Buck Paulson

The principle idea in the game of “Leap Frog,” is to hop over the person or persons squatting in front of you to become the new leader. I don’t remember how the game ends. Anyway, it reminded me of my teacher, the master Claude Buck. He used to tell me to learn all I could from him, then stand upon his shoulders and go further. What an unselfish wish and statement from Claude for my success.

Claude loved to compare my landscapes with one of my idols, the fine American landscape artist, George Inness. He was of the Hudson River School. “That looks like an Inness was always music to my ears when I showed Claude my latest creation.

Recently I have been playing Solitaire Leap Frog with paintings in my studio. I had three unfinished landscapes. I worked on one, felt it was finished, then worked on the next one. Finally the third one was done and they were all lined up. I ended up picking up the first one again to make it better than the third one, then the 2nd one to make it better than the first one and so on. What a merry-go- round!

Art Studio leapfrog. It was not fun. How does one accurately gauge improvement?

I use several procedures in judging my art.
a. Having a photograph or book that has a famous artist’s work helps. I have an Inness book that gives me a gauge.

b. Using a mirror gives a reverse image that is helpful for a fresh view.

c. Turning the painting upside down. Putting the painting in a frame. Two other ways to help.

d. Using a black mirror allows the judging of values and composition.

e. I have a duo self-portrait of Claude Buck (painted by himself) and Me (painted by myself). I promised Claude that I would never cut it into two (mine was early in my student years). Anyway, I glance at Claude and search for a re-affirming look of approval for my newest creation. He still is very encouraging.
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