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GO TO YOUR ROOM !

I borrowed this phrase from the recently deceased Canadian painter Robert Genn who believed that there is only so much we can learn about how to paint from the many fine instructors and resources available today. The true learning comes from going off on our own and just doing it - Go to your room!

I have had the good fortune to take instruction from outstanding artists in Canada and the USA. I continue to work on my own development ( Going to MY room!) . I share, through this blog and workshops, what I have learned and what others have shared with me.

I created this blog primarily for those attending my workshops to keep in touch and to further share as we grow together. If others are interested in following that would be great.

Enjoy the journey.

Saturday 24 August 2013

Post Workshop Blues - Again!


I wrote last year about my problem of what I call post-workshop-blues. Well,  it hit again this week. Been home from the Robt Genn workshop for a week and have painted a LOT - mostly the same bad paintings over and over and over - trying different approaches: multi glazes, scumbling, more glazes, little red Genn dots, etc etc. While I don't want to be Bob Genn (couldn't no matter how hard I tried) I do want to become comfortable with  his techniques and hope that the most useful for my approach to  acrylics will add to my bag of tricks.

In the past this blues period would last weeks and it really got me down. Now, after so many workshops, I know it will pass. I can even force it to pass by starting a new large piece and just going back to "me" ( my brushes, paints, etc)  - but that is not what I want until I have played enough. I know I lack the amazing patience that Mr Genn does for his very indirect approach to acrylics. So again, I couldn't "be him" if I wanted to.

I write this post because one of the workshop participants contacted me and expressed her confusion and frustration with her painting after the workshop. I probably just should have given her Mr Genn's contact info - 'cause this was not my fault. But I "held her hand" and encouraged her to paint as much as possible. Small pieces preferably with lots of different subject mater she likes and it will pass - and she and her work will be better for it.

It too will pass!

3 comments:

  1. Hi Brian,
    Its all part of the process....It took me over 20 years to figure that out. Now I welcome the blues because I know something good will come out at the end. Its a good time to clean and organize the studio, gesso canvases etc while your creative brain processes and files the new material learned...Happy painting!
    Cindy

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  2. And then there's me, who wishes she could paint like YOU.....LOL.

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  3. I think we all secretly wish we could create a little more like someone we admire. It's what pushes us to try new things and break the mold. I feel the burnout that you write about and it's a perfect time to sketch and drawn until yer brain pics it's next target.

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