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Ideas For a Painting Project

"A good piece of art work catches the essence of the subject matter as translucented the eye of the artist. A terrific piece of artwork exposes the inner-workings of the artist and links to the viewer on a human level.

I beginning this article by mentioning that I tend to avoid composing pieces that have an individual or emotional connection to me; nevertheless, who much better to discuss the profession of an artist that has spanned nearly five decades then someone who has observed it first-hand?

I am discussing my daddy, Raymond J. Wattenhofer, Jr. He is the essential example of the guy who has actually taken in whatever the world has to provide and in turn recorded those experiences on canvas. Judging from the point at which he started his walk through this world, you 'd think he 'd be the last one to reveal his observations on life through paintbrush and canvas. And yet, that is the medium he picked to inform his story and, in turn, change the viewpoint of each individual who views his pieces.

Raymond got in the adult years a skilled Midwest rancher and horseman who, by the time he was seventeen, had actually generated his own impressive cattle herd and rapidly discovered the ropes to becoming a successful cattleman. The Vietnam War was in complete swing and, seeking experience, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, earning his way onto an elite search and rescue group stationed off the waters of Puerto Rico. The thought of this may stimulate daring enthusiasm in a boy, but there was a dark side: He and his group were responsible for collecting bodies after major disputes and airline crashes. This experience impacted him deeply for several years to come and became the critical juncture of his advancement from kid to man to artist.

After the war, he and my mother returned to the Midwest, at which time he embraced the isolationist way of life and developed even more into a self-reliant, hardcore do-it-yourselfer: Raising honey bees, growing his own food, making his own alcohol and even creating paper products from basic materials. This is when the need to reveal himself through art started to smolder in his belly and soon burst into a full-on inferno of creative enthusiasm.

He taught himself the lost wax process for creating bronze sculptures and, although my family was incredibly bad, handled to scratch together the products to develop his own foundry. What followed was a very prolific duration of sculpture production to which he applied his understanding of animal husbandry and developed stunning pieces that recorded the essence of the western horseman and livestock rancher. He even created a handful of life-size and brave size pieces which are currently displayed around the country.

As his creative evolution continued it emerged to experts that his work was incredibly cathartic and, ever so gradually, the darkness in his soul declined. But the deep-rooted angst he had felt for years would not be completely quelled till he brought himself to the next level. One day he awakened and decided it was time to end up being an oil painter.

Years of frustration followed as he painfully learned the techniques of oil painting that would completely catch the essence of what he strove to convey. However method is only part of what makes an excellent painter: You have to be prepared to put it all on the line and expose your soul to the world. Until an artist is willing to stand naked and vulnerable before the world he/she will never get in touch with their audiences. This was the hardest challenge for Raymond to overcome. He was raised with a ""carry your own water"" mindset, where genuine guys were strong and quiet and never exposed individual weakness.

There is absolutely nothing sadder than an artist with great technique however who hesitates to put themselves into their work: technically competent pieces, yes. And yet, entirely soulless. It takes a fantastic leap of faith to transcend our own fears and state to the world, ""This is the real me, warts and all."" You want your viewer to stand and contemplate your work, make them desire to see it through your eyes as the real you sees it. If they win a brand-new point of view, seeing the world just a little in a different way and thereby altered, you have attained your goal.

Years of blood, sweat and tears have actually settled for Raymond. He has actually achieved what all fantastic artists must achieve to bring their artwork to the next level: Expose your delights, your discomforts, your griefs and your flaws and the world will enjoy you all the more. Don't fear your own humanity for that is what connects you to the rest people."