EXECUTIVE BOARD

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A Message from Michelle Curry, President

One of my past instructors in art said something simple, yet profound. “Searching for subject matter,  is as important as the making of art.” In other words, take the time to find something to paint, that really resonates with you.

When I teach, or privately tutor artists, very often they are in a hurry to get busy about the business of painting, and further,  to finish it, hoping to rapidly materialize a masterpiece! Something must be said about the vision, formation, and the percolation of ideas. Time and timing is essential. 

I encourage artists to be collectors of visual ideas, and pictures, in short, of things that move you with passion. 

You may need to brainstorm. You may need to join a mastermind group (like OAG), to rub shoulders with others interested in similar things. You may need to look at books on art, magazines, take a class, or watch endless youtube videos. Good ideas for art creation will begin to appear, but it will not be in a vacuum. It will happen by “priming the pump.” It may take different avenues, such as, using a certain aesthetic, or technique expressed by a media, and/or a particular style, or subject matter. Jackson Pollock painted abstracts. Salvador Dali was a surrealist. Monet and Van Gogh were mostly into landscape. Mary Cassatt was drawn to paint mothers and their children. Bonnard painted still life, and interiors. Over time an artist’s body of work will show their soul.

Great thought should be given time to mature. Many artists in history sometimes took from a few days, weeks, or even years to complete paintings. As an example of this,  Leonardo Da Vinci had a few paintings that he worked on up to 20+ years, the Mona Lisa being one of them. Sometimes the work isn’t ready to be born, as the artist may not have the necessary skill to create the piece at the level of mastery needed to see the realization of their vision. Patience and time sometimes need to go into the inspiration itself, as well as choosing materials, techniques, and photo references that can be sustainably resourced (copyright free) to help you.

During this latent time, the idea may appear to dissappear, to go underground, and percolate in the subconscious. Then something can awaken it, and suddenly, the whole thing can come together in the mind of the artist, that then makes creation appear to be almost effortless. I have had this happen many times. The path is not always logical or linear.  It is key to be patient with yourself, and your art, and to not give up, but to keep on going in the direction of your dreams!

Happy ARTing!
Michelle Curry
Artist, Educator
OAG President

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INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
JUNE 11, 2025

Incoming officers: President Michelle Curry, VP Marilyn Busse, Treasurer Cathy Burnside, Recording Secretary Cheryl Dornbush (absent), and Corresponding Secretary Linda Bakos. Huge shout-out to these brave volunteers! For a full review of the event and more photos, continue here.

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