tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post6334915921349865768..comments2024-03-28T03:17:00.191-04:00Comments on Fibermania: Melody Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08644269589363519294noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-44598902308010377542008-07-30T14:05:00.000-04:002008-07-30T14:05:00.000-04:00Yes, Mel, I think this one is my favorite too!I lo...Yes, Mel, I think this one is my favorite too!<BR/><BR/>I love what you've said about freeing oneself from the fantasy about being in the history books. What a liberating thought! Thank you for that.Martha Marshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09754409446056598193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-17568453720682551772008-07-26T14:02:00.000-04:002008-07-26T14:02:00.000-04:00In my old age, I have learned to be happy with wha...In my old age, I have learned to be happy with what I can do and just trying to improve on that each time I learn a new technique or a new way of seeing things. <BR/><BR/>I hope that jalapeno has no salmonella!! :)Gerriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06292762162661584206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-91451593869929677082008-07-25T20:16:00.000-04:002008-07-25T20:16:00.000-04:00Recently I went to a major state gallery that had ...Recently I went to a major state gallery that had a large floor of a selection of their painting collection displayed on a time scale - the earliest at one end and the most recent at the other, starting at about the 13th century. 1/2 the space was taken up by the 20th Century paintings, many post WW2 paintings being very large.<BR/><BR/>Being also a people watcher, I was fascinated by those viewing the paintings. People spent much time with the pre 20thC and more realistic paintings - the area was full of people. In the post WW2 part they walked around quickly and walked back out, some didn't even bother to look at them all and the area was pretty much empty. It told a story all it's own.<BR/><BR/>Unless you're aiming to sell your work to art critics, what does it matter how you paint Melody? Go with your talent - it's extraordinary, it obviously makes you happy, and my bet is you'll go from strength to strength.<BR/><BR/>Hugs from a big fan,<BR/>Lucy <BR/><BR/>PS. I enjoyed Oriana Kacicek's work, but I prefer yours - there's a joy and life in them, and those colours - Wow.Princess of The Golden Threadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00457923184654427215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-18962524991749995162008-07-25T15:29:00.000-04:002008-07-25T15:29:00.000-04:00You are right about being "taught" to want to be i...You are right about being "taught" to want to be in the history books. Tho' I thinking the teaching was not conscious by most teachers. As a child taking piano lessons, I "learned" that the point was to perform flawlessly at the spring recital. Nothing about enjoyment or challenging myself. There is a fund-raiser show on PBS sometimes teaching piano for NON-Concert pianists. The teachers says, "Why do you want to play the piano? Isn't it to play a tune you know, maybe sing along? You DON'T want to be a concert pianist! Yet that is what most piano teachers seem to have in mind." Then he gives instruction in how to play a tune with some harmony---more like playing a guitar for sing-along.<BR/><BR/>Hmm. . .there are many skills that we can enjoy as well as learn to do "better", WITHOUT imagining/needing/seeking to make historywith our sbilities.<BR/><BR/>Either I'm maturing, or getting too old to do anything well...<BR/><BR/>SaraSarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208479319934460737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-71602782076910880952008-07-25T13:04:00.000-04:002008-07-25T13:04:00.000-04:00I think that is typically an American phenomenon. ...I think that is typically an American phenomenon. Except in Minnesota, where children are taught to be self effacing.<BR/>I learned that on Prairie Home Companion.Melody Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08644269589363519294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-67454939655008227152008-07-25T12:55:00.001-04:002008-07-25T12:55:00.001-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-61403909545623857532008-07-25T12:55:00.000-04:002008-07-25T12:55:00.000-04:00Why do they teach us as children that we must stri...Why do they teach us as children that we must strive to be THE BEST at what we do? And that THE BEST means in the history books? This is true not only in art, but also in science, business, etc. It seems that a lot of people end up being very unhappy in their thirties and forties when they do not achieve these expectations of being THE BEST.<BR/><BR/>How can we convince folks that being happy in what we do and where we are is so much more important than being in the history books?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-49170178014817443742008-07-25T11:01:00.000-04:002008-07-25T11:01:00.000-04:00Great answer! Thanks!Painting for the primary pur...Great answer! Thanks!<BR/><BR/>Painting for the primary purpose of reproducing the photo's subject matter in minute realistic detail...ehh, not for me. Tho' I do grant that the ability to draw well (decent hand-eye coordination)is a valuable basic skill. <BR/><BR/>And I am now in love with the concept that a "live" (well, you know) object changes, over the time taken to paint it, because of the subtle shifts the artist makes.<BR/><BR/>Also LOVE the avocado--gorgeous blocks of colour. Yum. Much more 'alive' and evocative than a painted photo avocado (imo)!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-82400910337849321332008-07-25T09:33:00.000-04:002008-07-25T09:33:00.000-04:00Melody, this is a great painting ! My new favorit...Melody, this is a great painting ! My new favorite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-42050607007403672922008-07-24T18:51:00.000-04:002008-07-24T18:51:00.000-04:00Melody, just the other day, I found your blog and ...Melody, just the other day, I found your blog and have been entranced ever since. Yes, I am the one spending a long time, reading about your metamorphosis. To be a fantastic quilter, and then to be an equally, if not greater, painter (and gardener and chef and knitter and...!) You 'wow' me girl! You are an inspiration and knowing that, should be enough 'real'. Thanks for all you share!Pattie Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04133673088793154979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-49336697254441856682008-07-24T18:06:00.000-04:002008-07-24T18:06:00.000-04:00Hi,Another insightful post today! I was that art s...Hi,<BR/>Another insightful post today! <BR/><BR/>I was that art student who annoyed the instructors to no end, my mantra was "if I wanted it to look REAL I'd be in a photography class" as I once read that Picasso could paint like Norman Rockwell, but chose to interpete what he saw into ART.<BR/><BR/>I too took a hiatus from painting and found a voice in quilting. But your daily paintings have inspired me to give painting another try... on my own terms this time.<BR/><BR/>LYNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9291442.post-76479717487491924682008-07-24T17:26:00.000-04:002008-07-24T17:26:00.000-04:00Just visited your blog, Melody, and your paintings...Just visited your blog, Melody, and your paintings are amazing! They absolutely glow with gorgeous color and vitality! I am so in awe, as I had always thought that quilts and wall hangings were your forte! What<BR/>CAN'T you do?Judy Hartmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13895216025016558102noreply@blogger.com