Have You Created Your Masterpiece Yet?
The question was asked of the Prince William Art Society member if they have created their masterpiece yet? This will be an interesting question I believe because there could be several approaches to this. Would the artist know in their heart that a certain painting, photograph, sculpture IS the pinnacle of their body of work or are they always looking forward that the NEXT one will be?
A Few PWAS Artists Answer the Masterpiece Question
The Prince William Art Society members are periodically asked a question as a whole and I await their answers and feedback to post into this Artistry Spin Blog. This masterpiece question had a few followups too, including have you sold it? Are you planning on selling it? Why? Explain your thoughts.
We shall see what comments this generates...(play the Jeopardy music here)...
1. Otis Stanley
"Major Cleaning Buffalo Fish" may be my masterpiece in the sense that I captured Major Tademy doing what he loved to do; preparing buffalo fish for cooking. In that he was able to see the finished painting and appreciated my efforts gives me great pride. No doubt, I will continue to challenge myself with future projects but this one gives me joy and satisfaction. The painting currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
2. Michelle Baker
My style changes daily, so it's hard to say if I have painted my masterpiece.
However, this painting from a photo of an afternoon by a creek is my favorite and one I will not sell.
I love the layers in "Floating Along". We are all just floating along through the whirlpools of life.
3. Donna Liguria
Have I created my masterpiece as yet? In a way, I hope not. I think mine is out there just waiting to find its canvas. Do I have a favorite or what I think is my best so far? I actually have several and most of them are sold. I haven't painted anything I want to necessarily hold on to - as yet anyway, but I am very pleased with some of them, if not tickled by how they turn out. This painting was one of them. My cousin took the picture while on location and asked me to paint it along with my "Sunrise at Nags Head" painting and I loved how both of them came out.
4. Scott McDonald
That's an interesting question as I don't approach painting from that point of view. And I might not ever as in my mind I am the eternal student trying different things and still looking for my definitive style or niche.
After 50 plus years I can look back and think about paintings that I have accomplished and which ones I thought were my best at that time, but I don't know that I could ever call any particular "good" painting a masterpiece. In my opinion, to create a masterpiece you have to have a goal to achieve something grandiose. I don't know what that would be for me. I do have several ideas floating around in my mind of paintings I would like to accomplish. I just want to do well enough that they are accepted by those who visit the gallery and would maybe want one of mine in their home. Maybe each of those that achieve that honor are a kind of masterpiece.
There is probably a painting out there that was one of my best, and maybe someone years from now will dub it as my masterpiece. But that means lots of people would have to know about my catalog of work. Most of my paintings live in boxes in my studio when not framed for a show or gracing a wall in my home. Are they good enough that years from now someone will come across them after I'm gone and make such a declaration. That remains to be seen, and like many artists before me, probably something that I will never know should such a declaration be made.. So I live in the moment and graciously accept the accolades or critiques of those who view my work and provide feedback that I can hear today. Maybe the ones that received a recent "Peoples Choice Award" at the gallery are my masterpieces. And that is good enough for me.
5. Mark Murphy
I have not created my masterpiece yet and to be honest, I'm not quite sure that I ever will. As Tolstoy said, “If you look for perfection, you'll never be content.” Aspiring to creating great art is both a blessing and a curse. Approaching life as an artist means there are endless opportunities to view and express beauty or meaning in new ways, but for me it also means that I'm never quite satisfied with my results. With practice, I see my skills improving and my results moving closer to the vision in my mind but the imperfection of my results keeps me trying.
If I define success not as a masterpiece but as a painting that I'm proud to share, my success rate is still down around 30% or less. Fortunately, I'm currently expressing myself with watercolors so it does not require significant storage space for all the paintings that I don't share and don't quite know what to do with.
I feel this same tension when I'm playing music, playing golf, or practicing Tai Chi. Feeling like there is always room for improvement keeps it interesting. When I see great art or a great performance I often say, "I don't know whether to get motivated or discouraged." Of course, choosing motivation is the key.
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.
Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5
The Prince William Art Society is a 50-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.
Want to know how to get involved at OSA? If you are an artist (18 or older) living in Prince William County, or a are a member of a PWC art group, you are welcome to get on our next art show's emailing list. Send it to us, OR come by the gallery to find out more.
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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