Two to three times a week I meet with three other business associates to informally discuss, brainstorm and strategize our future economic survival. Our group consists of a retail shop owner two independent artists and me an unemployed web developer.
Reflecting on the last few weeks of dialog I have come to visualize the bunch of us as some old, but not so old guys hanging out at the barber shop dissecting every idea and possibility for making a buck. The last several days though our quartet seems to be singing a tired song, tired of what seems to be a deepening lack luster economy. Tired of trying to hold ones own, struggling economically to hang on.
Other of my business associates outside the group that represent the auto industry, custom furniture and cabinet fabrication are also experiencing the same effects.
While the purpose of this post is not to be consumed with the negative the reality is evident that the current economic status is becoming a long term situation.
The Salt Lake Tribune the past month ran headliners stating that another 1,000 government jobs would be cut and recently that another 800 Aerospace jobs were also on the chopping block.
While the government figures for unemployment nationally are stated to be around the 10% area the real unemployment rate takes into consideration many factors including those who have exhausted their insurance benefits and those underemployed. A couple of links regarding the statistics are:
Fox Business news,
Brian Sullivan
http://briansullivan.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2009/11/06/is-the-real-unemployment-rate-17-5/
and the The US Dept of Labor, BLS
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t12.htm
Contemplating the voices of individuals tired by struggling and coping with economic uncertainty it is evident the need is becoming increasingly greater for individual replenishment. Replenishment being the foundation of recreation.
Looking at the situation on the positive side, the cup half full side, both the need and opportunity for personal replenishment is possible with and through increased participation in the arts.
The arts are being hit hard, really hard by the economic crisis. WSWS.org Has identified some of the effects in a most interesting article,
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/feb2009/cuts-f17.shtml
So opportunities for involvement in the arts will require individuals to they themselves take the initiative to create, participate and hopefully share with others,
In previous posts I have noted the positive social benefits of the arts. There are two free events that I recommend for stimulating interest in the visual arts and sculpting. Each month in Salt Lake City and also Park City there are Gallery stroll evening events. More than a stimulating look at a plethora of styles and subjects created by a diverse array of artists, the events are a opportunity to visit with some of the artists, gallery owners and staff and learn about their creative process.
Salt Lake Gallery Stroll
http://www.gallerystroll.org/
Park City Gallery Stroll
Hosted by the Kimball Art Center
http://www.kimballartcenter.org/
For my own personal replenishment this month I have been doing on location sketching throughout the city. I also have been doing some sketching in the Wendover Nevada area.
For more on how I integrate art as a part of outdoor recreation please visit my Blog An Easel A Brush & The Bus
http://www.easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/
Please also check out my page of classes workshops and free events
http://www.wasatchphoto.com/was-art/subpages/Workshops%20&%20Classes.htm
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Art, Unemployment and Recreation
Wow could I have selected a topic for this post with such a wide range of possibilities for discussion and or description?
Please bear with me on the subject of this post. While some of the disheartening aspects of unemployment are discussed There is good news and positive solutions for personal replenishment.
First the term "unemployment" is limited and perhaps a poorly descriptive term. At best a word used to describe the condition or situation of being disconnected from a job, from an employee employer arrangement.
I say poorly descriptive because while not being gainfully employed and receiving a once regular paycheck, one is consumed with the task and work of procuring a new job or making work suitable to adequately providing for the needs of ones family and oneself.
With so many individuals still at the time of this writing October 09, being added to the still nationally growing list of unemployed. A double digit figure and statistic.
The focus of this post.
My thoughts and concerns are for how those individuals, (a group that since August am a part of) are coping with the stress that accompanies unemployment.
Although my statistic classification is unemployed my daily routine has changed from performing tasks for an employer in exchange for a paycheck to conducting a job search and diligently finding or making work. Indeed a stressful and at times a disheartening proposition given the current state of the economy.
For those individuals also in this position my concern is that they will be able to afford and take part in recreational activities.
Recreational activities are more than a luxury. They are a necessity for mental and physical replenishment.
Most individuals that have become unemployed have to pull in the reigns on ancillary spending. Unfortunately often time this includes funds previously allocated for recreation. While funds for recreation may be reduced or curtailed the need for recreation really becomes more important than ever. The previous situation of employment most likely provided at least some level of continuity in ones life.
The need for replenishment provided by recreation is really important and can be even greater than when employed. Keeping morale up is curtailed to maintaining a positive outlook towards work and life.
The good news is that while recreation and entertainment budgets may be reduced or even non existent, art specifically sketching and keeping a sketchbook can provide a lot of recreation.
I practice, enjoy and instruct others in this most worthwhile activity. It’s an activity that provides physical exercise, aids greatly in mental thinking and clarity. A famous quote regarding art is that art is activities where you can both loose yourself find yourself. I have found this to be true, exceedingly true.
Taking your sketchbook and going afoot rewards the individual with the huge benefits of physical activity. Pausing to sketch your surroundings develops a more acute awareness of your environment.
Often individuals are amazed with how much pleasure and appreciation they develop for simply taking time to pause and explore the sometimes most simple things.
Best of all in financially good times or difficult times sketching requires little or no cost. I have instructed very financially successful individuals in sketching as an activity. One of the couples that participated in an outdoor workshop called me a few months after the workshop reporting that after a day’s business convention they forwent the usual evening social and took their sketchbooks and went sketching. They said it was one of the most pleasurable evenings they had spent in a long time.
My personal crusade is to instruct and share with others alternative recreational possibilities.
While ambling about sketching may seem a new thought many individuals in the U.S. and abroad take part in this growing form of recreation. It is also a perfect activity for group activities. Some individuals form groups and all meet and do sketches of a particular location.
My personal blog An Easel A Brush is an example of one of the ways I enjoy sketching as both outdoor and indoor recreation. Please check my news and events page often for upcoming activities and my classes and workshop pages for classes and workshops.
http://www.easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/
Please bear with me on the subject of this post. While some of the disheartening aspects of unemployment are discussed There is good news and positive solutions for personal replenishment.
First the term "unemployment" is limited and perhaps a poorly descriptive term. At best a word used to describe the condition or situation of being disconnected from a job, from an employee employer arrangement.
I say poorly descriptive because while not being gainfully employed and receiving a once regular paycheck, one is consumed with the task and work of procuring a new job or making work suitable to adequately providing for the needs of ones family and oneself.
With so many individuals still at the time of this writing October 09, being added to the still nationally growing list of unemployed. A double digit figure and statistic.
The focus of this post.
My thoughts and concerns are for how those individuals, (a group that since August am a part of) are coping with the stress that accompanies unemployment.
Although my statistic classification is unemployed my daily routine has changed from performing tasks for an employer in exchange for a paycheck to conducting a job search and diligently finding or making work. Indeed a stressful and at times a disheartening proposition given the current state of the economy.
For those individuals also in this position my concern is that they will be able to afford and take part in recreational activities.
Recreational activities are more than a luxury. They are a necessity for mental and physical replenishment.
Most individuals that have become unemployed have to pull in the reigns on ancillary spending. Unfortunately often time this includes funds previously allocated for recreation. While funds for recreation may be reduced or curtailed the need for recreation really becomes more important than ever. The previous situation of employment most likely provided at least some level of continuity in ones life.
The need for replenishment provided by recreation is really important and can be even greater than when employed. Keeping morale up is curtailed to maintaining a positive outlook towards work and life.
The good news is that while recreation and entertainment budgets may be reduced or even non existent, art specifically sketching and keeping a sketchbook can provide a lot of recreation.
I practice, enjoy and instruct others in this most worthwhile activity. It’s an activity that provides physical exercise, aids greatly in mental thinking and clarity. A famous quote regarding art is that art is activities where you can both loose yourself find yourself. I have found this to be true, exceedingly true.
Taking your sketchbook and going afoot rewards the individual with the huge benefits of physical activity. Pausing to sketch your surroundings develops a more acute awareness of your environment.
Often individuals are amazed with how much pleasure and appreciation they develop for simply taking time to pause and explore the sometimes most simple things.
Best of all in financially good times or difficult times sketching requires little or no cost. I have instructed very financially successful individuals in sketching as an activity. One of the couples that participated in an outdoor workshop called me a few months after the workshop reporting that after a day’s business convention they forwent the usual evening social and took their sketchbooks and went sketching. They said it was one of the most pleasurable evenings they had spent in a long time.
My personal crusade is to instruct and share with others alternative recreational possibilities.
While ambling about sketching may seem a new thought many individuals in the U.S. and abroad take part in this growing form of recreation. It is also a perfect activity for group activities. Some individuals form groups and all meet and do sketches of a particular location.
My personal blog An Easel A Brush is an example of one of the ways I enjoy sketching as both outdoor and indoor recreation. Please check my news and events page often for upcoming activities and my classes and workshop pages for classes and workshops.
http://www.easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/
Thursday, August 27, 2009
What Makes A Great Art Education
My first formal art education began about 40 years ago in the 7th grade. My instructor the late Frank Erickson structured an educational art experience that for years I likened to a comprehensive university arts program. The last several years I have come to appreciate that the experience was a combination of a structured program with the addition of considerable personal mentoring.
Frank himself a student of the University of Utah and a student of Utah’s LeConte Stewart built an arts program unique to the public education system. Students were introduced to the triad system of mixing color. Many weeks were spent making water color paintings on 4” x 6” pieces of paper using specified combinations of the primary, secondary and tertiary colors. As students gained an understanding of the basics they were allowed and encouraged to move on to the joys of oil painting and sculpture.
Frank really went the distance in mentoring students in oil painting. He scrounged up wood pallets with the assistance of Jan Denbutter the schools custodial manager, also himself a superb and gifted artist. The pallets were hauled to Frank’s home where at the end of his driveway tirelessly he would rip the wood into stretcher bars for the students to use for stretching canvass for their oil paintings. He was always making note of the caution required to avoid those “damn nails”.
I can only imagine the hundreds and hundreds of lineal feet of stretcher bar material he provided to students over his many years of service at Salt Lake City’s Granite Park Junior High School.
The stretcher bars were only one element of the process. Salvaged army canvass and seemingly bullet proof lacquer used as primer and gesso were also available at no cost for the students to use. Cutting the stretcher bars, stretching the canvass and priming the canvass are fundamentals I still enjoy today.
The basics and more advanced technical aspects of the oil painting process I learned were not all regimented or structured lessons. The fun and enjoyable aspects of the creative process were also identified and practiced and shared. Weather permitting outdoor painting and drawing was encouraged. Frank was always detailing out the roads and byways traveled to paint outdoors.
The aspect of art that is the focus of the Wasatch art blog is that of sharing and learning the enjoyment of the creative process. Ultimately a great art education is a combination of knowledge of technical skills that an artist can employ in different ways through the creative process. Most of all though enjoying the process, socializing working and exchanging ideas with other artists all come together in different ways at different times to make for great art experiences.
For more information and to learn how I personally use art as outdoor recreation please visit my blog:
http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com
Frank himself a student of the University of Utah and a student of Utah’s LeConte Stewart built an arts program unique to the public education system. Students were introduced to the triad system of mixing color. Many weeks were spent making water color paintings on 4” x 6” pieces of paper using specified combinations of the primary, secondary and tertiary colors. As students gained an understanding of the basics they were allowed and encouraged to move on to the joys of oil painting and sculpture.
Frank really went the distance in mentoring students in oil painting. He scrounged up wood pallets with the assistance of Jan Denbutter the schools custodial manager, also himself a superb and gifted artist. The pallets were hauled to Frank’s home where at the end of his driveway tirelessly he would rip the wood into stretcher bars for the students to use for stretching canvass for their oil paintings. He was always making note of the caution required to avoid those “damn nails”.
I can only imagine the hundreds and hundreds of lineal feet of stretcher bar material he provided to students over his many years of service at Salt Lake City’s Granite Park Junior High School.
The stretcher bars were only one element of the process. Salvaged army canvass and seemingly bullet proof lacquer used as primer and gesso were also available at no cost for the students to use. Cutting the stretcher bars, stretching the canvass and priming the canvass are fundamentals I still enjoy today.
The basics and more advanced technical aspects of the oil painting process I learned were not all regimented or structured lessons. The fun and enjoyable aspects of the creative process were also identified and practiced and shared. Weather permitting outdoor painting and drawing was encouraged. Frank was always detailing out the roads and byways traveled to paint outdoors.
The aspect of art that is the focus of the Wasatch art blog is that of sharing and learning the enjoyment of the creative process. Ultimately a great art education is a combination of knowledge of technical skills that an artist can employ in different ways through the creative process. Most of all though enjoying the process, socializing working and exchanging ideas with other artists all come together in different ways at different times to make for great art experiences.
For more information and to learn how I personally use art as outdoor recreation please visit my blog:
http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com
Keeping a sketchbook The epitome of (recreational) simplicity
Keeping a sketchbook
The epitome of (recreational) simplicity
One might think of a sketchbook as an artist’s tool witch it is, but a sketchbook and the use and development thereof is a tool that can be used by all individuals, artists and non artists alike. And used and enjoyed by Individuals of all ages.
When discussing art with non artists I continually hear “I can’t draw,” or “I am a terrible artist.”
Good news, For the purpose of keeping a sketchbook it does not matter. Keeping a sketchbook is your own personal and private book. The benefit and enjoyment of creating a sketchbook comes through simply enjoying the creative process.
Sketchbooks are used for recording and developing ideas. You can put down your ideas before you forget them and come back to further develop them. While my focus will be on the visual development of the sketchbook I combine both visual elements as well as text notes to record ideas before forgotten and to serve as a reference for further development.
So how and why do I use a sketchbook and consider it a part of my recreation?
First I like to clarify my favorite definition of recreation: recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates.
Quite simply sketching allows and enables me to really pause, stop and stand still. Whether for a few minutes of time out taken during a busy day or as the focus of a day’s recreation. Sketching allows me to really cut out all distractions and really focus on the joy of visual creation. It is also an opportunity to take a moment to stop and think and to explore thoughts and ideas. I am amazed how looking at sketches made a seemingly long time ago takes me back to the moment the sketch was made with amazing clarity.
Considering the fast paced lifestyle many of us are faced with and the complexities of living with and coping with the most profound socioeconomic recession in years quiet uncomplicated moments spent sketching can be considered a luxury.
Sketchbooks are about as basic as it gets. The benefits of maintaining a sketchbook and the impact it can have on your own creative process are profound. Keeping a sketchbook will make artists better artists. But anyone keeping a sketchbook will become a better thinker.
The late Frank Erickson one of my first great instructors in the fine arts often said “you never really see anything until you paint it” over the past 40 years I have continually found that to be true. Creating images to communicate entertain and inform opens up thoughts and ideas that might not adequately be represented by words or pictures alone. Combining both words and pictures communicates in an interestingly complete way. Drawings really become a language by themselves.
I think drawing is an important way to understand what you see; it definitely changes your perception of the world and the environment around you.
The classes I instruct focus on enjoyment of the creative process and enjoyment of the experiences gained sketching on location. As one practices sketching proficiency in the technical aspects of drawing and draftsmanship will be realized.
Throughout this blog I will present demonstrations of the tools and techniques I use. Please also reference my blog http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com for more examples of sketchbook projects.
The epitome of (recreational) simplicity
One might think of a sketchbook as an artist’s tool witch it is, but a sketchbook and the use and development thereof is a tool that can be used by all individuals, artists and non artists alike. And used and enjoyed by Individuals of all ages.
When discussing art with non artists I continually hear “I can’t draw,” or “I am a terrible artist.”
Good news, For the purpose of keeping a sketchbook it does not matter. Keeping a sketchbook is your own personal and private book. The benefit and enjoyment of creating a sketchbook comes through simply enjoying the creative process.
Sketchbooks are used for recording and developing ideas. You can put down your ideas before you forget them and come back to further develop them. While my focus will be on the visual development of the sketchbook I combine both visual elements as well as text notes to record ideas before forgotten and to serve as a reference for further development.
So how and why do I use a sketchbook and consider it a part of my recreation?
First I like to clarify my favorite definition of recreation: recreation - an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates.
Quite simply sketching allows and enables me to really pause, stop and stand still. Whether for a few minutes of time out taken during a busy day or as the focus of a day’s recreation. Sketching allows me to really cut out all distractions and really focus on the joy of visual creation. It is also an opportunity to take a moment to stop and think and to explore thoughts and ideas. I am amazed how looking at sketches made a seemingly long time ago takes me back to the moment the sketch was made with amazing clarity.
Considering the fast paced lifestyle many of us are faced with and the complexities of living with and coping with the most profound socioeconomic recession in years quiet uncomplicated moments spent sketching can be considered a luxury.
Sketchbooks are about as basic as it gets. The benefits of maintaining a sketchbook and the impact it can have on your own creative process are profound. Keeping a sketchbook will make artists better artists. But anyone keeping a sketchbook will become a better thinker.
The late Frank Erickson one of my first great instructors in the fine arts often said “you never really see anything until you paint it” over the past 40 years I have continually found that to be true. Creating images to communicate entertain and inform opens up thoughts and ideas that might not adequately be represented by words or pictures alone. Combining both words and pictures communicates in an interestingly complete way. Drawings really become a language by themselves.
I think drawing is an important way to understand what you see; it definitely changes your perception of the world and the environment around you.
The classes I instruct focus on enjoyment of the creative process and enjoyment of the experiences gained sketching on location. As one practices sketching proficiency in the technical aspects of drawing and draftsmanship will be realized.
Throughout this blog I will present demonstrations of the tools and techniques I use. Please also reference my blog http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com for more examples of sketchbook projects.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The State of the Arts
July, 09
The State of the Arts
With the recession crisis still looming and taking a heavy toll on government and non government budgets, art programs are seeing significant cuts in funding.
Art museums, performing arts organizations, gallery’s selling visual arts crafts and sculpture and the individual artists creating the art pieces to be sold are all experiencing the financial crunch.
Often times art budgets are subject to deep cuts with arts music and humanities programs being viewed more as luxury than necessity and cut first.
Throughout postings to this blog I will include references to the crutial and healthy social and educational benefits of the arts.
The good news is that amidst the socioeconomic crisis affecting cultures world wide their has never been a more important time to become involved with the arts. The opportunities for doing so are simple, cost little or nothing and can provide life long benefits. I invite you to follow this blog and also my other blog “An Easel a Brush and the Bus”, an example of how I am using art for low cost outdoor recreation.
http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/
The fundamental behind my teachings and the purpose of this blog is to exemplify the benefits of participating in the arts. My focus is on guiding individuals in pursuing creating art as a life enriching activity.
A considerable amount of energy will be directed to helping non artists in becoming familiar with the visual arts. And the enjoyable and beneficial social aspects of working with other artists.
The classes I teach are open work sessions that include artists with varying skill levels and abilities. The emphasis is on the enjoyment of the creative process.
A variety of mediums are demonstrated and used to assist students with developing creative and technical skills.
The State of the Arts
With the recession crisis still looming and taking a heavy toll on government and non government budgets, art programs are seeing significant cuts in funding.
Art museums, performing arts organizations, gallery’s selling visual arts crafts and sculpture and the individual artists creating the art pieces to be sold are all experiencing the financial crunch.
Often times art budgets are subject to deep cuts with arts music and humanities programs being viewed more as luxury than necessity and cut first.
Throughout postings to this blog I will include references to the crutial and healthy social and educational benefits of the arts.
The good news is that amidst the socioeconomic crisis affecting cultures world wide their has never been a more important time to become involved with the arts. The opportunities for doing so are simple, cost little or nothing and can provide life long benefits. I invite you to follow this blog and also my other blog “An Easel a Brush and the Bus”, an example of how I am using art for low cost outdoor recreation.
http://easelbrushbus.blogspot.com/
The fundamental behind my teachings and the purpose of this blog is to exemplify the benefits of participating in the arts. My focus is on guiding individuals in pursuing creating art as a life enriching activity.
A considerable amount of energy will be directed to helping non artists in becoming familiar with the visual arts. And the enjoyable and beneficial social aspects of working with other artists.
The classes I teach are open work sessions that include artists with varying skill levels and abilities. The emphasis is on the enjoyment of the creative process.
A variety of mediums are demonstrated and used to assist students with developing creative and technical skills.
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