EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

Of course, it does. Why on earth would an artist’s paint something or a photographer snap away if there is nothing to say. Every artist is trying to tell the World their news or their take on it and they do this through their art. I know I do with glass. Sometimes people get it, and then other times people can’t understand what they are looking at. If a viewer doesn’t see the big picture, then that’s an issue to be addressed by the creator of the picture. Sometimes the idea is bigger than the physical picture itself. One problem I have is when making abstract glass sculptures what am I saying? I mean I am just messing around with shapes good, bad, and indifferent but is there a message. Its not hidden though as you can’t hide much with clear glass.

One of my abstract glass sculptures was placed in an exhibition but displayed on its side. The wring way up I thought but then it took on a whole new meaning. A meaning that I didn’t intend and certainly a different story than my plans. Of course, it sold, and the customer was very pleased. Told me so and told me they understood the story behind my work. Good for them I thought because I didn’t have a clue. I sometimes think that if I knew what I was doing then I wouldn’t do what I do!

Once or twice my glass art has been rejected by a jury at exhibitions because they, the judges have not understood or appreciated the message that I was trying to convey. That’s my problem and really, I need to revisit themes and what they mean to me so I can interpret them more accurately.

As Chair of the Society of Caithness Artists I get to see a lot of artworks by man artists. During our annual exhibition last year, I was contacted by a potential buyer of a painting to ask me if I knew more about a certain painting, they were interested in. The subject was a Caithness landscape with a croft in the distance. It transpired that unbeknown to the artists he had painted a scene where the potential buyer’s grandfather was born and brought up. He had to buy the painting and he got the story far more than the artists ever dreamt about. A win win situation. At the same exhibition I witness visitors desperately trying to identify with various paintings. Always, always it was the landscapes that demanded a full understanding of where the scene in question was painted.

Occasionally the story behind the artwork extends to a knowledge of the artist. We have all had bad art days and then the work we produce is not up to our usual standard. As creators we know the difference between our lesser quality items and the ones, we are proud off. The latter I usually keep for myself but then that would be seen as selfish so don’t mind parting with them to a good home. Visiting customers after they have bought my work its great when they ask me to tell them what inspired me and what was I thinking when creating such a wonderful piece of glass!

I am lucky living in Caithness as surrounded by fab artists, each who have a story to tell. One of my favourites is Willie Wallace https://williambwallacecollection.co.uk/ who crams so many iconic images in his paintings that no wonder he paints large. I mean really large, huge. Such confidence! Another artist but one that perhaps is less obvious is Penny Irvine https://pennyirvine.com/ who creates artwork full of deep meaning. I think art without meaning becomes ornamental and who wants art in their houses that become dust collectors?

I have only included one image with this blog, but I feel it illustrates my point more than anything else. Its more of a cartoon but none the less I value it as a quality art product as well as having a sentimental attachment. It was a present to Maureen my late wife who died in 2005. It was for a special birthday, and I wanted an image that summed up our lives. So I commissioned an artist whose name I have forgotten and whose signature on his work I cant read precisely. I know it was a man as did meet him at a craft fayre in Glenrothes. If you have read this far then maybe you could spare a little time to look at the image. You will see me at bottom right of image blowing a glass heart. Within this are various poses of Maureen. We met at Euston railway station so that reference is included. Maureen like bird watching so binoculars and birds seemed appropriate not to ignore. Rugby was a sport that Maureen loved, and she was instrumental in posting out my glassblowing journals very three months. Loads more reference to car boot sales which was started in the Thurso Town Hall many years ago. Also, musical links included. All in all, it’s not “another brick in the wall.” More “shine on” than that!