Art, Inspiration, Creation

Plein Air Painting in India

4/25/2020 2:00:56 PM

March 13, 2020 - 12:37 pm

Sitting in the Heathrow airport in London, waiting for my last flight home during the world pandemic of Coronavirus, enjoying my plate of food and drink- A stark change from my monastic, simple food of potato or lentil soup and roti in India - Watching everyone  laughing, enjoying each other's company and reading about the virus, and how it affects them in their state or country. On this day the general consensus of the international travelers thinks that this is the most ridiculous world panic that has ever happened. I am just observing everyone's behavior and glad to see laughter, communion and more "westerners". I am not feeling any personal panic- but relief that I will make it home to the United States after my art residency.

April 25, 2020

That was my last journal entry from my Haridwar, India Art Residency that was cut short due to COVID-19. On that day, it was the 2nd day of the 60 plus hours it took to get home. First day was spent finding a flight home, (I got the last seat on the plane thanks to my friend Kitty who stayed up all night finding it), spent the night in New Delhi airport, then on a plane to London, where I spent the night in a hotel there, and in that cafe, where I made the journal entry,  I was waiting for a plane to Atlanta. And it was before the REAL pandemic was about to hit, hence everyone's apparent thoughts. 

But the Plein Air and travel experience was the best of times and worst of times when I reflect. There are challenges painting in a place like India, and especially if you are woman, we seem to always be challenged....like teabags - you never know how strong you are until you're in hot water (quote from Eleanor Roosevelt)

SITUATIONS:

In Haridwar,India-I was the only "westerner" in the area, female, blond and blue-eyes-and it didn't matter that I was 52, I was a spectacle. If you want to practice being conscious and mindful- this is a great place to go-if you are a westerner, (particularly female) because you have no choice. Everyday was a multi-tasking, consciously aware life the moment you stepped out of the house. Also, no one is speaking your language. Trying to paint Plein Air in this type of environment was-let's say at the least- CHALLENGING. Out of 7.5 billion people on this planet-  India holds 1.38 billion,a close 2nd highest  to China,  where as United states is 3rd largest country at ONLY 331 Million. Despite these stats, I have never lived in a city. Here I was a country girl living on 34 acres, in a town of 100 people, thrown into a mass of people; I was really like a fish out of water.  

PACKING & PAINTING for INDIA:

I planned my trip to have one suitcase with my paints, plein air box, and other art supplies, and one for mainly clothes and canvas. I cut up several sizes- mainly 11"x14" linen canvas to tape to board for a lighter and easier packing. I printed off all the MSDS paperwork for my paint, and several pages of I AM AN ARTIST- THESE ARE ARTIST COLORS. Even with this, I was called at two different locations underground to the farthest part of Indian airports to open my bag, making sure it wasn't a bomb. ( This long walk, there is always a question in your mind - Is this where I will be adbucted and never heard of again?-you just can't help it!) I also had t o prepare how I would clean my paint there, I read about using vegetable oil for a final clean and safflower oil to clean brushes in while painting. Hesitatingly, I practiced before I left. It worked, and this type of oil is effective for toxic free cleaning, but the drying time seems slower. I thought out how I was going to stop painting days before leaving, or plan on leaving some there based on whether they were dry or not. Because there is no air conditioning,  the paintings took several more days to dry there then at home. about 5-7 days, I also paint thickly. So after my first several paintings, I decided not to be so generous with my paint, because of the long drying time.

TRAVELING ALONE & FEMALE:

Before I left home, I was reading everything I could on a female, traveling alone in India. The first thing everyone said was "keep a low profile". Low for me is good, I am 5'2". But blonde and white...which I discovered doesn't fall int0 " low profile".

I did dress conservatively and even a little Indian. But people were snapping selfies with me, and making sure I was somewhere in their photo-(is that  reverse photo bombing?) I had a personal guide/yoga teacher(and personal protector-Tarun)  that took me out, (Thank God - keep reading), to places that might interest me to paint. Which were quite populated areas! He had to explain to me why he had to guide me to keep people, monkeys, and other animals from invading my space, and I had to explain to him about light and shadows and what might be attractive to some, might not be attractive to a painter. He seemed to understand and he really was my protection from crowds, monkeys, and other possibly dangerous situations-I was thankful he was there or I would not have plein air painted!  Tarun was very patient with me and stern with the crowd-which was distracting and right on your back, and keeping me from those zen moments I need to plein air paint. I became more of a performance artist for the crowds-making this fearless extroverted child a little fearful, shy and insecure....something I am unfamiliar with for anyone that knows me. 

PLEIN AIR EXPERIENCE in INDIA:

This situation had me making  several quick sketches of places, with a pen or paint.  There were a few times I did get some nice more finished plein air paintings of the Ganges River, when Tarun found a quiet place from the crowds. Even in these places we were still visited by the children, who were taunting goats that traveled with them, from a nearby tent community. Tarun discovered after several experiences of watching me plein air paint, my better paintings happened when I was mostly alone...to concentrate and relax. Tarun had also scheduled a safari, where I would paint on the back of a truck, but this was cancelled due to me leaving a week early.

I did have lots of  studio times, where I could zen out and paint from my small sketches and phone photos. By the way,there is a plethora of things to paint in India if you are unfamiliar to its nuances. I was particularly fascinated with the temples, and animals in the streets, as well as the way people lived. Monks were everywhere, as I was in one of the holiest cities in the country. There were ceremonies and rituals unknown to us on this side of the planet. One day we had to take a long auto bus ride to a hillside and take an aerial tram or shuttle to the top of the mountain to visit the Chandi Devi Temple. Still many crowds and monkeys.  If you stood  too long in one place the monkeys would harass you. So Tarun talked to the workers there and they finagled a way for us to be in a place high up on the temple away from crowds and monkeys, with a screen for protection, and I painted the Ganges and Haridwar from a distance. It was absolutely beautiful and the breeze made it much more zenful. Every day we walked and travelled such distances, both with backpacks, and plenty of water. He would split the weight with me, I guess because I am a girl...lol, I am used to the weight but walking every day for two weeks, I welcomed this help. 

Feeding a monkey

Away from the crowds and Monkeys at the Chandi Devi Temple

WHY I PAINT PLEIN AIR:

I travel to different places so I can experience a different life and be inspired by new and different cultures. I think it is one of the best life lessons for everyone to go outside your comfort zones, and stretch yourself. 

I learned a chant while I was there, one we repeated daily. We had to repeat the sanskrit and the english version every morning. 

Pronounced:

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha

Sarve Suntu Niramaya

Save Bhadrani Pasynatu

Ma Kasat Duka Baiag Bhavet

Meaning:

May all be happy

May all be healthy

May all find auspicious

No one shall have a share in sorrow. 

Tarun explained to me that ' may all find Auspicious' means may all find the 'good' in something possibly not so good- Finding of  luck or fortune - something promising. 

Many times he would come to the small studio I was designated and tell me how beautiful a painting  was and ask where we were? I would tell him and show him the photo, and his reply " I walk by there everyday.. I have never seen it this way". I looked at him and said-"I found the auspicious". He smiled and realized we were teaching each other something. But that is the gift or the joy that comes from Plein Air painting -to show the auspicious in a place that many people may take for granted. 

Top 10 Rules For Success

4/5/2019 10:36:55 AM

Are you struggling? Do you feel you are behind the mark? or just on the verge of success? You see others that seem successful and you feel your art is measurable to everyone else's but doesn't get noticed. Well I came from the business world, where girthing yourself up for success was a necessity if you were to flourish. Reading books by Warren Buffet and the other gurus,  learning to be determined, having resilience, and a load of  patience became habits. 

When I left this dog eat dog world in 2001 to become myself, my artist creative, (where things are sweeter- so I thought) I had to start all over. Getting kicked down, fearful, and unsure of myself became more of a norm, until I bucked up and as we say in the horse world, pulled myself up by my bootstraps.

I did this by reading inspirational books, posting inpirational quotes on my door posts, mirrors, and car dashboard. I even put them in my children's lunchbags, determined they would not let the world kick them in the pants, and if the did, they had a mantra to say! If I became depressed, I would go outside and jump on a horse bareback and take a ride. Spending time outside when I was stuck was a necessity. Fortunately, years later, I can say that I am a success to myself, and that I could actually live off of my creativity-a feeling....let me tell you .... is entirely worth the struggles. I still have many goals, but guess what? I know I can get there! If I hadn't fallen so many times, and gotten up and kept going, I would not have been here. Do you have to fall to move forward? Maybe Not. But we all have different paths.

Part of my, still to this day, inspiration seeking, involves me following Evan Carmichael on youtube who inspires people all the time by interviewing other people and what makes them successful. These people are honest, and do not mix words. I have attached some from a show he titled "10 rules for success" from 2016. Feel free to find it and watch it. (there are some fragrant words from a few people-if that bothers you, I apologize, and find something else to inspire you)

1. EXECUTE YOUR IDEA - Gary Vaynerchuk

No ideas are worth anything until they are executed

2. BE PATIENT - Simon Sinek

There is always a mountain to climb. There is no way 

around that. How you get there...Is up to you

3. BE THE MASTER OF YOUR FATE- Oprah Winfrey

Newton's 3rd law- For every ACTION there is an equal and opposite REACTION

4.YOU HAVE TO BE GREAT! -Dave Growl (drummer)

People will notice you- achieve what you want to achieve- It is that simple

5. GET OUT OF LOSERVILLE! - Quentin Tarantino

Run your fastest, put yourself in a place where you want to be the

best! Compete with the BEST!

6. PROVE THEM WRONG- Conor McGregor 

Do not let other people tell you what you can and cannot do

7. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF -Joran Belfort

Where are you now? Where do you want to go?How are you going to get there?

8.DON'T COMPROMISE YOURSELF - Denzel Washington

Stick to your guns! Learn to say NO.

9. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF - Tyrese Gibson

Do not live life on others opinions of you! Validation is mans' silent killer. Self love

is the cure for Self Hate.

10. DON'T STOP RUNNING TOWARD YOUR DREAMS - Les Brown

The More the Merrier

4/17/2018 8:08:26 AM

This past weekend, I was delighted to get together with new and old artist friends to paint in Gay, a small town of Meriwether County Georgia. We experienced a  sense of "rural america" away from our comfort zones. We painted around the county for 3 days and enjoyed each others company and attended a wonderful reception on Sunday. This is the second year, which was headed up by David Boyd, Jr to help promote arts in the county, where we donate 50% of the proceeds of our sales, through the Artisans on the Square Gallery in Greenville, GA to the Meriwether Arts. 

What a wonderful sense of energy, love of the land, laughter and perfect excuse  to get together. The local towns were small, and a breath of fresh air away from our busy lives. We spent most of our meals together around a table, or in a picnic area, as restaurants were not easily accessible. This enabled us to feel a sense of closeness and support that you may not get in a competitive environment, or anywhere else, for that matter. Getting like-minded people together for a cause we all believe in, had a synergy that I can not quite explain. We complimented each other, critiqued each other, and met people that we have only admired from afar. It was a joy! 

I even heard a few people mention the contagious energy that we all felt, that inspired us to paint more paintings than we would normally do at home. These types of "get togethers" are good for inspiration and creativity. Pushing yourself and your art to new heights, new levels, and having fun in the process. We have all heard the saying "The more the merrier", and this held true for all of us, I hope. The newness of Spring, and blossoms of promise, forced us to see life in a different manner, with happy people that LOVE to paint, or maybe they are happy because they are painting. 

If you are suffering still from the winter blues, or need a bit of inspiration, find a painting group! Google local artists, invite people to come together and do something outside your box, your house, and go outside and paint! 

Even the windy days didn't keep our easles inside. We all laughed about the dedication of holding down an easle in one hand and a brush in the other. Juggling a passion that never dies or at least is renewed by the gathering of like-minded people on brisk spring days.  

Happy Painting!!

Jennifer

P.S. You may buy this painting "Rural America" 12"x24" through Artisans on the Square Gallery, until May 1. You will be helping the ARTS in Meriwether as 50% goes to them. It is a great contribution and I believe a tax deductible item. It is a bargain at $1450 with a beautiful Frame. Contact 

Freedom in Discipline

11/5/2017 3:23:22 PM

Have you ever heard the term "there is a method behind the madness"?

Growing up in a small family manufacturing business, I learned early on, that without a "disciplined process", the end products would not be consistent. The same is true with art. I listen to many wise sages, because I truly need the guidance. Recently I was listening to a youtube video of Sadhguru, and he was speaking of the "freedom in discipline". He went on to reveal WHY this was over the next several minutes. Those words echoed in my head! Everything he said, I could apply to my paintings, as well as my life. Today I was researching information about Sargent, one of my art gurus. Specifically about his METHOD. 

I stumbled across Keene Wilson's blog on Sargent and he wrote this:

"He painted a head always in one process, but that could be carried over several sittings. He never attempted to repaint one eye or to raise or lower it, for he held that the construction of a head prepared the place for the eye, and if it was wrongly placed, the understructure was wrong, and he ruthlessly scraped and repainted the head from the beginning."

The PROCESS. The Discipline of doing a process, will help you tremendously when you sit down to create. Discovering the process is the FUN PART. Once you discover the process you like, do not deviate from it until you have exhausted it. Until you can say you love it or hate it. The point is, when you can create without thinking, this is where your paints and brushes become MORE creative. It allows intuition to come into the picture. To complete something over and over in the same process, will also identify you. Take someone else's method, or two people's method, and change it slightly, put your own twist on it, and make it even better than before.

Below are some of Sargent's notes on HIS process. I have a different "process" than his, but my roots come from his process. You must familiarize yourself with our great master's processes, so you can begin your own journey into "freedom in discipline".

Sargent's Notes

     1.   Painting is an interpretation of tone. Colour drawn with a brush.

    2.   Keep the planes free and simple, drawing a full brush down the whole contour of a cheek.

     3.   Always paint one thing into another and not side by side until they touch.

     4.   The thicker your paint—the more your color flows.

     5.  Simplify, omit all but the most essential elements—values, especially the values. You must clarify the values.

     6.  The secret of painting is in the half tone of each plane, in economizing the accents and in the handling of the lights.

     7.  You begin with the middle tones and work up from it . . . so that you deal last with your lightest lights and darkest darks, you avoid false accents.

     8.  Paint in all the half tones and the generalized passages quite thick.

     9.  It is impossible for a painter to try to repaint a head where the understructure was wrong.

      SARGENT'S PALETTE: Silver White, Naples Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Ochre dew (English Red), Red Ochre, Vermillion, Ivory or Coal Black, and Prussian Blue.

Sargent's notes above are from Keene Wilson     via George Pratt  via James Gurney. He found these nuggets in the library when he was a student at Pratt Institute.

Below is a detailed painting of Sargent's "Daughters of Edward Darley Boit (detail)". Can you see his process unfolding?