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Journey of a confused artist - Captains log entry 19-11-23

3/7/2023

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The Louisiana Channel, and seeing AI on YouTube gave me the wealth of information and inspiration that added to my mixing bowl. 

Social networks were ultimately important. Media groups. It is important to connect with the art community and ask for help and advice for the next book? 
LinkedIn gave me the most interesting feedback from artists. Some social media platforms fell flat, such as Facebook, Instagram,TikTok. All based on impressions.

I need to design specific products now branded to promote the book - “Journey of a Confused artist”. The task that I have set myself in terms of research and investment will be long and hard. 

I've discovered design and influences from many graphic designers, one of which is called Paula Share. The visual language shouted out to me and her impact, along with great designers of typography such as Milton Glazier. This was really inspirational.

The next book needed the art community's help. LinkedIn gave me the most interesting feedback from artists and the difference of others. Social media platforms fell flat, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. Based on impressions. They gave very little kind of feedback or inspiration. And effort on my part.

I do not want this journey of discovery to be a travel vlog or blog. With lots of facts and figures. And for the viewers and the readers to engage and interpret what it is that I'm experiencing. The fact that we're moving forward is going to be my driving force.

19-11-22

There are some galleries in Cheltenham UK which do not come to the mark.

Very disappointed by the art that it was exhibiting and the lack of knowledge from the actual sales staff themselves. 

A certain Cheltenham gallery represented the art of Bob Dylan. That's great, I thought and the sales staff say his work was so expensive because he's famous. Is Bob Dylan? More expensive due to his fame?
I explained that there are many others. Actors and performers in the industry of the arts that are actually artists themselves. 

Sylvester Stallone, Pierce Brosnan, Tony Curtis, all of these. Each one of them. 
Was one more expensive than the other because of their fame. It is a question they couldn't answer. 


One of the.paintings promoted was basically “Snooze, you lose”. A comical 
kind of copyright statement that everyone has said before. Really. I explained that there are copyright laws. Using it for monetary gains. Staff turned away confused.

Back in my studio I had a burst of energy to paint. Because I've been to the galleries maybe, I don't know, seeing other artists work. It's something that just excited me. 
Painting, moving forward and traveling to encompass all these experiences was going to be beneficial to me, so I started experimenting by writing the words that I was thinking and trying to formulate logic?

KDP Amazon came in.My first book “Episode One- the journey begins” has been selling.

So to everyone out there that has bought the first episode, the “Journey begins”. Thank you. Thank you. It's clear that in order to promote your work, you need advertising and you need an advertising budget. Sadly being on Unemployment benefit, I didn't have that benefit. 

The algorithm in Google is designed only to promote. Advertising and I was having to create interest in my book organically, for free, no money paid. 
Using this through blogs YouTube channel. Sadly, even on Facebook, I can only get messages to at least 25. And so this is very difficult to grow. With no money. 

Maybe one day on the sales of my previous book. Invest in promoting the next books in the series. And yes, again, thank you to anyone who has bought the first episode one, “The journey begins”.

It is important to connect with the art community. And ask for help and advice. The next book? LinkedIn gave me the most interesting feedback from artists and the difference. 

Social media platforms fell flat, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. All based on impressions, unique visitors, bounce rate, time and much more . They gave very little kind of feedback or inspiration. 

I do not want this journey of discovery to be a travel vlog or blog. With lots of facts and figures. And for the viewers and the readers to engage and interpret what it is that I'm experiencing. Just reviewing our work. The fact that we're moving forward. Is going to be my driving force.


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Journey of a confused artist - Captains log entry 18-11-22

3/7/2023

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I eventually managed to transfer and load my video “Cry for help”- Journey of a confused artist”. A series of books, to my new YouTube channel I had to also learn and create. All that aside. It was uploaded and LIVE. Now it all needed branding, identity, voice, and SEO promotion. Welcome to the new age of communication? I just want to create art and not spend so much time on these activities, just to get noticed.

All this research, learning and processes I have to journey through, is all towards the goal of publishing a series of fun, enlightening and inspiring art books.
“Journey of a confused artist”


18-11-22

Back in my new Wetherspoon office (No promotion to the brewery), it was time to get the coffee and start preliminary research into the city of Florence and the home of Renaissance art. I needed to understand its history and what inspired the artists of the time. 
The art academies that exist today keep the art alive. The Russian art academy and more. Local people and artists, and gather thoughts of how they feel the region, culture and art has given to the world and region. 

I remember on an art trip at university, how I was affected by the environment where the art was created. It was an interesting coach trip full of loud and excited artists. 
I listened to Enya on my disc player to detach myself from them, and only to engage with them  at appropriate moments such as toilet stops and smoke breaks. Bauhaus and Berlin had a huge impact on me. The Da Vinci museum showing his thoughts and inventions. He invented the crane and helicopter. He was also a procrastinator and rarely finished work. The Mona Lisa took him 14 years to complete.

All this was exciting to see, along with the two Swedish female students who looked after me overcoming language barriers and being “stitched” up at the nightclub. Sadly, I was found in their room at the hostel, and escorted out by a kind hall monitor to my correct abode. So kind of him.

Travel was so important to my research. To engage and see art close to touch is such an eye opener. Paris, Barcelona, Venice, all have so much to offer and inspire. These places remind you just why the masters were inspired and created the work they did.

I learnt a great deal from a Turkish cat I adopted called “Missey”.. She taught me so much about sales that I had to explain to my managers.

It was basic and a 2sec rule.
The target/victim would always have an objection, a barrier to the sales person (cat/me). I say this in terms of sales reps, time-share, property and other business ventures. This is where it gets funny.
As a sales rep myself, the cat taught me this trick to overcome objections from these victims
The sales person (cat/me) would gently smile, nod and close their eyes for 2 sec and then open them, enlightened with a smile.

The victim will then continue to defend their decision to not invest or be involved in your journey.
The sales person (cat/me) would gently smile again, nod and close their eyes for another 2 sec. Then open enlightened and smile again.

Yet again the victim will then continue to defend their decision to not invest or be involved in your journey and look for support from their partner.

The sales person (cat/me) would gently smile, nod and close their eyes for another 2 sec, agree, and continue this action until they would then close the deal. 


You will love me and give in to my wishes. And they did. “Missey” even had my steak and she was allowed to sleep inside even though Gail does not like cats.

   
I had to work on a branding design which was based on the typography design of a Bob Dylan album cover. He is also an artist who sells his work through a gallery in Cheltenham, UK.

Simple graphics from my university studies. It has text weight and flexibility for additional book designs for the series. I will now have to adapt it and filter with my other online branding to add connection. All good fun and games.

I need to design specific products now branded to promote the “ journey of a confused artist”. A task that I have set myself in terms of research and investment. I've discovered design and influences. Of many graphic designers, one of which is called Paula share. The visual language shouted out to me and her impact, along with great designers of typography such as Milton Glazier was really inspirational.

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Journey of a confused artist - Captains log entry 15-11-2022

3/7/2023

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15-11-2022

There were a number of academies of art in Florence. The Angel Academy and the Russian Academy, all needed my investigation, first hand.

All this is originally possible through the patronage of the wealthy Medici family who invested heavily in the birth of Renaissance art. Benefactors of their kind investment were Verrocchio, the mentor to such future masters as Leonardo Da Vinci, Bottichelli, Donetello to name a few.

I sent a call out for help message on Linkedin asking for advice on venues in Florence I need to visit for the research. The response was great. UFFIZI gallery was on the top, Medici chapel, and advice to visit PERUGIA - Fra Angelico.
I also received a great message and advice from Carlos Rodolfo Escala Fernandez who is on the International selection committee for De Bienale of Florence. 

I needed to do more research about Florence and what the city brought to the art world. How it influences the local culture and society. Questions I need to ask for each location I visit maybe; 
  1. Why did this region/ city inspire and influence the artists?
  2. Has this influence affected the characteristics / psychology of the local population?
  3. Has the art created given prosperity to the region and society?
  4. What subjects, styles, language was synonymous to the region that attracted artists?
Many more…

16-11-22

At last, after much investigation and application, I have been accepted into the “Artfinder” community of artists. Ironic, and pathetic really, as I will explain.

Over 5 years back, when “Artfinder” was first launched, I was accepted as an artist to promote and within 24 hours I had sold my painting “Parting the waves” to a QC in London. Great !!
Hands up. My fault. I neglected my gallery space for several years and had to reactivate. The application was strict and I was rejected. (This is a subject we cover in the book Journey of a confused artist). This upset and confused me as I had sold my art with them before ?

I never take rejection well. So I created a new identity with email etc and applied again. This time I was accepted. Saying nothing but, Ha,Ha !!

It was clear that I needed to fine tune my research criteria and format structure for Youtube video and social media. There was so much work behind the scenes in order to just promote the Journey of a confused artist series of books.
Research for the content was difficult enough. Trying to create a logical format with the information and then added to this was the promotion and social media content and creation.

Being sadly unemployed at this moment (a starving artist), This journey has allowed me to overcome psychological issues with the loss of Gail and the time of the year. My mental health was good, thanks to being able to try and have fun making mistakes in this journey. I was also learning some amazing facts and information that myself, and many would not have expected.
Paparazzi tales started to form within the books as bite size fun and interesting facts about the great art masters which we never knew. Until now !!

I am learning more skills and enthusiasm which has prevented me from being depressed and feeling unwanted and useless. I have a goal, mission and a journey to travel, and it is great! Maybe some good will become of my efforts. A job to focus on. The future ability to do all I love and generate a passive, regular income for retirement. I love art, design and cultures. I love to engage and learn, I love to travel and to move freely. So how do I make all this come to fruition?

Paint, travel, write and try to generate an income to allow me to continue forward doing the things I love.


17-11-22

Early 5.27am wake up and I am already searching for answers to questions and advice I need. Youtube was always my goto place to learn about how to transfer video files from iphone and laptop. This was complicated and very foreign to me so I needed to venture out to another venue to help me focus.

Due to the economic situation we are all feeling ourselves in, I needed a space with FREE facilities. Warmth and electricity to run my iphone and laptop. WiFi connection. News and live TV followed by warm tea and coffee available on tap through the day.

I was not alone in my search for a safe haven, and Wetherspoons pubs were the savior of the day to many of us. I had found a nice enclosed cubicle with charging points and made this my new office. 


​Next it was time to get this journey moving and so I started to research AiR (Artist in Residence). This gave artists the ability to concentrate on a specific subject or project that they wished to investigate and allow for engagement with fellow creatives and art institutes. 


Sadly I discovered that the criteria was one sided. If your research project encapsulated technology, ecology, diversity, then you were massively ahead of the other applicants.
My proposal and project only had the diversity twist and so I was in a low potential of acceptance.

I wonder if Da Vinci had to go through this process with his Patrons, the Medici family ? Of course not stupid! Things were different then. They had less PC attitudes, regulations and processes needed to be adhered to.


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Journey of a confused artist - Captains log entry 14-11-2022

3/7/2023

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Journey of a confused artist - David Iddon Art
14-11-2022
4.32am
Awake and onto You tube to learn more for “Journey of a confused artist”.

I have already learnt about filming, editing, and posting a video to TikTok, Facebook, and all other social media happy platforms. NOT easy. One simple task turns into x20. It was a domino effect and I wished I had never started, but I eventually learnt. Watching and writing advice down is great, but you need to put it into practice. You will make mistakes.

Dudley Moore & Peter Cook became part of the research of ideas to create short comical clips on being an art critic. The Art gallery sketch was hilarious and it started me thinking of a fictitious character who was an idiot art critic who blindly yet firmly believed his interpretation of art was correct. The character would embody the antics of Alan Partridge. Smug and self obsessed. Maybe I will move this forward as the journey continues.

Later in town, I sit outside a cafe to people-watch and gather inspiration for characters to drift through the book. Standing in front of me stood a motionless man. He had an intense stare directed at me. This was very freaky and nerving. I pretended to look at messages on my phone but could still feel his eyes burning into me. Eventually he turned toward the public ashtray and scooped up a collection of cigarette ends. I then look at the ashtray on my table and notice a cigarette end which was nearly whole. This must have been the trophy he was after and I had ruined his quest.

Then there was the “conversation jumper”. A man who quickly engaged conversation with anyone and everyone within a zone of 5m. I was thankfully 5.5m and also writing this so as not to make a connection. When he had exhausted them he would prowl the floor around the bar for more victims. He asked too many questions and always knew more about what they talked about. “My black cat is blacker than your black cat” as my mother would say.

15-11-2022
04.04am
You tube morning tutorial time. A critic by Brian Sewell was on the playlist today. He was educating us on the basic principles of how we can view and interpret art through certain criteria such as subject, brush strokes, texture, and style. All these clues will enable you to have a basic understanding of the art, but NOT the feeling that it provokes. That is personal to you.

Later on the viewing schedule I came onto the TV programme “Draws off - The big naked”. This was a competition between 4 artists to find the best life drawing artist.It was interesting to see their varying styles and techniques, and even better to see them critique the other contestants' art Some were repetitive and in-vogue for this moment in time, but certainly nothing to push the boundaries of life drawing.

I kept watching intently and started painting in my mind. It was obviously better than the other contestants. I tend to do this practice as I am drifting off to sleep. I find it very therapeutic with many benefits. If I do not like it, I just delete and move on. 
It has no cost attached with equipment and you can use any material you imagine. 
The downside was that it was not there in the morning. Well, there is always another evening.

I did some research for locations I needed to visit and gather research. The first on the list, and most important was the birthplace of renaissance art, Da Vinci, Botticelli,and the tutor to all Verrocchio. 
It was of course Florence. Further research showed that I needed to talk and engage with students at the art academies such as the Russian academy. 
These were our future artists of a new generation learning from the practices of the great masters and keeping the art alive. 
One art practice and discipline being taught and kept alive was from an artist/mentor called Charles Cecil, an American artist. 
The technique he was teaching was called “Sight size” and involved the artist moving forward and back from the subject, creating a visual impression seen from a distance. 
They would even move away from the subject and view it in a mirror. 
This gave a fresh view to the work. Our eyes become lazy after 20 min and this technique refreshes the eyes. I had used this myself on many occasions.

There is much more to come on the journey which I hope you will join me on. 
Please buy your ticket to leave the departure gate and come on board at Patreon “Journey of a confused artist” or visit the website to learn more about how you can be a traveler with me.
www.davididdonart.com

Until the next journal entry. Fill that brush and have fun.



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Journal entry 11-2022

11/18/2022

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Picture
Journey of a confused artist - David Iddon Art
14-11-2022
4.32am
Awake and onto You tube to learn more for “Journey of a confused artist”.

I have already learnt about filming, editing, and posting a video to TikTok, Facebook, and all other social media happy platforms. NOT easy. One simple task turns into x20. It was a domino effect and I wished I had never started, but I eventually learnt. Watching and writing advice down is great, but you need to put it into practice. You will make mistakes.

Dudley Moore & Peter Cook became part of the research of ideas to create short comical clips on being an art critic. The Art gallery sketch was hilarious and it started me thinking of a fictitious character who was an idiot art critic who blindly yet firmly believed his interpretation of art was correct. The character would embody the antics of Alan Partridge. Smug and self obsessed. Maybe I will move this forward as the journey continues.

Later in town, I sit outside a café to people-watch and gather inspiration for characters to drift through the book. Standing in front of me stood a motionless man. He had an intense stare directed at me. This was very freaky and nerving. I pretended to look at messages on my phone but could still feel his eyes burning into me. Eventually he turned toward the public ashtray and scooped up a collection of cigarette ends. I then look at the ashtray on my table and notice a cigarette end which was nearly whole. This must have been the trophy he was after and I had ruined his quest.

Then there was the “conversation jumper”. A man who quickly engaged conversation with anyone and everyone within a zone of 5m. I was thankfully 5.5m and also writing this so as not to make a connection. When he had exhausted them he would prowl the floor around the bar for more victims. He asked too many questions and always knew more about what they talked about. “My black cat is blacker than your black cat” as my mother would say.

15-11-2022
04.04am
You tube morning tutorial time. A critic by Brian Sewell was on the playlist today. He was educating us on the basic principles of how we can view and interpret art through certain criteria such as subject, brush strokes, texture, and style. All these clues will enable you to have a basic understanding of the art, but NOT the feeling that it provokes. That is personal to you.

Later on the viewing schedule I came onto the TV programme “Draws off - The big naked”.

This was a competition between 4 artists to find the best life drawing artist. It was interesting to see their varying styles and techniques, and even better to see them critique the other contestants' art Some were repetitive and in-vogue for this moment in time, but certainly nothing to push the boundaries of life drawing.

I kept watching intently and started painting in my mind. It was obviously better than the other contestants. I tend to do this practice as I am drifting off to sleep. I find it very therapeutic with many benefits. If I do not like it< I just delete and move on. It has no cost attached with equipment and you can use any material you imagine. The downside was that it was not there in the morning. Well, there is always another evening.

I did some research for locations I needed to visit and gather research. The first on the list, and most important was the birthplace of renaissance art, Da Vinci, Botticelli, and the tutor to all Verrocchio.
It was of course Florence. Further research showed that I needed to talk and engage with students at the art academies such as the Russian academy. These were our future artists of a new generation learning from the practices of the great masters and keeping the art alive. 


One art practice and discipline being taught and kept alive was from an artist/mentor called Charles Cecil, an American artist. The technique he was teaching was called “Sight size” and involved the artist moving forward and back from the subject, creating a visual impression seen from a distance. They would even move away from the subject and view it in a mirror. This gave a fresh view to the work. Our eyes become lazy after 20 min and this technique refreshes the eyes. I had used this myself on many occasions.

There is much more to come on the journey which I hope you will join me on. Please buy your ticket to leave the departure gate and come on board at Patreon “Journey of a confused artist” or visit the website to learn more about how you can be a traveler with me.
www.davididdonart.com

Until the next journal entry. Fill that brush and have fun.

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Paparazzi News

3/28/2022

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8 Artists give advice to the young. Includes Marina Abramović

2/17/2022

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8 Artists Give Advice to the Young | Louisiana Channel - YouTube

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I have seen of late many changes within the artworld. Traditional and New digital. 
​NFT has come to the foreground to give a platform and recognition of a technology art technique.
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The ART of FEAR

7/29/2016

2 Comments

 

"A child paints without FEAR"

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Many artists have all come to blows with FEAR. We have fear of a blank canvas. We have fear at a point in our artistic creation if we should continue or stay where we are. Safe.
​We become scared that we have reached a point where (If we continue) we will ruin what we have already achieved.

Digital art however allows the creator to overcome this huge obstacle by saving the image created at various point. Able to refer back and start again if all goes wrong. Traditional art does not allow for this luxury. The artist has to demonstrate conviction, strength and belief. Yes we can paint over areas we are not happy with, but FEAR is still there, ever growing.

It becomes a psychological battle to push ourselves through these times. Out of our comfort zone and into the scary unknown , all these add to the journey towards FEAR.

​Bob Ross stated, "We do not make mistakes, we make happy accidents". This is a warming view yet it can be difficult to believe and attain.

We should embrace FEAR. It is not our enemy, but our guiding light into a world we never knew. It helps artists push themselves to create what they may never have thought possible.

​More often artists think too much about the work they are creating and this leads at some point to fear. I think Picasso understood this and tried to escape to purity with no fear it his strokes and conviction.

​A child paints without fear. They create from pure joy, innocence and are not held back from prejudgement. Maybe this is what Picasso was striving to capture in his adulthood.

Many artists stick to what they know they can achieve. It is a comfort zone and they do not wish to step further from the safety and knowledge of what they can create. Great artists are willing to push themselves and make "Happy accidents" in order to develop beyond what they initially imagined.

​I think the book "Art & Fear" written by David Bayles and Ted Orland helps to answer these points.

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This is a book about the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and about the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way. David Bayles and I are both working artists, grappling daily with the problems of making art in the real world — the observations we make are drawn from personal experience, and relate more to the needs of fellow artists than to the interests of viewers. --Do not mistake Art & Fear for a pop psychology self-help book — we're not interested in freeing your inner child! This is a book about what it feels like to sit down at your potter's wheel or keyboard, easel or camera, trying to do the work you need to do. What we’ve tried to do is illuminate the obstacles you face, and offer some artistic strategies for getting past them.

Art & Fear has become something of an underground classic, and has now sold over 180,000 copies by word of mouth advertising alone. ​

I personally hope to break through my fear when I paint and go on that journey of discovery. That however will be another story until next time.
​PLEASE leave your views. They will help many in the future, and above all....Have no FEAR of FUN painting..
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Art for Arts Sake

5/2/2015

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Painting for FUN, or painting for PROFIT?

The focus on your art may depend on the above and change, limit, your direction.

If "Painting for profit", then you will look it as a BUSINESS. What sells most, how much, who are the collectors etc etc? This may pull you back from free, pure, creativity because you are guided by a potential market. Added to that. You will need to MARKET your work and that is a whole new ball game.

If "Painting for fun", well then. You are FREE to do as you wish. Paint what pleases without FEAR of having to sell and live by your creation.

Painting for fun and finding your work is loved and sells is the "Holly Grail". If only!!
Below is a little song by some sort of weird band. may have fun.
Credit to
10CC
The Art fund UK
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Art behind closed doors

4/29/2015

4 Comments

 
Two self-portraits by artist Francis Bacon will shortly go on show for the first time. Unseen by the public. Unappreciated maybe by the collector?. Although experts knew the works by the late painter existed, they had no idea who had bought them.
Descendants of the original owner have decided to sell the paintings, which are expected to fetch up to £15m each.

The artworks are titled Self-Portrait 1975 and Three Studies for Self-Portrait (1980).

This is now our opportunity to appreciate these hidden gems of art. BBC News report that the paintings will fetch a value of £30 million.

But we can now all enjoy and experience the work. For a short time. Soon it will be under the hammer at Sotheby's and then back into the grips of another collector and possibly out of our gaze to enjoy.

"Should art be accessible to the public as a matter of law?"

Other rediscovered paintings have come from artists such as Van Gogh, Salvador Dali ( Gift to Rickers Island), Leonardo da Vinci, and Renbrandt. There are many more from famous artists sitting in dust and dark away from our view.

During World War II, the nazis stole countless works of art to hide for Hitlers LINZ MUSEUM. The film of the heroes "Monuments men" tell the story. Yet again, the art subjected to an individual and surpressed from being viewed.

Surely as an artist we create for all to experience, angage and hopefully, enjoy. It is our gift. If this is caged and only visable to a selective audience, then it defeats a large part of our wish to create art.

Maybe I am wrong?. Let me know your opinion please.


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    Professional artist. Winner 1994 Fuji professional award for creative publicity - BAFTA.

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