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Art: Tempting the Wolf

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

I've figured a little thing out about art recently. For years I wanted to be edgy, different, etc. But I also wanted other people to like my art - maybe even buy it. What I think I have realized is that people want pretty... and then edgy and different come secondary. So... my new task: to rework my style so that it is more consumer friendly and optimally productive. I don't particularly want to compromise my art, and these changes will be hard to make without feeling like a sell-out. But, I'm going to give it a whirl.

The other thing I figured out is that I can't separate my art from the rest of my life - i.e. my spirituality. So, I'll be blogging a little more about my work here and posting ideas, finished pieces, etc. I hope you guys don't mind. :)

This is one of my latest pieces. It's a take on the tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" (if she were all grown up) - with a twist. Not a smutty twist though, even if it seems that way.

I actually have another piece called "Phallus-seas of Phallus-ies". That one's interesting. Just take a moment and imagine what it might look like. :) Yeah, artists are a little odd. Maybe I'll post it here soon.

Labels: Art and Craft, by Lee Hutchings, female, figure, mixed media, nude, painting, Tempting the Wolf

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1.  BBC said:
   5:06 PM  

   Hi Hon, thanks for your input on my blog. Sounds like you have it figured out pretty well. A question. When you and hubby make love do you sometimes look into each others eyes and share spirit? I've asked a lot of people that and they have all said no.
   
   But you sound like you could do that.
   
   You got it right about something else also, God/Goddess is pagan.
   
   Have a great day, hugs.

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   5:10 PM  

   Interesting question. :) Yeah, I suppose we do. He's not very spiritual, but we certainly look at each other and share a spiritual connection that is more than physical. He just doesn't realize it - or doesn't know what to call it.
   
   Wow, it's a damn good thing I'm not prudish. LOL

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   5:11 PM  

   Or, I should say it's a damn good thing I'm a Pagan girl who doesn't see anything wrong with a little adult chit-chat about sex. *wink*

1.  BBC said:
   9:18 PM  

   You seem to have it pretty well put together for 29. When I was 29 I wasn't spiritual at all. At 29 I was married to a Christian and was pretty much a frigging idiot involved with life, work, fun, and things like that. LOL

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   9:29 PM  

   Well thanks. I think. They do say women are more spiritual than men - for the most part. And of course, girls mature faster than boys. Hee hee. :)
   
   I guess I've always been on the deeper side of things. I like life, work, fun, and things like that though too. LOL

1.  Laura Stamps said:
   7:14 AM  

   You're right about the art market. People want pretty. They also want images they can relate to and understand. And they want colors that match their decor, because that is where the paintings will be hanging. It is hard to keep all this in mind and still be true to yourself as an artist. But I think balance can be found, and the Goddess will help you find it.
   
   Abstract art is a good example. Yes, people buy it primarily because it contains colors that go with their decor. But you can't just slap a few popular decorating colors on the canvas, call it abstract art, and think it will sell for several hundred or thousand dollars. People can tell intuitively when an abstract artist is the real thing, constantly presenting innovative compositions within an abstract painting. And that's another thing. Selling out may bring in cash, but not for long, because you can't paint what bores you. No true artist can. So if you stay close to the Goddess she will lead to you to the perfect combination of form, images, and palette that will make your art not only a commercial success, but also a success in your heart. :)

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   1:17 PM  

   Thanks Laura. What wonderfully constructive and encouraging advice. I really appreciate it.
   
   I'm off to work on a new series. Hopefully, it will be what I'm looking for. As you said, the Goddess will lead.
   
   Blessings!

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   1:24 PM  

   By the way I simply love your poems Laura. Most of my friends are not only cat people but nature people (of course) and I think I know a few who would really enjoy "Cats and Chrysanthemums". I've filed your site away under gift ideas - for them and myself. :)

1.  Laura Stamps said:
   2:51 PM  

   Thanks! I'm glad you found my advice helpful. I used to be an artist (painter) before I switched my creative medium to writing, so I know the art market, and what it is like to try to combine your spirituality and art and remain true to yourself. A balancing act for sure, but it can be done. As for my art, these days I only use my paintings for my book covers. And my art print publisher in CA sells a series of art prints featuring my poems illustrated by my paintings. But I haven't picked up a brush in years. Too many novels to write!
   
   Thanks, too, for the kind comments about my poetry. "Cats & Chrysanthemums" (my Collected Poems) is an awesome book. Most of my books are published by small press publishers, which means many of the books have gone out of print after a while. I spent two years gathering up all the poems from the last 19 years that were in books that had gone out of print and then added a bunch of new poems, so it a book I am very pleased with. Excellent for gardeners and cat people. :)
   
   Have you been to my main website (Kittyfeather Press)? I mention it because that is where my magickal novels are. The first chapters of all my novels are posted on that site for everyone's reading enjoyment. You might like them too. All my main characters are Witches, and the one in "The Cat Lady" is also an artist who has to learn how to make her spiritual art business a success again using spiritual principles. You might enjoy that one a lot. Here's the link to it:
   http://www.KittyfeatherPress.blogspot.com
   
   Happy painting!

1.  BBC said:
   3:12 PM  

   Oh, I just noticed your art. LOL
   
   Um, different. I paint houses, I'm a frigging artist too. :-)
   
   Actually, what I'm a master at is driving un-spiritual women more bat shit crazy. And there is a lot of them around here. LOL
   
   I guess I had better bookmark you, maybe add you to my links list. When I think of it, if you see my brain running around tell it to get the hell home. :-)

1.  Wynyfryd said:
   12:37 AM  

   I wanna see "Phallus-seas of Phallus-ies"! :)
   
   I've found myself including "life" in my blog as well, even though I have several blogs supposedly dedicated to specific topics. But life is not divided into such discrete boxes... at least mine is not. So more often than not, it all goes in the one main blog.

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   1:17 AM  

   BBC - thanks for the bookmark. If you'd like to exchange links that would be nice. Oh, and I just love that phrase - "bat shit crazy".
   
   Wynyfryd - Really! Okay, I'll set what I can do to get that particular piece of art up here.
   
   I tried to separate the various aspects of my life for a long time. I also tried to sensor myself all the time when writing on my blog. I'm trying hard to not do either of those things anymore. Not only do people want to read honest writing, but it's far more therapeutic for me to be honest with myself. :)
   
   Thanks to both of you for your comments.

1.  Grian/Lee said:
   1:22 AM  

   Laura - thanks again for sharing your advice and congrats on your success. Your book sounds like one I would really enjoy. I'll have to check it out.
   
   Thanks so much!

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