Saturday, September 13, 2008

Garlic

Garlic

Mixed Media on canvas board 14x11"

Sold

I got an email saying that maybe I had gone commercial with these last few paintings, and it was like the vault door flew open on all the caged doubts hidden within. Hmmm. Am I still hoping to be in museums with my artwork, or have I decided to just enjoy myself and history be damned?

Now that I am 60 I feel like I can do whatever feels good to me. I have paid my dues, and no one can say I am not serious about making art. But does it have to be serious art? I don't think so.

The fun of these was waiting inside me, ready to come out of hiding. If I had known about Mary Englebreit when I was first doing artwork for pay, I might have never entertained these doubts. But then I went to art school and REAL ART was the only art that one could or should do.

Now I know I can do arty paintings or fun paintings or both. There is a place for it all.

32 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:50 PM

    Not to mention one needs to make a living, hopefully while having a great time. I love your new work!!
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh poo. People get so stuffy about art and are so set on making distinctions about real art and illustration or graphic art or who knows?... I used to be very hung up on how serious art had to be (thanks to my college education!)but now I just care about how it makes me feel, and joyful is definitely preferable to morose IMHO. Your recent colorful pieces remind me of Peter Max and Corita Kent and '60s pop art that I loved so much that I probably still haven't gotten over it!

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  3. Anonymous1:55 PM

    Hear! Hear! Let it be known that the artist may make any art that pleases HER... Long live the artist!

    I love the paintings, realistic, cute, commercial whatever the moniker. As my 4 year old grandaughter .... (you) get to choose!

    Keep 'em coming

    LYN

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the new work. It is joyful AND artful. You have "proved" yourself in every possible way; just keep doing what YOU love.
    Thanks. Dena

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous7:23 PM

    Melody,
    These new paintings remind me so much of your quilts. It is great that you have found all of these artistic outlets and can express whatever mood you happen to be in that day. We love your work.
    Regina

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Gone commercial???" What the he** does that mean? What an arrogant, snobbish comment. And limited thinking to boot. Don't let such comments disparage you.

    I love this new style. It seems like a natural blend of your quilting style and paint! The new works are fun and colorful and whimsical. Keep at it!

    Kristin in SC

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous3:01 AM

    Melody,
    As someone who follows your journey which includes you, your family, your home, your art, and even a good loaf of sour dough bread; I am amazed that you have found the way to do what works for Melody. Your art is commercial; because you chose to sell it. Your art is also serious; because you choose to seriously create art.
    When we look at the master in the art world, they became that way because they painted, sculpted, and even quilted in a way that fed their soul.
    Your art is also arty and fun because it is a reflection of who you are.
    So thank you for being a farmer, a painter, a teacher, a wife, a sister, an aunt, an artist, and someone who realizes that "ART IS"
    No more and no less.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just love these latest series of paintings - they seem so *you*, that in years to come people will be able to recognize them: "That's a Melody Johnson, isn't it?" They have all the zing of your quilts, without becoming "painted quilts" - all your beautiful fruit studies have led you into a style of your own that you should be really proud of!
    That's my hunble opinion, anyway - I think I must start saving my egg-money, and see if I can obtain an original MJ someday... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is time to please yourself. You are a wonderful artist and have proven yourself via realism, artsy quilts and lately these. No matter how you stitch or paint the true talent shows thru.

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  10. I was hoping you would make prints of these and I could have them all!!! I love your art!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I happen to love the new artwork. It is so colorful, full of joy and still beautiful. I say do what you enjoy and find pleasure with and it will come through your work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I never went to real art school, and therefore never had to "unlearn" the rubbish that is sometimes presented as fact there. your most recent work is every bit as artful as anything you've done--I love it all. art should be pleasing--to create, to view, to give, etc. that's it. that's the definition as far as I'm concerned... well, that and the "would-I-hang-it-in-my-home?" failsafe definition. all of your work would be proudly displayed and enjoyed daily in my home! BTW--your notecard idea also works for great little details on biz cards--I did that for my last painting biz cards and it worked great. : )

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  13. Anonymous2:37 PM

    Happy, creative, lovely and delicious...
    Pay no attention to the art police, and have fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous3:03 PM

    Oopsy, seems somebody got their thumb stuck up their...um...nose, and yet managed to type Melody an email with one hand!

    To me, art is about *interpreting*--not just 'rendering really really well'--the subject and infusing it with the artist's unique spin on life.

    These latest works do that, with a joy that's infectious (for most of us). THESE are "Melody" paintings. And even more important, they are what *the ARTIST* wants to do right now. Quelle concept!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous12:35 PM

    I absolutely agree that we can do art whatever way we please. We judge whether it is art, not anyone else.

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