Working on a New Painting

You may remember a post from a few weeks ago about the constant nagging of an idea. Well, this idea is one of those that just won't go away. So in order for me to get it to leave me alone, I have to get it onto canvas. I have had the desire to paint a portrait of the LDS (Mormon) prophet Joseph Smith for a while now. Just recently I also learned of an opportunity of possibly having the portrait featured in a documentary about him (if I get it finished in time). So I figured that there was no better time than now to work on my newest painting.

Of course, this does not come without it's fair share of challenges. With a normal portrait, you have the subject sitting right in front of you, but Joseph Smith was martyred in 1844. Photography hadn't really taken off at that point, so there are no actual photographs of him either. However, a death mask was made and is on display for the public to see. The original is in Nauvoo, Illinois I believe, and a replica is in the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The image above is a sketch that I completed from the death mask. It is an amazing experience to try to capture the likeness of a person who left the world more than 150 years ago. And yet, it was interesting to see how I felt like I knew this man better after I had sketched his profile. This is a man that I have always learned about, but obviously have never met. It is very hard to explain, but it almost felt like I was meeting him as I worked on this sketch. Perhaps it is because I was sketching his actual likeness, from a mask that was made from his precise features.

Even though I have been working on sketching and drawing the death mask, I have also realized that in order for me to create the pose and the portrait that I want, I will need more than the death mask to work with. I plan on creating a small bust out of modeling clay and using that to capture the right pose, lighting, and so forth. I'll post my progress as I continue with this project.

On a separate note - he had quite the nose, don't you think?

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Overcoming Creative Blocks

Do you ever sit in front of your blank canvas (or other support) for hours, just staring at it because you aren't sure how to begin? Or, do you get "stuck" halfway through a project and sit back to ponder it? Many times I will sit and analyze my painting, trying to figure out what to do next, or how to start. There have been times when I have sat there for a couple of hours, just debating what I should do.

Let me share a little experience with you: My husband is getting his MBA and consequently spends hours on the computer working on large, complicated projects. There are times when he gets stuck and can't figure out how to move forward. One particular problem stumped him quite sufficiently so that he eventually decided to give up and work on it later. He left the computer and began doing something else. He was gone from the computer no more than 20 minutes when he stopped doing whatever he was distracting himself with and raced back to the computer. He had figured out how to solve his problem.

Often, our art is very similar to my husband's experience. If I get stumped, I will often leave my easel and engage myself in doing some other productive activity (not watching television or checking email). Usually, the answer to my problem will come to me within a short period of time.

Choosing My Wagon Rut

The Ten Virgins - 24 x 48
Oil on Canvas
$1,500
Copyright Dena McMurdie 2009

Have you ever noticed how certain artists become known for painting a specific subject matter? For example, Georgia O'Keeffe is known for her flowers, Cassandra Barney is known for her expressive portraits of women, and Dean Mitchell is known for his beautiful watercolor landscapes and stunning portraits. Each of these artists have chosen their "wagon rut". Their "rut" consist of what their collectors know and expect of them.

In thinking about my own "rut", I have often wondered where I fall. I enjoy painting many subjects, predominantly landscape, still life, and inspirational. Often I think about what I want to be known for throughout my lifetime and beyond. Inside, I've always known that my destiny was to paint religious and inspirational artwork. Even as a child I knew that my Father in Heaven had a plan in store for me. It was this inner confidence that caused me to abandon my plans of becoming a legal secretary and pursue a degree in fine art. It is this same confidence that allows me to continue to press forward each day with the determination of creating significant works of art that will uplift and inspire my collectors.

Don't get me wrong, I love painting landscapes and still life. However, there is a certain element of heart and soul that must be injected into an inspirational piece of art. Inspirational artwork requires vast amounts of time, research, study, and prayer. The results are always worth the effort that goes in! This is my dream and my passion - to paint artwork that will bring others closer to God and their faith. What is your passion? Do you seek to portray the wonders of the landscape or the beauties of indoor objects on canvas? Are you more inclined to capture the expressiveness of the human form?

In many ways, I believe that my "rut" was chosen for me. I have always felt that as artists, we have been given our talents as a gift from God. God doesn't make mistakes, so each artist is given their passion for a specific reason. Ask yourself, "What is my purpose? Which 'rut' will I choose?"

Constant Nagging of an Idea

Tranquility - 16 x 20

Oil on Canvas

$900

Copyright Dena McMurdie 2009

Ideas for paintings are really finicky things. Sometimes I will get an idea for a painting and then forget all about it a few minutes later. Other times however, the idea sticks in the forefront of my mind and nags at me until I get it done. This was the kind of idea that "Expectations" was. I got the initial idea two years before I was able to complete it. It took me those entire two years to get it worked out to where I was happy with it.

Those sorts of ideas constantly nag at my brain until I put in the effort to get them done. The catch is this: If I finish a painting that has been nagging at me and I'm not happy with the result, then my brain continues to nag at me, telling me to try again until I get it right. It can be extremely frustrating, but I've noticed that when I put the proper amount of sweat and tears into a painting, it turns out right.

And once I sign my name to the finished surface of a painting I am proud of, the nagging stops.

The Support of a Spouse

I am constantly amazed at the way most people view artists. It is quite rare that I meet a person that will take my art career as seriously as I do. I always have to laugh at some of the comments that I receive when I meet someone new and tell them that I am an artist.

Recently, I attended a social event with my husband. I began talking with a man who is currently out of work. When I told him that I was an artist, he began to ask me what my plans were for the future. He asked me if I would go get a "real" job once my children were a little older. I let him know my plans for my art business, which include opening a studio gallery and continuously building my business through exhibitions, shows, auctions, etc. He smiled and said how lucky I was to have a husband that will be able to support my business.

I laughed out loud when I heard that! My husband will never be responsible for keeping my art business afloat. Keeping my business alive is something that is entirely my responsibility. The experience did help me to realize how prevalent the idea of the "starving artist" is. Not many people believe that an artist can make a living creating art. The truth of the matter is that art is just like any other business - you need a good product, and you need to know how to run a business. If you have those two things, you should be just fine.

"Snow Covered Fence" is SOLD!

The anticipation was killing me, but I was informed this morning that my painting "Snow Covered Fence" sold at the 14th Annual Richard Schmid Art Auction in Colorado. Even with the poor economic situation, the auction was able to raise enough funds to keep the Rist Canyon Fire Department afloat for another year. Goal accomplished!

I was also invited to participate again next year, which is something I will definitely do. It was a pleasure dealing with the auction and an honor to be affiliated with it and its cause.

Getting Settled

I am still getting settled after our long trip back to Wisconsin. I have a few exciting projects in mind though, and I will be posting the progress as I get into them.

The 14th Annual Richard Schmid Art Auction was on Sunday. I haven't yet heard if my painting sold or not, but I am assuming that it did :) I believe that the auction planners were counting on a full sell-out at the auction. Hopefully that is what happened. Proceeds go to support the Rist Canyon Fire Department. It is one of two fire departments in the State of Colorado that does not receive funding through the State.

Here is my painting "Snow Covered Fence" all framed and ready to go.

Just for fun, here are a few pictures from our drive.

This was in Hannibal, Missouri where Mark Twain grew up and wrote his famous novels, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" and "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn".

This is the temple of the Community of Christ in Independence, Missouri. They have free tours through the temple. It was such a beautiful building!

"Expectations" is Sold

"Expectations" sold yesterday to a collector from Orem, Utah. The painting was included in the 8th International LDS Art Competition. It is hanging in the Conference Center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City with nearly 200 other religious and inspirational works of art. The couple that purchased my painting saw it when they visited the exhibition. They fell in love with it and returned a second time to see it before deciding to buy the piece.

I am so happy that my painting sold to a wonderful couple that will cherish it for many years to come. The best part about selling an inspirational work of art is not the boost to my bank account, or being able to label another painting as "sold", but knowing that a painting I spent endless hours creating has touched another person's heart. Artwork uplifts the soul and can invite a wonderful spirit into a home. I am overjoyed that I was able to contribute to that feeling in someone else's home. As an artist, my greatest goal is to provide artwork to collectors that will uplift and inspire them. Each time I sell a painting (no matter the subject), I feel that I have attained a little bit of my goal.

PS - I finally made it back to Wisconsin! Once things settle down a little bit, I will be able to start blogging more. I've missed updating my blog, and I can't wait to get back on track.