| January 23rd, 2001
Dear Artist, Here on the sleepy lagoon it's a good place to practice the "be here now." Limitations become advantages and new and unfamiliar phenomena become fresh challenges. I have only this--and this day to do it. Come to think of it--this goes for pretty well any space. Over the last couple of weeks there's been a few artists who have written and described the space they're in, what they're doing, and what their windows tell them. Some letters were pure poetry. We included a couple of these in the last clickback and the one before. There was a sense of contentment, inner peace and centering. There were others where that was not the case. Whether it's under a grass parasol, under the basement stairs, or under the bright lights of a creative office--these are our studios and we'd better be happy in them. I've looked at the "be here now" as a special place where we learn to unfold a private quilt of our own making and design. It's less a physical space than an attitude. At the same time it's a linear thing, like the frames of a film, where every frame makes a contribution to the eventual whole, and every frame asks for full attention. This is its unique delight. Not everyone is capable of the steadiness or perhaps the obsession required. But it's the key to our lives as artists, the blessing that carries us from dilettante to professional, and it's the greatest indicator of who we are. If you're inclined you might drop a note and share with others your space, what you see from it, and what you're currently doing in it. Best regards, PS "Art is viable when it finds elements in the surrounding environment. Our ancestors drew their subject matter from the religious attitudes which weighed on their souls. We must now learn to draw inspiration from the tangible miracles around us." (Umberto Boccioni, 1882-1916) Esoterica: Many of us hunger for an important space that we can fill. Many of us have such a space. Currently I'm reminded of the value of the minimal. "A rain-tight roof, frugal living, a box of colors, and God's sunlight through clear windows keep the soul attuned and the body vigorous for one's daily work." (Albert Pinkham Ryder, 1847-1917) If you would like to tell of your own situation, please do so. We'll publish a selection in the next clickback. I'm at rgenn@saraphina.com If you would like to comment on or criticize any of this please do so. In the next while we are also continuing our look into the current effectiveness of selling art on line; what's working, what's not. We have some new correspondence on this business currently archived and ready to release--you can add to it if you wish. If you haven't already you can check on some of what has been written to date at http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/online.htm If you would like to see selected correspondence related to the previous letter "On Sleepy Lagoon," please go to http://www.painterskeys.com/clickbacks/lagoon.htm This letter and previous ones appear in French at www.painterskeys.com/fr |
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Robert Genn is one of Canada's most accomplished painters, having gained international recognition for his genre subjects on Canada's West Coast. He has painted in most parts of Canada, and in the United States, Central America, Europe and Asia. Born in Victoria, British Columbia in 1936, he attended Victoria College, The University of British Columbia and The Art Centre School in Los Angeles, California. |
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Bob carries on the tradition of the Canadian Landscape with fresh, painterly techniques and strong design, often and especially exhibiting his devotion to painting by reducing grand themes to small panels - painted in the wilderness he loves.
Visit his official site for more information on his art and books. Robert is a contributing editor to WetCanvas! and can be reached via email at rgenn@wetcanvas.com. Robert Genn's free twice-weekly letters can also be sent to you via email every Tuesday and Friday mornings by notifying him via e-mail at rgenn@wetcanvas.com. |
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