Saturday, May 22, 2010

wolf kahn

Last night was the Wolf Kahn lecture at Glen Echo Park. He was charming, funny, smart and engaging: plus which other 82 year old man would wear a deep pink shirt and matching pink socks? He won me over with that alone.  I will blog pieces of wisdom from WK as I process them. Here are a few which sing in my head:
*throw all formulas out the window, they only hold you back
*see, don't think
*it's only when the painting starts telling you what do do are you really painting
*and the most fascinating idea in this post.......when you begin to paint he suggested to start with the area you can't easily give a name to. For instance WK gave the example, when painting a portrait don't start with the eye, start with that small place on the side of the cheek that can defy easy description. Hmmmm. Think about that. It's another way to take you away from "things."

PS It was nice to meet some of my blogger friends there- Paula (from upstate Maryland) and Nika (who came in from Florida for the lecture!)
PPS hi ho hi ho it's off the Frostburg I go!

16 comments:

Casey Klahn said...

Thanks for the sartorial review, Loriann. I am wearing green - as in envy. Well, as a west coaster I will have to be content with bears, not "Wolfs."

These quotes are pure gold, speaking of colors. You are kind to post them, and I look forward to more. have fun on your trip, and paint much.

Sally Veach said...

You are an early riser! Is that how you get so much done? Painting all the time, promoting, showing, blogging a lot (thank you so much for the blogging, and sharing your knowlege/experience with us others! And then I'm sure there's tending to business. At this point, I am still in need of education and practice. I don't see how I have time to develop my art career (even if my paintings reach that level). I am already almost 50! Tell me--is it possible still?

SamArtDog said...

Thanks for your WK report. What a dude! As I told Jala, it must be difficult to be an icon, or at least to have your work so iconic. Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery notwithstanding, yahdee yahdee, think of all the bad imitations! Like, all those 82-year-olds who have the pink sock thing down but wear them with sandals!

Can't wait to hear more iconic hot tips, though the ones you've got here will give us plenty to chew on 'til you get back.

Did you actually take this splendid photo of WK? If so, add portrait photographer to your resume.

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

LOVE the wisdom quotes!! Thank you so much for sharing them! I like the idea of painting something that cannot be reduced to words. Gotta love a man (not living in Florida) who wears pink!!

Pam Holnback said...

Thank you so much for sharing parts of his lecture. With your love of color, I know his thoughts will keep your mind going and spinning!

loriann signori said...

Hi everyone, I am delighted that you enjoyed the one little WK nibble. I will write more when I return. I am enjoying my time in the Maryland mountains (not like the Colorado mountains..but beautiful.)

Hi and thanks to my bear friend Casey!

Sally, My advice is.... age doesn't matter. If you are willing to work hard and believe you can do it you will. Not bad, eh?

Hey Sam!
Icon he is....you are right it must be weird. He even eluded to that. Although he seems to soak it up. As for the photo, I arrived early so that I could sit in the front row. Lucky me! He is so photogenic, it really isn't my skill.

Hi Katherine!
haha I never thought of the Florida pinks. He lives in Vermont and they DON"T wear pink. Glad you liked the quotes. Hope you are loving Alaska!

Hi Pam, You are welcome. More will be on the way. cheers!

Edcooper_art said...

Interesting stuff!....wait till the painting speaks to you.....my mainly say 'thats wrong' and then you have figure out why yourself!

Martha Marshall said...

Wonderful quotes and great gems of advice. Lucky you to be at a WK seminar. One of my all-time favorite artists.

Brian McGurgan said...

What a treat, Loriann - I'm looking forward to hearing more about the lecture. Kahn's work and wisdom is a constant source of inspiration for me.

Jala Pfaff said...

He dresses like...Easter.

loriann signori said...

Hi Ed and Martha,
Thank you for stopping by my blog... and for commenting.
Waiting till the painting speaks to you does seem important. More magic happens without imposing. And yes I felt very lucky to be able to attend the lecture that's also why i feel it's my job to share. WK is awesome, an icon in his own time.

Hi Brian,
Kahn's work is an inspiration. I'll share more tidbits as I process. Till then..cheers!

loriann signori said...

Jala, Easter w/o the bunny, although he is cute.

SUSAN RODEN said...

Wolf Kahn is one of my favorite all-time artists so was very happy to see your comments of him Loriann. Thank you for sharing!
As a pastelist also, I really enjoy to see + read of others styles. Love what you are doing.

Deborah said...

Mmmmm, how I would love to have been there sitting alongside you. I'll look forward to your further writing on this topic, as WK is a favorite of mine, too. Love the pic of him. Thanks!

loriann signori said...

Hi Susan,
Wolf Kahn's work is awesome. I am glad that you re enjoying his words from the lecture. Thanks about my work..I visited your blog and saw your beautiful work.

loriann signori said...

Hi Deborah, Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. I have been a frequent visitor of you blog. I really appreciate your very generous act of sharing your entire book online. WOW! Thank you. I did not realize WK is a favorite of yours too. Wish you could have been there with me. But since you weren't I will be sure to keep posting his insights.
I really admire your work!!!!!