Is the Artist alive in you?

 “When the artist is alive in any person,

whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring, self-expressive creature. He becomes interesting to other people. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and opens ways for better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it and shows there are still more pages possible.”
― Robert Henri

I will do a comparison today of self portraits between Henri's and my own. - yeah, I have nerves of steel. lol

Self Portrait, 1903, oil on canvas

Notice the darkness of Henri's work, allowing the light on his face to POP! See the redness of his flesh and his mustache (which appears a notable different than the hair of his head) What an intense yet mystical  fellow he appears to be .

Pam Hartfield, Self Portrait, 1999,

Oil on Canvas

 Now look at the bold light in mine that does not allow for the light in my face to pop...I think I have just taught myself a lesson. Technically the painting works but can you imagine how the blond hair and pink lips would bounce off of the canvas had I used a darker blackgreen background? Green being a direct compliment of red this could have been a showstopper for me. 

How sad it is to see my mistakes.  Yet...exciting that I have kept my mind open enough to learn proving the artist is still alive and kicking in me!

Now I have set my mood for my next work and I do believe Henri will be my muse!! I wonder what he would think about that?

Happy painting y'all...

Got something to add then let me remind you comments are begged for and really wanted.

 

 

And the winner is 

Melissa S.!!!!

Enter to win this Free Handmade Chicken Wall Flag

' She'll Cluck Cluck all around your Kitchen! '

Follow all the way to the bottom and enter all the awesome giveaways!!! There are so many great prizes it's unreal.  I hope you all win something!! 

Handmade Chicken Door/Wall Flag

$25.00 Value!!!

  This cute little cotton blend chicken rests on a dishtowel with felt eggs and flower, adorned with buttons. Machine and hand stitched in a smoke free/pet free environment. Hangs 21" with craft rope attached to a 18" wooden rod.

For more pictures just click this link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/196614105/handmade-chicken-doorwall-flag?ref=shop_home_active_7

Entry-Form

Welcome to the first annual "Fight Like a Girl" Blog hop
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We are a community of bloggers that love throwing giveaways and bringing you amazing prizes! Each blogger on the list below has a minimum value of $10 but most giveaways exceed that limit! Be sure to "hop" along to each blog and enter to win some amazing prizes there is no limit to how many prizes you can win! please don't forget sharing is caring! Let your friends in on the fun!

Thank you for stopping by and Good luck!

Stepping out of the Box

'I stepped WAY out of my box' and I liked it!

Often we get stuck in our ways...pretty little trees, perfect flower petals, asymmetrical always.  I stood in front of this blank canvas and said no more same ole same ole today. You know what? It was fun. 

We all remember the word fun but do we remember  how to actually  have fun? Remember the things you did as a child? Ring around the rosie, jacks, hop scotch,super mario  (threw that in to keep from giving away my age), the list is endless and if you search back you will remember that feeling. 

Today I challenge you to stand in front of your empty canvas and ring around the rosie until you all fall down then pick yourselves up and paint that feeling. The subject does not matter but the feeling will live forever. 

I found this scrolling through a social network feed. I have no clue about the author but I know I  like the message and I will leave you today with it.  

"Invite fun into your life and it will find it's way into your work." - author P.H. Original's aka Pam Hartfield

Spooktacluar Giveaway!!!

Don't miss entering.  I have joined with a bunch of other bloggers to offer this exclusive spookiness giveaway.  This Flash Giveaway lasts for 4 days and winner will be notified via email with 48 hours to respond. If you do not respond in time the goblins will choose another winner. Enter, share and keep your fingers crossed.   What fun!! 

Halloween Forevermore Wax Warmer Flash Giveaway!

Sponsored by: Halloween Forevermore

Hosted by:  Savory Savings

Once upon a sleepless night, while I perused Facebook, stealth and might,

  Over many a post and strange shares of BuzzFeed love,

    While I liked, nearly commenting, I had a sense of something processing,

Like jack-o-lanterns dancing, dancing on my computer with more

  "Just some giveaway," I mumbled, "dancing on my computer and more-

                Only this, and nothing more.  Bringing me a giveaway from Halloween Forevermore…”

(poem by Krista, modeled after Edgar Allen Poe's The Rave)

How would you like to win a wax warmer from Halloween Forevermore?  If you would like a chance to win, enter with the Giveaway Tool below.  If you have won a Halloween Forevermore giveaway anytime from another blog in the last 12 months, you are not eligible to win this giveaway.  The giveaway will run from October 9 through October 12, 2014 at 11 PM CST and is open to US residents, ages 18 and older.  Entries will be verified.  Winners will be notified via email (consider adding gloriouslygreengal@gmail.com to your safe list) – winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize or another winner will be selected.
Good Luck!

Tweets about Where did my muse go?

Dang Muse.......... Come Back!

Okay, again today I have looked high and low for my muse.  I looked on Facebook, it's not there.  I looked on Twitter, it wasn't there.  I looked in Gmail, it didn't show up in there.  I even looked in my old AOL mail and it wasn't hiding there either.  I think someone stole it. As a matter of fact I am convinced of it.  Did you do it?

I asked Twitter and received some awesome responses.  

I just love these creative minded people.

@pluslily just suggested probably the @bronxzooscobra.  
Oh my, I hope the Egyptian cobra didn't get her.  Now, I am really worried. What if I never get her back?

@imaflipsidder said, "I am my own muse (amusement, that is.) ha ha. I find it by looking at the good in people. In the little things. Challenge." Oh and something about that what the imaflipsidder was all about her flip side is her muse. Now she says she's borrowing her for a while but she'll send my muse and her flipside home together! (suspicious @imafipsidder keeps changing her story)

@callmaggie said, Wow finding a Muse is tough. Look at your life & speak of things that make u light up, usually U will light someone up 2 :) (yes, I tried to trip her up too but she doesn't have it)

I just heard from  @DanicaFontaine  responding to that twitter search I did and she said. "I have her hog tied and gagged and locked in a trunk in my basement. You didnt need her today, did you? (LOL)"   I asked @DanicaFontaine to please untie her and send her home.  I told her she was supposed to help me work today but that girl will do anything to get out of work. @DanicaFontaine said she was now loafing around counting zebra stripes and cheetah spots  and busying herself trying to grow platforms and heels. Then she went on a walkabout with a painted butterfly that turned into a black widow,  Now she's all tangled up in something. Imagine that.

If you have something to add please comment on this post.
Remember to follow my blog!

a Rafflecopter giveaway ">

It's Give Away Time!!

"Frosty the Snowman or Voodoo Doll... you decide...either way he gets a pin stuck in him...lol"

Y'all know I have been busy getting my crafty side on. So busy that I decided to share by giving away my latest 'one of a kind' snowman pin cushion(or voodoo doll if you prefer...lol)  Follow the rafflecopter instructions and You're all done!!

Of course if you can't wait on the giveaway you can order one for $10 (+ shipping) In order to do that pm me on fb and we'll get the ball rolling.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Snowman Pin Cushion Giveaway has ended!

Drum Roll.....and the winner is... Vicki S.F. !!! Please check your email and reply with shipping info.

Thank you all who entered and all who shared my page. This was so much fun!!

The Year of 2014, so far...

Yep, I have been away for a while and making money elsewhere, starving artists do that.  I have dabbled on my crafty side in the past year. I went through an apple phase last fall ...

I had a ball creating these.  Kinda... getting back to basics.  

And that led me right into doing this. I am pleased with this piece and am sure Robert Henri would find something to say about it, although I am sure it would be negative but dang it, I like it. I have signed it and since removed it from my easel.

That all I have for today but remember happy trying to paint y'all.

Starving Artist gets FREE Burt's Bees Sensitive Skin Products

You may find this funny, annoying or plain silly but I promise you it will be honest.  I'm a BzzAgent, which means I get new products to try for FREE along with coupons and samples to share. Burt's Bees is my very first real Bzz Campaign and I want to do a good job so they'll give me more products to try.  I received a full size bottle of Burt's Bees Moisturizer and Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin.  I have been using them for about 3 weeks now and I find them to be very comparable to Aveeno. My skin is sensitive and it has not broken my face out, as a matter of fact it feels rather smooth. It did not erase my wrinkles but it didn't promise to do that. On a grading scale 1-10, with 10 being highest, I give it an honest 9 ... I'd give it a 10 if it had a pleasant smell but there is no smell at all.

This is what they sent me Free!

You may think this a little off the mark for an Artist's Journal but I am an Artist and a Woman that likes her skin to look and feel good.  But, let's think about it ... the artistic chemistry involved in making this stuff is ART in the ultimate sense and way surpasses my ability. On second thought, a painter's mind constantly mixes hues to create values and shades of color that will portray an image or feeling.  You think I could mix a concoction to make face cleanser and cream? Nah, I'd probably blow the lab up.

(cough, cough) I wouldn't have to be a 'starving artist' if some of you would buy my artwork. (hehehe)

Know it all people ....

“Those who simply collect technique have at best only a second hand lot. A great artist is one who says as nearly what he means as his powers of invention allow. An ordinary artist often uses eloquent phrases, phrases of established authority, and if he is skillful it is surprising to see how he can nearly make them fit his ideas---or how he can make the ideas give way to a phrase. But such an artist is not having a good time. 

A snake without a skin might make a fair job of crawling into another snake's shedding but I guess no snake would be fool enough to bother with it. ...

IF IN your drawings you habitually disregard proportions you become accustomed to the sight of distortion and lose critical ability. A person living in squalor eventually gets used to it.” Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

Not promoting this book just an example

Wow, this an artist after my own brush! I have often been told in my life that those who can do and those who can't stand by and tell you how to. I must admit, that really gets under my skin sometimes. I just hate for someone to say to me "if you did this" and speak in terms that only one can find in what I call 'idiot books'. You know the books I speak of. The ones that convince people (that don't have a clue how to hold a brush must less how to keep the paint from sliding off the canvas) that they can tell you what and how to do. These are the people I want to take my paint brush to. I'd probably paint question marks all over their tiny little beady-eyed faces so when I looked back at them I could simple say, “Question? Why the hen are you here invading my space if you don't like the quality of my air? Crawl back in your own snake skin.” I mean really--gets on my last nerve.

enough said for today ... happy creating ya'll. P.H. Original's aka/Pam Hartfield

'Letter of Criticism' ~ Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

It appears I don't have a lot of inspiration this morning ... this is not a good thing.  What am I thinking? Today could be the perfect opportunity to meet my 'muse' head on and put the ideas in play.  Okay girl, get it together.

Today lead me to a 'Letter of Criticism' written by non other than Robert Henri to a student/friend.
         "You have gone there to find yourself.  What you have started, this thing of becoming an artist, a real one, almost every man fails at.  Few have the courage or stamina to go through the parts one has to go through alone in more ways than one.
           I don't believe in being inhuman.  I should feel sorry for the man who would not cry for company or sympathy.  The human creature must have these things, and when you can't stand it you will have to dig out and get your belly full--and then go back.
           If you go through this winter you will come out a strong man and you will be well aquainted with yourself.
           It's hard.  I shiver with the cold.  It is easy maybe to sit here and write this, seated by a steam radiator.  But I know what it is like to be in the cold and alone in both ways. .......
          You are not yet used to the weather.  You can't jump from comfort into the conditions of such life.  And then the snow is to come.  Get ready for the wonder of it, and paint like a fiend while the ideas possess you.
          ... If you paint two or three hundred canvases this winter and a dozen of them are really good and say your say of yourself, time and place, you can be happy." Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

I sit at amazement that I stumbled across this letter, what a metaphor!  It was just the kick in the pants I needed today.  The irony is, usually, I do a lot of painting in the winter but this winter has lead me to a lot of obstacles in my path. And the hurdles have been higher than I could muster the courage to jump.  But ... all this has lead me to do this blog and that, in itself, is proving to be my soul searching place in the cold.

happy creating ya'll, P. H. Original's aka/Pam Hartfield

If the artist is alive in you .. Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

"IF THE artist is alive in you, you may meet Greco nearer than many people, also Plato, Shakespear, the Greeks. In certain books -- some way in the first few paragraphs you know that you have met a brother.

You Pass people on the street, some are for you, some are not." Robert Henri, The Art Spirit.

El Greco
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/greco/ 

Plato
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7481846318858013482

Shakespeare
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7481846318858013482
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.


For my two cents worth today I give you one of my favorite Rat Packers as I could not have said it better myself and this, my friend, is my brother.

I hope to be scared soon :/

531 × 390 - Robert Henri, Girl Seated by the Sea, 1893

16 x 20 - Pam Hartfield, Path to the Sea

 Imagine a world where you sit on top of the Ferris Wheel and never feel the slightest shiver or get the feeling you could fall.  What if you never felt a little eerie entering a haunted house or after you've climbed the mountain not been a little afraid to peek over the edge? Ever peered out at the vastness of the Ocean and wondered what creature looms away from the shoreline, but gasped at the beauty and intrigued by it all?

 In the words of our infamous Robert Henri, "Everybody who has any respect for painting feels scared when he starts a new canvas.  A person who has never been afraid has no imagination.


A GREAT painter will know a great deal about how he did it, but still he will say, "How did I do it?"  The real artist's work is a surprise to himself." Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

I'll buy that! I have yet to touch a new canvas when my hand didn't quiver just a bit. I bite my lip and say a little prayer.  I have even been known to whisper to myself, "It's okay me and God have this."  It's when a painting goes astray and lends itself to some form that has no recollection of realness that I whisper again, "Lord, where did I go wrong?"

I'll leave you with these thoughts to ponder today ...  GET SCARED PEOPLE and paint. (imagine the fear in me when I clicked the button posting Henri's seashore beside mine)

I'm not Famous but I'd Like to be ...

Yes, that's me non-famous Artist Pam Hartfield.  Wonder what it would be like to really be famous?  Never mind being rich!  I could paint until my hearts content, start a school for all those who really want to paint and can't afford to buy the supplies.  The list would be endless.  I can see it now P.H. Original's aka/Pam Hartfield up in lights with cameras flashing and journalist asking questions.  I wonder how many times I would stumble over my own feet walking that red carpet?  We all know I shoot from the hip when I have something to say so I assume they would just love to quote me saying something utterly stupid ... but then again that's part of my charm don't you think? ;)

On to a more serious note about someone who was famous in his own time, Robert Henri.

Robert Henri, Gertrude Venderbilt Whitney, 1916

"A work of art is not a copy of things.  It is inspired by nature but must not be a copying of the surface.  Therefore what is commonly called "finish" may not be finish at all.

You have to make your statement of what is sential to you-an innate reality, not a surface reality.  You handle surface appearances as compositional factors to express a reality that is beyond superficial appearances.  You choose things seen and use them to phrase your statement." Robert Henri/ The Art Spirit

"In other words if you want a picture buy a camera." Pam Hartfield/non-famous artist

It's Me Again

  View from My Studio Window (sigh)

Sorry for not posting lately guys.  I have a close family member with the dreaded Alzheimer's Disease and I am afraid I have been obsessed with that.  What I am coming to realize is that I must live today because tomorrow my life may be taken from me even if I am still walking this earth.  I vow to get back into my blog world and hope there are readers out there that enjoy hearing the things I share.

I have so many things in my head that I want to do.  I have paintings etched in my brain, a book I need to write (I have it started but I hope my laptop doesn't freak out on me) and there's still that Homemade Christmas Thing I talked my family into this year! It has been hard to get started on some of these things since we have been out of town for over a year now. We are scheduled to be back at home around the first of April and I can't wait. My Studio has been beckoning me from afar .... like a light from a lighthouse calling me back to the safe harbor of the world I like to live in.

enough said for today ... happy creating ya'll

Are you finished yet?

Grab My Button look right of the page

One must begin to ever finish. Isn't that the truest statement you ever heard? I suggest you begin at the beginning;the first feeling you felt inspired by.  A look on a persons face, a sunrise, a shadow at midday, an ocean view in all of its magnificence. Remember the feeling upon awaking to the dawn on a new day;you will pull from this feeling to finish your work. 

The feeling is fleeting so you must work swiftly.  I know I am holding my feeling if my cigarette burns in the ashtray.  This means I have set my tone correctly; color values are harmonizing, my brush strokes are precise and I am accomplishing what I set forth to do. I usually listen to music that matches the feeling it helps keep me in that frame of mind.

 "Do some great work, Son!  Don't try to paint good landscapes.  Try to paint canvases that will show how interesting landscape looks to you ... your pleasure in the thing. Wit.

There are lots of people who can make sweet colors, nice tones, nice shapes of landscape, all done in nice broad and intelligent-looking brushwork.

self-portrait-or-desperate-man-gustave-courbet

Courbet showed in every work what a man he was, what a head and heart he had. 

Every student should put down in some form or other his findings. .... What he leaves is so much for others to use as stones to step on or stones to avoid. " Robert Henri - The Art Spirit

( Jean Désiré Gustave Courbet (10 June 1819–31 December 1877) was a French painter who led the Realist movement in 19th-century French painting. ...) 

Remember this and then enough said for the day. "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right." P. Cunard

Me and a Deadman been Talking ...

 ... and we decided that sometimes its just not the right time to create.  There are days when you hold the brush in your hand, aim toward the canvas and you just know you are fixing to make a mess of things. You stroke your brush against the canvas and realize your colors are muddy and look nothing at all like your mind projected. You are aiming for a bright sun shinny day and dark clouds appear.  Lay the brush down.  Walk outside take a look at the sky and follow down to the horizon.  Touch a trees bark and feel the way it grows. Smell a flower inhaling all it is meant to be. Read a passage from your favorite artist.

" Out of it all what is good will survive and be known later;what is bad or negligible will pass and we shall have lived." Robert Henri, The Art Spirit

enough said today ... I'm headed for a walk through nature.

"Don't Worry About Rejections ..."

Yes, I am back to Robert Henri today and just read a statement from his book using the word "rejections" ... plural "rejections". What a way to start a day huh?

"Don't worry about rejections.  Everybody that's good has gone through it.  Don't let it matter if your works are not "accepted" at once.  The better or more personal you are the less likely they are of acceptance.  Just remember that the object of painting pictures is not simply to get them in exhibitions.  It is all very fine to have your pictures hung, but you are painting for yourself, not for the jury." Robert Henri, The Art Spirit.

I say when you are rejected, "Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."  Happy painting ya'll.

I Hate to Blow My Own Horn but ... Beep - Beep!

Lemons to Lemoande- Pam Hartfield

 Ah, the sweet taste of lemonade.  I was late going to bed night before last and happened to glance at my phone, saw I had an "@mention" on twitter. I opened it and to my surprise I had been re-blogged! Some of you might think that would have been a little scary but trust me I was ecstatic! Thomas Rice at aaacoms.com has a blog where he writes about other blogs worth mentioning (that's me, toot-toot) and I fell in very good company with the Bloggers he has on his list. Take a look at his page and check out some of the things he has going on. Click on this direct link to see what he writes about.
P.H. Originals Journal of an Artist 

An artist lives hoping some one will discover their works and I don't mind admitting, "I am no exception."  Re-blog me all you want as long as you use my stuff with taste and don't degrade me or the contents of my page.  I believe in God, Family and Country so do not use me or my things to promote junk without morals ...  " If you do I will haunt you til the end of the earth."

Happy creating everyone and thanks again to Thomas Rice @aaacomsdotcom on twitter.

Re-runs and Last Year's News

image from google search

I am so sick of hearing Last Year's News, they have been telling it over and over again since Dec. 30 and this weekend is just awful for it.  OMG, and the re-runs! I am sick of them as well. Makes for a very boring blog when you have nothing new to say.  I mean really, how many times do I need to see all the bloops and blobs of every TV and Movie personality?  I didn't really care the first time I heard them.  Why in the world would I care the second time around?  Do you hear me TV Programmers? In case you didn't, "I DON'T CARE!"

Hopefully, we can all put last year behind us really soon and move on to new challenges for a better new year.  I for one hope to get back in my studio and paint up a storm. (or at least something controversial)

Good luck to all you artist out there and let's move on to the new year.  Find your Muse and get creating.

Robert Henri - "The Art Spirit"

The Art Spirit - Robert Henri

"For an artist to be interesting to us he must have been interesting to himself.  He must have been capable of intense feeling, and capable of profound contemplation."




contemplation  (ˌkɒntɛmˈpleɪʃən, -təm-)-n,  
As noted in The World Dictionary

1.	thoughtful or long consideration or observation
2.	Compare meditation spiritual meditation esp (in Christian religious practice) concentration of the mind and soul upon God
3.	purpose or intention

What a strong statement.  Think about it.  We as artists must create with a purpose or intention to portray our subject in its true form, sometimes distorting reality to provoke meaningful thought. I personally give thoughtful consideration to my subject.  I know where I want to go with my painting and try my dare level best to take you there with my finished product.

Did I take you into the thick of the forest to stop and wonder who may have been there before you?  If not, I miss my mark.