Painters likes VS patron likes, Sweet potato Fries recipe revision

Two Palms
4x6 inches
gouache on acid free mat board
mounted to 5x7 inches

40.00
2.00 shipping

It occurred to me today that we painters spend a lot of time thinking about what other painters are doing and seeking their approval of our own work. I don't know why it never occurred to me before. Aren't we doing this backwards? In fact, it seems pretty silly to me when I realize that painters, with some exceptions, are not the ones who are keeping food on my table and paying my bills. Actually, few professional painters that I know buy paintings. I do, and I know Jean Hood does, but we are definitely in the minority, at least in my circle. Many of my friends and students have, but not my competitors. Should I be spending most of my time thinking about the likes and dislikes of my patrons instead of what turns on other painters? I think yes.


I'm not suggesting that I change my painting style, or palette to suit fads in the industry. That is a losing proposition. It's impossible to do that and I would lose my soul and spirit as a painter by chasing after rainbows. It does seem to me that many painters I meet on art forums, and see on the Internet are chasing after the latest fad or superstar or painting style which is all the rage among painters for the moment. For example, there is a painter who has been doing 6x6 inch still life paintings for awhile. She is very successful and a dynamic painter. Now I see copycats all over the Internet doing 6x6 inch paintings of still life subjects. None that I have seen have quite the technique and panache that this painter has, so they become poor substitutes to the discerning eye.

The other thing I have noticed is that poor and sloppy brushwork is in vogue among landscape painters of late. There seems to be a race to do work as sloppily as possible and the sloppier it looks, the more accolades and pats on the back painters get from their peers.

All of this seems to be related to the need for approval from peers and any painter for that matter. Of course we all like to hear kind comments and share our work, but there is a difference in being confident enough to do your own thing or being one of the sheep. Are other painters' opinions more important than those who support us and provide a living for us? From my observations it seems to be that way. Just a week or two ago I was crushed by another painter's opinion, but why should I have been? She doesn't support me, my patrons do. If they love my work, why should I care that she doesn't?


It makes me wonder about the relationship between artists and patrons. My patrons prefer my studio work about 5 to 1 over my plein air work. Since I am willing and able to do either type of painting, isn't it smart to spend a fair amount of time in the studio? if the people who buy art prefer some styles, is it smart to completely avoid doing that work? I'm not talking about painting things I detest, but rather doing some paintings which will appeal to my patrons in order to please them and make them feel good about purchasing my art.

Isn't it better to go my own way and paint the way I enjoy the most rather than trying to please other painters just because they are on the latest trend? I think I would rather please myself and be happy with my work than to try and radically change because that is the latest thing. I have actually talked with excellent landscape painters who were very satisfied with their work but now say they must become looser with their brushwork because the superstar of the moment is painting with loose brushwork. Wow! I thought artists were supposed to be individuals and mavericks!!!

All of these issues give me a lot to think about. Perhaps I will think about what I like and less about what other painters think is "good" after pondering these questions.




Yesterday I spent most of my day finishing up and refining paintings that I had done at Wekiva.

I am pleased with this revision. It didn't take much, just a little clean up in the grasses. You can really see the NOTAN process at work in this painting.



Pink Grasses
12x16 inches
oil on panel

I'm at this strange time of trying to figure out what I should be doing. I have so many events coming up, starting Friday, that I'm not sure what I have left out or what needs my attention. It's one of those feelings that I think I have everything ready but I'm also sure I'm missing something.



Today's Recipe

In my never ending quest to create the perfect heart healthy sweet potato fries, I think I have stumbled upon my best recent revision. My old recipe was pretty good but the fries were a bit hard on the outside and I had to bake them for a long time.

For the new recipe:

Spray or oil a sheet pan. Preheat oven to 400.

Microwave 3 large sweet potatoes for about 4 minutes. They should be just starting to soften but not soft. Let them cool in the freezer for about 10 minutes. Peal them and slice into fries. Put 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour in a flat dish. Add salt and pepper to taste. Dredge the fries in the flour an shake off all excess flour in a net strainer or colander. Place fries on baking dish. Spray with non stick olive oil or canola oil spray. Bake about half done, turnover fries and respray. When they are almost toasty brown, spray them one more time. Serve hot. They are delish!!