The artist within me has been influenced greatly by the artist Robert A. Wade who said:
See with your brain.
Feel with your eyes.
Interpret with your heart.
I am an artist, a creator, an author, a poet, and a composer. When I was beginning to paint, with all the techniques, art elements, and art principles to learn, calculated analytical scenes were the norm. Now when I paint, there is a deeper emotional element involved.
When I am hiking, canvassing for ideas, like Robert A. Wade, I first see with my brain, and then feel with my eyes. If a location emits a strong artistic attraction, something that grabs my immediate attention, I ask myself the emotional question “why?” Is it exciting or saddening, perplexing or calming? Does it make a life statement?
Once I recognize it, I investigate visually: light contrasts, subdued tonal values, color relationships, shapes, the list goes on. This true artistic nutriment creates a great feast!
And this is just the beginning. I am working on a painting right now called “Old Timer.” To begin, I followed all the above Wade advice. Oh my, Painting is so exhilarating, mind expanding, and vital!
To you artists who are reading this, remember Robert A. Wade’s words of wisdom:
See with your brain.
Feel with your eyes.
Interpret with your heart.
You won’t regret it.