Lauri Waterfield Fine Art

This is a question I've been asked on a fairly regular basis, and one that each artist would answer differently. In fact, I'd have to say that the answer is part of the key to each artist's particular "voice".  Of course there is the general theme of an artist's body of work, such as wildlife, landscapes or figures- but when it gets down to a specific painting or image…Where do you start?

Let's look at a project I'm just about to start, and I'll let you in on the thought process all the way up to the moment the paint hits the canvas.

I was poking around on-line the other day with the thought of looking for opportunities to establish a presence in my hometown of Roanoke, VA, and came across a show listing that I found interesting. The WVTF Art Show, a benefit for local National Public Radio…..which I'm actually listening to as I write. There's a nice spot on their webpage with a Prospectus (all the entry info): http://www.wvtf.org/ArtShow.php, a juror, nice-looking reception, most likely good advertising (at least on the radio), good web presence and everything is nicely presented. Entry fees go to support NPR, too. It looks to me like the show organizers are really on top of things in terms of fundraisers and donated art- many people don't realize that an artist gets no tax write-off when we donate artwork- but if someone purchases that painting and then donates it, they get to deduct the full retail price. This art show is organized in such a way that NPR gets the entry fees plus a small commission on each piece sold- this way we'll both benefit.

(*Funny- the NPR announcer/deejay just gave a nice, well done plug for the show I'm writing about- ain't that a good sign!)

Okay, so I've decided to go for it- now what? The website shows several photos of last year's show and gala- but not a single shot of the artwork to see what was accepted in last year's show. That's a little frustrating….so is the one shot that shows a side-long glance of the displayed art. It's in a hallway. Oooh, not so good. But- I'm going to be open-minded, after all, one of the all-time BEST "art shows" I've ever been to was along the hallways of the Remington offices, with dozens of original Bob Kuhn's.

Now let's make a couple of assumptions (I know, I know, but let's live dangerously)- the Roanoke "art scene" is largely abstract-expressionist, with leanings toward constructions. The wilder and the more textured, the better- in other words, pretty much the opposite of my style entirely. Ole Blue would crash and burn here- I doubt it would even be accepted into the show-

So…..rather than not make the attempt, I've got a great idea- I'm going to paint something that almost slips across the line into abstract- one of those water scenes I've had in the back of my mind for awhile. Colorful and with lots of life and movement, it's an unusual view of moving water that has a wonderful fresh mood about it. I'm suddenly reminded of a mural I saw in the JC Penney headquarters outside Dallas several years ago- it was a very nicely detailed close up of a forest floor with mosses, twigs & bits of leaves…..but it was painted two storeys high! A real eye-opener to the abstract nature of everything.

So- it's decided. But I'm thankful that there's a 24" maximum size limit- I don't feel like tackling a two-story painting just yet. I have just the perfect reference photo, this one from one of the MT trips:

There is a wonderful mix of purples, oranges, deep blues, even pinks here that convey fresh, cool water, yet with a very distinct abstract feel. At this point I'm actually picturing the final painting in my mind and my imagination has even jumped ahead to "see" the painting in process…if I can visualize the completed piece in my mind, then that's a very good sign that it's a strong concept. If I can't "picture it", then the entire process will be a struggle. Sometimes, when deep in "the zone", I "see" the brushstrokes just before I place them…but that's a conversation for another time-

All my fly fishing buddies will get goosebumps seeing those stonefly cases on the rocks….and although that was part of my reason for originally snapping the photo, in this case I think I'll edit them out. Non-fishermen usually don't appreciate such things, or want to display them over the dinner table…

Instead, I'll add in a single laurel blossom, like this one from my Craggy Gardens trip:

The swirls on the rock nicely echo the swirls and squiggles of reflected light on the water; the smooth water surface countering the rough rock- this photo would make a nice painting on its own as well…. Darn, now I'm picturing two paintings instead of just the one! But, let's not run ahead like a kid on the playground. First things first…..

The basics:

This will be oil for the depth & luminosity of colors and since the size is restricted to 24" maximum and the deadline of July 24th is looming, I'll go with an already prepared 16"x20" canvas to save a bit of time. I already have just the right frame too! New and not even unwrapped yet- I got a deal at one of the Art Supply sites.

And we're off! Like a herd of turtles (as my Dad would've said..)

Next post- using Photoshop to plan a painting.