Go figure: work by (l-r) Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux, Jamie Chiarello, and Jonathan Hodge, and (below, l-r) by Sandra Burshell, Saskia Ozols, and Carol Peebles
STATE OF THE ARTS
Jamie Chiarello talks about artistic tradition, and how you can find a way into a world of drawing, painting and creativity
What's the first thing to come to mind when you hear the word 'art'? The word can be dated back to 13th century France, where it indicated 'skill as a result of learning or practice'. We've emerged out of that deeply structured world where the social orders, customs and rules were rigid and not open to interpretation. Understandably, and to the credit of humanity, we have pushed back, expanded, and widened our sense of meaning and possibility. As with all pendulum swings, one drastic correction is often followed by an equal overcorrection in the opposite direction. This is what I have observed in relation to the visual arts in my 39 years.
I want to take a brief moment to qualify: I'm not an academic. I'm a practising artist, professional as much as can be claimed by those of us in the working class who convert our labor into dollars. I can't trace the origin of this quote (and may have falsely attributed it to Van Gogh for years) but the meaning holds: "It is not that I want money for my paintings, it is that I need money in order to paint." Finances, accolades and qualifications aside, I want to explore what has led me to a deep love and dedication to figurative art, and to perhaps to open a path for you to love it as well.
Our world today is markedly different in regard to the rampant availability (sometimes to the point of paralysis or confusion) of information. We cast a critical eye on those who might gate-keep understanding. We have a fresh confidence to question any authority that might tell us 'how things must be done'.
When I initially threw myself into painting 20 years ago, I was sure that I was the first and only painter alive. I wasn't interested in what had come before me or where I might fit into some historic hierarchy that the art world loves to muck about in. It seems natural for the young to burst with lofty proclamations when we haven't yet been tested by time. As time passed, I hit the limits of my abilities. I realized that regardless of art world involvement - or being able to locate myself within any post-post-post-movement of artistic practice - simply staying engaged in painting included me in a wordless dialogue that had been happening for a very long time.
My education took the shape of convoluted google searches, constant practice, learning to appreciate failure, and workshops with master artists when possible. What I found in my pursuit was that tradition isn't a heavy blanket trying to stomp out our passion and discovery - very much the contrary. The classical tradition in visual art is an accumulation of hard-won knowledge that can be used as a beautiful base from which to forge your own path. To describe this with the broadest brush possible, I would say this includes: drawing as a foundation for painting, studying light, how light creates form, values, proportion and anatomy.
An unfortunate trend has emerged in higher learning institutions that involves cutting funding and the programs which teach these traditions. Ateliers (independent workshops or studios) have cropped up in their stead. As an artist without accredited learning, but who has managed to learn enough of these elements to be convinced of their value, I'm happy to share a few alternative pathways into classical figurative art study, and if you have an interest, I hope that you'll be inspired to join us:
1. The Blue Easel Club, a New Orleans Drawing Atelier. Founded in 2009 by Carol Peebles. www.blueeaselclub.com
2. Fine Arts Preservation Society of New Orleans, founded by Saskia Ozols. www.practicepreservation.org
3. Lessons uptown, offered by Jonathan Hodge. www.jonathanrhodge.com
4. Lessons downtown, offered by Sarah Griffin Thibodeaux. www.studiothibodeaux.com
5. One of the longest running drawing groups - The New Orleans Drawing Group - offers online sessions. www.sandraburshell.com
6. I run a laid-back, weekly uptown drawing session, where we work with a live model. There is no instruction, but all skill levels are welcomed! You can email me for details - Jamie Chiarello at [email protected]
Jamie Chiarello is an independent artist working in New Orleans. You can often find her at her pitch on Jackson Square, or visit her website, www.namelessart.com
