The Colorist and Crayola Crayons
“Artists are just children who refuse to put down their crayons.” Al Hirschfeld
Only 3 years old, I have fond memories of my mother bringing a fresh box of 48 Crayola Crayons home to our barracks in the Aleutian Islands -Adak, Alaska. Little did I know that it was such an influence in my creative life? I would analyze each color, the milky color of apricot, complimenting the silvery periwinkle and perfect combination with magenta. The combinations were endless and I was determined to explore as many as I could create.
I do remember my first coloring, a pig, with the famous Carnation Pink. I don’t think I cared about the pig as much as seeing the beauty of the luscious pink. Is this my imagination? Could a three year old have experienced such intensity?
My first day in Kindergarten I was handed a box of 8 crayons. My first thought was “where is my box of 48? How could I possibly create anything with these primary colors?” I remember asking my teacher if I could bring my own crayons. “Of course, Janet if you can bring them for the entire class to share”. Well that ended that. I had to learn new ways to compensate, outlining in black, which soon changed because the teacher thought I was depressed. Then I would outline the inside of the object and color it different colors or layer colors.
Today I relate to the crayon colors similarities to my oil paints, bittersweet becomes Quinacridone Burnt Sienna combined with white, midnight blue now the famous Prussian Blue, Brick red similar to Indian Red and Magenta close to Permanent Rose.
Crayola Crayons simply prepared my sensibility to color. Could it even of affected me at a neurological level, as described in the book, "The Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle?
Color is my first love and as I have always said, "Without color I wouldn't paint".
*ART20K footage completed 5268 square inches.
*Painting above, Title: "A View From The 18th Hole", measures 36″ x 48", Oil on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $4320
*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!
Is Bigger Better?
Changing my challenge this year to paint 20,000 square inches, Art20K, instead of amount of paintings, as in last years goal, #Paint 52, has been quite thrilling. I have found myself painting much larger and in turn experiencing much more freedom and joy painting. Creating a body of work feels more substantial painting larger and more conducive to preparing for a show. Although, I love painting larger, I have found myself asking questions about the upside and downside of painting large vs. small.
Is it easier to market smaller paintings than larger, due to their affordability?
As an artist, should you make sure you have a balance of sizes available for market?
Does certain subject matter demand a larger format?
What are the advantages of painting larger or smaller?
What are disadvantages of painting larger or smaller?
What tools are needed when painting a large painting, that may not be needed when painting small?
Is studio space an indicator for size selection?
Does painting large equal being a serious painter and more appropriate for gallery representation?
Is intimacy affected when painting larger?
What are your feelings about painting large vs. small?
Thank you for your responses always love hearing from you and hearing your perspective.
*ART20K footage completed 3,540 square inches
*Painting above, Title: "A New Balance", measures 36" x 36", Atelier Interactive Acrylic on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $3240.00 SOLD
*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!
There's No Such Thing as Luck
"There's no such thing as luck. There's only preparation meeting the moment of opportunity.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
There is no turning back, as I glance at the materials being shipped to my house in the last week one by one in preparation for my Art20k project. Large boxes have met me at my door, almost daily this past week. I am already imagining what will be discovered on these blank canvases.
No excuses Janet, you have the materials, the tools, everything is “ready to go right now”. The excitement is palatable, as I tally the canvases: six 24”x 36”, six 36”x 36”, three 30” x 40” and three 36” x 48”. Total available square inches equates to 21,744 square inches, more than enough inches to cover my goal to accomplish painting 20,000 square inches for this year.
Sometimes, you have to work backwards towards your goals. Meaning, first I set the goal, thus I know how many canvases to purchase and materials. Taking the leap and purchasing the materials all at once is very motivating. I trust the universe to help me fill these canvases. I’m ready. I’m determined. I’m excited. I’m inspired. I’m prepared for opportunity. Wish me luck ;)
**Art20k total square inches accomplished so far: 2244 square inches
*Vintage Kauai, measures 30" x 40", museum wrapped canvas (no need to frame), Oil and Acrylic, price $3000.00.
*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!
Exploration ART20K
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new~Einstein
There is something to be said about knowing your strengths and weaknesses. Your strengths allow you to build one on top of the other. Color is probably my biggest strength as well as composition. Weaknesses, I have too many to mention. But that isn’t important, a couple is all I need to get by. What is important for me is to explore.
Now that I have taken the ART20K challenge, I am left with the opportunity to paint larger. As I paint larger, it allows an element of exploration that cannot be found in the much smaller paintings. Having the extra space on the canvas, gives an illusion of a much bigger world to play with. Exploration in space, is created in a two dimensional world.
Perhaps, a journey to abstraction may occur or just playing with the “Color Field”. Something will appear; I’m already sensing and feeling it. Two new words for me this year will be exploration and experimentation.
*"Gauguin in Hanalei", measures 30" X 30", Atelier Acrylic on museum wrapped canvas (no frame necessary), price $2250.00
*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!
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
Fear, the only way around it is to do it.
Sometimes jumping in the fire is the only way to handle the situation. A New Year and a new challenge required. After completing my last challenge, I realized that in some way it held me back. I needed a way to have a challenge that inspired me to create larger pieces of art, not just amount of paintings and not just be limited to paint, but any medium. Painting 52 paintings resulted in over 15,000 square inches of painting, equivalent from the ground to its tip of the Empire State Building. Kicking it up a notch, I decided to create 20,000 square inches of two-dimensional for the year 2013, thus the Challenge ART 20K.
Needless to say this new challenge to create 20,000 square inches of art brought me great fear. I wanted to run, I wanted to say it didn’t matter, anything that would get me out of this situation. I knew I needed this, I knew my weaknesses. I have a difficult time getting myself in the studio. Making an art challenge, forces me to make a commitment to create. Once I am in the studio I am fine.
A woman asks Deepak Chopra, "When afraid to do something, how do you know if the fear you feel is warranted or not?" Deepak said, "You have to do what you fear, that’s all". But, she says, What if it shouldn’t be done?" "Well", Deepak asks, "Do you WANT to do it?" Thinking for awhile she says, "Yes". Then the only way around it is to do it." he says smiling. I guess it is as simple as that.
What do you want to do, but fear is preventing you from doing it?
*"I wish", measures 12" x 12", Atelier Acrylic on Vellum, SOLD.
*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!