JANIS COMMENTZ California Painter
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Workshops & Exhibits
  • Shoppe Page
  • Available Art
  • Color Pages
  • Links & Commissions
  • Figures
  • Best 9 2022
  • Projects Sneak peek
​I Invite you to read my Substack Newsletter and listen to my podcast "Encouragement Only"
Picture

Pondering Early Favorites

4/13/2019

4 Comments

 
Picture
It’s spring and it’s easy to become steeped in busyness.   The urgent screams, but we must search out the most important.

I am pondering artists who spoke to my heart in my youth. As I pack for a trip that will include an art retreat, I need only take the minimum. At home, I collect.  Travel teaches us that less is truly more, one of the many paradoxes in life.  After a muddy wet season, we have a spectacular Superbloom.  After a mild injury, I absolutely delight in good health and recovery.  Separation from our comfort zone leads to growth, expansion, regeneration…and a few steep learning curves.
​
Turning a significant age this year gives me pause. 

I find myself returning to some of my early favorite artists and that’s ok. I had an early love affair with the French Impressionists and artists rooted in their techniques. I was enchanted by the brilliant colors and patterns.  Impressionists, Expressionists, Post Impressionists caught my eye and captured my heart.  Bonnard, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Matisse... (examples follow in order)   
​Early California painters were also influenced by these mavericks and the magnificent scenes of the Golden State. As a Californian, two female painters, Donna Schuster and E. Charlotte Fortune come to mind. (below)
​At least for now, I may retrace the lives of some of my old favorites and why not?
Looking through my essays from decades ago, I found a paper on the influence of environment on painters (featuring, of course, Impressionist painters such as Pierre Bonnard, Edouard Vuillard, Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec) I noticed points of interest:   Cafe Gerbois in Paris. Today, with the magic of Google map, I see it is a trendy men’s clothing store.  A footnote on Les Nabis, whose work was characterized by patches of color, bold contours and simplified drawing --- states the term is Hebrew for prophet.  I was correct, it was coined by poet Henri Cazalis comparing the new painters (active from 1888-1900) to prophets of modern art. I noted that the Impressionists, influenced by Japanese prints and philosophy, that Zen Buddhism offered the belief that “the soft will vanquish the hard” – from a 1964 book on Bonnard by Antoine Terrasse.  This may be inaccurate and over simplified definition—but it certainly illustrates my point:
Enjoy chasing the artists who first drew you to painting! Or composers (my music major college roommate was quick to point out that Impressionism influenced composers such as Debussy).
I am enjoying Chasing Matisse by James Morgan, a chronicle of his move to France and fascination with the studios and homes of Henri Matisse.
Cafe Gerbois where the Impressionists gathered (left); 
my painting of a cafe across from my Paris apartment 2018 (right)

My challenge for you:
Who were your early favorites?  What drew you to them? Style? Color? Technique?  Geographic location?  Allow yourself to reminisce and ponder painters who influenced your early life.  If art is a new passion-enjoy!
Although technology speeds up research, do not allow a photograph to replace the real thing.  Visit museums, galleries and homes where the real art works may surprise you. 
Last year I visited the Musée Rodin in Paris—and was overwhelmed by his work…alas another study awaits. Decades ago, my visit to the Van Gogh Museum changed my perception.
 
This has definitely been an unusual season.  Weather. News events. As I study the lives of artists and compare anecdotes about them to my life, I realize we continue to carve out the creative lives that are the most important to us!
Sketching in garden of Musee' Rodin from sculpture (models who do not move!) - my watercolor sketch of one of the Burghers of Calais.
4 Comments
Robin Maxwell link
4/15/2019 07:18:02 am

Regarding the influence of environment on painters, I find that environment is a huge influence on my writing, most especially when it comes to my prehistorical science fiction trilogy, EARLY ERTHE. Maybe it's because these surrounding are so primal. Looking out at the Sawtooths I can imagine dinosaurs roaming there.

You're work continues to delight, Janis. You just keep growing in talent, and I love the way you've strongly but gracefully promoted your work. I'm going to try to come to your June workshop.

Reply
Janis Commentz link
4/15/2019 10:27:53 am

Robin, Thank you so much for your comments and I would LOVE to have you attend!

Reply
EstherShaw
4/15/2019 08:38:42 am

Love your spirit, Janis.

Reply
Janis Commentz
4/15/2019 10:28:48 am

Esther, Thank you and you are certainly part of the local inspiration as well!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    January 2024 marks 7 years of blogging about creativity, well-being and encouragement. Thank you to the many who have visited my website!  I welcome comments and questions.
         The creative habit and skills can be developed at any age. I invite you to check in often!

      Would you like to sign up for my blog / newsletter?

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Archives by Title


    - Cultivate a Sense of Play

    - ART That Changes the Heart
    - Seeking Our Roots
    - Restoration for the Art Soul 
    - Winter Salutations
    - Creative Expression is Vital to a Purposeful Life
    -You Need a Friend
    - Happy Mother's, Friends, Father's Day-Celebrate Nurturers
    ​- Happy May and Newsletter Invitation
    - June Joy and Better Habits
    - Lessons from a Life Well-Lived
    - Celebrate Community
    ​- December 2021

    - WinterLight
    - Sunflowers for Ukraine
    - Spring Ahead
    - 2nd Flowers for Ukraine
    -Greetings from the Mojave Desert
    -Winter Light  and Elevating Your Mood!
    -Creativity and Cost
    -What do you know about color? 
    -Creating in an out-of-sync world
    -Intention and Composition
    -Passion (on Valentine's Day) for the Arts
    -
    Believable Mojave Greens
    -Intention and Composition
    -
    In the mood to paint...besides inspiration what do I need?
    -With the winds, comes the inspiration for change!
    -
    Wondering About Workshops?  Jumpstart Your Practice or Jump In!
    ​
    -A Digital Leap
    ​-Blue Colored Glasses
    -New Class at the Desert Institute
    -New Media and Video
    ​
    -Travel Inspiration

    -Scheduling Creative Time
    -Letting go...and finding creativity....
    -October Opportunities
    -Holiday Cheer Through Creativity: Beating Stress and Creative Gifts 

    -Looking Back at 2018
    -Stay Creative Through the Holidays!
    -Resolve or Restore?
    -Rock Scrambling Through Winter
    -Drawing on Your Observations
    -Pondering Early Favorites
    ​-Summer Nurturing

    -In need of Inspiration?
    -Making a Thankfulness Bridge
    ​
    -December Greetings!
    ​-News for 2020
    -Nurturing Your Creative Vitality

    -Online Shop: French Press
    ​
    -A Work in Progress: Encouragement
    ​-
    Art During the Health Crisis

    ​

    All

    RSS Feed

    Archives by Date

    March 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

Picture
​

Email:
​[email protected]
All images by 
​Janis Commentz
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Workshops & Exhibits
  • Shoppe Page
  • Available Art
  • Color Pages
  • Links & Commissions
  • Figures
  • Best 9 2022
  • Projects Sneak peek