What is FOLk Art?

   When I started to think about this blog, what it was going to be about,  what would drive it.... I decided that it would be important to define for my followers...What is folk art? It seems to me that there is some confusion as to what makes folk art different from the rest of the art out there roaming the world.

According to Webster's Dictionary, folk art is defined as artistic works, as paintings, sculpture, basketry, and utensils, produced typically in cultural isolation by untrained often anonymous artists or by artisans of varying degrees of skill and marked by such attributes as highly decorative design, bright bold colors, flattened perspective, strong forms in simple arrangements, and immediacy of meaning. Unfortunately, I find some problems with that definition.

Although, they are correct in stating the different mediums used in folk art, today's folk artists are highly skilled, some with or without formal training and the colors and arrangements are not primarily bold or simple.   There are many professional artists that made their entire careers using a folk art motif in their works. For example, Charles Wysocki and Jane Wooster Scott. Both artists were formally trained but, their work flourished in a folk art style. 

No I don't believe that folk art can be defined in the same way that it was even twenty years ago. Throughout the last decade, I believe that it has taken on a new attitude perhaps borrowed from it's cousin "outsider art." Folk art can now be defined in much looser terms. For instance, a style that is not influenced by movements in academics or fine art circles and not restrained by the tight grasp that the fine art world may consider art worthy.  

Todays folk artists are totally free to express their love of anything from angels to cute little puppies (yes even cats), whether or not it is deemed appropriate in the mainstream "art world."  That is the folk art that I love.  A true visual expression of thoughts, feelings and ideas of day to day life, a true power to the people story!  Folk art is art of the people, for the people!!!!

just another day in the neighborhood

Blake and I escaped our normal schedule to go to "The neighborhood" at Pittsburgh Mills Mall. There is a lot for him to do for free and some you have to pay for that is totally worth it. Blake told me yesterday that sometimes it is not great to have an art mom because you have to share the computer. It sounds like he needs a day on the outside to me.

Tonight I will finish painting number four. While I watch "the office" special tonight! I can't wait!!!!!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPod touch]

Holiday Week

I am a little nervous, this Thanksgiving is the first that I will actually be making Thanksgiving dinner for twenty of my family members. Don't get me wrong this is just a drop in the bucket to the amount of people that my mom cooks for every year but, I do what I can.  We have to wait to have dinner with my entire family because of extended family commitments until Sunday. So I am hosting a dinner for all the family members that have no where to go on the actual holiday.   I was thinking of simplifying the whole day by just serving "walking tacos."  Walking tacos are a delightful concoction of Fritos, taco meat, lettuce and sour cream served in a snack sized chip bag. Effortless and delicious, my two favorite ingredients.

I am pretty caught up with new paintings to post on Ebay, so I decided to take this time to work on my websites and blogs. Please make sure to check them all out next week!

New Studio!

This is the home of my studio! It is wonderful. I have more than enough room for all of my mess. Well, my controlled mess, which may be a contradiction in itself. It works for me. We are very happy here. The kids are still homeschooling. My daughter is working on a line of crafts that she is planning to sell on Etsy. I hope she has more luck there than I did. I will post the link when she is all ready.

Something different...

This week took me in a new direction, as my muse often does. I started a great Halloween painting and suddenly lost passion for it. So now it sits on my Lazy Chair.  Suddenly, I couldn't stop thinking about angels.   I envisioned the angel that I wanted to create, thought about background, dress and hair color. 

Last night I started the background and was so happy with the feel of the light that I couldn't stand to paint the angel in it.  So here is a quick picture of it but, it is not a very true picture. Although, it gives you the general idea. Follow my auctions this week to  see them better.

I also want to state that my heart and prayers go out to the state employees of Pennsylvania that are not getting paid for the seventh year in a row because, the morons in Harrisburg can't balance a budget.  Stay strong.

New week... New painting!

     I am very happily working on my winter paintings.   All of my new tricks are working quite well.  This is my happiest time just painting, creating, sculpting life.  Everyday, I sit and look at a blank canvas. I having an idea just a thought. Once I put the brush in the paint and place my first stroke something takes over from there. It is being in the creative flow.  

     It is not like I don't take breaks. I do. I take plenty of breaks, those help me to. I can look at the painting from a fresh prospective that way. It is fun to see how a piece is going to end up.  The painting that I have posted here started out as a spring piece but, morphed into a winter. Maybe it is more about what I am feeling. I love the look of a winter scene. You can see only the happy, fun action and not the cold freezing temperature numbing your nether regions. 

On that note, stay in the flow! See you next time.

July 15

It has been a real challenge trying to get painting done with the kids at home all the time. There are so many distractions, it is hard to stay on task. Out of shear desperation, I have discovered some helpful techniques that allow me to be flexible with my business, my kids and enables me to keep my sanity as well as my income.

I decided to make my studio as portable as possible. This way I can keep up with the kids where ever they end up. Whether that is the pool or the playground, I can set up shop on the fly. I have a big black bag stuffed with paints, brushes, canvas and water. I even have a portable aluminum easel. Perfect, I just have to find a way to keep people at the park to stop asking me every five minutes, “what are you painting?” Oh, and the ever popular “can you paint me something?” Please send any ideas!

Second, I have designed a very flexible schedule. I start painting at seven in the morning, a good two hours before my kids get up in the summertime. Then I stop for a couple hours, get them awake and started on their day. Paint for a couple more hours then clean and figure out what I am going to make for dinner. Then paint for a couple more hours after dinner. I find that breaking up the painting schedule really helps keep me interested in the painting and helps think of fresh new ideas.

Lastly, I am getting a jump on the busy autumn season. In the past, I would create paintings in the same season that I was in, the summer paint summer, in the fall paint fall paintings. I have scrapped that idea for this year. Mainly because, my winter and fall paintings sell best for me and the season really isn’t long enough to capitalize on all the ideas that come my way. This year I am painting all fall and winter so that I will be ready for the demand.
Until next week, take care and stay in the creative flow! Kori