No reason why it should be. You still executed it very well. Do you seriously think artists use compositions which are entirely their own? Most artists work from photos, or from OTHER artists' work. I always memorize photo's from newspapers, or posters that I see while walking through the city. When I really can't find anything that I like (not willing to buy books for that), I will sit down and do something from the imagination, like Last day in Eden for example. But the pose of the lovers from Th Embrace was an idea I got from a ballet poster. That doesn't make it any less my own. What YOU make of the photos you work from is where the creative element lies.

yes, but i didn't want anyone to think that i had this picture of a heron in my head and just had to jot it down *grin*

Starling by Wolf colored pencil

incredible, Wolf

why thank you, wer *smile*

Rose by Wolf colored pencil on notebook paper

Very nice. I like the slightly stylized form, the nice curves. You didn't just sit down and copy a picture exactly as it was in front of you, you drew something you felt as well - an impression, if you like.

Lovely, Wolf! But the starling is the real piece-de-resistance. It is so precise--like a Japanese bird. Are the starlings there really so colorful? Here they're black, with an iridescent hue to their heads.

no, they irridescent. but on the plate i was working with, the coloring was enhanced which gave me an opportunity to experiement with color without it looking like a coloring book picture

cool, girl!

as to the previous what program does Zoe use question, it is Kid Pix Studio by Broderbund Software, Inc.

Thank you, Wer! I'm defenitely getting it for Isa.

"Jesus on the Cross" by Juliette Moore

That was quick! Thank you, Wer. And thanks to Juliette Moore for posting us this lovely picture!!!!

Thanks, Riette & Wer! Jesus is sad because there's a snake crawling on him (I think she's mixing up her Bible stories here, but whatever).

First Oil Painting Ever by Wolf

I was wondering about it, Autumn! I knew it was a snake, but I couldn't quite make out why he was there. That is what is so sweet about children't art, isn't it? You can really see how they THINK when they're at work - and sometimes their thinking is beyond us; I'm sure there is a simple explanation for the snake crawling on Jesus. Could you ask her for me, Autumn? I'd love to hear what she has to say. HEY HO HO HEY, Wolfie!!!! The picture is good overall, but your sky is REALLY REALLY REALLY good. Sky and water are the two most difficult things to paint, and you've defenitely mastered sky. That's marvellous! You've got a great feel for landscape painting - why don't you carry one painting them for a while, there is real potential there. By the way, I absolutely CANNOT paint landscapes, and haven't done a single one in my life. People and animals and cities, yes. But all my efforts in landscape painting have been miserable failures! Wolf, this painting - it's not the one with the bird$hit, is it?

haha! no bird doodoo on this one.

�BIG RELIEVED SIGH!!!�

Her Braid by Wolf colored pencil

it seems no matter how much i shrink these pictures, they always show up real big here. gotta question, perhaps for wer or terry (no offense riette) who are more computer literate than i and the aforementioned riette: how does one go about getting a caption to appear on the block where the image is going? you know, so one knows what's going there before the pic shows up? (like riette's picture in the beginning of this conference)

Wolf, if that is your first oil painting ever, then what the hell are you doing in contracting?? The whole landscape is perfect! And your pencil sketch is beautiful, I especially love the colors you used for her lipstick and flowers.

*blush* never expected this kind of response. never really saw my artwork as a particular talent (especially one that i could make a living at). you guys are the first ones to really see the stuff. feel like a little kid and grabbing everything i've got to post here (like the fridge). thanks for your kind words, they're encouraging!

They are also true, and thank you for trusting us enough to show us your work. I love the flowers - it's such a nice touch to the picture.

inside the image tag, Wolf, add alt="whatever you want the caption to be"

t'anks...see, riette, this is how i got so smart on this cyber stuff....

I hear you, girl, I hear you!! It's just that you GRASP it with such ease, and I don't!

claws and teeth help *grin*

Oh yes, THOSE! I'll grow my nails, and see if that helps....

WOW! I've been missing a helluva lot by telneting... Riette, you certainly rate as a professional artist, I like your style and your subject matter. Wolf, DAMN girl... Autumn was right. You must be one REALLY excellect government employee not to spend more time honing the obviously extensive raw talent you have! Zoe, I still have the napkin from Kerbey Lane... it shall certainly be very valuable someday if you decide you'd like to be a world famous artEEEst! Autumn, your children choose inordinately intense subject matter for their ages (schoolteacher mode) looks as if you are providing them with quite opportunity for input and fostering of ideas. They are very lucky to have a mommy like you! Just out of curiousity... how often does the topic of digestion come up in your household?!?! *smile* Ree-head... beautiful job with this site!

I'm just glad you're here too! Would you like to get some of your schoolkids' pictures in here too?

Ha Ha! Juliette had a unit in school on digestion (called something like "Where does lunch go?") and obviously was paying attention!

How sweet! Isa, my eldest, has just started drawing recognizable things 3 days ago. The first thing se managed was a sun, and I'm proud as anything - I'll post it. And my little one came home with a most impressive little painting that she'd done at playgroup, so I'll post that too.

Ri�tte 'The Embrace II' August 1998 100cm x 80cm This is my first effort in oil.

Cool and edgy! Maybe this should be the spring's logo!

That's what I thought! Wow, I'm floored. So organic and sensual. And sort of animalistic in a way.

I put Riette's new picture on http://www.spring.net with a link that clicks thought to . . . guess where?

you got a link that clicks thoughts? that is edgy and cool... Well, Riette, can we use it as the logo? Looks like the ball is in your court, Madam Artisi...

God, that's so utterly nice of you! You want to use it as a logo even though it doesn't have flowers in it? Of course you can - no need to ask.

I'll get to work on it then...

not that it needed help, mind you, and please don't get mad, Riette, but what do you think of

Oh wow! No, I'm not mad, just so hugely flattered, I'd like to stick my head in a hole somewhere! It looks totally cool! Wish I had your computer talents!

and I wish I had your art talents...

Don't. I've just had the most incredible down-turn for the exhibition I've been planning for almost a year now. Went to the gallery boss who promised me an exhibition a year ago now already - you know, the nice guy I've been getting along with so well. In all that time he could not stop telling me how much he liked my work, how much he wanted to exhibit it, treating me like a good friend, like his equal. So we had an appointment for this morning to discuss a fixed date. I went at eleven, and was out t quarter past. Turned out he actually wanted to sleep with me first - as a sort of 'thanks', he said. I mean I have heard once that it is not your talent that counts in the art world, but with whom you sleep. I just never expected it to happen for real - not to an insignificant little artist like me anyway. Of course I told him there's no way I'm doing that - still sort of stupidly hoping he'd understand as a friend, and since he has a daughter the same age as Isa. But no, it turns out, 'in that cas he can do nothing for me'. And, by the way, 'he doesn't find my work particularly good either'. I don't know if my work really is crap - I just wish he had been a little less cruel about it, you know. And I haven't a clue how I'm suppose to tell my husband this. Pretty much feel like bursting into hysterical tears or laughter - I don't know. Can't say I've ever been this dissappointed before, and I'm not sure how one copes with it. Not sure how I'm supposed to carry on with my work either, since I' e just heard that it's actually been crap all along. What a strange, empty experience. Never realized that it could be so lonely doing something that you hope to share with others. The fact that I am by now probably not capable of doing anything but my worthless, crap art makes it sort of difficult to think about the future. Some days one just shouldn't bother to get up.

You know, give me his name, and I can have someone there in twenty-fours to re-educate the "person" on the correct manners with a lady... I'm sorry this happened, Riette, and I have no idea on what to tell you to do next...perhaps you should have an exhibition here next year when you visit and/or send me more scans of your art and we can go about setting you up a "virtual gallery" on the web so that you can sell your art from there (here)... *hugs my far-away friend*

Wer, you are an incredibly nice man, has anyone ever told you that? Anyway, I've more or less stopped shaking now, so it feels better already. What a surreal day. The virtual gallery sounds great - I'd love to do something like that - if I can find it in myself to carry on. Right now I'm not so sure whether I even want to. I don't think I really have the temperament to be an artist - never did. If I carry on, this will happen again, and it's just not the kind of crap I can deal with. I had difficulties in the beginning, then for a while it was better (while I thought I had somebody 'real' believing in me) but I was wrong, and stupid to let myself be deceived, a d I know now that I am just not able to deal with this strange, ridiculous cuccoon world that one has to become a part of in order to achieve something. It isn't real, it isn't truthful. I could never live with success if it came from prostituting myself - because that is what it really is. Buying one's way through life. It's not for me, it could never make me happy, and I need to be happy in order to function properly. Perhaps it wasn't meant to be anything but a way of spending my time. Well, mayb I have to get my head clear before rushing into any decisions about the future. I'm rambling. Sorry.

tis okay, just put your head back on my shoulder...

besides, you've still got the jazz album covers...

Hmm, that's nice - just don't let go. You're right, I do - and a commission to design 20 different CD covers for a limited edition of 200 CD's - some commemorative thing, I'm not sure yet, which I landed last week. Bad money, of course, but the lack of bull$hit more than makes up for it. You sure know how to make one feel better. At least I have until then to make up my mind about continuing, or stopping. That's a bit comforting. I hate Art.

Damn, I have to go now - supposed to lunch in town with Chris today. Dreading it. At least I haven't cried, so I don't have to face him with red eyes. God, I hate dissappointing people.

we'll chat more later, okay? with the "accidental" logo for the Spring, and your album covers, consider Commercial Art as long as you're considering...

riette, i'm so sorry that stupid ignorant man put you through all that. is there a program for sexual harrassment-you know, where you can turn that dumbarse in? and DO NOT let that idiot tell you anything about your work. you ARE a damned good artist and i enjoy your pieces. So, when can we all go beat the heck out of him? *big hugs* and do tell your husband, i think it builds the trust, and who knows, maybe he'll go beat the heck outta the guy himself!

riette, i am so sorry to hear about what that maggot did to you. the guy deserves to have the shit beat out of him. whatever opinions he has about anything, particulary your art, are insignificant. you should be angry about this, but don't internalize it to the point where his opinion matters. he's no man, that's for sure.

Thank you for all that, Wolf. Afraid he didn't harrass me - if only he did, I would have kicked him in the balls and felt better for it. But he asked me to sleep with him as one would ask someone for a telephone number or something. That's what made the whole thing so surreal and ridiculous. The sleaziness of it under all that charm and civilized behaviour - and that is what GETS me. That is what doesn't make art worth the effort. You work your butt off just to be told to sleep with the people who a e supposed to give you a break, the effort and time in the end don't count. I could've drawn stick men, and the result would be the same, so why the hell bother? All I want is to do my art, to have an exhibition or two a year, and to be left alone for the rest of it. I don't want the stupid interviews, the stupid vernisages, the stupid artist crowd around me, because those things have NOTHING to do with art. It is all about money and social standing. Two of the things that I don't happen to value. F r me art is a thing one does to express what goes on in one's head, and hopefully this thing will give other people pleasure too. For 'real' artists art is about how many dicks or cunts you can fit in around a faceless head in a wishing well on a canvas the size of an airfield, getting a couple of million for it, and being hailed a genius, because people are too vain to admit that they're too stupid to understand the point of it - which the artist bloody well knows doesn't exist. Big con act. And I jus don't see the point of licking con-act-arse. I'm afraid I still haven't told Chris. Guess I'm afraid he'll be dissappointed - which is silly, I know. I just have this thing about dissappointing people, and about showing weakness. One of those conditioning things that I haven't managed to uncondition in practice yet. Perhaps this is the time to start. I think he'll be more dissappointed if I don't tell him the truth, than if I tell him it wasn't the stupid pictures the guy was interested in after all. God, what a pain. Don't know why he couldn t have married one of his fellow Oxford or Cambridge students when he was 25, like everone else. At least she would have been worth the trouble. Damn it, and damn self-pity.

Thank you, Ray. You guys are so supportive - that's why I keep coming back.

girlfriend, yes he DID harrass you. it doesn't matter if it happens once, sweetie. chris married you because he saw the treasure that you are. and you are a real artist. art is truly personal and the fact that you share yours is an honor for me. he still deserved a good kick. i can't believe he came right out and asked you. who the hell does he think he is. you find yourself another art gallery. and if you can't find one there, we'll find you one here. tell your husband, sweetheart. my husband knows everything about me-and loves me anyway, even the deep ugly stuff....*big fat hug*

Thank you, my friend. I don't think you probably have deep stuff, but ugly stuff? No way! You are such a nice woman. I told Chris as soon as the girls went to bed, and of course he doesn't hate me. Unfortunately in this country the law is on the side of men, and he says the police probably not even LET me file a complaint, since I'm African and female, whereas this guy is a successful SWISS businessman. But he rang the guy, shouted 15 minutes of abuse and threats down his throat, and has been constantly on the phone since, to spread the word amongs musicians, artists, art dealers and actors (he says he'll find anyone ho has anything REMOTELY to do with art) around the city - he knows alot of those because of his work. I somehow fear that my face is going to be in some stupid art paper by Monday - the one artist who was too peevish to 'handle' her career. I hate this damned place. But at least so will his, the arsehole. Chris thinks I'm wrong, but there is NO WAY I'm working with or for anyone other than myself again. The galleries AND their bosses can go to hell for all I care. From now on I organize my own godda ned exhibitions, even if I have to pay a thousand a week to hire a place. Either I do it on my own from now on, or I don't do it at all, and that's that. I've had enough of this art fart crap. It just isn't my thing. Either I DO something or I don't - no IFS, no BUTS. Christ, I'm so angry, I could climb up a wall.

that's good, to feel it instead of letting it rot you inside. your husband is so brave and so are you. and should you decide to really open your own gallery, i'm behind you all the way and i think i speak for the others, we'd be your first customers (if not in person, in spirit). you go girl!

Riette, I've just dropped in and read what happened. Please don't let that jerk sink your self-esteem. You know, this has nothing to do with you, or your work, it's just the way that man is, and the way that the world is. As Wolf puts it, yes you have been harassed, as many other women have been. If you lived in the US, you'd probably be able to file a complaint - where that would take you I have no idea. As it is, your husband did a very good job in showing his support of you and his anger - I think ;-) Sexual harassment is alive and rearing its ugly head in all professions. I've been subject to it, as probably have some of the others here, albeit in a more elegant way...if there is such a thing... Art is not objectively measurable, and therefore your work will please some people and mean nothing to others. What is important is the pleasure it gives you. So don't stop just because someone called it crap, but remember that even the great ones aren't consensual. Myself, I enjoyed your acrylics very much. The oil I liked less, which is only natural since you do not yet master its technique - it is different! I want to try my hand at watercolous and haven't got the courage yet... I didn't know you were of African origin, and found your colours and subjects very warm for a Swiss! ;-)By all means keep painting, as long as you feel the drive. You see, we all want to ride with you :-) Go for it!

Whoa, what a day you've had, Riette. I can't believe that pig! Reminds me of the photographers that sleep with models in exchange for a free photo shoot--and then turn out to not have any film in the camera. Man, this would burn me up for weeks. But the important thing is not to take it personally; as you said, this is de rigeur for artists to sleep w/gallery owners, so you've got to toughen your skin and spit in the face of the next jerk who tries it. Besides, you're hittting him where it hurts--Chr s blackballing him all over town will hurt his reputation, which can be fatal. You just let your determination take over and you'll recover--any girl who jumped off a roof every day to avoid going to school can bounce back from this insult.

Thanks, you two. Nice to have you back, Gi. I'm pretty much okay. Merely dissappointed. But I know I will carry on in the end - as you say, Gi, there is ALOT of room for improvement with the oils, it is hugely different from acryllics, and I love that sort of challenge. I love seeing how one's work slowly evolves when you take on a new kind of paint or painting technique, how one slowly gains control. So the reasons are purely selfish, I think, but who cares. As long as they're there. And, yes, why the hell don't we create a fancy virtual gallery?

why not, indeed...

now, back to Zoe's portfolio... "Sunny Buildings" Zoe Roland

look at all the doors within doors! really neat. so when will Zoe be opening her exhibit?

Gorgeous!!! This girl of yours has some excellent ideas, Wer!

"BlockBuster Video" Zoe Roland

WOW! This is a great great programme! It obviously gives her alot of fabulous ideas for that creative little mind. Not been able to find it here yet though.

cool!

Love the bike & motorcycle hidden amongst all those colorful tubes! Tell my, wer, the story behind the name.

I asked her what she wanted to call it, and that was the answer I got...

and, while watching this one download, she said, "She is the most goodest artist in the whole world." Riette 'Sleeping Beauty' August 1998

Very nice. We have the story of Sleeping Beauty on our http://www.childrenstory.com site. The techniques we use on this site could be easily adpated to a virtual art tour with a realaudio narrative.

Thank you, Wer. Tell Zoe, I say thank you, and that her colourful pictures are the most coolest art in the world! Wow, Terry, I am more and more impressed by how extensive the Spring is - EVERYTHING is here! So, how does one go about organizing a virtual gallery? The picture that Wer posted is the one I did for the Spring Cam. Unfortunately I finished it one night when I couldn't sleep, and so there's only two bits that show how it got done! So here I sit with half a recorded tape! Shall I make pictures of Z�rich to fill it up with?

Isa Walton (3 years old) 'Grandma's Garden'

Isa's grandma must have a most beautiful garden! Riette, Sleeping Beauty is beautiful. You have such a sensual way with your talent and i love all the rich colors, they're full of life!

Robin wants to know how much you want for "Sleeping Beauty" it's her favorite of yours so far...

Sure, pictures and sounds of you tell us about Zurich would be wonderful. You can include other folks if you like. This is exciting!

Wolf, Isa's picture of Grandma's garden is done on 60cm x 80cm canvas, and hangs in the living room - it looks just great there! My work is sensual? Hey ho! Makes up for what I lack personally!!! Wer, tell your wife, I say: "Ten dollar, Ten dollar, Missus, and I dance for you too!" No, tell her I say thank you. She's very kind. Terry, as soon as the weather is better, I shall embark on a Z�rich theme then! ha-ha - you're going to hate the video! It's totally boring, and confused!

I was serious about the picture, hon...

I doubt that I will hate your video, Riette! Remember, talking heads. go, riette!!!

Terry, is the name, ArtCentaur.com taken? Because if I could get that one, I could design a neat logo to go with it - a Centaur jumping over the moon, what d'ya think? Wer, your wife really wants the picture? Sorry, I didn't know you were being serious, otherwise I wouldn't have made fun! I have no idea what art costs over in America, but I have a feeling it'll be quite a bit cheaper than here (I sure wouldn't be able to afford it over here either!!!), so I won't ask your wife Swiss prices. All I basically need is to cover my material costs and shipping, and make a small profit from which to live. Which comes to about $1000. How does that sound?

artcentaur.com is not registered...

use it, riette!!

[11/38] Respond, forget, or pass? !whois artcentaur.com No match for "ARTCENTAUR.COM". The InterNIC Registration Services database contains ONLY non-military and non-US Government Domains and contacts. Other associated whois servers: American Registry for Internet Numbers - whois.arin.net European IP Address Allocations - whois.ripe.net Asia Pacific IP Address Allocations - whois.apnic.net US Military - whois.nic.mil US Government - whois.nic.gov !

huh? So what happens now, Terry?

"Dark Night" Zoe Roland

contrast that one with "Happy Life" Zoe Roland

So, when is the ArtCentaur Virtual Gallery and Design Studio gonna open up?

Zoe's pictures are gorgeous!!! She seems a very happy little creature - all her pictures are so happy! Her input here is very much appreciated - and she's obviously got her father's computering talents! How old did you say she was? The gallery is opening up AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Shall I create a topic within this conference, where we can discuss the whole thing? I mean, you need to tell me how creating such a page would work, and we'll have to find the best possible layout - of which you know a heck of a lot more than me.

man, i'm so excited! i love Zoe's pictures, they are very happy!

I'll get a "demo" site going that we can fiddle with...

Gosh, I can't wait!!!! This is the sort of thing that'll give me sleepless nights for the sheer excitement of it!

Great stuff going on in this topic! I love "Happy Life", wer. If life focused more on jello and teddy bears, the world would be a better place!

hear hear

First Computer Picture by Sophia, age 5

oh, she embellished it with ink after looking it over for a few days. she's happy with it now.

I like her use of space, Wolf! Mine so often clutter everything in one part of the paper and don't fan the images out to make it so easy on the eyes.

i think she was trying to incorporate every image at her disposal! she thought it was pretty neat to see it show up in here not to mention the scanning part!

Such a sweet picture - I love the 'embellishing' bit. And I can't help but detect a hint of patriotism there....

I found someone new for the art conference, her name is Mahalene, from Paris, and she's moving in to my Cedar Creek place in the next week or two. She does art on silk and has an industrial strength wheat grass juicer. She's a very nice person.