Archived Comments
Enjoy the past comments below for A memory of Thailand…
Your droll comments always make me smile – and the critiques of passersby when plein air painting are another never ending source of amusement. What a wonderful life you have had, Bob. Elephants are such lovely creatures, I am quite jealous that you had this experience and wish I could see the improved, curvey results of your impromptu critique. Best to you, drink lots of green juice!
Twelve years late, I must comment about the elephant paintings and the use of Payne’s Gray. I really liked the comments of the monk and Robert’s response, but I must say that running out of Payne’s Gray is not a problem. What an awful pigment to use when other, better mixes are available. Payne’s Gray has, among several other pigments in its mix, lamp black. That’s soot…or instant mud. Awful stuff. Twelve years after Robert’s fun column here, my advice, dump the Payne’s Gray.
Dear Robert, I had a similar experience when I was touring the palaces in Bangkok. I was inspired by the potent robes the Buddhist wore. Bright Bright orange, lined up row on row as they paraded by, I thought they were so wonderful. One marvellous looking guy with alabaster skin and the whitest teeth I had ever seen came over and shook my hand when he saw that I was madly sketching the line up as they passed by he talked to me in a thick accent I could barely understand. Why I was sporting my sketch book that day is a mystery. He said to “be sure to draw our third eye”… I had no idea what he meant. My companion who was also an ex catholic priest (how we ended up together is another issue I won’t go into) explained to me…it is a concept referring to a speculative invisible eye which provides perception beyond ordinary sight! So, wondering about all of us who are communicating what we see through our scrambled brain, I continue to try and see things and paint them just one step beyond. This has become my life long study. and so it continues….John Ferrie
The lesson here is to see the dynamism in the essentials of the material you are working with. In this case the tusks. Artists always do best when they stop and think as they look things over.
As a U of Vic Alumni, I received my issue of the Torch magazine today. I was flipping through it and on the back page there was an article about a U of Vic grad who had suffered a stroke in her 20s and is quadriplegic. She eventually took up painting, which has been a wonderful therapy and a way to make a bit of extra money. Maybe I should really pick up a paint brush one of these days… I found it a very positive story. Her determination reminded me of you.
Very philosophical. Today I learned of a new theory that somehow resolves pieces of Einsteins theories he could not solve. The entire solar system, meaning all universes, galaxies, whatever; are a hologram.
I like the monk’s response regarding the way one looks at things (e.g. elephant). I have just done a painting for my eldest daughter for Xmas and found it quite a challenge because it was something she wanted & it had to be purple, not something I would do. Personally I don’t like it, (a lilac tree which everyone loves) but it has taught me a lesson in “the way one looks at things” in perspective and colour. Colour is magical. I recently did a painting (15 yr old grandson) with the background black – that was powerful, putting black all over a canvas, and I had such fun doing it.
I love those inspired moments. Thank you for sharing.
You have sustained me for many years. As your letters came in I got to a feeling that they would never end. Of all the people I know, you are the one who has contributed the most to artists’ lives. Almost daily wise encouragement in all forms from you has kept so many in front of their easels going on in this difficult world. Thank you. Thank you. Blessings to you and your family. So many are with you in this difficult time.
These little friendly encounters with new people are admirable and they are to be cherished. The world is so full of unfriendly people it is isolating. Thanks for the anecdote; it is so encouraging. We need to be open to receive friendly gestures and kindness in chaotic world.
Anyone who comes along is seeing your work with fresh eyes and can often point out what’s wrong. Even a monk. Even, perhaps, an elephant.
“But are you painting the power of the elephant, or the patience of the elephant, or the spirit of the elephant?” he asks. I love this, we are taught to paint what we see, great advice but it goes deeper than that. Paint what we see in our third eye…perfect! That’s how I interpret the 3rd eye comment! Thanks Robert and John Ferrie too!
In your radio interview you expressed disappointment that you would not be able to visit Australia or New Zealand. While you have never physically been to NZ I can say from my perspective you have shared so much with me through your emails that you are like a friend one never meets.
I loved that story! I also am often so literal and so straight forward – this was a good lesson in another point of view. I have enjoyed your letters so very much–my very best and warmest wishes to you and yours for health and happiness! Thinking of you a lot lately ..
I am writing for the first time to thank you for your wonderful letters that I have enjoyed, learned from, and have been inspired by. I have greatly appreciated reading them and have kept many as a reference.You indeed have touched the lives of many and made a difference in the Art world! By profession I am a violinist, having performed in Canada and Internationally so I have been most fortunate in my career. In my forties I ran into a muscle disorder which gave me time to pursue my second love, the Visual Arts. I know how important your letters have been to me and am confident that you have also helped many others. With deep gratitude, I thank you for so much.
Without being preachy, there is always a worthwhile lesson in every one of these Genn letters, Sara’s too.
Regarding “A return to awareness” I wish that THE WORLD would make such a return… We are surrounded by an ocean of unconsciousness and i feel so…..powerless even if i am aware that it can take ONE to make a change. I try to never give up but some days…………. Merci, thank you, for your wonderful letters.
In a way, these last two letters are about the same thing–being more observant and aware. Sometimes it takes someone else to help out, but the ideal situation is for the artist to see for himself (herself).
I absolutely love this story about the monk and the elephant. I’ll use it if I may, in my workshops. Learning to feel the movement and spirit of a scene is lots more fun than attempting to reproduce what the camera sees.
A drawing or painting, before being displayed, should always be subjected to the comments and view of one or two trustworthy, insightful persons.
On day when I was painting on location and gentleman asked if he could come look and I said sure. After a compliment or two he told me that his 16 year old daughter painted and was quite good. I asked him if he had framed and hung any of her work and with a shocked look he replied that he had never thought to do such a thing. I told him that would be the best gift and encouragement he could give her. He then told me that it would be done before the day was over. Encouragement goes such a long way and you have encouraged so many artists through the years.
What I love the most and what is now becoming increasingly clear to me about your beautiful letters is that you have once again created…a rich and brilliant community of artists. You have somehow joined us all together not unlike a string of pearls stretching from one end of the world to another.thankyou will never say enough for you are surley the clasp that joins us all together.much Love Janice
Ram Das photograph by Joey L., Ontario, Canada |
What an emotional and mesmerizing painting. It took me aback when I enlarged it. Thank you so much for sharing it.