Switcheroo
I remember reading a quote by Maxfield Parrish in regards to wanting to paint a certain tree that he saw near a quaint building on his daily ride to town. “Because I delayed in painting the scene, the next time that I drove by the farm the tree had been cut down and turned into a pile of firewood.”
Parrish’s remark seems to suggest that when inspiration is there, take the opportunity. Well, let me give you a dilemma that I have had that might suggest delaying a bit before going to the canvas.
As several of you know, I am a rapid sports fan. Not just sitting in front of TV or sitting in bleachers, but participating in the events. My transition from being a professional baseball pitcher to a two-man softball game has taken years, but it has been and still is wonderful.
In addition, I love to paint sport scenes, and I also enjoy painting portraits of individual sport stars. Herein lays the problem. I paint the head of an athlete that I greatly admire, in the team uniform that he is currently wearing. Did you catch the caveat word, “CURRENTLY?”
Players change teams in a money musical chairs game that makes the head (brush) swim. Let me give you a few examples: Johnny Damon of the Boston Red Sox. He was a star of the Yankee hating Sox team--until more money was offered and now he is a Yankee stalwart (at this writing). Randy Johnson--went to several teams after my portrait of him in an Arizona game. Roger Clemons was all over the place, and I even have a great rendering of Shaquille O’Neill playing in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform.
Check out my sports art web page: www.halloffameart.com and see if some of the uniforms are out of date!
So what is the solution? I went to the ball field today with a Cleveland Indian shirt and a Boston Red Sox cap. An interested bystander asked me who I was for. I said that, I as a fan, will decide on who can give me the best offer
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BLOG: NAME DROPPING
I have been a name dropper with the best of them. For instance, when I was 18 years old and on my way to Spring Training at the Cleveland Indians Minor League camp in Daytona Beach Florida, I rode in a car with Roger Maris. Maris, as you may remember, hit 61 home-runs in 1960 to surpass the invincible Babe Ruth. I roomed briefly with Roger. Later, he watched one of my minor league games in Florida while he was on his way back to play with the Fargo-Moorhead team. I saw Maris again that winter in his home town of Fargo. I got a lot of mileage out of those brief encounters.
Another claim to fame came when I played with Fargo-Moorhead Twins the year before.
There was a rookie in the Northern League that year that later became quite famous…Hank Aaron. I talked to him briefly after one of our games in which another pitcher and myself had said during the game, “Hit a homer Henry and we will give you a dollar.” Whack, he hit a homerun!
Everyone in sports has heard of those two names. There have been others.
But the greatest name dropping I will ever do is to say that I KNOW THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. And, He not only knows me too, but He loves me. And He listens to me. And, He guides me in all of my life, which includes my ART.
He once died for me! What a friend!!!!!!!!!!
And, you can know Him too.
Comments from Troy J. Danielson
This is a short blog, but I needed to write it: please if you read nothing else...........READ THE MOST KIND COMMENT from Troy J. Danielson. It comes at the end of my July post on "Man With The Golden Helmet (Glove).
Troy, you are a Prince!
Buck Paulson
Another :Do your best thought!"
A couple of recent events have turned my ship of destiny onto the right direction. First, I just returned from filming the next PBS "Painting With Paulson" series. While there I completed the 13 half hour shows, did an all-day workshop, did a combined two hour interview at my old home on the farm, at my former high school, and another historic Minnesota landmark. There was also a public demonstration Friday evening with a Silent Auction on the demonstration paintings that I worked on during the shows. They had been tweeked up a bit, so they were quite presentable.
One of the Camera men couldn't come that night, but desperately wanted Siren's Cove II. I suggested that I had the original, original at my home studio. We set a price and the deal was closed. When I wrapped it to send it, I was a bit chagrined. It was better than the one I had used to paint from in Fargo.
Then a friend of my called and said he wanted to purchase a small seascape for his wife's birthday. He came over and I showed him a selection. He chose one I titled, "High Noon."
I wasn't aware of it at first, but THAT TOO WAS THE ORIGINAL. The copy was in another room.
But, the current, great path set for me is because of these two "Mistake Sales." I've decided to go back and perfect some paintings that are already signed and stored. They just need to be better than they are in their present condition.
I am so greatful that I now know the direction that I want to pursue with my paintings. Sure ,you can sell some of your work, even when it is inferior, but you might face what I did several years ago. I had sold a ton of paintings in a Monterrey Gallery. The gallery owner would send me the addresses of the purchasers and I would write a thank you note.
Several years later one of the patrons wrote and asked me where I had painted the seascape that they had purchased? I requested that they send me a photo of the painting so I could tell them. The embarrassing photo came. I was mortified. It didn't look very good!!!!!!!!!!!! I satisfied the patrons by giving a response, but never, never do I want a repeat performance of that experience.
Do your best! Then you can face your Maker and express your appreciation for His help with your talent!
While I am working on your painting..........
I recall an attitude which gives me further appreciation for Claude Buck. He had only the best of wishes and best intentions for his students. Their paintings being a success or their being a success themselves was foremost in his mind. "While I am working on your painting, it is my painting!" This statement by Claude meant that he was always going to do his best on the painting in front of him. It didn't matter whose painting that it was---yours or his.
After teaching for over 40 years I can unequivocally make the same statement. "I will do my first best to have your painting be successful."
Very recently, on a First Thursday art tour, my wife and I were privileged to view the work of one of my favorite students...Emily McBride. Not only is she beautiful as the above photo clearly shows, she is beautiful on the inside. And she is totally committed to doing great art work! Her oceans are immense in size and powerful in scope. She knows the ocean. She incorporates her feelings for the sea and an appreciation for the dynamic California skies into one great expression. One of my other favorite students, JO JO Steele dominated the recent Santa Barbara Art Association Show. She submitted three paintings, hoping for one to be selected.....they chose all three and one was awarded a ribbon.
Claude Buck who was taught in an era where the teachers were very secretive about their palette of colors and techniques, openly defied that tradition by putting all of his formulas and color notes on the back of paintings for all to see!
If you have a method and want to save it for yourself, fine! Just don't teach the painting in a class or workshop and keep secrets on the project you are purporting to teach.
Everyone has a right to express this choice land in the manner that they wish. But, if you are going to teach, please consider the Claude Buck attitude of doing your best regardless whose painting it is.
The Man with the Golden Helmet (Glove)
Danny Litwhiler was the playing manager for my first year as a professional baseball pitcher with the Fargo Moorhead Twins of the Northern League. Danny had had an impressive major league background which included playing with various teams for 11 1/2 years. He played in two different World Series. He played in an all-star game for the National Leaguers. AND, his glove is in the Hall of Fame for having been the first major league outfielder to play a whole season without an error. The above painting was to be one of the chapter headings in the book about Danny's life. "Living the Baseball Dream," does have my painting as a cover for the book. But they chose from elsewhere for Chapter headings.Recently a friend and mine continue to play our two on two softball games each week at a local ball field. However, this time their was a different line-up when we performed as the mythical team against us. I now had Danny Litwhiler as the player I would represent while batting for the other team.
I actually have an ongoing telephone conversation with Danny in Florida each week. I recently asked his permission to impersonate him in these crucial games. Danny was pleased.
My team-mate Tom commented that I am a much better hitter now that I have Danny as my "Other team" player.
Sometimes taking the identity of one we admire allows us to improve our performance. I know that I sure paint better having Claude Buck's last name as part of my identity. Now as Danny Litwhiler, I am lighting up the score board too!
Let me ask you a question..........Who could you imitate that would improve your performance?
Course, becoming more Christ-like surely has its own rewards!
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