motivation

Shoot for the stars , I always do, guess I'm an idealist. Here I am at Cobalt Studios, learning all I can about scenic painting. The best tool a scenic artist has is ingenuity- how can I get this done, the fastest, most efficient, physically easiest method? (You begin the think this way after spending 8 hours hunched over, on your knees on the floor drawing with a magic marker...). Process is as important as inventiveness. What to do first, then what, these are the important questions, think ahead. To have to go backwards is a nightmare, a waste of time and resources, not to mention spirit. I beautifully finished foreground usually precedes a fast and easy application of background. The question of tools comes into play, what tool is best for the job, most efficient. Often scenics use tools in unique ways, as well as a raft of unique tools of their own. Bow lines, scenic foot, snap lines, long handles brushes...
But, I was talking about motivation. What is artistic motivation? In this instance it is a project, a challenge. I am beginning work on a small canvas, (by scenic standards) only 9x12 feet. I am planning it to include as many challenges as possible within its borders. It is a piece of hung drapery, crumpled folded, trusted, above an arched doorway that is also curtained with sheers with lace, and a heavy curtain with tassels. All this is encased in marble, with a stone wall and a wooden floor. Surely this will be a gleeful test of my capabilities hopefully with lovely results!

week one!

I am having a great time here at Cobalt Studios, today is one whole week! It has flown by, as well as a sense of having been here forever. I am comfortable, warm, engaged in activity all day long, so no time to be bored or restless. I am learning new things all the time but not in a pressured environment, all very easy going. I even have an opportunity to occassionally teach them a tidbit or two. The environment is great, the workshop is well equipped and bright. The processes used here are more traditional so I get a chance to learn the good old ways, see the tools, use them, nothing like hands on to embed a teaching....

Cobalt

A drive, a path I've not taken before, leads me to Cobalt Studios, nestled on the edge of the Catskills, wonder and experience anew awaits me, tantalizing me, teasing me, almost scaring me, until I settle in. A short walk through the wintery woods of New York state brings me to the workshop of Cobalt Studios. I am here for a month, time enough to learn and rehearse, then embed most of the tricks of my trade. I'm an artist who, when called upon, paints scenincly, for the theatre that is. I hope, after my time here, to finally feel comfortable calling myself a scenic artist. I think this hope my well come true. Turning hopes and dreams into reality is the stock and trade of the artist is it not?
Collabaration, risk taking, geometry, absolute rendering capabilities, strength of character and physical strength, flexibility, ingenuity, persisitance, diplomacy....just a few of the required traits to be a scenic artist.
My first of four weeks has been wonderful. The challenges met, the rhythmn comfortable. The learning curve steep, as I discover new ways to tackle old challenges. A sense of callaboration and a common goal permeates each day.
At Cobalt we work together, eat together and live together, surely a test of character, diplomacy, compassion and a healthy dose of a recognition that we are all in this together. Only working together will the job get done. Not for the faint of heart.
I am in love with it all.
Cobalt, a colour, a place, a dream, a tradition.