I am at heart

[joseph engraver]

I am at heart a gun engraver; however my natural instinct is to explore other means of self expression which could bring extra income. I admire courageous and inventive minds and hope to encourage them.
I live a reclusive life style since retired here on this tropical beach, haven’t read a newspaper in close to four years’. My TV entertaining consists of one hour daily of the Simpson’s as my Spanish lesson and a soccer game if recommended by Maximiliano.
Life at seventy is not to be wasted.
I am to have a showing of my works along with a book signing at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and Firearms Museum, where my tools, drawings, molds, prints, sculptures, engravings, notebooks and other things are now available to public viewing. This fact I am very proud of.
How was this accomplished? With the best schooling possible for engraving; with almost two years of my life without earned income, and with a deep study of art and total dedication to my work. This is the simple answer my friends. I believed in me. I hustled my ass off. I put thousands of miles on my car. I stopped at every gun shop I encountered. I stuck my work in anyone face that showed even the slightest interest, and I pushed at every given opportunity. I never delivered work late. I always did my best within the limits of the moneys received for my labors and never asked a client extra for unanticipated charges. I never allowed a backlog of work to pile up in my studio. My standard answer was, “I have your number I will give you a ring when I’m ready.†and I kept my word.
I mentioned that I am now painting and had no idea of what was considered proper technique, or what I was doing.
My wife Franca has already given her opinion, “I don’t understand what it means, but I like the colors dear.â€
I have shown it to Ace my dog but he doesn’t seem to give a damn. My best friend here is Max el Moreno Capitan of my charter boat; he lives by the lagoon with four women and several kids; speaks no English. I’ve shown it to him, he likes it, but I am not as confident with his opinion on art as I am with his abilities to find big game fish.
Thanks to the internet and the Engravers Café I feel as if I have made friends with perfect stranger’s worlds away and need a general opinion. These hands are no longer rock steady, so some lines are a bit wiggly. For better or worse (trumpets sound) friends of mine through out the world, my first completed painting. Let me have your honest opinion. I guess I have rambled a bit, must be the wine.
Thank you and comments please.

 

[jmcutting]

Joseph,

I appreciate you posting your first painting for us to see. I have been anxious to see your paintings since you mentioned you were taking this on. As an individual who once took an art classes in college and own a collection of various pieces from Kandinsky to photography by Mangelson I find many questions in this piece. I personally would see this as abstract art. My interpretation of abstract art is that is can go in two direction. One a person tries to take an object and express it in an abstract form. Second is someone who starts painting or drawing and the piece creates itself. I don't know how you came about it but only you know that.

One thing I am learning with engraving is you have a focal point and you build off that. I see that in this piece, which may stem from your background. Your use of colors show warmth which often times shows comfort. The use of symetry show control... I could ramble on here and really not get anywhere but I won't say it would be something I would hang on my wall. I will say that I greatly appreciate this piece for it's originality and beauty from within. Continue painting and I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

-justin

 

[pilkguns]

Is it the wheels of life spinning round crossing over circular circumstances repeatedely? It certainly draws you into it and then round about it. I like it. Would I put it on my wall.... maybe... I have so many cool art posters that I have aquired at museums/churches/fairs across the continents that I need a about a 15 feet high walls with no windows for about 20 yards....

 

[Steve223]

Abstract art usually dosent appeal to me very much but the more i look at this painting it draws me in. I think i like it!

 

[Unkl Ian]

Some will ask "what it supposed to be ?"


Others will appreciate it for what it is.

-------

I see a strong use of color,contrast,and balance.

Hopefully to will find enough satisfaction in this piece to continue painting.

 

[gail.m]

Well.....it reminds me of a kaliedoscope. I have quite a few, as I used to collect them.
It is comfortable to look at, unlike other works of this genre.
Thanks for sharing.
gailm

 

[joseph engraver]

I can ask for no more than that, thanks for the compliment