Loving a Work of Art at First Sight

Regatta Majestic    acrylic on canvas    48” x 24”             J. Plesh

Obviously, when you look at a painting, you can see it.  But can you feel it?  Can you hear it? Are your senses awakened to feelings beyond the visual before your eyes?

When a viewer glances momentarily at a work of art, they may be seeing it, but they may not necessarily be “feeling it.” Their senses have not been aroused enough to have them stop and fully absorb the piece.  The inspiration and motivation that went into its creation has not captured their imagination. There’s no love at first sight, no interest in getting to know and understand this work of art.

But when the viewer stops and stays, and really takes the time to get into the piece, they may well be realizing the unique and personal experience every artist hopes their art will project. To look at a scenic painting and hear the rustle of the leaves, smell the morning dew, or to view an abstract and feel exhilaration is connecting with the art, and it is then that the art is brought to life.

So many times I’ve watched as a viewer will stand in front of one of my regatta paintings for an extended period of time, and when engaged in conversation, say they can feel the mist and the freshness of salty air.  There is no greater compliment they can pay me with regards to the art. For someone to say this is so much more meaningful and satisfying than simply saying, “nice colors,” “love the texture” or “great technique” – to me, these are all words indicating they see, but they don’t feel the art.

Those purchasing a painting simply because it looks good next to the sofa, or fills a space in the room are buying decor, not necessarily a work of art in their eyes.  For some that’s quite okay - most artists are pleased to simply have the sale!  But, for someone to really feel the piece or to be captured by the mood and feel of the piece, is the most meaningful reaction in my opinion, and one that pleases me much more than just a sale.

The Most Precious Canvas

A woman in the United States, ca. 1907.

wikipedia

I’ve painted on canvas, masonite board, paper, wood, metal, plastic, vinyl and a few more surfaces.

But never have I been presumptuous enough to paint on the human skin as my canvas, indelibly marking with my art a permanent rendering on the body of a human being. What more priceless, precious surface is there than the skin of a human being? And yet there are millions who offer up their limbs, their bodies to a breed of artists who create on that surface, permanently engraving their art for the individual to carry for a lifetime. I have canvases which I’ve painted over two or three times, having tired of the image or realized it was no longer a work of art I was pleased with or that satisfactorily represented my capabilities. No, I don’t have the desire or the capacity to ever render my artistry on that, the most precious of all surfaces. More importantly, I would never offer up any part of my body as a canvas for anyone. There’s simply no work of art I can envision carrying on me day and night, each and every moment, for the rest of my life.  God’s gift to me is too precious to paint over.

With that said, let me clarify that my opinion is not meant to disparage the tattoo artist or question their talent or skill. Many are fine artists creating unique and exceptional works of art. My comments are directed to the supplier of their working surface.

The commentary excludes opinion in specialized areas such as cosmetic and medical tattoos.