I Remember the Beatles
I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floating around accidental-like on a breeze, but I, I think maybe it's both. Forest Gump
It was hard to believe 50 years have gone by since we discovered the Beatles in 1964. I remember the first time I saw the Beatles it wasn’t on the Sullivan show but on the news. The English rock band formed in Liverpool, included Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison. Who were these guys with the unusual haircuts, wearing collarless suits, with black boots? They definitely had their own style. I was struck like everyone else with the invasion of Beatlemania.
Each Beatle had their own unique personality, which enabled the fans to pick their favorite. I love Ringo, no Paul is the cutest, etc. They were original; they were more than a brand. As they changed we changed, each album bringing something new and innovative. And yet we could hear the influence in their music from Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbinson.
I grew up with the Beatles; from receiving my first kiss to seeing my friends come home from the Vietnam War. We looked for secrets listening to their albums wondering if there were clues about Paul being dead including Abbey Road and St. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band. As their consciousness expanded from their trip to India to learn Transcendental Meditation ours expanded as well.
We believed they were inseparable, but like anything else all must come to an end. They all separated to create their own music; my favorite album was Paul McCartney’s Cherries Album, created during a period of depression from the separation of John Lennon and the Beatles, which soon separated them entirely in 1969.
So last night as I saw Ringo with Paul, their friends George and John in spirit, I wonder if they finally felt a peace, acceptance and forgiveness, as they celebrated in full circle their entertainment career; a career that had a life of its own.
What do you remember about the Beatles?
Does A Painting Always Need A Focal Point?
Is the use of a focal point in a painting discretionary? It has been argued that a painting doesn’t have the strength of composition without one. I am taking an online art course that includes the topic of focal points. The viewpoint taught is that all paintings must have one. It is in doing this course that has caused me to question, whether it is necessary or not. In the painting above, I have forced myself to create a focal point. In most cases, my paintings don’t have one. I prefer to have the viewer move around the canvas, explore and experience and not be inclined to stay in one area of the painting.
Let’s examine how a focal point is created.
- Placement: The eye is drawn to the center and front of the painting, yet finding an appealing location for the focal point is important. “Where do you want the viewers eye to go?”
- Contrast: The eye is attracted to the brightest area and the darkest dark next to the lightest light.
- Color: The viewer is also attracted to the brightest most vivid color, which can be intensified by the use of complimentary colors next to each other.
- Shape: A unique shape, a larger shape or an extremely active shape may suggest a focal point.
- Line direction and converging lines: Lines may direct your eye to the focal point by using architecture, calligraphy and intersecting lines. Anything can point to a focal point.
- Isolation: Separating subject from distracting elements can strengthen focal point.
- Focus: Anything that is more focused, defined, with sharp edges instead of blurred will strengthen focal point.
There are many famous artists that don’t use focal points in their paintings. Monet chose to capture an impression of the effects of light and color, as opposed to focusing on one patch of water lilies in this painting.
Hans Hoffman’s desire was to create an illusion of space, forcing the eye to move along the two-dimensional plane using color, shape and line.
Piet Mondrian’s grid paintings simplified his compositions to primary colors, white, and black lines intersecting vertically and horizontally focusing on the positive and negative shapes.
Learning the rules of good composition is important, but in the end you must make a decision for yourself.
What do you think? Does a painting have to have a focal point?
Hong Kong Clay Pot, oil on museum wrapped canvas, 48" x 48" Price $5760
2k14 current footage 2304 sq. inches
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
2K14 Challenge
2K14 is my third consecutive art challenge. In 2012 my challenge was called Paint 52, of which I painted 52 paintings in one year. Challenge Art20k for 2013 was successfully completed painting over 20,000 square inches for that year. Year 2014 will be different; it won’t just be about painting. It’s time to market my work. In fact, my word for this year is “exhibit”.
I have built a body of work for the past two years. Many pieces have not been seen in person, but only on social media, Twitter and Facebook. I plan on having three or more Art shows this year.
I still continue to paint numerous paintings this year. My goal is to paint 15,000 to 20,000 square inches. Because of your requests for smaller affordable paintings, I will be painting a variety of sizes. Don’t forget to contact me for commissions as well.
I’m currently showing at Gilroy Arts Alliance. The show will continue until January 12, hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 2:00-5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please subscribe to my newsletter for further information on showings.
Thank you so much and hope 2014 brings you much success!
PS Look for posts of my paintings on Twitter @JanetVanderhoof #2K14 and also on Facebook.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
I Did It!
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments."~Jim Rohn
Yes, I did it! I completed my Art20k challenge to paint 20,000 square inches for the year 2013. My actual total for this year is 20,262 square inches. Last year, I painted over 15,000 and added 5,000 more for this year. I'm glad I did and I plan on painting more next year, but I will tell you more about my new challenge January 2014.
Having two goals back to back instills discipline.
What was difficult for me in the past has now become part of my life.
I am building a wonderful body of work.
My subject matter and style is becoming more refined.
I realize that this is becoming part of a bigger goal, part of my 5 year plan.
Goals help me stay on course and definitely see growth.
Art20K has helped me stay focused.
Having a measurable goal, an attainable, relevant and trackable goal, has made it very rewarding.
Making this goal public has given me reinforcement and encouragement.
An effective goal spills over to many parts of your life, it changes you.
I have risen from I can't do it to "I Did It".
I feel unstoppable.
I want to thank you all for your continued support. It wouldn't be the same without you. I realize that I need my community to help me continue my goals. A goal unshared becomes a meaningless goal. It is with much gratitude that I am able to share with you. Thank you!
[gravityform id="4" name="Purchase Original" title="false" description="false"] Painting above, "No Parking in Chinatown" measures 24" x 36' acrylic and oil on museum wrapped canvas $2160.00
*ART20K footage completed square inches 19398
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
Find A Way
I have only 602 square inches to go. I can’t believe I am so close to completing my Art20k challenge; painting 20,000 square inches this year. This challenge has created much momentum in my life. I thought that the Art20k challenge would only affect my painting and career as a painter, but found out "the more you do the more you do". I believe this creative energy has caused me to change many things around me with such force. I not only had a challenge to paint 20,000 square inches this year, but also stretched myself to have major remodeling in my home. Doing both has been quite demanding. What was once difficult has now become a natural way of being. Here are some of my enlightenments from doing this challenge so far:
Customers prefer a variety of sizes.
Galleries prefer larger sizes and found they want sizes that fit over couches (I hate to say it).
The more square inches the more sales dollars.
I have a tendency to be more free and creative painting larger.
Smaller paintings can be studies for larger paintings or a catalyst for an innovative idea.
I want to paint looser and looser.
Painting larger makes me want to paint what I enjoy, not what others want.
It can be difficult to complete goals when life has other demands.
I am committing to a higher production standard.
You need to take care of yourself when you do big challenges, eat well, plenty of sleep and take time outs.
Where there is a will there is a way.
Find a way.
I have stretched myself and now realize that I can do more.
What was once a challenge is now a matter of fact.
I can’t go back.
*Painting above, "Abundance" measures 36" x 48" acrylic on museum wrapped canvas, price $4320 *ART20K footage completed square inches 19398 *All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!