Ask ten artists, trained or untrained, for input on a particular medium or technique, and you’ll get ten different suggestions about the right way. The ways may differ slightly or drastically. The artists may be hardcore insistent, defensively indignant, or “whatevs” ambivalent about their way. Get those ten artists together, and they’ll discuss and debate for an hour (which is great).
At the EC, this happened most recently while five of my staff asked me for input as they discussed the right way to apply an acrylic wash. My response was derived from a video I found after a similar conversation about the right way a few years ago.
I was surprised to discover that we each had a different way. Discussion among the six of us revealed that some use water to thin the acrylic. Others use a medium. Some apply the wash very thin. Others apply it rather opaquely. Some use a tone which matches the overall color temperature of the palette being used. Others use a contrasting tone. One prefers a gray. Some cannot abide brush strokes, and others tolerate or even like them. … and… Some don’t use a wash at all.
The truth is that there is no right way. None of these artists is so oblivious that they set themselves up for failure every time they paint. Each of these artists is using a way that works for them. Yes, yes, yes. It is possible that there may be more efficient, productive ways—ways they may not care for or know about. But right now, their way is the right way for them.
As the director, I will eventually be expected to make a decision about the right way for the program. How will the artists on staff mentor the EC artists? Which way will be the right way?
Too lazy to consult the shelves of art books behind me, I turned to the internet. (Send me answers, internet. I need to know the right way to apply an acrylic wash.) But the internet knows that everyone has a different way, and there is no one right way. (Hence, a million results instead of, like, five.) Fortunately, among the million, the internet sent me a video which, in addition to the video above, sort of sums up a few different ways, lending options to the EC artists (and staff) and a sense of legitimacy to my decision.
As usual, the EC’s approach is that art is not about right ways and wrong ways. There is always a way. Be creative. Find the way that works for you, and get to work.
Thank you, internet.
EC art is back in the EC shop. If you missed us at the Artisan Fair, don’t fret. The EC Office Shop is open all year in Room 6 on the 3rd floor of the Arts Center. With 4 short flights of stairs, you can get your shopping done and a nice burst of cardio while you’re at it! Or you could use the elevator, because we have one of those, too. Continue reading
On the 3rd floor landing, the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS exhibit is coming down to make room for HOUSES. VESSELS will be featured on the 2nd floor landing.
You may have seen paper clay in your local arts and crafts store. That paper clay is generally for air drying. That’s all good, but the EC artists need a lot of material, so we can experiment. We made our paper clay for firing in the kiln, from a combination of our regular firing clay and a cellulose paper product. It was a job and a half to make, but Kristine, our Clay/Ceramic Arts Teacher, was on it!
VESSELS started as balloons dipped in paper clay slip. It was a tedious process of dipping and drying… and dipping and drying… and dipping and—well you get the idea. Layer by layer, day after day, Continue reading
The reception this past Thursday was a huge success! We had just short of 100 people show up and see the results of our hard work. Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support. In case you missed it, here are a few pictures from the reception. You can still come see the exhibition, which is located in the second floor gallery of the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.
Over the past few months, we’ve been so wonderfully busy that we have neglected to keep you informed. For that we apologize, though we think you’ll agree the wait was worth it. Tomorrow we are unveiling our newest exhibition, Reality Unchained: Portraits of Human/Nature. The collection of 18 works from 14 artists provides an engaging look at the ways we see the world around us, unhindered by a need to strictly replicate what is technically there. Instead, you’ll see portraits of the feelings and influences we experience from our environment and ourselves.
Denise Saelee, Armando in a Purple Shirt, acrylic/canvas panel, 2014
