A-to-Z blog challenge: Step H - designing the composition (part 1: what’s in a theme)

 

As mentioned in previous posts, the competition has a prescribed theme: take one of the paintings of the old masters and interpret it with an African theme.

I thought, hey, this is easy right? And was I in for a surprise. Unlike the Baroque or Renaissance era, or the Impressionism and Surrealism styles, there is no such thing as African themed art. Historical African art was created for practical applications, e.g. decorating a home, or for religious/spiritual items, e.g. masks. Art was not created for the sake of art. More modern art created by African artists is either considered social, or socio-political commentary. Or is just considered modern or Western art [1,2]. 

So how will it be possible to interpret a piece from an old master, in a theme that does not have a definition? Well, I would say you make your own definition. At least that is how I plan to do it. Will it work? I have no idea, but one thing I do know: it is going to be fun trying!

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜Linzé

References:

1. The Art of Africa, Christa Clarke, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006

2. https://www.britannica.com/art/African-art/Nigeria

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step G - choosing the masterpiece (part 3: ask a friend)

 

After hours of staring at my first choice of paintings on my screen, I narrowed it down to eight and then three. Then I had to pick one. Sure, I can paint more than one and then decide later, but my time is severely limited: a heavy workload, the final edits to do on my next novel, I am working on another two books, and a few more art projects including commissions. So, I had to commit and the sooner the better.

But I was stuck. I loved the final 3 I chose. So I “phoned” a friend. I belong to an art group of friends, and we have a group on a messaging app where we chat most days. I posted the 3 paintings to the group and asked for their input. I didn’t reveal the theme, nor the medium that I planned to use. (Note: the theme wasn’t made public yet at the time of writing this post. The administrators of the competition sent the theme via the email to invite me to take part again this year.)

They were kind enough to share their thoughts, and it helped me to decide on my final choice. Did I tell them which one I chose? No. Am I going to? No. This is a competition, and while I trust my friends not to share my project. By not revealing my choice, I effectively limit any influence their opinions might have on my artistic decisions, and this is no reflection on them.

Have I started painting yet? No, but stick around and I will tell you why the theme is not as easy as I thought it would be.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜Linzé

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step F - choosing the masterpiece (part 2: the shortlist)

When you see the paintings that made the final round of judging, and the winners of 2023, you will notice that they are all portraits, or figure paintings. So I thought that maybe I should do that. Problem is that I don't like painting people. This will also make it more difficult to find a painting of the old masters to use, because they don't speak to me.

But...then I found a few. Which surprised me, I have to say. So which one to choose? Which artist, style or period? Like many things with options, it seemed a good idea to make a list.

Strelitzia - coloured pencil
in my sketchbook

    Making a list of paintings, didn't seem right since I needed a visual list, not a written one. I went online and found images of the list of paintings that appealed to me, all styles, all themes, all subjects. I parked them next to each other on my second screen (which is larger than my laptop's) and stared at them.

     Did it help? Stick around to find out how I ended up choosing the painting.

    Until Monday!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step E - choosing the masterpiece (part 1: the artist)

 This competition has a theme, like most competitions do. And this year the theme is to take a painting from one of the masters and do it with an African theme. Or Baroque to braaivleis as the website says.

For my non-South African readers, braaivleis is Afrikaans for a BBQ, but it is the context that is relevant here, not the act of cooking, ie the theme is something (South) African. Weird, I know, but hey this is art, right?

This theme requires some out-of-the-box thinking, because the old masters painted their situations and their scenery ... think people, landscapes, and time period specific subjects. And there were many artists painting, or sculpting, in many styles. So where does one start?

For me it was “simple” - and I use those quote marks on purpose - because we have a lot of art books in the house. I just pulled out everything we have, and then spent some time with each artist and their work. Since I don't have formal art training, I was not familiar with some of the artists. But deciding on which piece, has to start with the artist. And it was difficult, because many of the art I saw appealed to me on both a visual and emotional level.

Let's say it was easier to decide which ones not to use, than finding which one to use. More about that next time.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step D - the fun rules

Since the competition is advertised on social media, ie Instagram, it goes without saying that some social media interaction is allowed. Blog posts like the ones I am sharing this month, where I share my process, but not the details, are allowed.

And so is sharing the details of the competition from the gallery to get the word out for more artists to take part. So yeah, please feel free to share my posts, but also check out the website and Instagram account of the gallery, for more information. Share with a friend, because they may not yet know about the competition.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜Linzé

 

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step C - early bird registration

 

Yes, I love a good deal as much as the next person, so when the AGAC2024 competition administrator mentioned a discount for early bird registration, I was all over it. The registration fee is more than just reasonable to be honest, but if you love buying art supplies (and who doesn't 😉) saving a few rands will be well spent on the next tube of paint for sure. LOL!

    It is not just about saving a few rands, but by registering I am committing my time and energy to see this project through.

    I haven't shared any art work yet, so here is one I did that starts with the letter C. It is a graphite drawing in my sketchbook for a challenge in the Artkula group.

Coffee grinder in graphite on ivory paper

Keep an eye out for a few more during the challenge.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜Linzé

A-to-Z blog challenge: Step B - the rules...what not to do

No one likes rules, so much, but entering any competition forces you to comply to the rules if you want to stand a chance of winning. Art competitions are no different.

Aside from complying with the requirements for size of the artwork, any medium restrictions, there are rules for the submission itself, and limitations on social media sharing. The last one should be the first rule any participant would comply with, because no one would want their work or their ideas at least to be copied. Crying after the fact because someone stole your idea, will not endear you to the judges.

This competition, AGAC2024, is no different in these aspects. As artists we like to share the projects we are working on - some for business, the rest of us just for fun and sharing our experiences of making art.

So if you are entering any competition, make sure to read the rules because it would be really stupid to be disqualified because of something you could have avoided.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé