An Artists Opinion

Watercolour Abstract created by pigment interaction

There are times when you wonder whether to share your experiences or stay quiet. This is one of those times but I hope by being open I can help any artists who are going through feelings of self doubt which we all do from time to time on our art journeys.

On my workshops I often meet artists of all levels and I am delighted to meet professionals who are coming to me for a complete change of direction in their chosen careers. I also meet the less established artists who are finding their way. I rarely come across artists who have had their souls badly destroyed by critics of their work but when I do I feel completely at a loss for words.

Firstly the joy of creating should never be denied to anyone who wishes to hold a brush. If an artist has dreams of reaching goals then positive encouragement with complete honesty is healthy. If anyone isn't ready for exhibiting or  belonging to a society again open feedback can really help.

But when anyone is "kicked" so low that they cannot get back up again because of unecessarily harsh words I have to look at the reasoning behind the art critics.

I met a gorgeous personality on one of my workshops last week, who shone in personality but it became evident something was wrong  right at the very beginning of the session. Gradually a pattern emerged where it was evident they had been receiving very hard feedback on their work. So much so that they were worried about every single brushstroke they made that day. Until the end of the day drew near when I quietly gave a very simple exercise to them , to see what would happen if I did.

I made a wise decision because in that time the artist  produced the most wonderful of watercolour studies. It was full of vibrant ,clean colour. It was unique in their own style, brilliant in technique and gave an insight into what they were capable of.

In short, they had talent.

Talent that had been squashed beyond all recognition by those who felt they had the right to destroy what little confidence the artist possessed.

Later I felt what can only be described as anger.

So this morning when I was invited to join a Watercolour Critique group I appreciated the invitation but declined the offer. I have so little free time to become involved in new groups at the moment as I am already turning so many invitations down which could be a draw on my studio time.

To offer critique I believe you need to be an expert in your field, understand the artists goal who you are offering advise to and be open enough to recognise talent when you see it. I also believe you need to be able to handle giving an honest opinion when asked and this isn't always an easy thing to do.

I give feedback on my workshops consistently and when asked, quietly by email I will also give my advise behind the scenes.

There is a big difference in being knowledgable and knowing how to pass on that knowledge or possessing arrogance in believing you are "the expert" who is in the best position to know all there is about the art world.

I confess I do not.

But sadly I know many artists who feel they do.

Often, they are mistaken!

Please only take on board advise from artists whose work you admire and take all criticism in a way that will help you grow. Learn from your mistakes and even more importantly learn from the mistakes of others. Not just in their art, but how they behave as artists.

And remember, there will always be far better artists than you or I in the world,and they inspire us to continually grow and stretch ourselves to achieve. 

If they didn't exist what would we be reaching for ?

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Simplify

"Whispers in The Wind"

As the evening draws near the bullrushes and reeds along the banks near my cottage take on a different appearance. It is a wonderful way to unwind at the end of the day with simple brushwork to try to capture their shapes as twilight arrives.

I can see their form from my studio window.

Chinese Brushwork, subject placement within a simple composition and the story is told with very little detail.

A moment in time caught in an artists moment.

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Monday, Monday.

Atmospheric Watercolours

My new book which will be launched im May 2012

Full details will be on my web site soon.

It is the start of a new week and whilst I was hoping to enjoy painting in my studio so much needs to be organised for my 2012 programme. I have a list of art events that are already in my diary which will be updated to my web site in March.

I am preparing for several exhibitions  which will take place throughout the year including an exciting solo showcasing my new subjects.

I'm making flight arrangements for my 2012 USA tour in October and am working on my 2013 Australia and New Zealand plans for next year.

Sadly I have had to turn down several invitations this year as I made a wise decision to allow studio time to paint for galleries and exhibitions.  This is a situation that probably hits many established professional artists. Whilst we are all so eager to share our passion for art it is vital to have quality painting time as an individual also.

Finding a balance between exhibitions, workshops, writing, demonstrating, touring and painting isn't easy. Requests to judge art competitions,to sit on art councils and look into my own product range have come my way. These are all invitations I would have once absolutely loved to receive. But there is only so much time in a day and I have needed to prioritise this year.

What has always come first is my love of watercolour. So for now I am  going to paint, enjoy moving my brushes, prepare for my 2012 exhibitions and the filming of my new DVD which takes place next month.

And love every minute of being an artist. 

But I can see how  quickly you can become distracted from your goals!

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Full details of my 2012 exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations will be shared on my web site

www.jeanhaines.com

Exciting Watercolour Effects

Watercolour Effects using watercolour pigment and water alone.

No inks,acrylics or salt have been used in this colour abstract.

I am working on a new collection of watercolours for a major exhibition later this year. The new collection is so exciting to work on and I am loving using the techniques from my new book "Atmospheric Watercolours" which will be released in May 2012.

At the moment my collection is very much under wraps as I prefer to release the new paintings as they become available in the gallery exhibition. They are full of life, colour, energy and vibrant pigment interaction.

Full details will be shared on my blog soon.

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A current collection of  my watercolours can be seen at The Wey Gallery in Godalming , Surrey, UK

A Day Of Rest: Time to Reflect

Church From one of this weeks demonstrations

During my February 2012 Watercolour Workshops

I never know what to expect during my workshops. My technique lends itself to painting all subjects such as landscapes, portraits, animals, floral work and still life. My style is effected by my personality and how I see things. I have favourite colour combinations but as time goes by I  discover new pigment interactions that add to my ever growing fascination with watercolour as a medium.

An artist attending one of my workshops this week asked how I would interpret a landscape. I took a familar scene of Jane Austens church in Chawton, Hampshire and began a quick demonstration by painting the spire. I loved the idea that sunlight could be hitting the structure and enjoyed allowing  a flow to connect my focal point with the background connecting my composition immediately from the onset o fpicking up my brush.

This study took only a few minutes, if that, to achieve an idea  for a larger painting. So much can be learned by observing architecture and bringing it to life with unique results in watercolour. I rarely share my landscape work but may in the future.

For now I have several major exhibitions to work for  which means my subject choices will be quite different. I will be sharing news of my 2012  exhibitions and art events soon. But for  now I am going to enjoy my studio and the  watercolour collection that is  filling the once clear room.

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Artist Daily: Watercolour Feature

 Blog  followers can read a recent feature I wrote for "Artist Daily" on Painting For the Bin and why I feel it is so important to  enjoy moving our brushes minus having constant pressure on our shoulders to always create a masterpiece.

I hope you like it.

http://www.artistdaily.com/blogs/theartistslife/archive/2012/02/16/painting-for-the-bin.aspx#130918

Painting For The Bin

Experimental Colour Study used as a foundation for a wallflower experiment.

Demonstration during my 2012 Watercolour Workshops this week.

I often set tasks and challenges during my watercolour sessions. These serve two purposes. Apart from loosening everyone up on my workshops they give me the opportunity to observe how the artists in the room use watercolour.

This week we worked with cool and warm washes,then looked at ways to incorporate subjects into the experiments. On one small colour swatch I began to make a wallflower appear by adding petals on top of the exisiting warm wash.

This took about five to ten minutes and I gained so much from the demonstration. I now have a million ideas in my head for future paintings of these stunningly vibrant flowers. All from playing with colour for a few minutes at the start of the day.

Winsor&Newton Cadmium Yellow and Cadmium Orange worked well on top of the soft wash as the opaques gave me the depth  I needed for these strong petal shapes and clusters.