Dunno, but it feels like the multitasking hoards, who can run through 100 insta posts in a minute while watching a movie, are aware and are trying hard to find ways to change the game. Not having the ability to be as quick myself, I can perhaps suspend the race just a fraction. Is it not on some level a new coping mechanism?
This makes me think of film photographers: if you ask analogue photographers why they like film photography so much, one point usually is because it slows them down and makes them think about more about the subject, framing etc before they make the photo. Of course, it is still much faster than painting, but it seems many of us look at ways to slow down the artkaming process.
It's private, there's no scheduling or model, the light stays the same. But a photo is a different distortion of "reality" than what we see from in a painting. And, the practice of translating from one medium to another and creating something entirely new is a good challenge. I started in painting and drawing before photography. Both capture something that is not objective reality, just in different ways. I appreciate both art forms, and I love the challenge of making a kind of third world/language by translating back and forth between the photographic and the painted image. Good stuff.
So good! It makes sense to me. Slowing down is one of the advantages of painting. To me this shows the importance of the work and the creative process itself and not necessarily the importance of the result.
It's wonderful to read this. I started taking pictures at age 9 and haven't stopped since. Photo degree, another one, commercial photography career, photo teacher, etc. Six months ago I started painting. Short of a drawing class in college, this is an entirely new way of imagemaking for me. And I think it sprung up for precisely the reasons you mentioned: I was first desensitized to digital imagery, and then outraged (for lack of a better word) at AI. So I started painting. I'm sure I'm terrible at it, but I'm loving every imperfect minute of it.
That’s a really interesting read Neil. When it’s so easy to change a photograph with an edit button in Lightroom, or an AI filter, preset or text command, I can see the value in resisting the onslaught of AI by painting or drawing or in some other way recreating the image using human creativity. In the same way that learning karate makes us think about our relationship to the space around us, photography, painting and drawing does change the way we see things. This has given me inspiration and I thank you. Also Molochian churn. Nice.
Interesting indeed, and strange. I think I should have gone to New Contemporaries this year, but the smelly sheepskin on a frame last year had done me in, that and the unconvincing approach to paintings on canvas. I still feel a bit funny about paintings from/of photos but at least these have some control of the medium, as well as interesting things to say..
I haven't spoke much to them, but for me it is about the material reality of them growing up in a farming community. The smells are a big part of that.
It seems like slowing down is a young person’s need and concern, delivered by a brush, paint and canvas. I get it, I really do! Excellent. Thank you.
Just the young people?
Dunno, but it feels like the multitasking hoards, who can run through 100 insta posts in a minute while watching a movie, are aware and are trying hard to find ways to change the game. Not having the ability to be as quick myself, I can perhaps suspend the race just a fraction. Is it not on some level a new coping mechanism?
Yes, the endless feed is a curse. However, you seem to be able to keep on top of hundreds of Substacks, which I find beyond me!
useful corrective to my slightly eyerolling prejudice against photographic paintings! I'll think about this next time I see one
One of my oldest friends has been painting from photos since the beginning of his career https://matthewschofield.com/
Wonderful. These are great.
This makes me think of film photographers: if you ask analogue photographers why they like film photography so much, one point usually is because it slows them down and makes them think about more about the subject, framing etc before they make the photo. Of course, it is still much faster than painting, but it seems many of us look at ways to slow down the artkaming process.
Yes, exactly. And then there are the people with big Victorian large format cameras. So much more considered than the snap happy!
It's private, there's no scheduling or model, the light stays the same. But a photo is a different distortion of "reality" than what we see from in a painting. And, the practice of translating from one medium to another and creating something entirely new is a good challenge. I started in painting and drawing before photography. Both capture something that is not objective reality, just in different ways. I appreciate both art forms, and I love the challenge of making a kind of third world/language by translating back and forth between the photographic and the painted image. Good stuff.
Thank you!
So good! It makes sense to me. Slowing down is one of the advantages of painting. To me this shows the importance of the work and the creative process itself and not necessarily the importance of the result.
Exactly. A good lesson for us all to try and do work with dedication and grace!
It's wonderful to read this. I started taking pictures at age 9 and haven't stopped since. Photo degree, another one, commercial photography career, photo teacher, etc. Six months ago I started painting. Short of a drawing class in college, this is an entirely new way of imagemaking for me. And I think it sprung up for precisely the reasons you mentioned: I was first desensitized to digital imagery, and then outraged (for lack of a better word) at AI. So I started painting. I'm sure I'm terrible at it, but I'm loving every imperfect minute of it.
Wonderful to hear that you are clinging to the dry land of painting as we are hit by the AI deluge. Look forward to seeing your progress.
That’s a really interesting read Neil. When it’s so easy to change a photograph with an edit button in Lightroom, or an AI filter, preset or text command, I can see the value in resisting the onslaught of AI by painting or drawing or in some other way recreating the image using human creativity. In the same way that learning karate makes us think about our relationship to the space around us, photography, painting and drawing does change the way we see things. This has given me inspiration and I thank you. Also Molochian churn. Nice.
Thank you. Glad to hear. People often talk about resisting digital onslaught but painting seems a way of doing so in practice.
Interesting indeed, and strange. I think I should have gone to New Contemporaries this year, but the smelly sheepskin on a frame last year had done me in, that and the unconvincing approach to paintings on canvas. I still feel a bit funny about paintings from/of photos but at least these have some control of the medium, as well as interesting things to say..
Ha! I have seen that sheepskin three times in different places and it is rather ragged now will be interesting to see what they do next.
What was its point?
I haven't spoke much to them, but for me it is about the material reality of them growing up in a farming community. The smells are a big part of that.
I see
As in, literally, what they say about their paintings!