tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16730216010390754302024-03-14T00:16:58.011-07:00russpotakRuss Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-81331034109988603942016-12-30T13:11:00.001-08:002016-12-30T13:11:30.301-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm now at the point where I feel I can do anything I want. I used to feel like I was pigeonholed into doing just one thing, because the emphasis today seems to be on that. Be this way or that way but not both ways. Art is art is art. I think I shall be anyway I want. I have painted long enough to know I don't need to keep checking myself. I am confident, I paint because I can, and because I want to say something. That is all that matters really. Not what anyone thinks. Its my art. My language and I feel it needs to be what it is. So, I work from abstraction to impressionism, to expressionist and whatever else happens to be a defining word for what I do. I really don't think my work falls into just one category anyway.<br />
But then again, now that I think about it, .. it does not really matter. That I paint, is what matters. Not that I need to find a defining style for what I do. After all, that too might change, and it does. There is more than just one approach. The ways to speak in paint are many. <br />
Styles are for clothes anyway. I would say, my art can be loose, expressive, sometimes abstract, and mostly using the energy of strong colors or contrast. But that has variables too. I do not acknowledge parameters. The art must be itself. And that way, it always is true. Not forced.<br />
And by the way, .. its good to have added to my blog once again. Its been a loooooong time. Who knows when the spirit will move me to do so again.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-36861976103454674692016-05-22T13:51:00.001-07:002016-05-22T13:51:21.265-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A lot of times I just have to take hold of the palette according to the seasons. usually happens in the fall and spring the most, but winter is a close runner up. Summer, .. meh, .. I don't get crazy about as in this area its a mostly predominant abundance of green on top of green surrounded by more green, and with very little horizon and visibility. So, unless one happens to be at the coast with open views and colorful settings, .. I can take it or leave it. Here are some of my spring inspired pieces from the month of May. Hope you like them! <a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrc4ezPptcE/V0IaW6WmwuI/AAAAAAAAB8c/490m2C-kR9gGcCOpt_jchfm2Orni3pTSgCLcB/s1600/IMG_7356%2B%2528640x506%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrc4ezPptcE/V0IaW6WmwuI/AAAAAAAAB8c/490m2C-kR9gGcCOpt_jchfm2Orni3pTSgCLcB/s320/IMG_7356%2B%2528640x506%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-17414496276455535372016-04-10T16:01:00.001-07:002016-04-10T16:01:59.100-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-1827313063350324442016-04-01T04:53:00.001-07:002016-04-01T04:57:23.428-07:00<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TwitterArtExhibit?src=hash">#TwitterArtExhibit</a> AMAZING! Met <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidSandum">@DavidSandum</a> tonight and bought awesome artwork by good friend <a href="https://twitter.com/russpotakartist">@russpotakartist</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Q90hXYlzy">pic.twitter.com/7Q90hXYlzy</a></div>
— artcworld/Cynthia (@artcworld) <a href="https://twitter.com/artcworld/status/715735000394645504">April 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
My artwork at the New York City TwitterArtExhibit being purchased by a dear artist friend of mine, with David Sandum the founder and originator standing next to Cynthia. ~ This friends is as good as it gets! <br />
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Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-55575799107738480322015-03-17T07:51:00.002-07:002015-03-17T07:51:21.532-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imieczjng9U/VQg7yOJRkvI/AAAAAAAAB7o/QN5dPN_hiBU/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imieczjng9U/VQg7yOJRkvI/AAAAAAAAB7o/QN5dPN_hiBU/s1600/DSC_0595.JPG" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
A painting? Perhaps. Because it uses paint? Maybe.<br />
But there is more than paint here. And at times, paint may not even appear.<br />
But at what point, does it no longer fit into the square peg of the "painting" definition. And does it really matter?<br />
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That it exists is the thing.<br />
I am beginning to realize that I may not be painting anymore using conventional standards. I like to speak visually. To do this requires whatever I feel I must use to complete this visual language. That I don't adhere to the retail market conventions of this kind of brush, or this kind of paint, or paper, or canvas, or whatever, does not concern me in the least.<br />
What is important is I say what I need to, and however and in any fashion or means that I choose. There is too much to say, to let conventional hindrances get in the way. The idea, that a painting already had a preconceived notion and image of what a painting is, or should look like, makes me want to run in the opposite direction. I have no interest, in "making paintings". I do have an interest in speaking visually.<br />
It is what it is. I suppose we can agree on this, Its just art. Let's leave it at that.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-90209723070458869152014-11-21T17:08:00.001-08:002014-11-21T17:08:03.799-08:00Just some thoughts. If I don't get these fragmented thoughts down somewhere, I will most likely lose them. And this is as good as place as any to unload them.<br />
Okay, .. first thought.<br />
I decided to try a few landscapes again, and it seems everybody ooooh-ed and ahhhh-ed over them. I did a few more, and the same. On the third one, .. I got restless, and then extremely bored. I found that there was nothing I hadn't said in them before. And I realized that if an is a journey, then going back over familiar ground is like going in circles. You get nowhere. You just keep repeating yourself. Oh sure people love the repetition, but in the end, it will kill the artists reason to paint. If the only reason to paint is to repeat motions over and over, it would be better to be rowing a boat. At least the boat will end up somewhere. I don't know where I am going here, but I do know, I have to keep the journey new, fresh, and go to undiscovered places in myself. Otherwise I may just fall asleep at the easel and that could be dangerous. Crash and burn. Not a pretty sight for any artist.<br />
This painting is one of my new approaches in finding new places to go instead of the familiar duck pond or landscape.<br />
Titled: Loose Wire<br />
acrylic on 200 lb archival paper<br />
11 x 11"<br />
©11/14 russ potak<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwZtOpMfGkE/VG_hgPI9uHI/AAAAAAAAB50/Tjl-nqoxopc/s1600/photo%2B2%2B(48).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwZtOpMfGkE/VG_hgPI9uHI/AAAAAAAAB50/Tjl-nqoxopc/s1600/photo%2B2%2B(48).JPG" height="317" width="320" /></a></div>
Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-37002590918631795092014-11-13T12:53:00.000-08:002014-11-13T15:41:38.073-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Explained Shape</div>
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14" x 12" </div>
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acrylic on 200 lb paper</div>
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©11/14 russ potak </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zurqU2TsFB0/VGUScyxaisI/AAAAAAAAB5k/SvLMWKELVng/s1600/a214%2B(640x551).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zurqU2TsFB0/VGUScyxaisI/AAAAAAAAB5k/SvLMWKELVng/s400/a214%2B(640x551).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Its been a real long time since I have blogged. Veerrrrry long. I don't even remember when I did last. I guess I could check to see, but why? If I think it was a long time ago, then it probably was.<br />
A lot has happened with the way I see art now. Especially my art. I'm not sure when, but at some point I began feeling lethargic about painting. And I thought to myself, why? What is it exactly that is starting to tire me and cause me to lose interest. As usual, despite my questions, I just continued on painting, .. and starting to lose interest again.<br />
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It was at that point that I realized, .. "wait a minute,.. I've done this painting before,..I've been here. Done it, again and again, ...! " Yes, I did. I have painted for so long and for so much, that there is hardly anything I have not painted. And even if there was, I began to question the reason. Was this all there is? Just to keep on painting, and finding different subjects to paint? I One after another, after another, after another...Borrrrrring is the only word that comes to mind here. Just to paint, and paint, and paint, expressing subjects one after another. began to wear on my mind. I had to do something here, or I felt I would have hung up my brushes. The only time I felt enthused was when I was experimenting in using paint differently, or breaking my own rules that I felt necessary to paint the known world of subjects. But it was those self imposed rules that were dragging me to deeper and deeper depths, like an anchor snared around my legs. I felt helpless to break free.<br />
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Life is short enough, and hard enough, without one's art driving ones self to boredom. I needed to change gears. I knew it had to undergo some kind of variation if I were to stay interested. It wasn't about not liking painting, it was more about having the same experience, over and over, doing the same thing, with results that were very much of the same. How many landscapes, bowls of fruit, sports figures, local scenes, seascapes, etc, am I actually going to paint? I can't even count how many of all of those subjects I have done over and over, . yes, and over. I needed a new approach here. Something that makes me want to experience the act of painting again. Not just "getting it right" and having a nice representation for someone to ooh and ahh at about how well I painted the thing. I found I don't really care anymore about how well I paint a "thing".<br />
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I found my solution. Using painting as a means to explore new worlds in colors that I have not experienced. To paint places I have never seen, or may never see. Places in the mind, places of the compositions themselves. Lines, forming out of nothing, shapes being born on my canvas for the first time, and harmonies that started to make music in my head and on my palette. This I thought was like exploring new worlds. New lands. Infinite universes.<br />
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Since then I have been fired up. Excited. Finding a thrill in the process of painting. I have left the known world of subjects behind that were getting exceedingly tiring, boring, uneventful and all too familiar. I now look on painting as a journey. A trip. An adventure. Or as one very familiar, and famous Captain once said.... "To boldly go where no one has gone before."<br />
Its always the journey anyway and not the destination. I shall play this out. Who knows how long it will last, or where it will lead me. And at least its not boring.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-88953274400030185012014-08-01T04:47:00.001-07:002014-08-01T04:48:32.328-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5A2DTKD2Og/U9t8m4fE9eI/AAAAAAAAB1o/dpZRs8bNHPE/s1600/photoa47+(640x503).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5A2DTKD2Og/U9t8m4fE9eI/AAAAAAAAB1o/dpZRs8bNHPE/s1600/photoa47+(640x503).jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Berkshires</div>
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8x10" </div>
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acrylic on 200# cotton rag paper</div>
As the summer moves into its mid season position in these parts, I have l intentionally limited my palette to a few basic colors. The predominance of green hues are everywhere and some variations in between. I take my oil pastels out into the field and capture my composition and then upon my return to the studio, finish it as a painting with acrylics. Its kind of a semi-plein air of sorts. I hope to compile more of these on location field works each day. Light changes, weather changes, and foliage does as well. It proves interesting.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-14376009120711556712014-07-22T09:30:00.002-07:002014-07-22T09:35:45.765-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As the summer has come, so has a different feel to the land that I observe daily. I notice in this area where I live a predominance of green hues, interwove into umber and ochre. The skies are rarely true blue, like the skies of the west, but here they are rather thick with atmosphere and haze at times. I notice that I have toned down my palette for this time of year. as the long days and warm nights have given me a more naturalistic feel to my painting the earth and its backdrops. This painting is from a sketch I did just up the road from my studio, and I go there often to scribble subjects for paintings I will do later. </div>
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Berkshire Landscape</div>
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11 x 14" </div>
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acrylic on treated canvas paper</div>
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©7/14 r potak</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wwxRNaTAxk/U86QU-bo3TI/AAAAAAAAB0s/FrTg8LKSZUk/s1600/photoA31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wwxRNaTAxk/U86QU-bo3TI/AAAAAAAAB0s/FrTg8LKSZUk/s1600/photoA31.JPG" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-91611618883279938002014-05-15T06:33:00.001-07:002014-07-22T09:33:40.886-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The thing I love most about landscapes, is that they change, morph, and are in a constant state of flux. Not the physical land, but rather the life and mood they exhibit. Like a person, they have personalities. They appear in many different moods, .. some happy, some meditative, some angry, or sullen and everything in between. They are limitless sources for an artist from which to take note and express those qualities. Its free for the picking and it occurs in any season. All you have to do is tune in, take note, listen and look,.. and especially .. see. The seeing is the most important part. The look just points you in the right direction, but then you have to see. With a little patience, the land will reveal its true inner self to you. The essence of what it is saying. It does speaks. You just have to listen. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFmYw-4VemE/U3TAePuMwUI/AAAAAAAABrQ/i5sxKcPCJww/s1600/photo+(98)+(640x628).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFmYw-4VemE/U3TAePuMwUI/AAAAAAAABrQ/i5sxKcPCJww/s1600/photo+(98)+(640x628).jpg" height="392" width="400" /></a></div>
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12 x12" acrylic on 200 lb archival paper</div>
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© 5/14 russ potak </div>
Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-81615289419242041452014-05-13T09:58:00.001-07:002014-05-13T09:59:52.692-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes its a feel, or a sense of place and other times it a mood, or reaction to some colors or shapes. Other times its pure experimentation. A dream, a mood, a feel, or just pure and free creating. But its almost never ever, a true and correct representation. I have no interest in that whatsoever, except with the medium of photography. In this instance I was surfing the web and found some photos of Malibu State Park, and right away, I felt some inspired moments by observing some of the features in the land. I went with that, and a feel for what I was seeing. The rest just evolved. This is usually how I like to work best. Just letting things happen. No nets, no plans, no expectations. Free to explore the subject and the medium. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoJ2TL2agJk/U3JNTCWrEfI/AAAAAAAABrA/lG6_tjnXTMk/s1600/photo+(97)+(640x638).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoJ2TL2agJk/U3JNTCWrEfI/AAAAAAAABrA/lG6_tjnXTMk/s1600/photo+(97)+(640x638).jpg" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
Painting inspired by Malibu State Park<br />
12 x 12"<br />
acrylic on 200 lb cotton press paper<br />
©5/13/14 russ potakRuss Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-28422798143194537702014-01-31T05:34:00.002-08:002014-01-31T05:37:46.251-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chKohcxT9CU/UuulkodpiRI/AAAAAAAABpQ/F_zYv0IqzC4/s1600/DSC_0001_2_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chKohcxT9CU/UuulkodpiRI/AAAAAAAABpQ/F_zYv0IqzC4/s1600/DSC_0001_2_1_1.JPG" height="400" width="302" /></a></div>
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This painting fall in line better with what and how I want to say. The overall work is loose but not to the point of pure abstract. The mind still can grab on to some identifying features and shapes. I employed the lights and darks throughout to maintain drama with lighting. High contrast, yet soft in places. I call this "Restaurant Interior' Its 11 x 14", acrylic on 200# archival paper. ©2014 rpotak </div>
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<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-69778480749290924592014-01-17T05:56:00.000-08:002014-01-18T06:08:53.555-08:00People ask me how long it takes me to do a painting. I know what they mean, but to that question there is no timely answer. The question does not relate to art. Maybe making a ceramic bowl or quilt, or something in the craft arena it would, but in the arts, as with dance, music, theater, painting, etc. it has no relevancy. Time has no meaning in the creation of art. Art exists, when it is done.<br />
I personally respond to that question, with, "My art takes as long to make as it does to say what I need to say, and not even I know the answer to that" ~ russ potakRuss Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-47045719494987989762014-01-14T14:13:00.003-08:002014-01-14T15:43:21.858-08:00I am starting to grow weary of the same old, same old. I'm referring to painting. I feel that there is a "been there done that kind of feeling lately". I think I have reached a point where I need to launch out with more to say than mere subjectivity. I find subjects in and of themselves starting to bore me. Although, there is good news in this for me. A new approach. To paint, because I love to paint. To do. The mere act of painting is the thing. Not so much simply just the subject anymore, but rather the inner most expression of the overall painting. The excitement that spawns from the paint wandering in an exploratory manner seeking to uncover more that just a good representation. The subject being merely the vehicle. I feel I am growing weary of representational renderings in paint. I therefor, am striking out in this new year, with a more determined attempt to explore, to uncover and reveal things about my process. Things that I use to relegate to the back seat in favor of painting a scene, a subject, or a thing. Not that I will not use subjects any longer, but it is just that they will be merely vehicles for getting to where I need to go in my art. And on occasion, I may paint those again, if the spirit moves me to do so. The end result in my painting will not be of the surface qualities, but rather an inward expression. For all of you, who are familiar with my old more subjective impressionist style, .. I still have plenty of works done from my "Subjective Period" on the market. A good amount of them can be found on Etsy, while they last. But that era in my art, is closing. I must press on. Newer works will emerge, and I have no idea where they will take me. That, my dear friends, is what its really all about. The exploration. The process. The journey. All things change. I know I am.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-47263503632753356512014-01-13T05:23:00.001-08:002014-01-13T05:23:18.658-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am achieving what I need as I utilize a more free and unrestricted application of the medium. I find the letting go approach, so much more in touch with my "hearts eye" rather than my heads eye. The essence of what I need to say, comes out easier and more in tune with my soul and its need to express the things that go on inside, and inspired from things without. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXwWIdQcLtY/UtPnZ4v3T7I/AAAAAAAABlY/9VTVVYXJER0/s1600/DSC_0001_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qXwWIdQcLtY/UtPnZ4v3T7I/AAAAAAAABlY/9VTVVYXJER0/s320/DSC_0001_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Landscape with Green</div>
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16 x 20" </div>
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acrylic on canvas</div>
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©2014 russ potak</div>
<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-13533045353406586422014-01-12T11:38:00.000-08:002014-01-13T05:16:07.698-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
'WOODS' </div>
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16X20"</div>
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acrylic on canvas</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOf852wt8pY/UtLs3_L5JII/AAAAAAAABkA/Vl_Yjufr8mY/s1600/DSC_0001_2_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FOf852wt8pY/UtLs3_L5JII/AAAAAAAABkA/Vl_Yjufr8mY/s400/DSC_0001_2_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
This is one of the first works I have done in moving toward a more internal relationship between me and the outside world. I feel I need to get closer to it and one of the ways I feel I can accomplish this is through a more expressive approach in the mediums I use. The representational exactness or similarities may fade more into the background but the force and life of the essence from which the inspiration was derived will come forth, and not be hidden as before. This is just the first steps I am taking with this, and this painting touches upon that concept, ever so lightly.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-8324393039566919302014-01-11T09:00:00.002-08:002014-01-14T13:54:18.443-08:00As of late, I am beginning to view things a little differently. I'm not sure if its because I have been painting for so long, or maybe its the way I am beginning to understand why I paint in the first place.<br />
A fan of mine on one of my sites caused me to re evaluate why I would paint something in the first place.<br />
I had taken what I thought was a very complete photo of an inspired scene. It was very moving and I composed the shot very well. I believe I captured the essence of that moment well with my lens.<br />
After posting it, I was asked the question, if I was going to paint this? That is when the wheels in my head started turning in regards to that question, which started to perplexe me greatly. I felt, that I had already said it, in a photograph. To paint it would be redundant. What more could I possibly add to this than what I believe I had successfully extracted from it with a photograph. Its that all painting is I thought? Just transfer what I see to paint? To just say it in paint rather than some other medium? It that all painting for an artist is all about. To just render the thing in paint and say, now I have it in paint as well as a photograph?<br />
This caused me some thought and an assessment of why I do paint.<br />
I know know that photography stands alone. Its medium is what it is. It works well.<br />
Painting is what it is and it works well. The two should never really cross paths and compete. There is no competition as technology will win hands down now, and even more in the future with image manipulations.<br />
I know now that the purpose of an artist is much greater that the technology that races ahead like an unleashed torrent of cyber matter. I do not want to reveal what is already common and known, but rather what is not. I find myself being drawn to the inner life of things that are beneath the veneer of sight and sound, and the subsequent representation that we take for granted of associative imagery. I have finally come to know that I will use photography as a medium for stating and revealing the magic of what is before us. The beauty of nature, the creation before us that presents itself on a daily basis. The incredible compositions that emerge from the light and drama on this planet.<br />
And I know something else now. I have a renewed sense as an artist to speak from within me, to say the things that come from me in response to the above mentioned wonders. I shall paint from within the "me" that must purge my response to these things. I believe now, I feel a sense of liberation, in not having to tell the story with the shackles of representation. What comes forth, will probably be more expressive now. More abstract, yet not really. As I think I am beginning to see, there is no abstract if it comes from a reality of inner self. That is as real as it gets. If I translate that into paint, is then is that not what I really see and feel? No, not abstract, .. but a true and correct representation of my inner self and response to the world of within and without. The viewer may connect, and may not. To some it might be very real, and to others, yes, ... pure abstraction. That is okay. Its meant for touching on a one to one basis, and yes even to all if that is so. For now, that is where I am heading in my art. I will certainly share more thoughts on this as they emerge.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-27178154464756891692013-12-27T11:39:00.002-08:002013-12-27T11:40:00.220-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last few days here have been producing beautiful snowfalls. This is all it took to inspire me to get to work on my impressions of the seasonal wonder. Using the images I witnessed as well as the feeling and impressions, I painted this 11x14" acrylic. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ra1HNCryYc/Ur3W09IL3VI/AAAAAAAABgg/oFOXeBfeWe8/s1600/DSC_0037_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ra1HNCryYc/Ur3W09IL3VI/AAAAAAAABgg/oFOXeBfeWe8/s320/DSC_0037_1_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-17665120224368142792013-11-25T15:34:00.001-08:002013-11-25T15:35:28.442-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
~ SNOWY WINTER POND ~ </div>
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Russ Potak </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k31Ch1sP3zk/UpPcXNJPHtI/AAAAAAAABck/9xjSImG6Rus/s1600/DSC_0001_2_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k31Ch1sP3zk/UpPcXNJPHtI/AAAAAAAABck/9xjSImG6Rus/s320/DSC_0001_2_1_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The New England Winter is making its appearance in its usual November manner. </div>
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Bouts of cold and some snow squalls have left just enough of the white stuff</div>
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to inspire me to start painting my winter venue. </div>
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I do love the season for painting, as it offers subject matter</div>
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often hidden by the foliage of summer. </div>
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There is a more pronounced mood and the colors can be diverse.</div>
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I did this painting from a sketch inspired from one of our </div>
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recent snow events just a few days ago. </div>
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The painting is 16 x 20" and on 200 lb cotton rag paper</div>
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I plan to continue to explore more of the winter landscape in my </div>
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paintings as the season progresses. </div>
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There is a distinct feel to winter, and I have a strong desire</div>
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to translate this into paint. </div>
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Please check back soon, and discover what else I have been passionately moved to paint. </div>
Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-36983856157900882292013-06-20T14:03:00.000-07:002013-06-20T14:05:59.690-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydbOfvfuz5s/UcNubD7uMcI/AAAAAAAABU0/amhFRfbD9vQ/s1600/Photo+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydbOfvfuz5s/UcNubD7uMcI/AAAAAAAABU0/amhFRfbD9vQ/s320/Photo+120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Time to change the profile pic I suppose. I think it should suffice for now. Who likes taking their own picture anyway. Like looking in a mirror and saying, .. this person could use a coffee. A nice strong cup of joe. Well, its gotta stay. I'm too tired to go for the "everything is just right picture." Maybe next time... maybe.Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-82119635585655543472013-05-15T15:41:00.001-07:002013-05-15T15:41:10.489-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9nezpl_ebpg/UZQL3vOYsLI/AAAAAAAABSs/sV51G5vr0ok/s1600/DSC_0466_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9nezpl_ebpg/UZQL3vOYsLI/AAAAAAAABSs/sV51G5vr0ok/s400/DSC_0466_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cove Island<br />8x10" acrylic on heavy weight paper<br />available through russpotak.etsy.com</td></tr>
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Yes, I've been working. I am constantly in some mode of painting, from either inspired sketches that just occur, or pushing some paint around on a surface. I used to wrack my brain as to what to paint, but now I realize that is, and shouldn't even be a question with me. For I have found out, that the thing, is just to paint. No matter how, or what you do, or what you paint. After all, its painting, so as the verb says.. paint! Most often after I put a few lines down, something usually starts to congeal. So, I don't worry about it. And, if nothing does come of it, .. then so what? I just work on in the abstract, letting things take their own shape and form. The bottom line is, its the painting I like, not the figuring out what I supposed to say. The way I look at it is, maybe someday while I'm painting, I'll discover some deep meaning to my work and move in that direction, (not holding my breath), but, I don't have time to waste, waiting to find that, and for some golden moment to occur. My easel awaits me now. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rowNYORin04/UZQL6IWXi7I/AAAAAAAABS0/ZZwZ89iE2X8/s1600/DSC_0447_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rowNYORin04/UZQL6IWXi7I/AAAAAAAABS0/ZZwZ89iE2X8/s400/DSC_0447_1_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seacoast Village<br />11x14"<br />acrylic on heavy weight paper<br />available through russpotak.etsy.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aB-V73n1fQ0/UZQMDCHF0UI/AAAAAAAABS8/zOBqq-IL3kU/s1600/DSC_0444_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aB-V73n1fQ0/UZQMDCHF0UI/AAAAAAAABS8/zOBqq-IL3kU/s400/DSC_0444_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring in the Berkshires<br />11x14"<br />acrylic on canvas<br />available through russpotak.etsy.com</td></tr>
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<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-81585104150719251912013-05-09T11:22:00.001-07:002013-05-09T11:23:42.489-07:00Me, going video? Well, maybe just for a change of pace for a while. After working on several paintings, and posting them on here as well as Facebook, and Twitter I have encountered many inquires as to the process of working on my paintings. I usually answer the best that I can, but then realized, ... wouldn't it be better to show you than to try to explain? So in response to this, my mini video demos were created. Very simply I might add. I am not one to have a lot of technology at my disposal, and most of these were made using an old outdated digital camera with a 4-5 min shoot capacity time. No lenses, zooms, or anything of that quality. Just a straight on and off button. But, nevertheless I shot my series of mini visual tutorials. This work is produced in over a five segment shoot. I hope you enjoy them. Please feel free to ask any questions and post comments. The original work that was produced in this video, is now posted on my Etsy gallery, at russpotak.etsy.com. For a better visual representation of it, you may go there to see it. Enjoy the videos!<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U">http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=U</a>Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-2223085910929259712013-04-02T11:44:00.001-07:002013-04-02T11:46:08.150-07:00<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtFR5_Bnhzs/UVskdY1bkZI/AAAAAAAABNI/YNP2ql9t4I0/s1600/Photo+75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UtFR5_Bnhzs/UVskdY1bkZI/AAAAAAAABNI/YNP2ql9t4I0/s320/Photo+75.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mocha Java<br />5 x 7" in an 8x10" frame<br />acrylic<br />©2013 russ potak<br />$100</td></tr>
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For my own purposes of storing work I normally do not frame, but because I am prepping for some of the outdoor fairs and whatnot, I usually pick a few selected works and frame them just to give the viewer a sense of how they might look in a "presentation ready" format, ready to hang. As far as the rest of my works, they are usually "ala carte" .. al fresco, no dressing, no frames. I let the collector decide for themselves as to that. I always maintain that I am a good artist, but I generally leave framing to the experts. My time is to be spent behind the easel as much as I can. Framing and all that it entails would end up not only robbing my time, but my creative juices as well. I do try to hold the framing process to a minimum and focus my attention on my painting. This particular piece was done on canvas, which I affixed to mat board and framed. Because it is acrylic paint, I do not glass it, as I like the painting to be seen as I painted it. Not with glass covering it. I would hope a person, if they feel inclined, to touch the painting. Glass separates the viewer from that experience. </div>
<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-16492615970263068092013-03-07T11:02:00.000-08:002013-03-07T11:05:22.625-08:00This is the second painting on my vertical format pieces. I just started out with this by drawing a few simple suggestive lines that might depict some mountainous terrain, and I worked it a little bit, it became more suggestive of something I saw in a travel show about Switzerland. I then went with this theme until I had what I thought looked like something alpine and Swiss like. The rest was simply the painting and completion of that sketched image. Not a lot of mystery to it, as compared to some of the abstracts I do. This one is completely associational. What it is, is what it is. Sometimes its good to come back to this type of art, but invariably, when I do, it doesn't take long before I do 180 degrees, and head back to abstracts. Kind of like food. How often can you eat the same thing over and over. Its nice to explore the variety. Wether in art, music, or food.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7Ng6WbfiOY/UTjgyz6j-dI/AAAAAAAABM8/gndkGkiXxME/s1600/DSC_0324_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b7Ng6WbfiOY/UTjgyz6j-dI/AAAAAAAABM8/gndkGkiXxME/s640/DSC_0324_1.JPG" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
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Alpine Landscape<br />
12 x 55"<br />
acrylic on 100% cotton rag heavy weight paper<br />
©2013 russ potak</td></tr>
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<br />Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1673021601039075430.post-6267426911604917542013-03-06T16:16:00.000-08:002013-03-06T16:18:45.350-08:00Lately I've been noticing I've been painting on basically the same size format for some time. I never gave it much thought, but when I started to realize that I've been here done that, kind of thing, again, and again, .. I thought, maybe I should mix it up a bit, and break the confines of a regular rectangular or square format. I thought maybe I should try to work in a composition into a narrow format just for a challenge. Well, I did, and am working on my second one now. I will continue to do this, until it too becomes the norm, and then I will venture out again to try yet something else. This is the way of my art at the present, and I will just see it through until I play it out. Whatever it takes to keep motivated. And if I'm not, .. I'll just paint anyway. Those works I fall into a series I will call, my Un-motivated work. And chances are, it will motivate me to do something else.<br />
I call this piece, ..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRO4xiPytDw/UTfb16Ej9xI/AAAAAAAABMg/VxZPklcVoco/s1600/DSC_0323_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BRO4xiPytDw/UTfb16Ej9xI/AAAAAAAABMg/VxZPklcVoco/s640/DSC_0323_1.JPG" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Wilderness Canyon"<br />12 x55"<br />acrylic on 100% cotton rag heavyweight paper<br />©2013 russ potak<br /></td></tr>
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Russ Potakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13445167340547327744noreply@blogger.com0