Totally Confused...What is Art?

          I am hoping that this post will not get me in hot water... but....
I am totally confused and need an answer...what is art? What is good art? Who decides what is art and what art is not?

        The reason for my questions?? I have viewed several art competitions over the years and have seen countless beautiful, thought provoking, scary, questionable, amazing, breathtaking, even ugly work and the winners are almost always the " what the what "????? Seriously a stick with a string on it?? A wooden block with yard sale stickers?? Now don't take this the wrong way if this was one of your pieces..I do not begrudge you the win..I was not in the competition..but I did see young artists shake their heads and question their own work..heck I question my own work!!
      If judges are only passing out prizes in this category, lets call it " Modern "(because I don't exactly know what it is)  then what happens to the artists who are called to  abstract, realistic, impressionistic..etc?? Why enter?? I have heard many an artist make the remark " why enter? I can't win?  I can't compete if I don't understand the rules."
And they enter and are so discouraged.
       It may just be me..and as I said earlier I do not begrudge anyone a win..but I think if you have a competition then state in the rules what the judge is looking for or at least have separate categories for each style. I can hear someone saying now "not everyone gets a trophy..somebody has to loose " but I think in this situation everyone looses.
     And I am not a bitter person who is jealous because I haven't won an art competition..I have won several first place awards..I am just  a person who wonders " what the what " is art to you.
    
      Goodnight my friends ..may your dreams be filled with color

CSCC Portraits in Pencil Class

    The class at Cleveland State made and we are having a great time!! It is a beginning portrait class for ages 18 and older. We were snowed in last week and had to miss a class but no one missed a beat..homework was complete! This week we drew noses...right side up, upside down,long noses ,old noses,young noses and baby noses and we are ready to move on to drawing hair ...fun fun fun :)
It doesn't get much funner...

    Wish you could join us...we have a great time :)
    If you are looking for something to do during these cold winter evenings, check out your local
college. You might be surprised at what they have to offer. I took a photography class last year and
learned quite a bit about how to operate my digital camera.

   Getting ready for classes tomorrow..I love my job :)
   Have a creative day and goodnight...


                                                 

Art and Tomato Soup

   Monday has become a day filled with art, food and laughter. Today we looked at different ways of mixing color so that the color would glow. Next week we will apply what we learned to a painting of an iris. I cannot wait!

   After we worked on circles of mixed color we had a delicious lunch! Faye brought homemade pimento cheese, crusty bread and a delicious frozen chocolate pie. I volunteered to make tomato soup and have to add that it was really good for my first time. I thought I would share what I came up with and if you try it let me know what you think :)

                             

  


                                                                      Tomato Soup

                                                1 14.5 oz can of Diced Tomatoes
                                                1 14.5 oz of Italian Style Tomatoes
                                                1 small onion diced
                                                1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
                                                1 Tbsp of Butter
                                                1/4 tsp of pepper ( or more or less to taste )
                                                1 1/2 cup of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
                                                2 Tbsp of sugar
                                               A dash of cayenne pepper ( or more or less to taste )

                               Over medium heat sauté onion in the olive oil until transparent.
                            Add tomatoes, sugar, seasonings and chicken broth. Bring to a boil
                            and simmer for about ten minutes. Cool and puree. After pureeing
                           return to pot and add butter. Reheat and serve.
                              You could also add 1/3 cup of cream for a creamier soup; if you
                           do, add with butter and warm.
                               I added a Tbsp of parmesan cheese to mine..it was yummy.

                     I also said Mondays are filled with laughter. Today was a dreary cold day
                 but we still had a great time. Christie we missed you!
               
                                               " Art was fun but the food was funner "
                                                                                                  June Johnson