Inquiries -

Beck's work available thru Eden Fine Art, NYC.
Call: (212) 888-0177 for info OR contact Beck directly with questions!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Entry 32: Slideshow presentation of how "lil Gingko" was constructed

 
At the request of a friend and supporter I put together a 3 minute Youtube video slideshow of the construction of "lil Gingko" from begining to end -


 


More slideshows to follow.
 
All work available exclusively thru: 
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details
 
 
 

Entry 31: New video on Studio 120: continutiy, under painting, and Neo Megilp


 From my in studio Youtube video "Studio 120" we talk about building continuity in the painting, using and getting the most from my favorite medium - Gamblin Artist Color's Neo Megilp, under painting, cutting into layers, and technique using my painting" Brother, sister, apple, scooter" as the example piece.
 
To watch Studio 120: Painter Beck Lane talks about continuity, under painting and Gamblin Neo Megilp click on:
 
"Brother, sister, apple, scooter" being worked on in the studio.
 
 
 

Small of leaves, grasse and evidence of my particular brand of underpainting in a detail from "Brother, sister, apple, scooter"
 
 
To watch "Studio 120: Painter Beck Lane talks about continuity, under painting and Gamblin Neo Megilp" go to:   
 
 2 completely different yellows from my favorite paint company - Gamblin. I love anything from Gamblin Artist Colors!
www.gamblincolors.com/


All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.


To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
and her Tumblr account: http://becklane.tumblr.com/


Entry 30: 2 pieces currently hanging at Eden Fine Art, NYC

2 paintings available thru Eden Fine Art, NYC:
 

Detail of  "ABC, 123" - oil on acrylic and aersol with oil crayon on canvas. The reference for "ABC" is based on an early, black and white 20th century photo and is part of  a large collection of antiqe photographs I've been collecting most of my life. Working from black and white reference material frees my mind up to build layers on top of layers in my paintings using a variety of colors and textures - the lack of color in my reference allows me to paint instinctually instead of painting like I'm taking dictation.
 
 
 

Detail from the upper right hand corner of "ABC, 123".


"ABC, 123: photo taken in studio before being packed up and shipped to Eden.
Textures are worked in using dolies and various other articles throoughout every painting.
 
This corner shows a number of textures and designs as well as the layers of aerosol, acrylic and oil paints worked together to build an atmospheric painting.

Detail of "Picnic table" - oil on acrylic and aerosol with oil crayon on 48" x 60" canvas. Woven into the lower half of the painting is text that reads: This is who wer are, this is what we know. Laughing at the picnic table". Like most of my work, the whole painting is meant to evoke the feeling of a memory of a photograph but the text is like an adult child's journal entry.

Photo of "Picnic table" taken in studio. "Picnic table" is based on a black and white photo of a friend and her brother. The textures and designs that run throught the painting are fairly dense giving the painting a complex feeling when seen in person.


"Toy hobby horse" and "Picnic
 
A stack of paintings getting ready to be shipped to Eden.

To see more available at Eden Fine Art, NYC visit:
http://becklaneartist2013.blogspot.com/2013/01/available-at-eden-fine-art.html


All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.


For info on Beck Lane, pics and more visit: http://www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar?ref=stream
Visit Beck's blog: http://becklaneartist2013.blogspot.com/
and her Tumblr account: http://becklane.tumblr.com/

 
 
 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Entry 29: New video on Studio 120: avoiding predictability

New video posted to my Youtube channel series:
Studio 120: #15: Painter Beck Lane talks about avoiding predictability
 
 

Studio 120: Painter Beck Lane talks about combating predictablility, avoiding obvious measures and boredom, and the story and intent behind "Un simple soldat" I (on masonite) and II (on canvas and shown in video partway thru process)


"Un simple soldat" I - oil on acrylic on 48" x 48" masonite

Featured in the video: Gamblin Artist Color's Neo Megilp and paints
www.gamblincolors.com/

All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.
To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/
 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Entry 28: New video on Studio 120: how to make the leap from hometown to the big city and into the big, bad cyber world.

New video posted to my Youtube channel series: "Studio 120":

Studio 120: painter Beck Lane talks about DIY promotion, determination and stats  https://www.youtube.com/user/La102438 - basic suggestions on how to make the leap from hometown to the big city and into the big, bad cyber world.

In addition to the suggestions in the video on promotion, I'm going to also suggest you do something I do everyday: research your audience. Who is your work for? Who is your customer/collector? How do they spend/invest? Is your audience local or national? International? What social media sites do they use? Age, gender, tastes....do you care?

But before you can get into researching your audience, you need to decide what your goals are for your work.
  • Do you want to just paint and leave it at that?
  • Do you want to show to your friends?
  • In your hometown?
  • Do you want to show in your nearest city?
  • NY?
  • Or do you want to have a worldwide audience?
  • What type of artist are you and what do type of artist do you want to be?
The clearer you are on who you are, what you do, where you want to take your work the clearer your mission will be and once you've decided on your mission you're freed up to start setting goals and making steps to getting there....simple and hard all at the same time but if your decision is to be a pro you need to understand being a prof artist ain't for sissies. It is hard work that leaves you venerable but also opens you up for successes you couldn't have imagine existsed. There be magic out there but if you do decide to press forward and reach beyond your comfort zone you'll need to work on promotion - letting people know who you are, what you do and where you want your work to be headed. In a philosophical sense,  promoting yourself is giving yourself permission to succeed. You're not only telling the world you are worth their attention but you're embedding a belief in yourself.

Keep in mind, when you really start putting yourself out there you become more venerable to criticism BUT, whether you promote yourself or not, people will criticize regardless - the most venomous criticism comes from people who are simply jealous of people who are confident enough to put themselves out there and believe in themselves (or want to anyway). It's easy for cowards to be critical of people who are doing something positive and taking action with their lives. So F@#K it - do for you and your work in spite of them bc in the end they won't be there, you will be and it's better to know you've done your best to push yourself and your work than to look back knowing you hid. Find the courage to push yourself out of your comfort zone and promote your work and don't pay no mind to posers who ain't got that depth of courage.

That's what this video is about - it's not about being a marketing maven it's about a few things I've learned to do and places I go online to post and promote my work. Posting, linking, interlinking and tagging are a few things I was taught by a friend and am more than happy to share. Really, unless you're 5 years old and or have a large cheering section of supporters who are willing to do all the heavy lifting for you - you, as a self sufficient artist with lofty goals, should put on your big girl panties and learn to do it as well. Otherwise, you're just another guy making stuff.

Promotion is hard, it's time consuming and it's not easy unless you have a Madonna size ego but it is a part of getting your work out there. Maybe we'll save researching your audience for another day - that's a pretty big subject but something you should think about regardless.

Bugsy is the only guy in my house that's allowed to chillax.
Even the kitty has to work towards our future - kitty is in charge of project coordination - he's a task master.


To see "Studio 120: DIY promotion, determination and stats" visit:  https://www.youtube.com/user/La102438
(Hint: you get to see my big, modern desk in my fancy office)


ARTIST TIP (from my friend painter Heather Adels who has several shows coming up this spring):
"Go to sleep in your painting clothes if it helps you to get up and paint the next day."

Detail from a 36" x 36" painting by artist Heather Adels - a fav. 
To see more work, visit Heather's blog:
http://www.adelsart.com/blog/
She's nothing less than a genius..... and a very nice person.



All of Beck's work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.
To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/


www.top20sites.com/Top-Art-Collectors-Sites

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Entry 27: New video on Studio 120: Showing, how to show and making steps to be seen

In the Youtube video series I've started, Studio 120, my mission has been to share info that I wish someone had shared with me years ago. Way back when, and often times now, I wish I'd had a professional artist to kind of take my hand and show my how to get out of my head and into the world... so that's what I'm doing here ....... but without having to touch or actually talk to anyone.

In "Showing, how to show and making steps to be seen" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fQ8pEwZSwQ I'm answering a couple of questions I asked an artist friend of mine a number of years ago and now I find myself being asked those same questions almost everyday. Because I've put myself thru the paces of getting in galleries and shows I understand how duanting it can be. How do you know where to start and who do you ask? Well, you don't know till you know so subjects like this will be an ongoing discussion.

"Showing, how to show" blah blah isn't an A-Z, how to make the journey easy breezey video - it's more a "you can do it if you put your heart and mind to it and here's how I did it" kind of deal. I think that's the thing we have to learn - you can do it (you can do almost anything) if you put your heart and mind into it but you're going to have to do it on your own and rely on your own Moxie for support. I can point the way, other artists can point the way, we can give you hints and suggestions but eventually you will have to decide if your going to push forward with all your might and take the path or hang back, sit under a tree and wait for someone to carry you.

I'm pretty proud of this video - really wish someone had sat me down and said this to me years ago -

 
 
Uh oh, it's half past time to decide!
 

For tons more info that'll help you become a professional artist (as opposed to a hobbiest sitting around waiting for the muse to hit and someone to discover you) get your hands on a copy of:
How to surviveand prosper as and artist: selling yourself without selling your soul by Carroll Michels - it is the artist's Bible. Like anything in life, it won't give you an easy point A to point B guaranteed out come but Michels' book provides enough info to give a you sturdy springboard to dive off of.

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/How-Survive-Prosper-Artist-ebook/dp/B0080K4CL0/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1


Entry 26: 2 new videos on Studio 120: How to get from there to here and here to way over there

2 new videos posted to my Youtube channel series: "Studio 120":

Okay, I'm getting better at making videos. Have learned: how to angle camera (sort of), to not have music going, and do not (no matter how cold it is) place space heater near me or have it on while taping.


Here's two new vids posted this morning on my Youtube channel Studio 120:
Studio 120: "How to get from "

Bugsy totally engrossed in all my painting info, insights and wisdom.
Pooh bear, unfortunately, fell asleep....we won't talk about that.


To see all videos from Studio 120 click on: https://www.youtube.com/user/La102438





All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.
To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Entry 25: New video on Studio 120: a big, long slideshow of work available for viewing on Youtube

New video posted to my Youtube channel series: "Studio 120":

I built a looooooong video slide show of work and then posted it on my Youtube channel: Studio 120........kinda by mistake.
 
To watch my buffet mess of a vid click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRe1vBASfIE


 It includes: paintings, illstrations, the children's book I'm working on, photos of silk screen sessions, paintings in progress and more. All the work pictured was done between 2011 and 2012 but is by no means all the work I produced during that time period - the slideshow represents 1/3 to 1/2 of what I created during that time.



 

Entry 24: New video on Studio 120: When it's best to throw in the towel Part 2 (not to be confused with Part 1)

New video posted to my Youtube channel series: "Studio 120":

Video: "When it's best to throw in the towel"
Part 2: 
 
Detail from potrait of Providnce based band the Silks.
Fixing and reworking Jonas' shirt from this over striped, convoluted mess....

To this....much better. So chill.

The shirt belongs to Jonas, as in Jonas Parmelee, bassist for the Silks
(I kept refering to him as Jamie in the videos...dummy)
 
To view Part 1 of "When it's best to throw in the towel" go to:
 http://youtu.be/i-nvr4EZTaA
(Warning: some foul language... my apologies)



Artist tip: Be a force and do it!

All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.


To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
and her Tumblr account: http://becklane.tumblr.com/





Entry 23: "Brother, sister, apple, scooter" - with link to Youtube video

New video posted to my Youtube channel series: "Studio 120":
 
Video chat about technique, the three rules of painting, balance and not giving in to fear , part of a series of videos on painting and life available on Youtube:
 
 
 
(Warning: some foul  language... my apologies)
 
Vid features the painting "Brother, sister, apple, scooter".
 All work available thru Eden Fine Art NY/Israel.
 
Not quite done but getting there.
 
 

All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.
 

For info on Beck Lane, pics and more visit: http://www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar?ref=stream
Visit Beck's blog: http://becklaneartist2013.blogspot.com/
and her Tumblr account: http://becklane.tumblr.com/


Entry 22: New vid - when it's best to throw in the towel

Started making a series of in studio videos I am tentatively calling "Studio 120".

 "When it's best to throw in the towel" Part 1

 http://youtu.be/i-nvr4EZTaA
(Warning: some foul language... my apologies)
 
Another cold day in the studio, another good day to paint.


 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Entry 21: Texture - with Youtube video link

New video available on Youtube -

A Facebook friend/fan messaged me and asked me to make a video about texture in painting.
 It dawned on me just as I went to make the video , I didn't ask what kind of texture she was interested in..so here we are, trying to come up with an answer, best we can:

 

Featuring the painting "My dearest, darling I am anxious to see you again"
(Warning: some foul language... my apologies)

"My dearest" from beginning to end:





 
Too frightening to be seen right side up....but this became that -
 
Photo of "My dearest darling"  taken in my apartment/studio before being shipped off to Eden Fine Art, NY. It is exactly I wanted it to be - gritty and slightly abstract with a 1940s Superman in Times Square night club feel. This is what I think of when I think of couples out at night in post war NY.


"My dearest darling" being hung at Eden Fine Art, NYC


Hanging on the 2nd floor, with the 1st batch of paintings, at Eden Fine Art
 


Above and below are two paintings in the first stage(s) of being developed as decribed in the video
 
 
Artist tip: Put on your best Julia Child "what the hell" attitude, relax and go TRY!

All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.


To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/
Also visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002159828818

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Entry 20: Fear of failure - with Youtube video links

So, I'm working on a series of videos on Youtube - just posted #3 "fear of failure" which includes tips onn technique and a few encouraging words....and my usual babbley boo boos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVThQBANo68
(Warning: some foul language... my apologies)
 


Please sir, I want some more- 
 To see another Youtube vid on  technique, balance, Julia Child, taking on the Joan Rivers approach to work, not giving in to fear and more watch:
  
 
The three rules of painting, technique, fear and other stuff....
(sorry about the sound, had my space heater going)


 


All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.
 
 
To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/

 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Entry 19: Techniques, tricks and balance - with Youtube video link

New video on Youtube about:
 techniques, tricks and making sure the painting is balanced. Painting featured: a portrait of Providence based band the Silks.
.
 http://youtu.be/jHJaGv00VLQ
(Warning: some foul language... my apologies)


Detail from: the Silks
Pictured here: lead singer Tyler James and bassist Jonas Parmelee


Follow Beck on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar?ref=stream
And also on Tumblr: becklane.tumblr.com/
 
 

Entry 18: Thank you David Rakoff

Tired and grumpy lately, but like any artist who's set goals, I can't take a day off or completely give in to my frustrations. There are no days off for people who are driven to develop a career, but I am having a think that may help bolster my emotional strength today -
 
Contrary to what I've been told to believe, being an artist isn't defined by how I dress, where I hang out, what kind of noveau wine I drink, where I shop, how organic my food is, what kind of zany hobbies I have, what kind of cool toys I own - I have found that being an artists is defined by my work and my dedication to it. To me, being an artist means making art and doing everything I can to take my work as far as I can.
Until a few years ago, the only goal I knew to have was to simply show, so my opportunities were relegated to my hometown. However, several years ago New York became the ideal goal, but then I made it my only goal for 2011. Within 9 months I had two consecutive solo shows in New York booked and after the 2nd, I was offered a place at Eden Fine Art on Madison and 50th. This year the goals are bigger and hopefully I've done enough work to keep the momentum going and be granted the ability to reach my new, loftier goals.
 


In front of MOMA, grinning like a  Chesire cat and holding a (now unavailable) print of "and then my arms flew off" - the original painting is  available at Eden on Madison and 50th 
Just for the fun of it, I set up a sidewalk display (with my NY singer friend Kathy), 
 AFTER being offered a place  with Eden Fine Art.
No one stopped - I kept grinning.
 

None of this has been easy - at times, it's actually been incredible difficult. In 2012, I had three curators, in row, not bother to promote my work. I spent thousands of dollars with 3 people who made a lot of promises, but did absolutely nothing to advertise, promote or play up the shows. In one instance, I had one fella who, in a defensive moment, try to twist the situation around by saying "I'm not promoting your work bc no one wants it anyway". Another time, I had a woman, who was supposed to be helping me at an opening, hide prints of my work bc she wasn't interested in selling "small stuff", she only wanted "to sell the big stuff". Also, I've had my truck break down 3 times, I had to move out of a crappy living space where the electricity kept going out bc the roof leaked, and all the while working with RSD/CRPS.

Although most of my trouble has come from dealing people who either don't know how or are not interested in working as part of a team (or treat me, the artist, with any respect), I just can't stop. To me, being an artist isn't about hanging around a fire pit with pals or seeking out the coolest new, underground hot spot. It's not about wearing the trendiest uniform or "repurposing" vintage stuff - being an artist means one thing: dedicating yourself to making your art Not just talking about being an artist in a self congratulatory fashion it is, instead, the act of making and doing everything you can to take your art where you want it to be. It means, getting up everyday and treating your self defined career as you would a full time job. It means complete and utter dedication.

Last year, I heard a great quote from the writer and humorist David Rakoff: “...hanging out does not make one an artist. A secondhand wardrobe does not make one an artist. Neither do a hair-trigger temper, melancholic nature, propensity for tears, hating your parents, nor even HIV - I hate to say it - none of these make one an artist. They can help, but just as being gay does not make one witty (you can suck a mile of cock, as my friend Sarah Thyre puts it, it still won't make you Oscar Wilde, believe me), the only thing that makes one an artist is making art. And that requires the precise opposite of hanging out; a deeply lonely and unglamorous task of tolerating oneself long enough to push something out.”

Hearing him recite that one paragraph has been a huge relief to me - it gave me permission to keep my focus on my work. To me, it says: 'it's okay if you don't waste your time and money on silly incidentals. It's okay to set goals and work towards them.' I'm not a hanger outer, I don't dress retro funky or do anything wild. In fact, I don't do anything that will effect my time to paint or diminish my drive to produce paintings. David's quote gave me permission to focus on my work. Prior to hearing him make this statement, I felt isolated, a little freakish and less emboldened. I've had popular "artists" call me a hermit or get angry with me bc I don't socialize or go to parties (I'm not 5 thank you) or dinners. I've had artists try to humiliate me bc I have clear goals and my own direction. But, bc of David, I don't feel the need to apologize for being focused and productive anymore.

I think I may be trying to gain some mental and emotional ground thru the blog again today. I'm going thru another rough patch and don't know if or when it's going to work out. But when I look back over the last couple years, and think about the "friends" I've had to abandon bc they don't respect me, my goals or my work, and all the daily difficulties I've had to endure to produce paintings, all the movies and vacations I've missed, all the things I could've bought instead of investing in art supplies - I know I would not reverse any of my decisions. I would love to have more money right now, I'd love to have a circle of pals to visit with once in a while, but there is no way I would go back and deviate from my path or my choices. I'm not interested in conforming and making myself into a person who celebrates 1/2 measures. I am driven to make something of my life. And, although my ultimate success or failure is dependant on other people and their success or failure, I have to keep working - I am an artist.
 


All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.


To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/
Also visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002159828818

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Entry 17: 1st in a series of vids available on Youtube

 
Starting a series of videos on painting - slightly incoherent, a bit entertaining and hopefully encouraging:
 
(Warning: some foul language... my apologies)
 
 
 
P.S. : I may be talking about the wrong Norman Rockwell painting...I don't know. Not really the point but let's make that caviat regardless.
 
 
 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Entry 16: Construction of "Gwendolyn, Michael and the tryke"

Did not take photos from beginning to end but did manage to take pics that showcase the changes this painting went thru especially and, most importantly, Gwen's face. Her face is a significant contributor to the whole painting - she's the corner stone really.
 
 Aerosol on acrylic on 48" x 48" canvas
 
 
Oil added to start fleshing the characters and the bike out.
 
Just when Michael started to become something I could be happy with.
 
The three faces of Gwen:
#1


#2 - cute as button, pretty and acceptable but not the face that's going to lend itself well to the over wall painting.

#2 again - nice enough but does not convey what I want.
Wiped down, tried again using teals but teal doesn't work on young girls and babies. Works with other faces and in other settings -  but teal makes Gwendolyn look dead.
 
 
This is the face - eyes pulled in a bit (less doe-y), jaw less angular,  more pink skin tone, lips a little fuller and.....I removed the hat. That hat was not working....at all.
 
Michael feels just the way I want him to feel.
 
The full painting before I made a few more touches to Gwendolyn's face. I'm excited about the slices of color, the leaves and blockes in the background, the grass, the tryke but her coat is solid now which also contributed to the betterment of the entire painting.
 
The jacket feels right now that I've taken out all the tiny, stencil design I added in the begining. For days I'd been torturing myself trying to hang onto the tiny designs. It's never a good idea to stay married to one idea.

Now you can feel the weight of the coat and the button looks less circus like.

 
 
Almost destroyed "Gwendolyn, Michael and tryke" a few days ago but didn't have the energy - now I'm glad I didn't! There's still some things to be done to get this finished but over all - really pleased with the direction the work took.
 
 
 
All work available exclusively thru:
Eden Fine Art
Call :(212) 888-0177 for details.


To view previous blogs visit:becklaneartist.blogspot.com/
To see albums filled with pics of work over the last year on FB: www.facebook.com/BeckatReBar/
Also visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002159828818