The Artist's Curse

Drawing: The Art of Seeing is the name of the basic drawing class I teach for the City of Lakewood.  I thought it a funny name at first, but realized that to draw or paint effectively is really a function of seeing properly.  So many times I’ve witnessed a beginning student try to draw an object in front of them and they wind up drawing what they think they are seeing, not what the object actually looks like.  This is because we all have pre-conceived notions of what items look like.  And, I’ve read, the average adult has the drawing abilities of a 9 year old.  So a flower turns out to be a circle with symmetrical petals on a straight stalk, a cat becomes a circle with triangle ears and so on.  And now I know why my husband’s simple attempts at conveying an idea in Pictionary are usually more effective than my detailed efforts!

With all this emphasis on proper observation, a quick walk in the park can turn into an enthusiastic photo session when the flowers are in bloom and digital cameras make snapping away easy.  On a recent trip to Vancouver, BC to see my son, he took us to Queen Elizabeth Park, where gorgeous tulips stood in rows and rhododendron blossoms sparkled with water droplets from the recent rain. 

 

 Overcast skies softened shadows – a photographer’s ideal lighting.  Of course I had to take multiple shots of everything, close-ups of the rhodies with the light diffused through the petals, long shots of the city framed by white flowering bushes, 

 shots from ground level, multiple photos from different angles – everything looking to me like a potential painting.  That’s the artist’s curse, you see with an artist’s eye – how the lights hits a leaf, how the colors change within a petal, how a tree casts an interesting shadow, and feel the need to capture all these observations on paper, canvas or with a photo.  

I must say my family is pretty understanding with my obsession, and even wait for me to catch up to them on the pathway in the park.  At least they’re taking time to smell the roses while I photograph them!

Book Discussion of "Housekeeping"

I attended the Lighthouse Writers Workshop facilitated book discussion group on Friday, April 18, along with a number of LAC members and other participants interested in literature.  The book being discussed was Marilynne Robinson's "Housekeeping".  A National Endowment of the Arts grant to the Lighthouse Writers Workshop allowed for distribution of free copies to organizations such as the LAC, which participated in the "Big Read".  Books were available at the gallery in February, and takers were encouraged to sign up for the book discussion event.

"Housekeeping", according to the accompanying reader's guide, is a book about "the precarious and eccentric lives of three generations of Foster family women.  "Housekeeping" chronicles the deaths, abandonments and insecurities that beset the Fosters so vividly that it is often heartbreaking, but the novel also radiates a mysterious joy and tender humor commensurate with Ruth's childlike capacity for the sheer wonder of being alive."

Dan Manzanares, Creative Curator and staff member of the LWW, and educated in the literary arts, led a "generative" session for our book discussion which delved into the meaning, mechanics and mental images of the novel.  This generative approach was achieved by four different prompts, asking us to respond by sketching our reaction, or writing a brief response.

The first prompt asked us to use our imagination to draw or write about what we might find if we dipped a net into the hole in the icy lake that resulted from the derailment of the passenger train from the bridge in the book's setting of Fingerbone, Idaho. I was very moved by the images created by the participants in the discussion group -- either by their written responses which suggested stories in themselves, or the drawn images showing children's clothes, toys, or a hat to be worn on an anticipated vacation.

In prompt #2, we examined a mysterious section of the book which made us question reality and how it is experienced by Ruthie and Sylvie, the two main characters.

Water was an all-encompassing theme in this book, in all its forms: ice, snow, flood, rain, lakewater.  As a metaphor for consciousness, we again examined a section of the book and visually or literally recorded our response to it.  And lastly, speculations were shared: the author's methods, mechanics, our thoughts on how the book fit into the events of the time period.  Although consensus was that it presented a dreary overtone, with a lack of plot, her writing was lyrical and enjoyable to experience and the discussion session was beneficial in not only understanding  the book itself, but made us examine our own reactions to it.

The LAC was delighted to participate in the "Big Read" program, an initiative of the NEA designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American Popular culture.  In expanding our literary outreach, the LAC hopes to bring you more opportunities to participate in these types of activities.  Check our calendar for upcoming events.

Artist in the Spotlight: Laurey Patten

Laurey is a member of the Lakewood Arts Council and belongs to the LAC Co-op Gallery.  She provided me with a copy of her professional biography:

L.F. (Laurey) Patten was raised on classic fantasy. By age fourteen, she already counted herself among the denizens of Middle Earth, Camelot, Narnia, Melnibone, Earthsea and a score of other worlds that hid alluringly behind fantastical cover paintings on the shelves of the local bookstore. Though chastised by school friends for reading “the wrong books,” she always preferred action-filled tales of swords and sorcery, castles, myths and, above all, history, to the more “socially acceptable” genre of teen romance.

Though born in Washington D.C., Laurey spent most of her youth in northern New Jersey, receiving a B.A. in History, with a minor in Medieval Lit., which she followed up with two years of archaeological field work in Great Britain, working on Romano-Celtic and Medieval sites. It was while digging clay from the moat of Sandal Castle, in Yorkshire, that Laurey first discovered what would become a life-long fascination with pottery. Upon her return to the States, she moved back to the nation’s capital to pursue a graduate degree in Archaeology. But working in the corporate world in order to feed her archaeology/pottery habit proved far too left-brained an endeavor. While moonlighting as a tour guide at the Smithsonian, Laurey met, and married, fellow archaeology-enthusiast and flintknapper Bob Patten, and happily re-located to Denver, Colorado, where they currently make their home.

Laurey has often characterized her multitude of interests as A.D.D of the Right Brain. During her checkered career, she has taught High School history, worked at a planetarium, a blood bank, rock shop and an off- (off- off- off-) Broadway theater. A certified herbalist, she has also studied fencing, opera singing, drawing, silk-painting, watercolors and oils. She currently teaches pottery and metal-clay jewelry at the Washington Heights Arts Center in Lakewood, CO. Her career in writing began when she published her first short story in a college anthology, and she has spent the last twenty-odd years writing articles and stories (mostly fantasy) and editing archaeology books. Her first published novel, the heroic fantasy The Talent Sinistral, is a loving tribute to her earliest influences, and to fellow right-brainers everywhere. 

I also sent Laurey a questionnaire to complete.  Here are her answers:

 

1. How did you get started in creating art?

I guess I’ve always created stuff. When I was a kid, my folks couldn’t afford to furnish my “doll house” (a set of shelves) so I started upholstering Velveeta boxes. As a teenager, I discovered that doing portraits was a great way to get backstage to meet rock & roll stars, so I taught myself to draw and paint. As for clay, my mom used to make “play doh” for us on rainy days. Years later, while working an archaeological dig at a castle in England, we spent summer evenings making and firing pots from clay we dug out of the moat. It never occurred to me that I was being particularly creative. I just did whatever the circumstances called for.

As for writing, I like to think it all started back in ‘88, when I kissed the Blarney Stone. But the truth is, I’d had a few short stories in print before that. It wasn’t until I became fascinated with the left hand/right brain connection, and the historic prejudice against all things “lefty” (most people don’t realize that the words sinister and gauche actually mean left) that the plot of a novel began to materialize. The result was the heroic fantasy, The Talent Sinistral. (And no, I’m not left-handed. I’m pretty much an “ambi,” though it was interesting to discover that “ambi-dexterous” really means “two right hands.” )

2. What is your favorite medium, and why?

My favorite is usually whatever I happen to be working on at the moment — unless, for some reason, I HAVE to be doing in, in which case I resent the heck out of it. Generally, I switch around a lot. When I hit a snag in my writing, I’ll go do something else for a while and let the problem percolate in the background. Pottery is probably the best way to let my mind veg out. It can be very Zen. I maintain that I suffer from A.D.D. of the right brain, so I want to try everything. But, of course, that means I don’t get really expert at very much. No matter. I just love seeing what I can come up with. I often surprise myself.

3. What are your favorite subjects?

Since I majored in European history and archaeology, Medieval, Celtic, or primitive themes often find their way into my work. Most of what I write is heroic fantasy (magical sword and sorcery stuff), set in a Medieval-esque world, and a lot of the jewelry designs I come up with reflect that style. The pottery mugs I make are fashioned after Medieval beakers, and I’ve even done a series of castle tankards—with dragons.

4. Do you have a vision for a body of work you would like to create?

Well, writing-wise, I have a sequel and a pre-quel in the works. I’ve been playing with the idea of doing artwork, pottery and jewelry designs that in some way tie into the stories. That’s as far ahead as I’m willing to think.

5. How do you find time for all you do?

In short, I don’t—which is why I haven’t finished a sequel yet, nor have I produced any paintings since the cover art. (And why it’s taken me so long to finish this questionnaire!) I’m semi-retired, so I only teach about six pottery and precious metal clay (jewelry) classes a month. Teaching is just an extension of doing what I love, so it’s not really work. After 30 years, it doesn’t even require much prep. Right now, promoting the book (a distinctly left-brained activity) is taking up a lot of the time I’d rather spend creating, so quite a few projects, like painting, are on “hold,” and many new crafts I’d like to try will likely have to wait for another lifetime.

  6. How did you find out about LAC and what do you find most enjoyable/beneficial about being a member?

Working for Lakewood, I’ve known about LAC and the co-op for a long while. I’ve shown my work in galleries before, but got burned out when required to create on demand. Recently, I’ve  found myself with so much pottery and jewelry inventory that I need an outlet, and LAC seemed like a good fit. I love being around creative people. They inspire me to create more. I’m enthusiastic about the creative process and learning what inspires others. Though I’m relatively new to the co-op, I find it a fun and talented group that I’m proud to be part of. And I really love the goal of bringing art to the community.

7. What’s next on the horizon?

Aside from book publicity, I can’t think that far ahead. I’m sure I’ll find out, when the time’s right. 

8. Has your work changed over the years?

As with everything, the more I do, the better at it I get. But the themes I enjoy haven’t changed.

9. Which artists do you admire most?

Wow, I could write a whole essay on this (but I won’t). A lot of names come to mind. There are so many artists/writers with so many wildly varied techniques, it’s hard to choose favorites. I admire so much of what so many artists do, but I can’t really say there is any single artist/writer whose work I universally love across the board. I’m fascinated by Impressionists – and not solely in art. I appreciate writers who, rather than impose their own vision of a scene in painstaking detail, will provide just enough precise elements for the reader to fill in the rest from their own imagination.

So – trying to come up with names. In art, I guess among those whose work I REALLY admire would be Monet (of course) and, more contemporary, David Drummond and Michael Atkinson, among a host of others. In writing, well, I cut my teeth on J.R.R. Tolkein, as did most fantasy authors. When I began writing, I tried to emulate the clear prose style of John Jakes’ early work (he started in sci/fi fantasy, before he got side-tracked to historical fiction.) I also hugely admire Ray Bradbury and Neil Gaiman, for their amazing imaginations. But again I don’t love EVERYTHING they’ve written. I realize these choices are pretty genre-specific, but hey, I’m a fantasy writer!

Stop in the LAC Gallery and see some of Laurey's work!

Ken Caryl Art Guild Exhibits at LAC

The Ken Caryl Art Guild is exhibiting "Visions", artwork from members of the Guild through the month of April in the upstairs loft gallery at the LAC.  Take a quick virtual tour, then stop by to experience the art yourself!

Author L.F. Patten Holds Book Signing Event

The LAC Art Center was filled with eager friends and fans of L.F. (Laurey) Patten Thursday evening for a reading and book signing.  Laurey read Chapter 1 of her recently published book The Sinistral Talent while the audience sipped wine and snacked on strawberries and chocolate.

Author L. F. (Laurey) Patten

Laurey discussed the journey of getting her first book published (a ten-plus year period) as well as her writing process, giving credit to critiques for guidance to a completed book.

The Sinistral Talent is a heroic fantasy adventure set in a world where the "spoil" handed ("spell" handed) are outcast.  With plenty of action and excitement, it carries the reader through a tale of two unlikely heroes who reluctantly join forces for the greater good.  The initial reviews rate Patten's first novel a must read!

Friends & Fans of L. F. Patten listen to her read Chapter 1

Laurey has other books in the hopper that continue this story.  We are thrilled for Laurey's success and eager to read her next episode.

In addition to authoring fiction, Laurey teaches pottery and precious metals jewelry making at the Washington Heights Arts Center in Lakewood.  Laurey is a member of the Co-op Gallery at the LAC Art Center where her work can be seen.

Alan Basting's Creative Writing Workshop

Write a poem in one sentence with simple syntax and a minimum of rhetorical flourish.  Add a parenthetical phrase and an independent clause utilizing semi-colons or em-dashes.  Keep the poem going: employ comma splices to extend your narrative, description or rhythm.  Trust the sentence.  These were the instructions for yesterday’s discussion at Alan Basting’s Creative Writing Workshop held at the LAC Community Center and Gallery.  Marvin, Ken, Kathleen, Anita, Barb and Jean enjoyed a morning taking turns listening to each others’ efforts at poetry, commenting and discussing the content and mechanics.

Ken was the first to read his poem about wind chimes and their “murderous cacophony”.  Apparently he or someone he knows has an aversion to their “dingle dangle” sounds!  Jean read her poem about finding her muse and Marvin read his about growing old.  Everyone had positive and constructive comments for each other.  Marvin commented that “poems are a response to an experience – if done honestly—it’s a good poem.”  Alan, a retired university professor of writing headed up the discussions,  pointing out technical details such as how shorter lines in a poem demand attention, build tension and add surprises.  Unpredictability is fun for a reader.  Longer lines of poetry can be more melodic.  His newest book of poetry, Nothing Very Sudden Happens Here, was available for purchase at the workshop.  Two more sessions remain, free of charge, but rsvps are appreciated.