Siouxsie oh Siouxie

It's taken me quite some time to finish this one. It could be the size, it could be the content or it could be the fact that it's going to a relative. I would assume it's all three.

This is a painting for my Brother in Law Eric. He likes Siouxsie and the Banshees and wanted a painting of Siouxie Sioux.

If you were in Mr. B's art class with me you would probably recognize this type of painting, since we did self portraits like this at one time. I can't remember what year I was in.. or what class even. I think AP Art. I'm not sure. All I know is that at one point 3 of 4 of my classes were with the same teacher on the same day, and it was all art. (I think once I just stayed in the classroom for a whole day, I don't think he noticed either.) Oh I loved high school. Well at least my art classes.

Anyways... this took time. I worked on it almost every night. I got pretty frustrated with it and myself. Problems with the eye and the left side of the face which I can still see are problematic. I look at the painting and I just want to fix all these problems that I see.... but they never go away. The painting is never finished.

I don't have any art teachers, or any fellow art students near me to hear their impressions. All Taylor says is... "It's lookin good Rach." So I ask.. what needs to be fixed? He replies... "She looks sad." Thanks Taylor.

Finally after days of just tweaking little parts, bringing in cheekbones... rounding eyes... changing shades.. I finally had to put down the brush and say.. She is done.

I will probably look at this painting in six months and be able to fix exactly what is wrong with it. I'm okay with that, I will wait.

So here is Siouxsie Sioux. Black and white acrylic, posterized version from photos. 24x30 on stretched canvas.

First of course you will see the progress, because that is always fun.

I didn't get to bring my easel with me to the great state of California. This made painting a bit difficult.

Our apartment also doesn't have any light fixtures, our living room's only light source is that there lamp.

Even with the lampshade off there was little light.

That's me with paint of my face. Thanks for telling me Taylor.

I mix paint on my fingers... I'm looking into getting a "Ring Palette" so that I don't die from paint poisoning.

Here is the "Finished" product.

Unfortunately my wax sealer has been packed so I could not seal this one... yet.

Tell me what you think...

What makes someone an Artist?

Is there a certificate you get when you have completed a number of paintings? Are you an Official Artist once you win an Art Competition? Do you have to have your very own studio? You're very own Gallery?! Or is it when you sell your first painting?

Today I was on FaceBook, I noticed someone's status saying they were sick of self proclaimed "Artists" I was a bit offended. Since my occupation claims that I am an Artist. Art is about all I do. I don't get paid much for it, I don't get a salary. I am an Artist because of one simple thing. I MAKE ART! I may not be famous. I may not be dead. I'm still making art.

There is more to it then just painting. I consider photography as Art. Music is Art. Sewing and clothing design is Art. Graphic Design is Art. That candy wrapper next to you was designed by someone, sketched out by someone... PAINTED by someone... Going into someone's clean and nicely decorated house is ART!

Selling a painting is just a proof that someone likes your work enough to pay for it and show it in their house. You don’t have to sell paintings in order to be an artist.

Art is ALL around you. The couch you are sitting on. The T-shirt you are wearing. The layout of the page you are reading right now. Even the words you are reading.

Art is a way of thinking, a way of living, a way of feeling.

If you feel like you are an artist in any way..Proclaim yourself as one! If anyone has a problem with that.. You can just print this baby out and fill in the blanks. I signed as once witness. It won't actually change anything of course. Because no paper, no badge, no one can tell you that you aren't an artist.