“The Old Pump House” by Stefan Baumann
Successful artists endeavor to master techniques such as the application of paint with brushes and knife. They must also have access to the tools stored on the inside of the artist’s heart – his feelings, emotions, memories, and values. It is essential to maintain both areas with care and attention or the result can be a muddy mess and a sense of boredom in the individual. To enjoy the art of creating quality work, it is necessary to interweave the heart, be present to the significance of the moment, and engage in frequent practice to bring a sense of richness and clarity to your art.
People who invest the depths of their inner selves to their work are artists. Things that artists create share a common element: whether the product is made of silver, glass, clay, paint, cloth or wood, a closer look will show that it also contains the spirit of the individual. The significant difference between something that is created by the hand of man and a production-line item is the presence of that human spirit. Computers and assembly lines can create with abundance, but only men and women working with their hands, tools, and love can create with feeling.
The key to being successful is sensitivity. The relationship that is established between the artist and his work is personal. Inspiration is not always present but once in a while there is a special awareness that comes to the artist. All of a sudden, something falls into place. When you are creating with inspiration, reality leaves you, you are unaware of time, you do not have time to eat, and every thing is present now! Great art is created from this flow. Somehow, the artist and the art transforms. Both the art and the artist become more dignified because of the perception of the significance of the moment. When you open up to your work, allow it to move you and change you, you will begin to notice that boredom is something that happens to other people.
Here is an exercise to increase your awareness of the moment. Paint something right in front of you, right now. Be present. Feel the paint. See the color. Don’t worry about the outcome. Set the timer in the other room and remove all distractions. Paint for two hours and see what happens.
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Plein air and Alla Prima artist Stefan Baumann, host of the PBS painting series “The Grand View, America’s National Park through the eyes of an artist” and author of “Observations Of Art and Nature,” travels in his vintage travel trailer painting America’s western landscape. Baumann paints outdoors with oils and canvas capturing stunning vistas, wildlife, western landscapes, National Parks and still life, thrilling art collectors throughout the world. He has many collectors acquiring his paintings as investment internationally. His painting style is called Romantic Realism with Lumunism and the extraordinary way he captures the effect of light is a truly an American Style used to paint the Western Landscape. He can be seen painting in Yellowstone, Yosemite and in the Grand Canyon and Baumann’s “how to paint” DVDs filmed on location in the National Parks are the very best on the market.