tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post3529908167244843523..comments2024-03-27T11:43:33.889-04:00Comments on Stapleton Kearns: John PikeStapleton Kearnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00226409516935208164noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-24244727487678922352013-03-08T16:32:53.058-05:002013-03-08T16:32:53.058-05:00I recently purchased from an estate sale a beautif...I recently purchased from an estate sale a beautiful collection of lithographs reproduced from John Pike originals exclusively for the General Tire International Company. It is signed by John Pike. There are a total of 12 prints. The prints are as follows:<br />U.S.A. Life In The Northern Woodland, Spain: Alcazar and Cathedral in Segovia, Portugal: Torre De Belem On The Tagus, Morocca, Old Tangier At Night, Ecuador, Chimborazo Volcano Towering Over Central Ecuador, Pakatagonia At The Foot Of The Sierra Bagnales, Netherlands: Canal Scene In Utrecht Holland, Mexico: Santa Prisca And San Sebastian In Taxco, South Africa: Table Mountain Overlooking Capetown, Venezuela: Angel Falls The Tallest In The World, Italy: Canal Scene In Venice, U.S.A.: New England's Quiet Beauty At Supper Time. Any idea what it may be worth?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-74358760873204177372012-10-06T07:00:33.767-04:002012-10-06T07:00:33.767-04:00The book of John Pike was the first watercolourboo...The book of John Pike was the first watercolourbook I bought, a fabulous technique and his washes are just great! I have his palette for a long time, and it os still the best for me! I also have the dvd, were he smokes, drinks and listen to classical music, the quality is terrible, but iam so happy to have it! Thanks for sharing your blog!Edo Hannemahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00852193937450515569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-38026609414719645402012-03-16T12:24:52.172-04:002012-03-16T12:24:52.172-04:00That was my very first watercolor how to book. I p...That was my very first watercolor how to book. I purchased it shortly after it hit the market. He was a wonderful painter. I work in both watercolor and acrylic.David Lobenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17550343255310931339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-75742921198581693102011-08-16T12:42:29.325-04:002011-08-16T12:42:29.325-04:00Hi Stape,
In your post on John Pike, you said &q...Hi Stape,<br /><br />In your post on John Pike, you said "As I am exclusively an oil painter it might seem odd that I am recommending a watercolor "how to" book."<br /><br />Well, I work almost exclusively in watercolor, but I'm also an avid reader of your blog and get tons of useful info from it, even though the context is often oil painting. Although the two disciplines may approach a given subject in different ways, the fundamentals of color, composition, movement, symmetry, anti-beaking, etc., are essential to both (and to all realistic image-making). Personally, I don't think watercolor and oil painters need to be divided into exclusive and opposite camps; we're all painters (though some folks may quibble that watercolor is really painting at all . . . but, oops, I think my shoulder chip is showing again). But then, I like both dogs and cats, too! <br /><br />Thanks for the blog. You have a great perspective and a lot of wisdom and are generous with both.Ameliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14389255819546117359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-29365744944223544492011-08-14T11:50:46.952-04:002011-08-14T11:50:46.952-04:00The John Pike book came yesterday from Amazon. Fir...The John Pike book came yesterday from Amazon. First 20 pages worth the price of book. Got mine for $35<br /> <br />Can't learn to ride a bike from reading a book or watching others ride. Gotta fall down and get up until you get it. Words from Pike = Amen from Me.<br /><br />Thanks for the great blog.McKinneyArtisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02017881065863567401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-745458300066777162011-08-12T15:18:21.731-04:002011-08-12T15:18:21.731-04:00Rarely do I double comment on one post...
But hav...Rarely do I double comment on one post...<br /><br />But have to add to Armand & Jeff's comments.<br />Yes on all they said plus... it's what we do, create, other than the business end of it it's not really 'a job'. We do it because we love it. No body chooses art to make $ or gets a job making art because it is like some office job and you need it to pay your bills.<br /><br />No non artist looking thru the want ads says "I'll do that, just sit around and make pretty pictures and get paid"<br /><br />In fact it never really is a job at all.<br />I shudder at the thought of having to get 'a job'.<br /><br />All I want to do is draw and paint... it's not work.David Teterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747334525619423349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-76026175278745222892011-08-12T09:42:36.073-04:002011-08-12T09:42:36.073-04:00I'm going take issue as well Silvio's post...I'm going take issue as well Silvio's post. <br />Painting is not the same as most other jobs. Being involved with creative work is not the same as being a health practitioner.<br /><br />The very nature of painting is so removed from the norm of an everyday job there really is no comparison.<br /> <br />Most painters do not make a good living but they keep doing it because they have to. It defines their very being. The business side of this is the same as any other business but the reward is you're making work, and that's the rub.<br /><br />I know musicians who never stop.<br />Why, because they are not like normal people. Sorry if this sounds elitist but that's why they are good and most other people who play an instrument are just OK. It's called obsessive drive and might seem unnatural to you it's what makes you better as a painter or musician. Is it a healthy way to live? Who knows. <br /><br />Charlie Parker died at age 35 but in his short life he gave the world more music than most musicians do in three lifetimes or more. It's about passion,desire and obsession. When I say obsession I mean the desire to learn and improve through diligent study. I do not mean painting 200 hundred bad paintings. <br /><br />I'm not saying everyone should have this, but it helps if you want to make your living at painting.jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014751431677271423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-71727367606964138682011-08-11T20:58:34.762-04:002011-08-11T20:58:34.762-04:00Silvio,
Not to highjack Stapleton’s blog but you ...Silvio,<br /><br />Not to highjack Stapleton’s blog but you do if you make your sole income from the sale of your paintings. If you don't have to sell paintings to pay your mortgage or eat, I'm happy for you.<br />I know some people have a nice divorce settlement, generous spousal support, pension, trust fund, 401k or retirement plan. Artists usually don't especially when someone has worked as a self-employed artist all or most of their life.armandcabrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01772142818316748471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-13924618818303893002011-08-11T16:00:08.310-04:002011-08-11T16:00:08.310-04:00John Pike is awesome artist--never mind oil, acryl...John Pike is awesome artist--never mind oil, acrylic or gauche--great composition, color, and creativity is to be recognized. Thanks Stape, but must staunchly disagree with you on your art and do nothing else philosophy. I have been a health practitioner for 30 years--get balanced man!!, exercise, eat well, relax, etc. I was a workaholic, going into an early grave. Terrible cholesterol, prediabetic, etc. and I quit, began eating well and exercising and taking time off. Hope this view gets across that you don't have to kill yourself to be a successful artist. Paint 5 hours a day, do yoga, meditate, take a vacation, have a balanced life and be successful artist too. Sorry, just my point of view.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-34872580779727693792011-08-10T09:26:51.962-04:002011-08-10T09:26:51.962-04:00Thanks Stape....I will check out this John Pike. A...Thanks Stape....I will check out this John Pike. As always you give us something great to chew on. <br />A big "Happy Birthday" to ya also.<br />Hope all is well with you and yours. Don and I have spent the last few days fighting fires. We lost both the north and south forty, but saved the house. The "land of boz" will come back greener then ever after this. Our fire fighters are doing a great job!barbara b. land of bozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17603983800380945501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-23197842369374452902011-08-09T09:25:32.037-04:002011-08-09T09:25:32.037-04:00I use watercolor and gouache sometimes when I'...I use watercolor and gouache sometimes when I'm drawing and they are both great for traveling.<br /><br />Watercolor has a long history in landscape painting going back to Turner and Constable. Turner took this medium to amazing heights.<br /><br />Zorn's early successes were in watercolor and they are amazing paintings. <br /><br />Whistler is another painter who used the medium.<br /><br />Sargent also comes to mind and of course Homer which leads one to Andrew Wyeth.jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03014751431677271423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-34284349330722336852011-08-09T09:17:28.361-04:002011-08-09T09:17:28.361-04:00My mother was a watercolorist and I have her Pike ...My mother was a watercolorist and I have her Pike book and palette (and a whole library of great old books on figure drawing, illustration, all the original Walter Foster books, etc).Deborah Parishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02242296435365350267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-50330025550433085682011-08-09T07:14:18.921-04:002011-08-09T07:14:18.921-04:00My wife has forbidden me to work in watercolor. It...My wife has forbidden me to work in watercolor. It seems the medium has been known to make me testy.Philip Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05191070779177407750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-67316717443665198922011-08-08T23:31:28.767-04:002011-08-08T23:31:28.767-04:00Yeah... love pikes watercolors and as you (and abo...Yeah... love pikes watercolors and as you (and above Armand Cabrera) have mentioned too, Ted Kautzky, whose book I have had for years.<br />Some things never go out of style... good 'picture makin'.<br />I have had the pleasure of seeing many of the 'California' watercolorists works first hand since many are out here in smaller museums and shows (The Irvine Museum).<br />Some having done watercolors of Los Angeles and my hometown port of San Pedro where I recognize the locations and see how they have changed since.<br />I have been doing my watercolors lately so lets you're wrong about recent sales trends.<br /><br />I remember reading about Homer and/or Hoppers battles with watercolor not being taken as serious painting, only worthy of a medium for studies.<br />I suppose it true...cyclical.<br />@McKinney... I agree there are lots of artists who are fabulous and work in watercolor almost exclusively.<br />Also see Dean Mitchell and Mario Andres Robinson.David Teterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747334525619423349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-22360964059369607282011-08-08T18:39:22.677-04:002011-08-08T18:39:22.677-04:00For people who think watercolor is not art I dare ...For people who think watercolor is not art I dare you to google Mary Whyte or Luke Buck and look at their work!!! At a Luke Buck workshop he advised us to buy a John Pike pallet. Watercolor is great when painting things that need to get down to the smallest items - like bugs on a mountain. <br /><br />Love the Cadell books, the Nightingale cds, and reading old posts from this blog. Just ordered the John Pike book. <br /><br />Tomorrow drawing quick sketch with a group of friends in Winston Salem. Life is good.McKinneyArtisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02017881065863567401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-88194838834854357342011-08-08T14:32:46.431-04:002011-08-08T14:32:46.431-04:00Well, I bought the Foster Cadell book on your reco...Well, I bought the Foster Cadell book on your recommendation - and found it very helpful.. sooo... .. I've ordered this!JonInFrancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05623398725744947374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-8001342940423528022011-08-08T13:26:11.212-04:002011-08-08T13:26:11.212-04:00Another great post.
I have the Pike book and love ...Another great post.<br />I have the Pike book and love it; also Ted Kautzky who has that look you are talking about. Both had great ability.armandcabrerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01772142818316748471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-12342091125150261262011-08-08T10:38:03.369-04:002011-08-08T10:38:03.369-04:00I discovered your blog, Stape after about 50 posti...I discovered your blog, Stape after about 50 postings. That first day I read posting after posting for 6 or 7 hours. I often sit down for 1 or 2 hours and browse through the catagories. There are always new, "knowing what I know now", take aways.willekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05626541339963605016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5682081471599286551.post-31258233798955555922011-08-08T06:32:53.022-04:002011-08-08T06:32:53.022-04:00Thank you for reminding us about John Pike. I have...Thank you for reminding us about John Pike. I have the book somewhere and am inspired to revisit it. I too wonder why we don't see more watercolors in galleries. I love American regional and modernist watercolors. It's a difficult medium to handle if you are used to oil paint.Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08862300369187414150noreply@blogger.com