The first memory of appreciating art was during primary school when our weekly art teacher Mrs Tanke presented a task that we were going to create in our own style. It would have been early primary years. I distinctly remember looking at the pair of rainy yellow gum boots on the piece of paper and thinking to myself "how was I going to do that ?".
Looking at the example she had created I unknowingly appreciated the composition and perspective of the sample in front of me without even knowing what those words meant.
It was new and it was wonderful.
During the class and I think the following week, seeing the art I actually created to vaguely resemble Mrs Tanke's, I was besotted and found a new love and appreciation.
Many years later as an adult Liz and I reconnected thru art. Elizabeth Tanke was an accomplished artist herself in the Northern Rivers and her own work was modern, sometimes confronting, melancholy but strikingly beautiful. She pushed the boundaries and also simplified the true meaning of art and expressionism thru her many works.
I asked her in my mid twenties if she would help me to get back in touch with art and reconnect me with the passionate relationship that I saw she had all her life with painting. She agreed after some convincing and took me through from the beginning and basics of painting to finding my own path of art. Liz introduced me to the medium oil, mixed media and all the elements of becoming an artist.
Every week for some months she mentored me, challenged me with tasks and taught me the principles of art and application. After time I saw my own style evolve and it became an obsession, the feeling it gives me when I paint is indescribable. Maybe a feeling of completion or purpose is the best way to describe it.
'The line that is missing is the most powerful' is one of the many phrases she used whilst teaching me, and to this day is one of her many mantras that I hear when creating.
The missing line means to me, that there will come a point during your painting where you sit, look and let the canvas be, and as you ponder and wonder if the painting is finished; but you know in your heart it is not, you find 'the missing line'.
When you see it, it's obvious, you are exhilarated and the excitement is overwhelming, and you add that mark, knowing exactly where it needs to be placed. It may only be a small mark but it is the missing line and when you do it will be the most powerful mark that brings it all together.
Nothing else can ever be added or needs to be.
Then as the artist you know the art work is finished.
I would like to dedicate this post to the late artist Elizabeth Tanke - I am truly grateful for everything you taught me, your passion and effervescence with art that you shared. You continue to inspire me every time I paint marks on the canvas.
Thank you for believing in me and introducing me to a small part of your world.
You were an unbelievably talented artist and you left your mark with beauty and grace.
コメント