Creatively Thinking

When is a work of art all yours and and original and not a copy of another’s work?   Inspired by a viewers comments about a new work of art I posted on Facebook. Viewers of my work frequently ask me about the squiggly black and white lines I have dancing through just about all of my work.   I always tell them the story of when they first appeared.   I was painting a large watercolor on paper and there was one area of the work that I didn’t like.   Watercolor is very unforgiving and I didn’t know how to make that area work and still keep the integrity of the work.   I took out a ruler and drew three straight lines through the troubled area.   Then I painted them black and white.   These black and white lines have been dancing, they are no longer straight, through my work ever since.   For me they represent motion and movement in the work they appear in. So where did these lines come from?   Just out of the blue like I described th...

"The Performers - At The Circus" 40x30 Acrylic on paper. Man did I struggle with this piece - trying to learn how to put figures in my work. Just a wonderful new challenge.

Visit Christine in her studio during Northwoods Art Tour in the Minocqua, Wisconsin Area - July 27-29. Studio hours for the tour are 10-5. The entire new Circus Series to date will be on display during the tour. Featured image: "Poppies III" 8"x8" x12"x12" Framed, Watercolor and Acrylic on Paper

Hope to see you during Northwoods Art Tour - July 27-29. Studio hours for the tour are 10-5. The entire new Circus Series to date will be on display during the tour. Title: Clown and Her Trickster Dog 8x8 framed 20x20 Acrylic and Watercolor on Paper. Part of At The Fishing Cabin Series and Circus Series.

Thinking about this question I immediately start reflecting on abstract art and color fields.   I think of Paul Jenkins work and the work of current day arts who create work from “poured” colors.   The content of these works is???????   I am not sure.   Beautiful flowing color but does that make it art?   When Paissul Jenkins first introduced the poured color fields he was working in a different time.   The goal of many artists during that time was to find purity to find bliss, to find utopia and present it.   Jenkins time was trying to identify the mystical source of all things and make it objective.   Artists today are still trying to identify that mystical source that comes from no where they claim and just is there.   They have made very little progress in finding that special kind of unknowable so they link this unknowable to their feelings.   How they feel about a work of art?   Feelings do very little when it come...

Best of Show.  “Ringmaster’s Coat,” Watercolor and acrylic on paper.  “The perspective in this painting is abstract and compelling.  You can feel the hum and vibrancy of the circus, combined with a vibrant depiction of the ringmaster as he controls, or ties to control the chaos.  Anne Katz, judge, MAL Annual Exhibition, is the executive director of Arts Wisconsin and is nationally-known arts advocate.  Ringmasters Coat is currently on display at the Manitowish Waters Art Leagues annual exhibition.  It will be on display until Sunday July 22.  Gallery hours are from 9-6 Thursday, Friday, Saturday and 9-2 on Sunday.   Ringmasters Coat will also be on display during the Northwoods Art Tour July 27-29 in Christine Alfery's studio.  Studio hours for the tour 10-5.  The entire circus series to date will be on display during the tour.

I heard her, then I saw her. I have one hummingbird coming to the feeder on a yearly basis. I am so delighted she returns year after year to bring me joy with my morning coffee. Today there is also the finch calling and the rain quietly falling. Good day to work in the studio. Artwork by Christine Alfery. "The Bridge" 8"x8" Acrylic and watercolor on paper. Part of the "At The Fishing Cabin Series."