I watched every episode like an addict.
Work of Art: The Next Great Artist season finale aired last night, and my favorite artist won, Abdi. Modest, generous, and funny, he just seemed like he had so much talent that he was not even aware he had. I can't wait to see what his show is like at the Brooklyn Musuem of Art.
From the very first challenge, this portrait that he did of Ryan was stellar in my opinion. Even though he didn't win that challenge.
I also thought it was interesting that he seemed to be one of the only artist who thought out and sketched his ideas first on a consistent basis. At least from what I could tell anyway. But when he included his sketchbook in his final exhibit, one of the judges called it "too art school". Interesting.
I am now inspired to check out the work of the guest art judges. Which most of the contestants seem to know. I had never heard of any of them. I'll try to find some good links later.
Andres Serrano
Will Cotton
Jon Kessler
Ryan McGinness
Jonathan Santlofer
Richard Phillips
As I watched each episode, I couldn't help but think, "what would I have done?" "how would I have tackled each challenge?". I've seriously thought about challenging myself and actually attempt each one. Although-I think I'll give myself a little more time.
Here is the list:
1. Create a "portrait" of a competitor
2. Create a work from trash found in an electronics graveyard
3. Create a book cover of a classic novel
4. Create a piece of shock art
5. Create art inspired by a visit to the Audi showroom (the only commercially driven challenge as far as I can tell)
6. Work in a team to create an outdoor sculpture
7. Create a work that symbolizes your early inspiration to be an artist using only children's art supplies
8. Work with a partner to create work that expresses opposing words -man/woman, order/chaos, heaven/hell
9. Create a work inspired by nature, including something from nature in the piece
10. Create a final collection
Anyone want to join me?
I think it's interesting to see works in progress. I started this painting on Thursday and plan to finish it up this week, but in the mean time, I thought I would share it at this stage anyway. Why not, right? What I find interesting for my own introspection, is to see how I worked the top portion first (I think to completion) and left the bottom sketch alone. The bottom part includes people eating at an outdoor cafe and some flowers and landscaping. I think it will be a nice juxtaposition with the structural city buildings painted above.
Pretty in Pink
My husband emailed me immediately to let me know that my painting was in there on the painting knives spread.
Even though I had posted a pdf of the page awhile ago on my blog, it was so exciting to finally see it in print! Someone told me this means that I am now a published artist. Perhaps it is my 15 minutes of fame, but hopefully people will hold on to it longer than that before it hits the recycle bin. Here is the painting that they chose to put on the page:
Boston Near the Finish Line
I watched every episode like an addict. Work of Art: The Next Great Artist season finale aired last night, and my favorite artist won, Abdi. Modest, generous, and funny, he just seemed like he had so much talent that he was not even aware he had. I can't wait to see what his show is like at the Brooklyn Musuem of Art. 
It took all week to finally be able to do some pencil sketching on the beach. This is a drawing I did on the very last day at the beach. This captures our friends in their daily beach position-relaxed, reclined, and reading. Ahhh, summertime in New England. There is nothing better.
Cape Escape
The place we rented is right near the path to the beach. People leave their wagons and other things while they carry their beach gear down the stairs. Our place is to my left.
While I was inside taking a lunch break, some onlookers stopped to take a peak at my progress.
I hope to get some more painting time in. Today is a little rainy but we're going to try to get 9 holes of golf in later this afternoon. I do not want this week to be over!!
