WATERCOLOR AND MY WORLD Richard Bird Department of Art Often a work of art can be identified as belonging to a certain artist by its style. The technique, the brush stroke, the use of certain colors, or a repeated theme may connect the artist to his creation. Some who have seen my art can attribute it to me without looking at the signature. If a clear style is evident in my work, then perhaps it says a little about who I am and how I interpret imagery and concepts. Edgar Whitney stated this about style: The sense of style is in all sincere work, simply because it is sincere. Temperament, constitution, and understanding being different in any two people, their report of the simplest incident will never be the same, yet each will be truth, provided the artist limits himself to truth as he sees and understands it. Somewhat related to this thought, John Ruskin writes: Art originates in man s need to celebrate his existence, to give form to feelings, sensations and spiritual experience which go beyond the ability of his language to communicate. Art is communication, sharing what is essential, primary and utterly human between us. Art brings into our conscious world those nonconscious feelings, intuitions, impulses and intimations of enlightened worlds beyond the commonplace and everyday. Art is very personal. Emotions and feelings comprise my work. When I present my art to public viewing, I open myself up to critical approval and/or disapproval. I feel elation and am honored when I am accepted into an important exhibition. I feel even better if I receive awards. Vanity? Perhaps. I have to admit that I do seek a measure of acceptance and wish to be recognized as a credible artist, and more important, as a credible teacher. However, my purpose in creating art goes beyond the expressed desire for acceptance. It is much deeper. I find satisfaction in the process. All else that may follow becomes gravy or icing on the cake. I believe that art must be spiritually created first. It takes form as a concept, an idea, a feeling or a desire. It requires pondering, incubation and ultimately the physical, hands-on action, until fruition is achieved. Faith plays a large part in this process. Refinements are made until the art piece is realized as a finished work of art. I have on occasion reasoned that the Lord takes great delight in creating. We, as His children, also strive to create in this limited environment called Earth, a witness to me that we wish to be like our Father in Heaven. The process of creating art encompasses numerous considerations such as composition, layering (glazing), and color selections. Red Hat shows I believe that art must be spiritually created first. a r t i s t i c e x p r e s s i o n 83
I love to paint people and their environment. compositional decisions that reflect the outdoor lighting of a marketplace in Florence, Italy. My color theme centered on the primary colors of red, yellow and blue. These colors are called primary colors because all other colors are derived from these three. My concept, in addition to the color strategy, focuses on ladies shopping and searching for treasures. The red hat becomes an undiscovered item of beauty that just may someday be discovered by one who will cherish it. Genre Setting, a painting inspired from a visit to Ensenada, Mexico, caused me to reflect on living conditions of many who lived near and around our family in Southern California when I was a child. The clothes on the line, the chickens pecking out an existence from almost nothing, suggest a simple life devoid of luxury and comforts. Life can be hard. This painting evokes feelings of empathy and love towards my neighbors. It reminds me that we all must be survivors regardless of our circumstances. Because this painting touches me personally, I gave it as a gift to my dear sister, Marie, who experienced much trial in her early life and rose above it. I love to paint people and their environment. These few paintings depict evidences of harsh conditions of human existence. I have been greatly blessed to visit various cultures and countries since I have been teaching a Brigham Young University Idaho. This wonderful institution has contributed much to me in the way of knowledge and exposure. I wish to express appreciation for the tremendous opportunities for travel and study through the years, as supported by the Thomas E. Ricks Associates and other institutional helps; they have greatly contributed to my growth as an artist. The privilege of visiting Europe, Canada, Mexico, China, and many locations in the United States has given me advantages and a desire to continue to learn and acquire scholarship. It has had a profound impact for me as a teacher and in my personal life. I am mindful of critics who have a philosophy similar to André Gide: What another would have done as well as you, do not do it. What another would have said as well as you, do not say it; written as well, do not write it. Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself and thus make yourself indispensable. This is wise counsel, but I wish not to fully adhere to it. I realize that my themes have been focused on by others in this and past generations, and one may wonder why I would spend my energies repeating such themes. I justify it by saying, But I haven t done it. This is my time and my place to give witness to personal feelings and observations. If some are edified or lifted through my art, then I am pleased. 84 p e r s p e c t i v e