The judge for the 2009 Salon International was Daniel Greene. He holds a special place in my artist's heart because I bought his book, Pastel, in 1975 when I was turning 20. I completely devoured that book. That was really the only instruction I had, so it was very important to me. I've carried the book with me since and have shown it to students along the way. Yesterday he autographed it for me! (In the video you can see me clutching it as he critiqued my painting.)
Several of the exhibiting artists paid a small sum to receive his personal, but not private, critique. I thought it about it long and hard before signing up. I wasn't sure I was quite that brave. As it happened, there were perhaps 20 or more people watching and listening. Gulp. I was especially braced when it was my turn, since I was second-to-last of those receiving critiques, and he had not pulled any punches on those who had come before. He had pointed out positives, yes, and had been quite blunt about the problems. The first 40 seconds of the critique he was silent as he studied the painting. Excruciating, but I respect the thought he put into each critique he gave yesterday morning just after the Greenhouse Gallery's doors opened.
In the video, you'll see that at one point he obscured the painting. He pointed to the little girl's sleeve, and compared that lightness of value to that on the light side of her cap.
I'm still absorbing his comments- many unexpected positives and some helpful suggestions- and I know that they will help me as I paint in the future.
The Awards Banquet was held Friday, the night before the opening.
Carol Marine with her painting, Apple Soup, at the Awards Banquet. Attending the event with Carol made it especially wonderful.
Happy Susan.
This year the banquet was actually in the Greenhouse Gallery. Everything was beautiful.
Daniel Greene presenting his awards.
Saturday, the day of the opening and after the critiques, I spent the day at my gallery talking with happy vacationers, then returned to the Greenhouse Gallery with my friend, Karen, for the champagne reception. I got to meet the gentleman who had bought my painting, Strength, on Wednesday. What a pleasure! About an hour after I arrived, I was told that Renaissance had just been sold. The best part was that one of the other exhibiting artists bought it for her husband who had fallen in love with it. I got to meet them, and liked them both so much. I'm not sure he's been told yet. I believe she said it was a gift for their anniversary.
This was taken right after the critique, before the painting was placed back on the wall. I was still in a fog. Probably shows.
Mark Smith and Jim Janes are the brilliant ones who own Greenhouse Gallery. Here they are standing with Daniel Greene's choice for Best In Show. During the banquet, they each spoke about the important work that artists do- how vital we are and how we touch others with our work. I'm really thinking about that.
Today it felt good to spend much of the day in the kitchen cooking for Easter dinner. I feel a bit more grounded after a day home with family. I hope your day was full of sweetness and renewal.
26 comments:
Cool!
Well it is a great painting. That is an interesting point about the lightest light being closest to the artist. I'll have to stick that one in my bag of tricks. Not sure I ever even really thought about that although I may be doing it all along anyway.
Nice that he actually mentioned the frame. I have such a hard time deciding on frames and always wonder if I made the right choice.
The frame and title are usually the hardest parts for me. The painting part is easy. LOL.
Congratulations Susan.
Thank you, Josh!
Thanks, Frank! He made a point of commenting on the frame choice of each critiqued painting. It was interesting to hear what he thought of them. I'm not sure I completely have signed onto the idea of the lightest light always being closest to the viewer. I can think of several situations where that wouldn't be true. Backlighted subjects, for instance. But it's interesting to think about.
I know what you mean about titles- I lean toward the lame in that area. Thanks for commenting, Frank.
How impressive, Susan. Your leap from the mundane world of work to that of being a full-time artist is being rewarded, and deservedly so!!
Congratulations, Susan - sounds like a great day. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hello Susan,
Wow, you are quick, you should get a prize for the fastest post. It was so wonderful to meet you at the Salon show. Congrats on the sale. The painting was beautiful.The critique was the highlight for me too. Thanks for helping me get the nerve to do it.. Did you notice, You caught me sitting right behind you in the photo with you and Carol at the table?
A gorgeous painting! Thank you for including the critique by Mr. Greene - he is one of my favorite artists. 25 years ago I scraped up enough money to do a week long workshop with him - it was wonderful. You are a wonderful artist too!
It must have been nerve wracking to have your work critiqued by such a wonderful and illustrious artist, brave you. What an experience and the painting sold too.
Oh Susan, This was so exciting. I couldn't wait to watch the critique, I think he just looked for some little something to comment on because it was perfect. I'm not sure about the light comment either, sometimes the light pulls your eye into the painting. What an exciting event, I'm happy for you.
Thanks, Regina. It does feel like I'm on the right path. I've never worked so hard in my life, though. It's the first time it's all mattered so much. To me, that is.
Thanks, Sarah. It's good to be seeing new paintings from you again! I hope that means you're feeling wonderful.
Hi Peter! I'm so glad I got to meet you at the banquet and again at the opening. I'm glad you went ahead and heard his critique. Aren't we just the brave ones? No, I hadn't noticed it was you in the banquet photo. Cool!
Mary- how great that you got to study with Daniel Greene! I drove up to Austin several years ago to see him demo once. Many scales fell from my eyes that night.
Hey Diane. Nerve wracking. Oh yes. But really useful, I think. I'm grateful he offered his experience to us in that way. It was delicious icing on the cake that the painting sold during the opening!
Thank you, Barbara. You're such a loyal friend. He did point out something I completely agreed with- the way I painted the light on her little vest could have been better if painted differently. He felt I would have done well to paint her hair more whispily (not his word, but his meaning, I think) but I'm still thinking about that. It might have looked odd when the rest of the painting was painted differently. There was one criticism about a particular brushstroke's value that I didn't agree with, but I think it may have been the angle and lighting he was viewing the painting in. I stand by my choice in that instance. Anyway, it was good to hear his thoughts about it.
What an honor it must have been to have your portraits critiqued by such a respected portrait artist. You must also be pleased with what he had to say...couldn't understand all of it, but it sounded good. Congratulations!!
Thanks, Marsha. Yes, I was incredibly pleased. And you're right, it felt like a huge honor to have him just look at one of my paintings and offer his thoughts. I'm still floating down from the experience.
Congratulations on a great show/sale/critique! I am so excited, too. I know you work so hard and put much of your life into your art. You are just great and an inspiration to us all!
Susan...what a wonderful opportunity. Congrats! Renaissance is absolutely beautiful! I am so happy for you. You ought to be ex tactic!
How exciting Karen! Congrats! Well deserved. I love Daniel Greene's work. I think I might have passed out when he was silent at first ;-)
I.Am.So.Impressed. Congratulations! Beautiful painting, just beautiful. I always love your work, and it must be gratifying to be in a show like this. May you have many more!
hi Susan,
I wanted to see the video critique, but for some reason i did not get any sound or picture when i click on it.:( But let me add my two cents anyway. It's a BEAUTIFUL painting. Congratulations.
Hi Susan,
I've been so busy with marking and painting that I didn't get a chance to watch this video until now. Wow! You are brave. This is such an exciting story. You deserve to be very proud of yourself indeed.
xoxoxoxBarbara
Thank you, Jo, Candy, Karen, Kelley, Sally and Barbara! I'm giving that talk tomorrow about why artists should have blogs. This is why. Friends to share the difficulties and the delights with. I appreciate you more than I can tell.
What a thrill to see D. Greene critiquing YOUR painting! He is a hero of mine too. I have one of his painting videos and I've learned so much from it. You should be very proud of yourself for the courage to sign up for the critique and his many positive responses to it! Congrats on the sales at the show too!
Congrats...I saw it.....I am still reeling from all the fantastic work there!!
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