Thursday, January 1, 2009

Magzarines

Magzarines, more commonly known as magazines, are what I'm thinking about today. (our kids used to call them magzarines when they were little)

I recently received my February issue of Watercolor Artist, it's a new subscription I started this past fall. The only other magazine I subscribe to is Hobby Farms. I like Hobby Farms because it is down-to-earth and has basic information for the novice or experienced farm owner. At least I think it does, I'm not experienced so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. The only thing I don't like about it, is that it is always highlighting "heritage" breeds or lines of vegetables. I understand the reasoning but I'm interested in more ordinary farm things, not just heritage stuff. The magazine has articles from planting seeds, to what type of tomato makes the best salsa, to building a chicken coop, to selecting the proper horse for your interests, to best breeds for colder climates. It has a little bit of everything and all told plainly. I really like this magazine.

Watercolor Artist, on the other hand, is full of gobbly gook I don't understand. There is a section near the back called "watercolor essentials" that deals with more basic principals. That section I like - I need a better understanding of values, hues, color saturation, etc. But there is too much of this: "I tried to make the connection to nature in which the passage of time also leaves its traces" or "allows for an intuitive underpainting followed by the easy removal of shapes and the addition of finishing details". I find myself having to reread much of the commentary just to get a basic understanding of what they are trying to say. Is it really that mysterious? The art of painting? It makes me feel inadequate, unprepared, and stupid because I don't get it.

I think the reality is that I like real things. I like the painting to look like what it is supposed to be. Trees are trees. Scenery is scenery. Flowers are flowers. I don't mind if they paint the moose purple or blur the flowers so they look like I'm not wearing my contacts. Sometimes that is interesting. What I don't like is a painting of colors, blobs, washes and whatnot and then someone trying to tell me that "it expresses my hopeful expectations".

I'll probably never get into the "artsy" club. I'm not suited.

6 comments:

Alicia said...

you have to be BOTH fartsy and artsy to be in that that special club...so maybe be glad that you are just artsy!

Happy New Year!

tainterturtles said...

I still remember certain words my kids use to say when they were little like, prentzel (pretzels) & Ba-skettie (spagehtetti)!!! The Hobby Farm magazine sound interesting....The Watercolor Artist sounds stuffy!

Aunt Krissy said...

Preach it Sister Patty! I'm 100% with you on that. I don't get that kind of speek.

K. said...

I still read your blog, too! I just don't comment very often, either. RSS feeds make it easy to read and easy to not comment, unfortunately.

I think when you're truly talented, you don't need to worry about being an artiste and instead can just be good at what you do and just make good art. If that makes sense.

I think my husband would like the Hobby Farm (there's only so much 'farming' one can do in a suburb, though). I may have to look into that as a gift for him this year.

Anonymous said...

I think I come to the right place, because for a long time do not see such a good thing the!

Anonymous said...

Although from different places, but this perception is consistent, which is relatively rare point!
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