tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post3405163922078204875..comments2024-03-27T11:43:33.889-04:00Comments on Stapleton Kearns: Some comments responded to and a mentor's adviceStapleton Kearnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226409516935208164noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-901903966061103142011-08-24T08:13:17.729-04:002011-08-24T08:13:17.729-04:00Holy mackerel how I miss your more frequent blog p...Holy mackerel how I miss your more frequent blog posts, but HOLY MACKEREL how happy I am to think of you painting more extraordinary pictures such as this one instead of frittering time away on the computer.Sarah Faragherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549704219837574185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-8691987706932428282011-08-23T20:44:42.202-04:002011-08-23T20:44:42.202-04:00short but sweet!! This painting is amazing! Love...short but sweet!! This painting is amazing! Love it!!hmuxohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05132343095188658107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-23717768545904535312011-08-23T12:34:02.392-04:002011-08-23T12:34:02.392-04:00Stape... Why the addition of white to the Porn Sta...Stape... Why the addition of white to the Porn Star Pink? Is it to make sure when you modify the greens that they are not to dark?Michael Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00863560854623672113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-45853486568771572472011-08-22T18:43:01.427-04:002011-08-22T18:43:01.427-04:00tough love, stape. but as it is written, faithful ...tough love, stape. but as it is written, faithful are the wounds of a friend.Clem Robinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10409896632039481462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-25166051742786570922011-08-22T10:29:17.053-04:002011-08-22T10:29:17.053-04:00yes yes yes ! Painting in an artist style teaches ...yes yes yes ! Painting in an artist style teaches you how to solve problem and see like an artist. At the Beau Art in France I spent all my time copying masters.Antonin Passemardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13201960897907738589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-20352291352709062902011-08-22T08:34:50.076-04:002011-08-22T08:34:50.076-04:00Hurt.Hurt.Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862300369187414150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-23772238712738360512011-08-22T08:33:17.763-04:002011-08-22T08:33:17.763-04:00That painting is a beauty!
I think most artists w...That painting is a beauty!<br /><br />I think most artists would agree that long hours of dedicated painting every day will extend your life. And a cigar now and then can'tLucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862300369187414150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-91685866870532675612011-08-20T23:24:26.381-04:002011-08-20T23:24:26.381-04:00Yes it still takes hard work but paint because you...Yes it still takes hard work but paint because you love it. Now it's not work.<br /><br />@ zeta I had a pinched nerve in my back a couple years back. The doctor said "If you want to keep painting take certain precautions... avoiding repetitive motion disorder that anyone can get doing anything for long hours and years is extremely important."<br /><br />That was my wake up call.<br /><br />He gave me simple exercises to do to avoid later problems, once you get certain conditions it's too late.<br /><br />Take frequent breaks, even short 30 second or 3 min breaks will make a difference.<br />Avoid standing/sitting the same way for extended periods.<br />You can get more info by looking it up.<br /><br />I had to develop new habits... I now loosen back up constantly, roll arms, elbows out in a circular motion to loosen and 'reset' muscles back into their proper place. I think weightlifters know of this, opposing muscles and such.<br /><br />Anything... move around etc. it's really common sense and none of it takes away from painting time, I do it , now as an unconscious reaction, whenever I step back to view the painting.<br /><br />I don't notice problems anymore.David Teterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747334525619423349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-46954117902624146482011-08-20T22:37:00.593-04:002011-08-20T22:37:00.593-04:00I'm banking on you being wrong, although I rea...I'm banking on you being wrong, although I realize you're probably right. I know you have to put in thousands of hours to get really good, and I certainly envy young painters who went to Ateliers or got to work with Master painters. And, it is true that when you have no training you second guess yourself at every turn. I may never feel like I know what I'm doing but I still feel compelled to do it. And I've come a long way in ten years-nowhere near where I want to be, but I have to believe I can get there. At any rate all I can do is give it my best shot.I would happily spend 10 hours a day painting but real life keeps getting in the way.Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16664750692069973994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-33819142625988126842011-08-20T19:29:45.168-04:002011-08-20T19:29:45.168-04:00What are you saying-really...that someone who grow...What are you saying-really...that someone who grows up speaking a foreign language will be better than someone learning it later in life?<br />yeeeeessssssss....oui...como no....<br />Is your point that noone should try learning things after say age 35? <br />Do these older people annoy you? Like Parisians are annoyed with English speakers attempting their language? Come on-don't hold back-let it rip-<br />I'm trying to understand why old students offend you-cuz I am one of them!<br />AND-<br />HOW did you lose 45 lbs? I just was at a workshop working hours on end, wiping out piles of bad paintings, and eating giant cookies.clarkolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12741406599938501082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-15101758500933041512011-08-20T07:17:54.925-04:002011-08-20T07:17:54.925-04:00The FFA requirement for minimum number of flight h...The FFA requirement for minimum number of flight hours for a pilot is only 1500. I think they should up that to 10,000.<br /><br />Poor Grandma Moses, who didn't start painting until she was in her 70s. But then, it shows, doesn't it?<br /><br />I know several painters who went to art school with the intent of being fine art painters, and that's all they've ever done. They're not very well-rounded people, in my opinion, but some are great painters. <br /><br />I enjoy meeting other painters who, in an earlier incarnation were truck drivers, surgeons and real estate agents. Some of them are pretty darn good, and I don't think it would take much to push them into the almost-great category.<br /><br />But they do have to do the work and make up for lost time. They pretty much need to live and breathe painting, I think. You can tell who does and who doesn't.Michael Chesley Johnson, Artist / Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17003530955203751138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-6705787253937707822011-08-20T07:00:16.676-04:002011-08-20T07:00:16.676-04:00I heartily agree with your idea of latching onto a...I heartily agree with your idea of latching onto a favorite artist and trying to paint like them. Back in my younger days, when I played rock guitar, the debate amongst playing friends of mine was whether to try to play like one of your guitar playing heroes and I was firmly in the camp of, "hell yeah, do it." My thought on the subject was that if your hero was Eddie Van Halen and you worked your tail off and got to where you could play like him, you could then play anything he could play and EVH was no slouch when playing guitar. Then you could branch out, incorporate new things in your stylings and before you know it you would have your own, distinct style. Within the next month or so my intention is to paint some of my favorite Vermeers because I would have to say he is my favorite. Once I get to where I can paint like him, I can motor right on past him and develop more of my own style.dglenncaseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12216677265265544445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-61421971269906994922011-08-20T01:02:12.079-04:002011-08-20T01:02:12.079-04:00Silvio, if I had the choice of being Charlie Parke...Silvio, if I had the choice of being Charlie Parker and making the brilliant music he made and dieing young from abusing my body and being a healthy accountant and living to 95 I would choose Bird any day of the week.<br /> <br />Jimi Hendrix died at 27, he's still blowing people away. That's the power of intense effort married with talent in his case. <br /><br />I'm a pretty healthy person for the most part but it's absurd to think that by eating right and doing yoga your life is in control. You could take a step off a curb tomorrow and be hit by a car or a bus. Or go for a swim and get caught in an undertow and drown. Life is fleeting, and to quote one of the sages of modern music and philosophy, Fats Waller, “One never knows, do one”.jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014751431677271423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-81410815421546440022011-08-19T19:50:20.275-04:002011-08-19T19:50:20.275-04:00Just for variety: Sometimes raw talent and life...Just for variety: Sometimes raw talent and life's experience and passions can create a fair match for a hard working painter of mediocre talent. I know some late starters whose work is every bit as good as peers who have worked harder and longer. <br /><br />Not to say they wouldn't be even BETTER if they had painted full time their entire lives, but not every talented artist is in a position to do that full time from a young age. However, it is true, I know in any career where I have succeeded-or even just maintained the bills- it has taken very long hours.<br /><br />Which brings me to health. Some of us need longer lives to make up lost ground. We can't all be made of spongy kapok. But healthy food (good work eating it) takes no longer to eat than unhealthy food, and an hour a day of exercise suffices for health. This does not leave only 5 hours for painting. One day off per week if you can get it, serves to recharge. So I don't think a part time painting schedule is necessary to be healthy. <br /><br />I think many varieties of work styles lend themselves to many varieties of accomplishment in various styles. No one is ever going to be the technically best renderer ever born, but there are many ways to achieve valuable expression. Sometimes painting time is a valuable privilege hard earned later in life. <br /><br />The artists who paint the most hours are probably best in most cases, but lots of other people are are pretty darn good, and their work serves to put art into the world and into their souls as well.My3Starzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11549207108675671802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-51096192414076475552011-08-19T18:30:48.089-04:002011-08-19T18:30:48.089-04:00Good advice. Good painting.
I'm only in my 30...Good advice. Good painting.<br /><br />I'm only in my 30's and I constantly feel the pressure to catch up to those who received excellent art training in high school or right after. Especially when I compare my stuff to 20 somethings graduating from ateliers and art academies.<br /><br />I wish I had been a lot more serious about learning the craft back then. I hope I can make up for it by being extra serious right now.Bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02303974474663940213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-10772108079929929872011-08-19T14:44:38.228-04:002011-08-19T14:44:38.228-04:00Work hard. Eat pizza. Eat Chocolate. Eat chocolate...Work hard. Eat pizza. Eat Chocolate. Eat chocolate pizza if you have to. And when in doubt, lie horizontal.mariandioguardi.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16963944767715466681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-9199918365228424912011-08-19T13:24:13.582-04:002011-08-19T13:24:13.582-04:00I accept that, at the age of 71, I cannot end up a...I accept that, at the age of 71, I cannot end up at the same point where I would have been had I chosen to pursue art as a career, but I hope what I am able to achieve has something worthwhile in it that derives from perceptions acquired over the decades. If I can't hope for that, should I stop trying? I don't want to die a gifted amateur.<br /><br />The painting is OK, not one of my favorites though. I prefer the drama that you bring to more ordinary scenes.alotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09700351186742512499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-70617583356989590472011-08-19T11:38:11.363-04:002011-08-19T11:38:11.363-04:00First Stape, let me tell you how masterful this pa...First Stape, let me tell you how masterful this painting is. It works in every way . . . a real show stopper! Thanks for sharing it.<br /><br />This post was on the money for me. Malcolm Gladwell said it best; it takes an average of 10,000 hours of practice to achieve competence in any skill. I’m one of those poor unfortunates who could not paint full-time until I retired. I find myself up against younger artists with far more skills than I can ever hope to achieve in the time I have left on this planet. For some unknown reason that has not deterred me. I know what I want my paintings to look like (I’m not there yet, may never be) but I keep on keeping on. <br /><br />It would help to have a wife to take over the cooking, cleaning, laundry etc. All those mundane tasks of everyday living that are still my lot. Be very, very thankful you have a partner in your life to assume those responsibilities. You have the luxury of being able to paint whenever you want. Few do.Cynthia Hillis McBridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10087955201607230701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-50104578104965060732011-08-19T09:35:57.031-04:002011-08-19T09:35:57.031-04:00I am entranced by this painting. It is so beautifu...I am entranced by this painting. It is so beautiful, I just want to look and look. Wish I could see the real thing. <br />i am so very in agreement with you about the work thing. I am not "balanced". I don't watch television, rarely a movie, no sports or other diversions. I ONLY want to draw and paint. I am boring company in most social areas, but that is what it takes. (I have been criticized for my attitude, and it hurts my feelings to be misunderstood, so I am glad to hear and agree with you) You put it so well.<br />I really wish I did not have to cook meals or wash laundry, or any of the other thousand details, but , oh well some things have to be done like brushing the teeth I guess. Thank You Stapleton Kearns. Keep up all this inspiration. After I read a post, I feel like my army sergeant has just given my marching orders and I must get marching.janice skivingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07907400457045945037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-22460082017678994272011-08-19T09:24:16.187-04:002011-08-19T09:24:16.187-04:00I think there is a confounding of three things:
T...I think there is a confounding of three things:<br /><br />The time "practicing" necessary to maintain a high level of skill<br />The time necessary to produce a high volume of quality product<br />The time necessary for various health-related activities<br /><br />I don't think most people realize how much time one has to put in to develop high level skills in art, sports, music, etc. It's been generalized to 10,000 hours over a ten year period. That's three hours a day for ten years. This is so that at the end of this ten years one has high level skills. One also has to keep up the same level of practice to maintain those skills. A famous violin said that, if he doesn't practice one day, he know it. It he doesn't practice two days, the critiques know it, and if he doesn't practice for three days, the public notices it. Assuming you're at the top of your game, if you are not continually painting, your skill level will drop.<br /><br />Having "inventory" you have discussed in several places. While the art world artist can sell paintings for millions of dollars to collectors and museums, the gallery painter is not going to get those prices from home owners and decorators. Therefore he or she has to produce more.<br /><br />The above eats up a lot of time, of course, but painting out of doors lugging a Gloucester easel is aerobic exercise. I don't think there is much benefit to doing some exercise that you hate in order to be healthy. I remember one scientific study that concluded that you extend your life by exactly the same amount of time that you run for exercise. If you don't like it, you shouldn't do it.<br /><br />RichardRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17379829398318583919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-49205565399403126212011-08-19T09:14:42.238-04:002011-08-19T09:14:42.238-04:0045 pounds lost since May? That is one heck of a we...45 pounds lost since May? That is one heck of a weight loss- surely you started doing something differently to make that happen. <br /><br />I completely agree there is no substitute for working long hours at one's painting. And I agree also that someone who has started out in one's youth has an almost insurmountable head start on those who take up the brush later.<br /><br />But I've seen some artists friends die prematurely (including just this year) who did nothing to take care of themselves. Our bodies are part of our painting equipment and have to be handled with care. My plan (and my hope) is that I can keep going into my 90's doing paintings that will continue to grow in depth and understanding until the end. Excercise, good diet, and rest are part of the regimen as much as hours at the easel. <br /><br />I'm in this for the long haul!Philip Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05191070779177407750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-1621594034794600382011-08-19T09:06:19.275-04:002011-08-19T09:06:19.275-04:00Love that painting! IMHO I think it's one of ...Love that painting! IMHO I think it's one of your best.Plein Air Galhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11157926536676921563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-44651607815189697852011-08-19T08:34:28.045-04:002011-08-19T08:34:28.045-04:00Makes me feel very appreciative of the time you sp...Makes me feel very appreciative of the time you spent showing me around Boston last summer.....<br />Thanks again.Robert J. Simonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06799208093956328662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-65267498446940376742011-08-19T07:25:55.538-04:002011-08-19T07:25:55.538-04:00Dear Mr. Stape, Is it more difficult to keep a po...Dear Mr. Stape, Is it more difficult to keep a positive attitude about working hard with the downward trend in the market for art? I do not hear many artists talking about or admitting the affects that the changes in the market have on their art. Any thoughts? Thanks, Andre LuceroAndre Lucerohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11025273173505026297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-17632430543761555252011-08-19T07:17:32.107-04:002011-08-19T07:17:32.107-04:00That last paragraph was really sound advice. Rever...That last paragraph was really sound advice. Reverse engineering and analysis are great ways to figure out something, almost anything really. Solutions in your back pocket, even just one or two, are important when you are stuck. Thanks again and happy traveling:)Libby Fifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com