Trial balloon
I decided to work from a photograph, something I could study over a long period and that wouldn't change. I felt that my art should somehow come from the sort of experience I have most, the sort of activity that takes up an awful lot of people's times and yet is not dealt much with in art. So I searched for photographs people had taken during meetings and posted on the Internet. Eventually I collected a dozen or so high-res images which I narrowed down to an initial candidate.
Over three days, I drew from large black & white and color prints of the photograph, slowly and carefully drawing the contours of every person and object in the scene using a dip pen and waterproof Higgins ink. Then I slowly layered on watercolors. I finished the painting in a burst of activity, after waking up very inspired at 5 a.m. one day the sun had just finished rising when I took a break, sipped a cup of tea and examined my work.
What a turd!
The colors were garish — the dominant hues were drawn from the tacky corporate meeting room decor: a bright teal, a red-violet and some patches of cad orange. The drawing, which I had excused in the initial phase because it was pure line with no shading, lacked any character or point of view, like a cheap coloring book. The composition was mawkish and lead the eye nowhere.
As a final desperate effort, I took the painting intro the kitchen and ran it under the tap for a few minutes. The only color that remained was what pigment had dyed deep into the 140 lb. watercolor paper. It had an interesting pastel effect but was still a turd, a runny one.
I have been thinking about this experience over the three days since the final disaster and I am very happy. I learned so much. I'd violated almost every lesson I have picked up over the last decade and, in doing so, reinforced them to myself:
I drew something I have no connection to. I used a photo I hadn't taken of a scene I've never experienced nor cared about. I couldn't find any meaning in it because it had none for me. No meaning, no feeling.
I was being pretentious. I tried to make some sort of snarky statement about modern life or work or the human condition like some latter-day Brueghel or Courbet and discovered I had nothing but cynicism to express, hardly the basis for interesting art.
I set out to make something not for its own sake but to hang on the wall somewhere. My art is about what I am living through, a way of seeing deeper in to the moment; the art itself is a by-product of the process. That's why illustration projects are such a different experience for me. The only assignments I would really, really love to do would ones that sent me somewhere and just asked me to record my experiences.
Nonetheless, I couldn't help but enjoy the process. There was something quite soothing about working my way through all the details of the image, sort of like doing a crossword or needle point.
And it showed me that, if I want to, I should do another longer range drawing like this but do it from life, of something I care about and derive meaning from.
The best experiments can be failures.
Like my beard, which I shaved off this morning.
Movin' on.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Oh Danny, So glad you came to that conclusion. As I began reading I thought oh no what is he doing!!! Making REAL art , a contrived rendering. Well you didnt need me to save you, you got it because thats how you came to discover the real love of creating and drawing.
Wow, that was a close one!
Enjoy your drawing.
Ckp
Posted by: ckp | May 14, 2006 03:32 PM
I like beardless!
Posted by: Rita | May 14, 2006 10:14 PM
You just put into words why I haven't been able to do anything creative in quite the right ways for coming on three years now.
Thank you. I think you just smacked me over the head with a broom.
Posted by: Liz | May 14, 2006 10:22 PM
Late last year, my DH of 15 years, aka The Poet, had to have his beard shaved off for an operation. We discovered that he has no upper lip to speak of. The beard came back as soon as it was able :-)
Shame about the painting but then you never know if you don't give it a try. Bit like the beard, really.
Posted by: Robyn![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.dannygregory.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 15, 2006 12:14 AM
I Love Smooooooooothies.
Except in daschunds, of which I prefer the Long Haired variety.
signed,
Scratch 'n Sniff
Posted by: patricia gregory | May 15, 2006 06:01 AM
Thank you for sharing that. what a great experence.I love your ART.
Posted by: John Ediger | May 15, 2006 09:25 AM
Hey,
I think this may be why I've been in a rut for quite a while now, trying to be an "artist" and forgetting to be just me.
I find I am susceptible to subtle pressure from friends and family. They approve of the regular (normal) stuff, and kinda scratch their heads when you show them something that came straight from your imagination, or your heart. My husband, for example, is a great supporter of my work, but he often suggests I add a butterfly or a bunny to one of my compositions! We joke about it now, but it's something I have to always remember: be true to me.
Thanks for sharing.
PatC
Posted by: Pat Curry | May 15, 2006 09:30 AM
Your energy level is astounding. For your next try at watercolor, do your drawing quickly in pencil with a much simpler subject matter.
Those "washed" and soaked paintings sometimes make great underpaintings. Or cut up, make great collages.
Try, try again. Approach each painting as an exercise, not with the goal of a finished product.
Buy the Charles Reid book & videos "Painting Flowers in Watercolor," and start splashing. You could touch yet another side of that genius inside you who is screaming to get out.
Doris
Posted by: Doris Mouton | May 15, 2006 09:51 AM
Danny, thanks for sharing the experience. I wonder how you would like a similar methood but at a museum or other spot where you could sit and work for awhile. Plein air like. I love both long studies and quick sketches.
BTW, I have made a transition from sketching in pencil to pen. I now have your "devil may care"attitude and decided I have NOTHING to loose. Thanks for your bracing honesty!
Posted by: lindsay | May 15, 2006 10:39 AM
So now I can't walk through your beard in my bare feet?
I simply adore what you did with the watercolor picture. Thanks for sharing.
Jan
Posted by: Jan Caldwell | May 15, 2006 11:38 AM
Hi Danny,
Nobody has said it yet, so let me -- Bravo to you for being brave enough to show a failed attempt! Your perception of the reason why it failed is dead on; and I liked Liz's comment too -- a good whack with that particular broom is something we all can benefit from now and then.
Thanks for sharing your learning experience -- I look forward to seeing the results when you tackle a subject that moves you!
Posted by: Kathleen Piercefield | May 15, 2006 12:14 PM
Hey, there are parts of your painting that I actually like! For instance, all the clutter on the table, the little mouse dongle hanging out of the computer; they're all so every day. (Not to mention that everyone's eyes are closed, much like most of the meetings I have to attend!) Well, maybe that's the point; I wasn't looking at "art," I was relating my own experience to a picture. Could have just as well been the photo. But then again, no one draws organized clutter like Danny Gregory! Even unemotional, unconnected, organized clutter.
Hat's off, Danny. Another broom swat happened here!
Thanks,
NancyE
Posted by: Nancy Edwards | May 16, 2006 12:45 PM
Hey Danny,
Remember, it's the process not the final product that is the most worthwhile!
It takes lots of trials and efforts (and lots of crappy artwork some times ;)) as an artist. Just remember it's all about experimentation, pushing the envelope and going one step further-going out of our box every now and then.
LOL, it'll be too damn hot this summer for a beard in NY any ways ;) Love the psychedelic photos! I have to show my hubby and son those pics-they look like they were fun to manipulate.
Posted by: kelly | May 16, 2006 04:04 PM
Hey Danny,
Remember your old website's header mantra? There Are No Mistakes. It's all about learning. Speaking of, has anyone seen Art School Confidential? John Malkovich nailed the Art school teacher! I'm still chuckling at his ego.
As Olive Oyl said to Popeye, I love a clean shaven man.
Posted by: Andy | May 17, 2006 11:06 AM
I'm also glad you showed us this one! Those failed attempts can be a lot of fun, though! I think your explanation of why art journaling feels better than "real" painting makes so much sense. Now I need to go ponder it. :-)
Posted by: Linda M | May 17, 2006 07:18 PM
Paint from life, just draw with the brush and have at it. I know you'll have a good time.
Posted by: Karen Winters | May 18, 2006 03:42 AM
Each day I have checked back to see if you've updated with a new rendering.
The first day you posted the trial, I was sure I had put in the wrong site! It's so flat. The image just has no energy when compared with your bw or color drawings in EDM or on the site.
Posted by: Patte | May 20, 2006 04:36 PM