I wanted to share a conversation I had with an other artist earlier this week. Here's her message and my reply:
My name is Jennifer and I think your art work is exquisite! I am an artist myself and I saw your work in Florida and I was in awe. I wanted to know more. I really liked this one work of art that looked like it was glowing. There were black, red and yellow colors. The yellow lines were the one that looked like they were glowing and it was just amazing! Can you tell me a little bit about the piece and how you came about it? And maybe some tips to help myself evolve further in my work? Thank you very much!
Jennifer,
Thank you for your appreciation of my artwork. It's great to hear from you.
The piece you mentioned is actually called, "Improvisation in Red." I studied jazz and think of this piece as being like a musical improvisation, where the musician takes off from the melody and makes up a new one as he goes along. The prominent shape (more apparent in the single piece rather than the triptych: see here) in the upper part looks a bit like a saxophone, as if the player was leaning backward and you see the "bell" of the saxophone with a yellow swirl around it.
I create my artwork very differently than most artists. I create it on the computer using four different applications, combining the effects from each. I then print them on canvas as limited edition giclées.
My advice to you is to find a medium and technique that you love, become an expert at it and do something that is different, yet communicates to your audience. Study the results you achieve and do more of the things you like about it and less of the things you don't like about it. Get opinions from others, but you be the judge as to what is valuable opinion and what is not. This is how to evolve your artwork to higher levels.
I take the viewpoint that I am doing my artwork for others. I am communicating to viewers and want to enrich their lives with beauty and the energy of life. The idea of helping others through artwork gives the whole process a higher purpose which motivates me; and results in an enthusiastic response from viewers. People need art, although they may not realize it. It is a spiritual thing which is very much needed at this time.
All the best to you!
Best Regards,
Scott Menaul
Menaul Fine Art
1750 N. Hercules Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33759
Tel: 727-726-7411
Cell: 727-744-1602
Email: smenaul@aol.com
web: www.menaul-art.com