Ken Marsden Art

I have been trying to straighten up my work area which is a mess. I came across things I had forgotten. One of those things was a print of a painting I had done sometime ago. The painting had been triggered by finding an old family photo. It was not a good painting. My excuse is that I did it while recovering from a viral infection and was being affected by the medication used to treat me. As an aside, I ask, why do they say you are being treated when you are ill? It is no treat! The medication made me shaky, but I forged ahead, undaunted by lack of success. It was a "bad" painting but there was something about it that I liked. Memories are like that. They often contain something we like but often a whole lot we don't.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

...just another reminder about the Christmas Open House at East Ludington Gallery, 619 Ludington St., Escanaba, MI on November 20 and 21. All items in the gallery will be discounted 10%. I will be offering an additional 30% on selected Paintings. Other artists will be offering various additional discounts on their items.

...hope to see you there!

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Opposite Points of View

Yesterday I was asked if I enjoy modern art. I never know exactly how to answer that question. I suppose to give a meaningful answer a person would need to define what they mean by "modern art". Too much of it seems to me to be an attempt to present a message when the artist has nothing to say or if they do have something to say, don't have the tools or talent to express it. I paint for the joy of painting and sort of as a by product hope someone will get a moment of pleasure from the painting. When I look at a modern painting and it gives me a moment of pleasure that's great. But I don't need to be reminded how corupt the world is or whatever else is bothering the artist.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

I included this image in a past blog but repeat it here because it fit the thoughts rumbling around in my mind. I always liked this painting because it conveyed a mood and scene without really going into any detail. Actually the cows depicted if looked at individually and up close aren't even identifiable as cows. I try to get that idea across to students who come to me for help with watercolor painting. So many do what I call kid's coloring book paintings. They draw a scene and then fill it in the way we did as kids. Careful! Don't go outside the lines! Ken

Ken Marsden Art

In my blog two days ago I complained about the weather. Today East Ludington Gallery in Escanaba, MI participated in an Art Walk. The weather was beautiful and we had a great turnout. Perhaps I should complain about the weather more often.

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

We have had a crappy autumn. Usually October is really nice. Not so this year. I can still heat my tiny studio with its small propane heater but when I do, as I did this morning, I just don't seem to be inspired to paint. My solution was to force myself to do some framing projects. Somehow that got the painting mood started and I began routing through CD's of earlier paintings. I think the painting shown here was done perhaps 30 years ago. It was titled simply "Shade".

Ken

Ken Marsden Art

Opposite Points of View

I have always had mixed thoughts about having reproductions of my paintings. I know others have written extensively about the subject but it hasn't helped clear my mind. Generally I have avoided it but occasionally have some done in a much smaller size than the original. Somehow that seems OK. Yesterday I had Graphic Impressions, Wausaukeee, WI make some that will be used for display at City Hall in Menominee, MI. On short notice they wanted paintings of "Winter" and although I have done many, the originals have been sold or are out in galleries so I opted to show reproductions. I seem OK with that. Do other artists struggle with those decisions?