Take a minute and look at this picture. Ask yourself is it a painting?
Now that you know: what does the artist depict? Specifically?
Who painted it? Is it typical of their work? How would you describe the artist's style?
When was it painted? Early or later in the artist's life?
These questions predominate art history, but not art appreciation. For to appreciate the work, the viewer needs to bring his/her own experience into mind; use her/his own perspective or eyes. An art historian can answer the questions above. However, enthusiasts can use their senses to "define" what the work means to them.
No one will debate that great masters such as Gustav Klimt who painted the above, "Birch Trees," in 1902, had true technique. From those who can't paint to those who dabble to those who successfully show/sell their work, few would argue Klimt's talent. Professional and amateur critics will have to decide whether the above work represents Klimt's best opus.
Personally, I love most of Klimt's paintings. Thus, I love the artist. He's unique though in his early paintings closer to Japanese/Impressionist painters. When he found his "style," described by the experts as Symbolism, no one could match his gift at the time.
Today, pseudo-pundits without any experience with art history, painting, or appreciating visual art make judgments solely based on their own, often, cursory glance. If this painting above were to be shown in a local gallery, with an other artist's name, would people still flock to see it?
Take away all that came before in this essay, and I would still love Klimt's "Birch Trees" on their own merit. First, I adore Birch trees. Second, the trees look real enough to touch. Third, I see the light and shadow as a walker would toward the end of the day. Finally, the surprise: how the ground bursts with autumn color, only to find as you get closer dots of blue, including one birch displaying a patch of sky blue. All these element ignite my desire to wonder at Klimt's decisions, influences and the like. However, these observations, impressions are mine. They may not be yours or how others see the work (the Nazis saw Klimt's paintings as a threat and destroyed three of his earlier pieces).
Here, on Cape Cod, we are fortunate to have many skilled artisans in all media, especially painting. Unfortunately, the competition for recognition, for sales remains fierce. And if patrons should by a painting, they base their decisions on cursory glances, impulsive gift-buying or size-requirements. (To see a brilliant example of this behavior watch Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters).
Summer gallery visitors on the Cape who walk into galleries often see one painting on a wall and decide, "No, I don't like her or his 'style'," and leave the premises, without spending time to see the artist's other pieces. My initial instinct is to shout: "Don't be so dismissive." No, artist wants to be defined by one work.
You'll also find a plethora of writers, here. And yet, many new authors--on and off Cape--who try to publish today have their work categorized, defined; classified by publishers, promoters, and the like, without regard to whether the author sees the story as fitting said category. For example, I'm often asked to post what genre/sub-genre classifies my books. Sometimes, I have a plethora of choices, but most of the time, the choices are: Paranormal. Paranormal Romance. Paranormal Mystery. Mystery. Romance, etc. I'd pick a paranormal/preternatural romantic mystery. Not a choice. The publisher and promoters don't offer that choice.
If forced to choose one category, I'd choose, Mystery. Paranormal elements run throughout my stories but share equal weight with romance and mystery. When you have a chance to read a review of my sequel Dark Sea, Shadowwater II ( written by freelance critic, editor, Kevin Peter of Moterwriter) on the "Press/Reviews" page of my website: www.shadowwater.net , Mr. Peter centers his discussion around the "mysterious."
Furthermore, I'd hope potential readers will read, Shadowwater, the original story in the series, and then go on to the sequel. And as you read the novel, I hope you will avoid pigeon-holing like many critics do, or define my writing based on a few chapters. What I'm asking is that readers, please keep an open mind. I don't pretend to be the Klimt of storytelling. Nevertheless, as with Klimt and so many of his predecessors and future artists contented with, judging an artist or author's ability, creativity or imagination based on one example does not a a painter or a writer make.
A growing number of writers across the country are asking to be judged by their body of work: not whether their books have been published or self-published; not by their personalities or lack thereof, or by their jacket photo--men continue to get away with disheveled slovenliness whereas women must look like cover girls (Excuse me, but who has the money to pay for studio photographers these days?). Distinctiveness, not formula, will sell more books.
I'd like to believe I have a distinct voice and rattle the bones of conventional formulas. However, my writing is grounded in the naturalness that is Cape Cod: the people, their passions, the seascape/landscape, and the "magic."
I recognize esteemed writers have preceded me; I don't aspire toward gaining international recognition, winning prizes or having a billion-dollar empire. What I would like is for those who love to read to give me a chance. Clear your busy minds and let your senses, your belief in the power of love, nature; community take you on a new adventure. Should you choose to read the second book, Dark Sea, Shdowwater II before the original novel, the action begins to rebuild after the rush of the first book's, Shadowwater, ending.
Here's another approach. Picture yourself at the ocean. During low tide the sea softly laps the beach, increasing its rhythms as the high tide builds momentum, until sweeping waves push forward, disrupting the calm. Then, the cycle begins again.
Hear those words, see these words, feel these words and you will join the natural rhythms that are Cape Cod, these cycles underscore my stories.
Shadowwater and Dark Sea, Shadowwater II are available on Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore. For more information, please go to my website (above).
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