“Mankind needs distraction from the material and commonplace things of life. We seek solace in those things which bring peace to the mind and relaxation to the body. More than all, we desire through the expression of feelings and emotions understanding with our fellow beings.”
By Edgar Payne in Composition of Outdoor Painting
In modern life it seems like we go from the material and commonplace things to screens as a means of distraction. The cell phone screen, the computer screen, the TV screen, and even the appliances now all have screens.
I think a painting on the wall still brings more peace to the mind and relaxation to the body than a screen. Even though paintings of nature and the complexity of nature never can be as wonderful and great as the actual experience of being there, the painter hopes to bring expression and feeling to the painting, and that is something a mere screen can never hope to achieve.
3 comments:
I completely agree with your line of thinking, Donna. I need the chance to think my own thought or feel my own feeling instead of having those things dictated to me by a screen. I prefer reading instead of watching a movie; at least I can make my own pictures in my head. Maybe this is why I want to leave more out of my paintings, to give others the opportunity to supply their own story. Easier said than done!
Hi Donna. Leaving things out is much easier said than done, however, whenever I go out plein air painting it all seems much easier as as the painter is not able to include everything. It all happens more naturally than when in the studio. Outside I am limited by time and light, so I tend to get to the basics of what I see.......hopefully.
mmm... that picture of your easel set up on location makes me want to be there with you! soon...
Post a Comment