Lesley Humphrey Writings

When people ask me what medium I use, I am always a little stuck for words (hard to believe of those who know me, but true…)  The reason is, I paint the same way, whether painting in oil, watercolor, acrylic, or even charcoal, for you see, I fervently believe it is the ‘Artist’ that is the medium that matters.

I’ve been away in the UK for 4 weeks, having a lovely time, (sketching on my iPhone of all things), and, still jet-lagged, last weekend I had 2 painting demonstrations:  Saturday’s was a 1 hour demo. painting horses, in oil, from life, at the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, with my intention being to simply capture this wonderful moment with energy and verve, in oils…(Pictures below, then story continues with the watercolor at the end…)

Woodlands Waterway demo: 2010 - 16 x 20 oil on canvas

SO….. for my demonstration the following day, I decided to use this rapid sketch as inspiration for my watercolor demonstration at Watercolor Art Society, Houston (WASH).  I began the demo in exactly the same was as I did the oil, using similar colors in transparent and opaque watercolor, plus black and white gouache.  This was an 18 x 24 watercolor painting on gold gesso prepared watercolor paper….

(GUARDIANS: 18 x 24 watercolor on paper by Lesley Humphrey)

From the beginning, I fully intended for my watercolor to become a creative expression of something beyond the representative image. Therefore, the images of the horses and riders are just part of the idea that is indicated via the language of art, using color, line, shape, texture, shape, symbols, etc.

The name provides a clue to my intention… Guardians against what, you might ask?  On this day, the one day in the year normally reserved for the peaceful transfer of leadership from one President to another, just prior to my demo, I had the misfortune of demonstrating a challenge and a coup!  Blood was everywhere!  (Figuratively speaking.)  Gob-smacked, I painted-on.  For this brilliant haven for artists, I wanted my painting to guard these lovely folks against discord, conflict, dominant, power-grabbing egos, power struggles, and even migraines (which I had!) The poor painting had a lot on its shoulders, as did I. 

I like the result.  It will be on display at DaVinci’s Gallery first Friday in May, in Tomball, TX. Thanks for being interested, and have an artful day!

January 2010:  FRENCH QUARTER POODLE.  8 x 5 watercolor on paper.

My husband and I went to New Orleans recently, taking my daughter to college, and hoping to catch some jazz (he to listen, me to watch and sketch).  It was too cold.. brrrr.  Wind howled through the streets and the only people walking were doing so at a great rate, from car to house… Except for this guy.  I observed him while drinking tea from the lovely breakfast room of a very cool, artsy hotel (Danny Glover was two tables away.)  A massive, coffee-coloured french poodle was dragging a cossack down the street, backpack bouncing madly, scarves a-flailing, and I thought "Darn! Where is my sketchbook or camera?"  Never mind, I thought.  I’ll take a mental snapshot.  Back in our room, Larry read the paper and I painted this.  (You can buy it from New Editions Gallery, Lexington, KY)

(TANDEM- 2009 Oil on canvas.  24 x 30 by Lesley Humphrey)

It’s fascinating to me, that the more abstract a painting, the more comments it seems to invite.  Furthermore, everyone sees something different!  A few have said something like "It’s about two lovers… Awww".  Someone else said "It’s an old mother carrying her son home from the war" (I liked that one.)  Everyone filters their own experience through a less-representative work, which is how it should be.  What was my intention?  Not telling!  

Ex Arte Equinus International is an art competition presented by the publishers of Art Horse magazine.  As last year’s painting winner, it fell to me to jury this year’s entries; An absolutely formidable task.  I lost many hours of sleep over my selections with questions like:  Could I eliminate photo realism because of my own personal preference for abstraction?  The answer, after changing my mind millions of times (slight exaggeration there)… Absolutely not.  A good painting is a good painting, however, my highest awards went to those painters that offered excellent paintings, plus a sense of what the artist "felt’ while painting the image, offering us a fresh point of view. The following is my juror statement… You’ll have to wait for the magazine or the book to see the images selected: 

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"It was indeed an honor and a privilege to jury paintings for the Ex Arte Equinus III International show.  The entries provided a fascinating array of work that sometimes left me breathless, sometimes speechless, and something laughing out at the humor present in the some of the works.  Thank you, and congratulations to all who entered this unique international platform for the equine art genre.

I should begin by stating that, in my opinion, ‘Art’ cannot be judged.  How can one judge a quality that cannot be adequately defined?  Rather, one can only hope to witness the absence or presence of “It”, and, if present, to what degree.  One can, however, perhaps quantify the competence and mastery of the painter, and hopefully identify creativity and courage in the work.

In an effort to explain the artistic process to my students, I describe it thus: In my experience, learning to paint and pursue art was like learning to write.  In the early stages, one learns how to make marks, or letters and words, to simply describe objects and life.  As we progress, and we learn to write beautifully descriptive essays and prose, so too do our more advanced paintings reflect, often exquisite, descriptive, pleasing qualities.  It is only when technique and skill has been mastered to such a degree, that the artist, author or poet creates something beyond narrative, something that touches our humanity to such a degree that we are changed forever by encountering it… It is only then that we have encountered “Art”.  It is not a matter of who was good, better, or best, it is a question of where we are on the journey.  With respect, I encourage each of you to ponder this for yourself….

This competition was filled with imagery that would leave you breathless at the technical competence and beauty of the majority of work presented.  I love and applaud such beauty and such mastery.  The paintings I have selected contained, in my opinion, the most essential ingredient for the works to be considered successful works of ‘Art’. A combination of skills and media, authoritatively orchestrated to create passionate works filled with creative energy and life. 

My sincere congratulations to everyone, and my best wishes for your artistic journey. 

"THE MOTHER" 24 x 24 oil by Lesley Humphrey

I think we’re only truly free when we come to the realization that we must, at some point in our lives, parent ourselves.  For some, it’s earlier.  For some, it’s later; and for some, it happens gradually, in layers and increments, as womens’ lives wax and wane.  Carl Jung tells us, via metaphor and myth, that it simply must happen for individuation to take place.  This should give you some clues as to the marks and meanings that form part of this piece.  I hope you like it. 

(You can enquire about it from New Editions Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky, and/or ask them for an invitation card…It’s on the cover.)

12 x 12 inches: Oil on Panel. 2009 A Day At the Beach by Lesley Humphrey

This is generally the type of thing I do, when I want to feel better, but can’t find the chocolate.  It’s from an old photo of my three children getting ready for a donkey ride, but of course, it’s about much more than that.  It’s an icon for my highest loves, etched and written throughout.  I gave it to my son, Chris, for his 19th birthday recently.

What is a ‘mac lady’ and how do you hunt them?  You pose your Mum, or other family member, close to a ‘macker’ (typical British lady in mackintosh or other coat), and "click".  I give them points out of ten for how fab they are… This one is a good 9.  Not only is she cloaked in a coat and hat, but she also has the required sensible shoes, shopping back, etc.  The only way you can achieve a ‘10′ is if you have a short-legged dog, of questionable origins, on a lead.

 Yes, that is my Mum back on her feet, with her little pal Ella.  Whilst posing for this, she said "Oh Lesley, y’don’t want a picture of me do you?" … all blushy and coy (for her)  I said.. "No, but the lady in red is just fabulous!

I’m so relieved Mum is doing better now. I spent several weeks in the UK with her and visiting my art friends, and my daughter at her new flat in London.  (She’s having a remarkable time at Sotheby’s Art Institute, and sharing her discoveries with me.  How delicious!)

June 2009 "SUNFLOWER" by Lesley Humphrey

The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts had invited my painting friends and I (we call ourselves the "Six Figure Painters") to have a show in June.  We hired Crystal and painted her all together in one session, each having a different viewpoint.  We then finished the painting at our own studios.  This is my finished piece and it will be on display June 29th at the Pearl for a month.  (We have a reception scheduled for July 24th.. Come and see us!)  

"Sunflower" has a lot of content for me.  It may seem a little sullen and lack colour, but this is how I am at the moment.  My Mum’s sunflowers were wilting and sad looking on the table, so I put them in the piece, two looking down, one looking up.   The rest I’ll leave to your imagination…

Have a wonderful day please!

June 2009 BATTLE WORN by Lesley Humphrey

We had a wonderful summer planned:  House boating in Hot Springs in June, a cruise to Mexico next week, Hawaii in August… Then my mother had a terrible accident on the boat and sustained a compound fracture.  In an instant, life changed, as life does.  We have her home, she’s mending well and I am now a 24-hour nurse.  I am learning a lot, not just about nursing but about love, pain, suffering, healing and managing one’s own fears…

I had to do a painting for our local 6 Figures Show hosted by the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts.  I had to paint my situation, and the result is above… The following is a journal entry from 5 days ago…  

The fear demons are banging at my door,

Lest I have but one moment of peace and surety,

If calm and serenity soothes my heart for a fleeting moment

They draw their clawen fngers down the pane

Drawing light down in to their cold abyss,

As if weighted by the gravity of doom.

The wound ripples over the leg like ancient scarred earth,

Jagged edges, like earthquake’s renting

In its wake, a rented lament for smoother times,

Forever now a reminder of tragedy,

Locked into sinews and never forgot

How then, does the healer lead the battle against disease?

A heart so worn with doom and dire?

How does the winder of the wraps

Lend rays of light to heal a body, mind and soul?

Am I able, am I enough?

Responsibility! Thy yoke is heavy

and my shoulders tremble from its press

Please, please let up just enough,

That I can lift up my head, and see the road ahead,

And know at least where to place my feet,

That I do not stumble, but find my heart

Adequate to this task; this load I’d love to pull

If only I had hands to guide me.

I am blind, I am blinkered, yet pull I must

I pray my burden stays aloft, before my journey’s done.

_____________

See, if you do this sort of thing, you feel better afterward without having your own emotions run roughshod over those you love.  Anyway, it works for me.  Recommend Julia Cameron’s "Artist Way" and "Finding Water" for learning how to dig in, write, and paint.