Personal Impression

“Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature”. These telling words were written a little over two thousand years ago by the Roman author, orator, & politician, Cicero. By the time I was 14 years old I knew that art was the vehicle through which I would study the natural world. Two interesting discoveries made while undertaking that study were, observation gains one insights into the structure of the observed so that you can draw it accurately, and two, the imagination becomes an integral part of the process so that what is drawn or painted does not become merely a copy of that which is observed but rather a personal impression of it.

I grew up in a city situated on the prairies, a wide open expanse with the horizon stretching out as far as the eye can see . . . silent, beautiful but un-dramatic. However the sky was another matter entirely, its voluminous expanse often clashed with the lands ordinariness. Towering thunder heads with an eerie greenish tint to its advancing storm clouds, iridescent sunrises and cool pink-purple sunsets at the end of a frigid winters day. In short, a pageantry of colours and roiling energy, I suspect that my artistic inclinations to paint ordinary things with a touch of the dramatic may have had its source in that kinetic display.

Recently I have taken to Plein Air painting for I find here the perfect testing ground in which to sharpen ones skills and allow the “inner visions” confident placement at the creative end of the brush. To observe to draw to capture the objects characteristics with as much economy as possible while holding a vision and intention firmly within the mind has proven to be quite the challenge. Many of these Plein Air works will be touched up in the studio; for it is there that I may chose to add a more considered passage where needed. Working with oil, I paint in a looser impressionistic but realistic style. Presently I am exploring many different subjects, but always it is the affect upon the eye, mind and the emotions that ultimately holds my interest in this visual muse.

Painting a Day

Why a Painting A Day?

For the love of it . . . painting one small painting a day keeps one primed. Ideas that come to mind are allowed more than a casual thought, the results are an ever expanding field of subjects to explore along with growing insights and fresh vigor brought to the easel.

There is really nothing new about the idea of a painting a day, what is new for me is the freedom to explore areas seldom considered before. It is not enough to just produce a painting in a short period of time; I am not interested in cheap machine like production. I am after "snap" something of quality, something that challenges and sharpens my observations skills. We shall see what comes of this experiment as I wade in and among a wide range of subjects.

Duane Keiser is the original trail blazer of the PAD's presented on eBay. By his example he has shown artists another way to offer up their work to those who might appreciate them. More importantly however is the jewel like quality he brings to that forum with works that are truly inspirational. For both those reasons I thank him.

Robert Isler Wanka