I think the statement below mirrors my ideas. One of the things that influences American thought is Copyright law; however, the vanity of mind that we are all so original, also plays a role. We do not want to steal, or represent our work as our own if it is not. However we cut ourselves off from a treasure trove of learning if we do not spend time in copy. How to solve this? I don't know, I do copy but always with a feeling of guilt. I make sure to attribute due where it is due and would never sell a copied work, however I need the genius of others. To work their work and see through their eyes gives me eyes I would not have had otherwise. So I seek to copy the techniques of genius , sometimes a whole work, and as I learn and it becomes part of my presuppositional thought, their genius might shine again through me...I could only hope.
The reason I air again these thoughts with which my family is so familiar is the anti-copy attitude I find in a fellow artist with whom I work.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
On the copying of other artists work
Below is the material I do not think you have. It is from an article in "The Art Journal", dated 1888 by R.A.M. Stevenson. It is particularly pertinent to the subject of copying the work of other artists with a view toward self-improvement.
From article:
"Not only by looking, but by copying, he became familiar with the works of the Venetians and other painters before he began his professional training as one of the first pupils who came to the studio of M. Carolus Duran. Here he showed himself American rather than English by a practical common sense and a reasonable docility which led him to put himself in reality, and not in name only, into the position of a pupil. He had none of the obstinacy which leads some Englishmen to think they know more than their professor. These false pupils fear the loss of an originality which they may never have possessed, and which, unless they acquire facility of expression, must remain for ever unrevealed to the world. A vague feeling of originality which cannot be expressed is a very doubtful possession, and may only consist in ignorance of what can be done with paint. People who have never seriously grappled with Art fail to realise how much the strangeness of certain works is involuntary, and arises from the inability of the authors to make them correspond to their intentions. Anyhow it cannot but be good practice to learn to keep to an ensemble of a certain kind, even if it be not of one's own discovery. Thus the artist acquires facility, certainty, and a standard with which to gauge success when he would realise an intention of his own....Mr. Sargent devoted himself to the routine of the studio without seeking to appear original."
From article:
"Not only by looking, but by copying, he became familiar with the works of the Venetians and other painters before he began his professional training as one of the first pupils who came to the studio of M. Carolus Duran. Here he showed himself American rather than English by a practical common sense and a reasonable docility which led him to put himself in reality, and not in name only, into the position of a pupil. He had none of the obstinacy which leads some Englishmen to think they know more than their professor. These false pupils fear the loss of an originality which they may never have possessed, and which, unless they acquire facility of expression, must remain for ever unrevealed to the world. A vague feeling of originality which cannot be expressed is a very doubtful possession, and may only consist in ignorance of what can be done with paint. People who have never seriously grappled with Art fail to realise how much the strangeness of certain works is involuntary, and arises from the inability of the authors to make them correspond to their intentions. Anyhow it cannot but be good practice to learn to keep to an ensemble of a certain kind, even if it be not of one's own discovery. Thus the artist acquires facility, certainty, and a standard with which to gauge success when he would realise an intention of his own....Mr. Sargent devoted himself to the routine of the studio without seeking to appear original."
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monikins
Well if you haven't heard the Monikins are in the news again. It seems they have been holding celebrations about the warming earth. They have great hopes that their archipelago of kingdoms located near the Antarctic will prosper with the longer summers and warmer winters. What's a little flooding in the lowlands? They have even considered renaming some of their seasons. Such as the season of nuts rather than the season of ice.
Since their currency is not money, but promises (which has the dual advantages of being impossible to burn or steal) - they have a difficult time advertising their cool kingdoms or attracting much industry. This has caused them to be non newsworthy since 1962. That was the year of the last big news splash from the Monikins. As many may remember it was their assertion that man will eventually develop into a Monikin. To this day they continue to insist that humans will one day have their seat of reason in a long lovely tail, rather than the brain. They think this warming trend will help this process along. According to their research this is precisely what is happening. So, if you find yourself near their islands, fly low and quiet, maybe you will hear the yips and yowls of their joy!
Since their currency is not money, but promises (which has the dual advantages of being impossible to burn or steal) - they have a difficult time advertising their cool kingdoms or attracting much industry. This has caused them to be non newsworthy since 1962. That was the year of the last big news splash from the Monikins. As many may remember it was their assertion that man will eventually develop into a Monikin. To this day they continue to insist that humans will one day have their seat of reason in a long lovely tail, rather than the brain. They think this warming trend will help this process along. According to their research this is precisely what is happening. So, if you find yourself near their islands, fly low and quiet, maybe you will hear the yips and yowls of their joy!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
New Puppy
Jim and I were taking the scenic route home from Chapel Hill. In Mississippi that means; winding roads, one lane bridges put in 50 years ago, crossing the might Pearl, in other words- deep country. It was in a particularly desolate area that we saw a young puppy on the side of the road. This pup looked forlorn. "Stop, stop the truck" Out I went, the pup was so weak its attempt to run away was easily overcome. As I was gathering her up I saw a dead dog in the ditch, I assume it was its mom? companion? any way it looked as if it had lost a fight with an automobile. The photos I am posting of Ellie Mae are taken after she has been with us six days. She has been to the vet, wormed, and shots given. She has also eaten almost nonstop. I did not want another dog after Pippen, the pee and poop can really get to me. However I think this little girl has won our hearts.
Chapel Hill Again
I got some great photos from Chapel Hill. Jim is about as happy as can be knocking down scrub with his blue New Holland tractor. The underbrush is so thick it was knocking the tractor right back...the side grill was knocked off and bush whacked and a tree grabbed the exhaust pipe and gave it a hard yank. Next time we trailer the tractor it will be to the tractor hospital for some recovery treatment after the heroic battle against scrub at Chapel Hill.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)