Treffinger Daily: Commission in Progress

Commission in Progress 60"x48"

It feels like forever since my last post! On these hot Summer days
the last thing I want to do with my cool mornings is sit at my computer.
The rest of the day Kirby has the computer for work. I have been
painting some, working on the commission and a 4' square abstract.
I have a smaller piece going but I think my resistance to small has reached
an all time high and the painting keeps getting worse.

Yesterday we had the best of Summer drama weather. It was 80 degrees
out and I noticed black clouds coming from the west so I sat down
outside and watched and sure enough the lightening and thunder started.
After a while the wind started and then the dust storm and then the hail
came pouring down and then the rain poured as hard as it ever does here.
Too hard for the gutters to handle. Then it all stopped and it was 60 degrees.
Sunday night we had one of the best sunsets I have ever witnessed.
Nature as you see has been creating some sensational art.

The Art And Meaning Project

The Art and meaning Project is a series of responses from various artists to the question: "What meaning does doing art have for you? In other words why do you show up in your studio, or wherever, and pick up your tools day after day?"

This is something I have thought of doing for a while as
a book, but now I have the blog and, who knows, maybe
it could become a book. I am very excited about this. I love hearing the answers. Showing up for their creations is
often an irresistible pull for artists. Many of us at any given
time ask ourselves why we are doing it. All the answers have a different response. Most of us can relate to at least some part of every response.

I want to hear the artists' answers. If you are an artist
and would like to contribute please email me. I will not guarantee that I will post everyone's answer, I need to
see what you have to say first and if it contributes more to the project.

THE ART OF KATHERINE TREFFINGER

ABOUT THE ARTIST
www.katherinetreffinger.com

I spent my childhood in Sausalito, California in the 50’s. It was a magical place, teeming with artists and creative expression. Across the street from our house was one of the coffeehouses where the “bohemians” came to listen to music, and writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouac read from their work.

It was a time when San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Sausalito were home to the abstract expressionist and Bay Area Figurative movements. My missing toys were found in the neighbor’s sculptures. I was often on tiptoes, peering into the windows of nearby studios and coffeehouses. I thrived in the wondrous mystery of this world.

Later, as an adult I had the good fortune to befriend Joseph Raffael and spend time in his studio. This was before I realized I wanted to be an artist myself. I was greatly influenced by his enthusiasm, dedication, and his ability to create beauty.

In hindsight, there was nothing else I really wanted to be than an artist. I paint and draw because I love to … and because I have to. I am primarily self taught.

When I stand before an empty canvas or piece of paper, I am lost, unaware of what to do. In fact, my most satisfying work comes from staying ‘lost’. Navigational confidence is seldom productive for me. Each piece becomes the recording of a unique introspective exploration.

Treffinger Daily

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Commission in Progress

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