Art Doings

Pomegranates and China Dish - Award of Merit at the Rockefeller Canter's Arts in the Air show.

What with all the work I've been doing on the house the last several weeks, I haven't been doing much art, but a few recent events have led to some periods of Total Art Immersion that has been very gratifying.

Praxis Testing
First, a couple of weekends ago I completed the second part of the initial testing for my Arkansas teacher's certificate. Whereas the first test dealt with general knowledge, this series of tests dealt directly with my knowledge of my chosen field, fine art. I prepared by immersing myself in some art history survey books, most especially Sara Cornell's Art: A History of Changing Style. This is a pretty well-written and constructed brief overview of art in the Western tradition, from ancient Greece to Pop Art.

I had the great privilege of doing almost nothing but read about art for four or five days. I didn't make notes or draw diagrams or anything, but just spent some leisurely time refreshing my knowledge of art history, and really enjoyed it. It wasn't like "cramming" at all.

The test itself was pretty challenging, which is a good thing. It means that not just everyone who feels the urge can become an art teacher in Arkansas... , to some extent, you have to know your stuff. I filled in bubbles for a couple of hours, and the remaining two or three hours were spent on essays... "open response". I think I did well, but who can say? I remember writing a couple of essays on philosophical topics like cultural reativism (related to art appreciation). I only hope those who evaluate the answers don't decide that my views are too far outside the approved politically correct mainstream thought of the modern Academy. I wouldn't want to be denied a teaching license because I was suspected of doubleplus ungoodthink.

I wrote too much on some questions, which left me scratching like mad (with a #2 pencil) to write adequate responses to others. Time for response seemed too limited. Do they want to know how much you know, or how fast you can write? I don't remember the last time I wrote more than a shopping list using a #2 pencil. They really need to figure some way of letting people make use of a word processor for these tests.

Haven't found out my scores, yet.

Arts in the Air
The Art in the Air exhibit was this past weekend, sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute of Arkansas. This was a juried exhibit and sale (charity fundraiser) featuring professional artists from around the state. Only twenty artists were ultimately invited for this show, so (as the old Academy Award cliche goes) "It was an honor just to be nominated".

In addition, though, I ended up winning an Award of Merit for my painting Pomegranates and China Dish, and the judge said some very nice things about it and my other work (six paintings in all). At the reception after the awards presentation, I was delighted to find that one of the paintings - Persimmons and China Vase - had already sold. Not having any experience with this event, I had included work in different price ranges, including some small pieces, in the hope of encouraging some sales. It was very encouraging that the largest, most expensive piece sold right off the bat. That gives me hope that I may have some other sales, as well.

The Rockefeller Institute is located near Petit Jean State Park, one of the most naturally beautiful spots in Arkansas. The Institute is basically a private conference or retreat center associated with the University of Arkansas system, funded and built on land donated by former Arkansas governor Winthrop Rockefeller.

This event included some unusually grand perks for the artists, including lodging at the institute for a couple of nights, some really fantastic meals and goodies (Mimosas for brunch), and the chance to meet collectors from around the state. The grounds and buildings of the complex are extremely nice and well appointed. "Tone-y", you might say. What with all the sacrifices my wife has made over the years because of her decision to marry an artist, it felt good to take her with me and let her enjoy being treated a little.

Most art shows offer the artists a chance for some publicity (bragging rights), a chance for some sales and a little wine and cheese. I'm not complaining, at all, but that's mostly all you can expect. This event was unusual in treating the artists so well.

It was a terrific event all around... except that the weather was horrid. I expect that the continuous torrential rains kept a number of patrons away who might ordinarily have come. Still, certainly a great weekend from my perspective.

Rendevous/Paintout
Yesterday, today and tomorrow are plein air painting days. I'm participating in the first annual Heart of America Rendevous/ Paint Out, in which dozens of artists take part in painting direct from the local landscape and display these paintings together on the last day of the event for a public sale and a little friendly competition. Each canvas or panel is stamped on the back at the beginning of the competition to verify that the work was actually done during the paintout.

I painted outdoors yesterday for at least six or seven hours. I, naturally, staked out a spot in the full, blazing sun. I was stupid and didn't bring sunblock, so both arms now look like they belong to Larry the Lobster. Thank God I wore a broad-brimmed hat. I did pick up some sunblock around lunchtime, and spent the rest of the day in the shade, but I got a good sizzle in those first few hours.

A big thunderstorm rolled through the area this morning, so I used that time to get ready to paint (cleaned my pallette and brushes, etc...). I hope to get one good painting today. I did two yesterday and was happy with one. The other might be salvaged with some tweaking in the studio (I'll post them when I can). Plein air painting is a real challenge, and though I was thoroughly wrung-out at the end of the day, it felt great to be that immersed in painting from life. Very mentally stimulating, and it is great fun to be around my artist friends from all over the area.

Comments

[pcNielsen]

The storm barely grazed us. I figured by the radar you guys were more in the thick of it *jealous*

I'm a bit art deprived myself this week. The wife is out of town so I decided to refinish the bathtub and tile the surround. Hope to take a day off next week just for some sculpturing.

[e.]

Tim J.,

I discovered your works now featuerd in The Christendom Review; what gives?

http://www.christendomreview.com/

Congratz, though!

[The Masked Chicken]

Dear Tim J.,

What kind of art education are you looking to do?

The Chicken

[The Masked Chicken]

I have two reasons for not getting a k- 12 teaching certificate. The first is that I can't see spending $20,000 to take coursework that:a) I might disagree with - I already know how to do research. I can already critique the research methodology in education and I can read the books for anything else I need to know, and b) I am already allowed to teach the students how to teach in college level education classes, such as music education classes. They are telling me that I can't go in the classroom and teach students what I taught their teachers to teach?

The other reason is that, in my state, anyone with a doctorate has a mandatory starting salary of $100,000/year in the public school system and no one wants to pay that amount of money.

College is much less demanding on teaching certification.

The Chicken

[The Masked Chicken]

Oh, and colleges pay less, in general.

The Chicken