Courtenay and The Artistic Process

I want to introduce you to my friend, Courtenay Puckett.

Courtenay and I met at the University of Georgia where we both majored in Art/Art Education at the Lamar Dodd School of Art.  Courtenay and I were unified by having the same desire in our artistic endeavors - to display Christ and the gospel of His glorious grace toward sinners (us).  We also share very similar artistic styles and influences (Old Vincent, Chagall, etc.)

We both had some amazing opportunities to work our fingers to the bone in hopes that our paltry works might speak of Him and bring Him praise - having opportunities for gospel conversations during late nights in the studio, during group art critiques, and through our daily walk in a dark environment.  We shared an odd love for this crazy place filled with hate paintings of George Bush and massive amounts of self aggrandizement.  We will never forget our time there and all the different people we met from all walks of life, all coming together for a shared joy in art making.  And we pray the Lord used our time there for His glory.

Courtenay now lives in Tifton, Georgia, with her husband and two kids - Harper (3) and Jonathan (2 mos).  We have been able to see each other from time to time when I am visiting family in Georgia.  We've also been able to keep in touch over the phone, sharing our joys and frustrations in art making, collaborating, and encouraging one another in Christ.  I would love to share with you her artistic process, as we have recently been collaborating our ideas in this matter.  It's an inspiration.  Court has encouraged me...
...to work more efficiently (not my strong suit)
...to pursue art and not be paralyzed by fear, because Christ has freed us from timidity (2 Tim. 1:7)
...and to remember our priorities as mother/wife/artist... God, husband, child and home before anything else (Titus 2:3-4, among others)
 
I am reminded by all of my friends of the sweetness of Christ in that He prepared each of us as a PART of the body, each with our own unique traits that build up His church (1 Cor. 12:27).  I am reminded that we were never meant to walk this life alone, but in community.  I could make a blog posting for every friend and how you inspire me with your God-given traits.  It's truly amazing to think that ALL of our traits belong to Him.  And He's pretty worthy of our praise.

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In response to Mallory Hillis' blog posting on The Creative Process

My Artistic Process

 by Courtenay Puckett

Artists observe, record, and communicate through artmaking.  So, I want to make art that fits with that definition and mentality.  In particular, because I am a Christ follower, my chief desire is artwork that reflects His great glory. So when I observe the world around me, record observations and inspirations in my sketchbook, and communicate it to others, it is usually about His workings and nature.  My end purpose is to make the gospel available to others through art.

Three things I keep in mind:

1.     Keep first things first. 

a.     Don’t let art take priority over your relationships; kids and husband and house are first!

b.      who could ignore that cutie!!

2.     Keep it simple

a.     Materials: Don’t need fancy brushes, equipment, or studio. 

b.     I paint out of a box of random paints in the corner of our kitchen with old brushes on paper plates

c.     Concept: don’t need elaborate extreme ideas to communicate a concept.  Usually something more simple (that takes less time and energy) will accomplish the same purpose.

3.     Make a plan (See below)

STEP 1: Gather!

Have a place to collect, write, think visually, and doodle.  Use a sketchbook, box, drawer, bulletin board, or computer to store things you like and attract your eye.  These are your inspirations.  This is a lifelong activity.  Everyone’s sketchbook looks different, no pressure to “do it the right way”; it is completely uniquely yours!  If you see something or have an idea, record it; otherwise it will be gone!  They don’t all have to be complete or finished ideas.  Doodles are fine.  Some ideas you may want to spend more time on and really work through; others are just there to add to the collection.  Later, this collection becomes your pantry for your creative cooking.

 

STEP 2: Plan

Ok, so you want to or need to make something….Make a plan, even if it’s a loose plan.  Know how much time you have, what’s the purpose, how big, do you have supplies (do you have $ and time to go get more if needed), etc. The function of the art piece will help to determine size, medium, time, etc.  After the practical questions are answered, then move on to planning the composition.

For example: painting a piece for a bathroom would be a different than painting a piece for a school cafeteria.  The bathroom one would likely be small in size, need to be moisture resistant, and have interesting details b/c the viewer would have time to look from close-up.  Whereas the cafeteria piece would likely be huge (in proportion to the large wall span), be large blocks of color without many details, so that it would read clearly from across the room.  This could be painted on wood and nailed to the wall to save money (canvas would be too expensive), whereas the bathroom piece would be suitable for canvas and more easily changed out as décor changes.  The bathroom piece could be easily painted on an easel, but the cafeteria would be done using a projector or grid or large stencil.  The differences are endless, which is why it’s important to consider the function of the art piece when making your plan.

STEP 3: Composition

Look in your sketchbook for ideas if you need one.  Or work out your new ideas on the sketchbook paper.  It’s important to keep all your doodles and thumbnails in one place so they don’t get lost.  Keeping all your thumbnails in one place is important because you always know where to find them, you may need to reference something you did years ago, and because you can to see your artistic progress over time.

Most importantly sort out the composition.  That’s what makes or breaks the piece, and you can’t change that later (without a lot of trouble!) Keep in mind the rule of thirds.

Next sort out the colors, as much as you need to.  Practically, you need to know how much paint you’ll need and what colors to buy.  If you are limited on time, use colored pencils to specifically draw and color the piece prior to painting.  Then, painting it is fast and simple- you already did the hard part!

If you are preparing something for a client, this is the most important thing you can do!  They need to know what they are getting, and you need to know what they are expecting.  Avoid hassle and embarrassment later by planning well on the front end.  This will also help you to determine how much to charge.

Personally, I am prone to leaving work around my house unfinished and with no plan on when/how to finish them.  Not so good with kids roaming around!  So, this part of the process doesn’t come naturally to me, but when I make myself do it, the process is quicker and easier for me in the long run.

Sometimes, ideas are in my mind’s eye and I won’t do anything before starting to paint. I enjoy working like this mostly b/c I feel free to make happy mistakes and to navigate through trials and errors as part of the learning process.   Sometimes I feel more like a “real” artist.  In this way the work is more personal b/c It involves my heart and risks and errors and celebrations only known to me.  Not so calculated.  I like that.  But, I usually do run into some sort of problem that I have to “fix” within work… which usually leaves me guessing through trial and error process or researching how others do it… which always take a long time… which means I leave the work on the easel for a time and hope to come back to it soon… which usually turns into months…. Which leaves other members of my family complaining that my art stuff is still out everywhere… to which I reply “I’m still working!”…… Which always leaves me regretting not planning it out before I started J

STEP 4: Materials

Evaluate what you have and what you need to get the job done.  Go buy the stuff you need.  Save your receipts.  Tip: use paint chips to match colors- use to coordinate in a room or at the store or whatever.  You can also get Lowes to color match paint if you need a lot of one color!   

If you feel like splurging on something, I think nice brushes are great b/c the bristles
don’t fall out!

STEP 5: Prepare

Stretch your canvas, or cut your wood, or whatever you’re going to use.  Then Gesso whatever you’re going to paint.  This acts like a primer.  I’ve learned the hard way that the gesso step should be done with care: no drips, smooth application, sand it if necessary, and atleast 2 coats, don’t forget the edges.

STEP 6: Draw

Start by drawing the outlines of the subject/composition, as though it were a coloring book.  No details.

STEP 7: Paint

First paint the background with big broad color areas (no details).  Then paint the subject/foreground in the same way with big areas.  Pay attention to basic values and staying in the lines.  Although this is not the proper way, this is the way I do it.  Technically, you are supposed to paint in a wash over entire canvas first before painting it out, using the appropriate colors.  I usually skip this step for time purposes and because I’m lazy.  If you are short on time (>1 hr),  divide the artwork up into small segments and only paint a little section at a time- for example, all the green areas, or only the shoe or whatever.  Then no need to save your paints or remember specific color formulas. 

STEP 8: Evaluate

Step back (it’s a different painting when standing 6 ft back) and look at the color choices, composition, etc and make sure it’s going in the direction you want it to go.  What is working? (don’t loose it)  What is not working? (fix it)  Your work should be able to stand alone.  Does it?  What needs to happen so that it will?

STEP 9: Specifics

Fix things that are weird, now is the time for tweaking.  Next, lay in the shadows and highlights as needed.  Add any details that are needed. Continue to stand back and reevaluate as you work.  Use an appropriate size brush.

STEP 10: Finish!

Paint your edges- either black or to match the front as if the image was wrapping around.  Then sign!!  And take a picture to keep for your records!!  You did it!!  

And also keep in mind, that it’s never totally finished ;)  As time passes, you will notice things to change or add.

EXAMPLES:

Close up and Finished dragonfly drawing from sketchbook above

Example of drawing outlines

Example of painting one color at a time.  Had to change the placement of the bcm logo once I got started… Harper is “helping” 

Above: that is how I would teach someone if I were the professor and we had time to make a few pieces together.  If I were doing a seminar and only had an hour, I would guide the people using Concept, Color, Composition, Completion.