Kathleen Dunphy
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I'd Rather Be Painting

The view from my desk- my easel keeps calling me back!
The view from my desk- my easel keeps calling me back!

















Web sites, blogs, Twitter, and now Facebook: it seems like every day there’s something new that’s come along to keep me from painting. I’m not naïve enough to think that I can have a viable career as an artist without a “web presence,” to use the lingo of the day, but how much is too much? How much time should an artist devote to the internet? As you can tell by the dates on my blogs, I haven’t been the best at writing on a regular basis. I’ve thought of a dozen subjects to write about that might be of interest to people who visit my site, but the challenge is finding the time and motivation to sit down and write.  

The social aspects of Facebook can be fun, and I’ve enjoyed reading other artists’ blogs. I’ll continue to occasionally blog, and I’ve cautiously joined Facebook  But as I’m typing this, I keep looking over at my easel: the 30x24 of Clooney Lake that I started a couple weeks ago needs tweaking- I could use some more temperature shifts in the granite in the foreground, and that line of the rock at the base of the composition is too sharply angled. So do I get on Facebook and add a Friend? Do I write on someone’s Wall? Do I post a video? Add a link? In the end, does that make me a better painter or further my career? The jury's still out on that, but for now, I'm going to go finish that painting.

Comments

5 Responses to I'd Rather Be Painting

That painting is truly excellent! I recognize myself in what you have written, and I think the bulk of your time should definitely be at the easel. You quite obviously have a wonderful skill there, you have it all going on, light,atmospherics,composition, all brought together with a seemingly effortless touch. Superb! Keep at the painting, the rest will follow.
Eric

By Eric Wilson · via web · 212 months ago

Hello Kathleen, I feel the same dilemma that you have expressed. Yes, we must all acknowledge that having a web presence is important in this computer age but time spent on the computer, worthy and as necessary as it may be, is time spent away from the easel. I will say since I signed on to FASO I have spent less time managing my webpage and have enjoyed updating and making changes because it is so much easier than begging my family or friends to help me with the computer. I can do it myself!

Moderation is the key. Setting schedules is a strategy that sometimes works for me. I get much more accomplished by making demands on myself in terms of time management. Sometimes I even follow my schedules. In the morning I step in to the studio or drive to a site to work on a landscape,or join fellow painters to work from the model. It doesn't matter if I get anything accomplished. What matters to me is that I have given myself the time necessary to create with no distractions. I've given myself the time to dream and to go into myself and not "out there". The computer is like "Mrs. Robinson" always trying to seduce us.

By Jeanean Songco Martin · via web · 212 months ago

Hi Kathleen,
This is a question I keep asking myself:how much time should I devote to internet? Shouldn't I be spending all of my time painting trying to become a better painter rather then establishing my "web presence"? But it seems like it has become an urgent reality of these days even for an aspiring artist like myself. Whenever you enter your work into any show or join any Art Club, they always ask you about your website. Finally, I got frustrated to always have to say that I don't have one and decided to just do it, and signed up with FASO.
Now I am even more confused and I don't know which is better - to be upset about not having a website or about spending so much time updating it?
Tatyana.

By Tatyana Fogarty · via web · 212 months ago

I love your newsletters and the blog is fascinating because it expands my knowledge of you personally and it's like an article in an art magazine, only hopefully, more often. Loved the article about your dogs and comments about why you decided to paint various compositions. Please keep it up but don't lose too much time painting because your work is great.

By Connie Tillman · via web · 209 months ago

Hi Kathleen,

The painting in this shot is outstanding. Can you also share the easel brand and studio set up. Its an investment and would be really helpful to hear your ideas on what works and whats successful for you in the studio. Thanks Claire

By Claire Jane Kendrick · via kathleendunphy.com · 89 months ago

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