Mystery Person on the Trail

I have mentioned that Ebony and I are regular travelers on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington. In fact, I have made several good friends this way.

One interesting occurrence that I have notice ever since the new wooden mile post were put in place, is that some person enjoys creating rock sculptures on top of the posts. Now these are not the simple artistic stack of three rocks. These have been elaborate balancing acts.

Here is one for example:

Notice the intricacies of balance. This is a great art!

These other two I found today are artistically done, but do not have the grace of the first. What do you think?



Someday, I hope to meet up with the mystery rock artist.

Composition

In creating art, the spirit of balance is best exemplified by the concept of composition, the arragement of elements in the space within the borders of the paper. Every mark changes everything. One must learn to be mindful of the whole picture when composing a painting.

Some artist begin each painting by "blocking." Think of your painting as a big jigsaw puzzle, then block in all your major shapes. If it looks right, chances are good that your painting will work. Once the major shapes are taken care of, the little pieces will fall into place.

Blocking is probably what Paul Gauguin meant when he referred to being "plastic" with painting shapes.


The Wave
Paul Gauguin
1888

The Spirit of Balance

Getting back into reading Jeanne Carbonetti's book The Tao of Watercolor, I came upon her thoughts in regards to balance in a painting.

She claims that the spirit one brings to the practice of painting is the ability to respond with a fresh outlook to the dynamics of brush, water, and paper. It is not to force anything but to respond to everything---without getting caught up in details too soon, which can be a fatal mistake in painting.

Rembrandt said, "We should view a painting, not 'nose' it."
Jeanne reminds us to see all the space, not just painted space, as being worthy of your attention---and when you think of empty space as being full of potential---that just may be the secret to success in painting as it is in life.

Thoughts to ponder........


Summer Reflections
by Jeanne Carbonetti