my Fine Art album on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EssexArt), I went searching in my iPhoto library. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the painting in there even though I searched numerous times. When I was just about engrossed in a pity party, I realized the actual painting was right behind me and all that needed to be done was to photograph it again. (insert your favorite Homer Simpson quote here)

EssexArt ABC, LLC Artist / Bagpiper / Caricaturist

EssexArt ABC, LLC  Artist / Bagpiper / Caricaturist.

Available for wedding and reception entertainment, parties, trade shows, private, corporate and collegiate events.

Mission

To live, love, laugh and thank God.

Description

After retiring from teaching art full-time for 33 years, Essex decided to freelance in the areas he knows and finds fun. Consequently he has become an adjunct professor of Art Appreciation at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, in that schools Marian’s Adult Program, accepts commissions for artwork and caricatures, does caricaturing at special events and even plays bagpipes at special events, weddings, memorials and funerals.

In his role as artist / owner of EssexArt ABC, LLC, John Essex II has been active in community events, a church youth event, collegiate events, corporate events and conventions, high school post proms, weddings, receptions, wakes and funerals. Additionally he has also been busy with commissions.