Tuesday, December 2, 2008

. . . cruised other blogs




My blog-friend, Martha Marshall (http://artistsjournal.wordpress.com/) has an extensive, interesting and diverse blogroll on her site. She has gone to all the trouble of linking them to her blog, so I try to hit a few of them every day. One of my favorites is Bob Cornelis (http://bobcornelis.wordpress.com/) because he creates absolutely amazing monoprints that I thoroughly enjoy. If you haven't discovered this site, I encourage you to take a look.


But not only does Bob show us his art, he also writes about serious art matters. . . he quotes everyone from Albert Camus to Miles Davis, including a whole bunch of people I've never even heard of. His topics and the comments are deep and cogent and way over my head. Because if you've read this blog, you know I don't quote anyone but people in my family and I discuss such weighty topics as texture paint and spray foam and sometimes just daily living.


Which brings me to some questions: Do I reveal too much of how I create my paintings? Do I give the impression that I don't take my art seriously? Is it important to know that I use texture paint or spray foam or leftover packaging material in my paintings? Do I do this because I think others will find it interesting, or do I do it because I have nothing philosophically intelligent to say about art? Is all this a result of not going to art school? I mean, is this the kind of thing art students discuss or learn? The answer to all of these things is probably yes.


To the 20 or so people that regularly read this blog, please know that I do not take myself very seriously. . . I tend to see humor in almost everything, including myself and my art career, such as it is. I have been spectacularly fortunate to be able to create art, and then even more fortunate to have someone out there willing to sell it for me. How can I take myself seriously when it's all serendipity? Even gloomy Mr. Camus would have to see the humor in that.

10 comments:

Catherine said...

I think you hit the right mix between process/philosophy and Life, Mary. And that puts you in the company of Artists with a capital A....art school or not. I hope that you continue with your art blog after 2/09...

Anonymous said...

I lookforward to reading your blog. Like minds come together.

Mary Buek said...

Oh, Catherine. . .thanks. I'm sure I'll keep blogging after February, but perhaps only when I actually have new art to show. I'm thinking I should do a blog about all the books I read, from the trashy stuff to the good stuff.

Mary Buek said...

Artjas: Thanks for dropping in. . . where's your blog? Looks like the painting in your picture is pretty cool.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Mary. Havn't given it much thought. Maybe in the new year. Enjoy your thoughts and photos.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the mention, Mary, and also for your blog. It's always inspiring and never, ever boring!

Mary Buek said...

Why, thank you, Martha. . . and ditto (no, I don't like Rush Limbaugh. . . who is one of the ten most fascinating people this year, according to Barbara Walters? Fascinating like a snake, maybe, or a spider spinning a web.)

Anonymous said...

Mary

Thanks so much for mentioning my blog and the kind words. I enjoy visiting your blog, both to see your work and to hear what you have to say.

I'm fascinated by the way you interweave your painting and photography, since I do some of each myself. I'm inspired by your integration of the two.

Mary Buek said...

Bob: High praise from an artist I admire greatly. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.