Scott Menaul's Weblog

Evolving as an Artist

I wanted to share a conversation I had with an other artist earlier this week. Here's her message and my reply:

My name is Jennifer and I think your art work is exquisite! I am an artist myself and I saw your work in Florida and I was in awe. I wanted to know more. I really liked this one work of art that looked like it was glowing. There were black, red and yellow colors. The yellow lines were the one that looked like they were glowing and it was just amazing! Can you tell me a little bit about the piece and how you came about it? And maybe some tips to help myself evolve further in my work? Thank you very much!

Jennifer,

Thank you for your appreciation of my artwork. It's great to hear from you.

The piece you mentioned is actually called, "Improvisation in Red." I studied jazz and think of this piece as being like a musical improvisation, where the musician takes off from the melody and makes up a new one as he goes along.  The prominent shape (more apparent in the single piece rather than the triptych: see here) in the upper part looks a bit like a saxophone, as if the player was leaning backward and you see the "bell" of the saxophone with a yellow swirl around it.

I create my artwork very differently than most artists. I create it on the computer using four different applications, combining the effects from each. I then print them on canvas as limited edition giclées.

My advice to you is to find a medium and technique that you love, become an expert at it and do something that is different, yet communicates to your audience. Study the results you achieve and do more of the things you like about it and less of the things you don't like about it. Get opinions from others, but you be the judge as to what is valuable opinion and what is not. This is how to evolve your artwork to higher levels.

I take the viewpoint that I am doing my artwork for others. I am communicating to viewers and want to enrich their lives with beauty and the energy of life. The idea of helping others through artwork gives the whole process a higher purpose which motivates me; and results in an enthusiastic response from viewers. People need art, although they may not realize it. It is a spiritual thing which is very much needed at this time.

All the best to you!

Best Regards,

Scott Menaul

Menaul Fine Art
1750 N. Hercules Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33759

Tel: 727-726-7411
Cell: 727-744-1602
Email: smenaul@aol.com
web: www.menaul-art.com

85@85 miArte Gallery

For the second year in a row, I will be participating in 85@85 at the miArte Gallery in Coral Gables, FL. The event showcases 85 contemporary artists with works ranging from abstract to realism, photography to sculpture and everything in between. The gallery owners invited me back to show two of my new pieces, "Atlantis" and "Cylinder City". (Last year, it was "New Glory" and "Turmoil", the latter of which sold on the spot.)

The diversity of art in 85@85 is astounding and I'm inspired by the new ideas artists come up with. Their artwork reflects so many different personalities and ethnic and cultural backgrounds. My style of abstract art is unique among them, which makes it interesting to see my pieces surrounded by oil paintings, drawings, watercolors and photographs. I must admit they all look good together.

Meeting the other artists on opening night, it seems to me that despite their varied backgrounds and artistic styles, they share some traits in common: they are caring and compassionate people with a strong desire to express themselves and reach out to others. Seeing all of these people united in one place is quite an experience.

If you're in the area, I invite you to come by 85@85 on Friday, December 5th from 7:00-10:00 PM. The miArte Gallery is located at 85 Merrick Way, Coral Gables, FL. Admission is free.

Scott J. Menaul • scott@menaul-art.com • www.menaul-art.com

New Glory

“New Glory” by Scott Menaul

With New Glory, I wanted to express how I felt about the country during the beginning of 2008.

I'm seeing America being very fractured, with the wars in the Middle East, greed and irresponsibility crashing the economy, and elections that divide one nation into red states and blue states. I find the media painting a distorted picture of the world and the citizens I talk to are disillusioned. Everywhere I look it seems as though rights and freedoms are being taken away. I love this country, but America doesn’t seem to represent what it used to. This is what I've tried to symbolize in the refraction of the red and white stripes of the flag.

Despite its problems, I know America holds enormous potential for renewal and growth. The foundation this nation was built on still provides a base from which we can rebuild. The diversity of the American people and their opinions has also been one of its greatest strengths. To show this, I've preserved the stars, standing as strong as ever.

Scott J. Menaul • scott@menaul-art.com • www.menaul-art.com

Abstract Jungle

"Abstract Jungle" by Scott J. Menaul

Abstract Jungle is a new piece I created this past week. It is a modern abstract that has a feel of Africa. The color and patterns are reminiscent of Africa, inspired by a photographic safari I took to Kenya a while back.

I like the juxtaposition of new and old, future and past with the contrasting style and elements. I'd like to know what others think of this new piece. Also, I started putting this new frame (shown here) on my  artwork. I've been doing gallery wraps for the last three years. Do you like the the new frame? Please feel free to respond here or by email (scott@menaul-art.com). Thanks!

Scott J. Menaul • scott@menaul-art.com • www.menaul-art.com

When Should One Select the Artwork?

Artwork is a very important element of any home decor.  It adds a human and aesthetic touch that can tie the other elements of the room together and make it extraordinary. It's unfortunate, however, that most people leave the artwork as the last step in the decorating process.

If the selection of artwork is left as the last step, it can be very difficult to find. I often talk to people who spend years trying to find the right piece that will fit with the colors and designs already in place.

As a result of this, fifty percent of my artwork sales are custom pieces. A client will first pick a piece they like from my collection; and then send me fabric or paint swatches to match. I will also custom size the piece to fit precisely in the intended location in the home. This works out well, but it would be better to do it the other way around.

Ideally, one would be looking at artwork at the beginning of the design process. Unfortunately, many people are already overwhelmed by the process at the very start and can't even think about one more thing. Buying a new home, condo, or even re-decorating and be a huge endeavor. However, if one can take into consideration the artwork from the start, they are more likely to get an extraordinary result of which they can be proud and enjoy every day.

Some of my clients will design their home or room around a particular piece of my artwork. They will request color swatches that I can provide from the artwork from which paint can be mixed to match. It is much easier to color match paint than to go out and find artwork to match the paint.

In conclusion, the next time you decorate, do yourself a favor and consider the artwork at the start of the design process. You may actually find it much easier to pick paint schemes and fabrics when you already have a theme in place based upon the artwork.

Scott J. Menaul • scott@menaul-art.com.com • www.menaul-art.com

Find Your Calling

I receive many compliments from people about my artwork during art festivals and via email. While reading some of the emails recently, I realized that I have been very fortunate to have found my calling; something that I really love to do and something that I am good at. It took about five career changes, a lot of risk and some gumption, but it was totally worth it. The journey has been enriching and has helped me to build the skills and experience to do what I do and make me who I am.

I believe that everyone has one or more special talents or abilities. Many have not discovered theirs yet, nurtured it, or brought it to a professional level. I would advise you to look for your special talent. Follow your interests, try new things, seek out new experiences, new perspectives, and think "outside the box."

Don't limit your search by preconceived ideas of how you think things should be, or, be unduly influenced by others. Observe everything, question everything and be creative. You might be surprised what you'll discover. You might just find your own calling.

Diet and Health

Good health is important. Otherwise, one is distracted from living life to the fullest by lack of energy, physical pain, illness, etc. I've spent many years reading books on the subject of health and managing weight. I've finally found the answer. It is too simple for most people to accept. The real answer doesn't make anyone rich. What is the answer? Eat real food! Eat fruit, vegetables and meat (if your body does well with chicken, fish or red meat). Try it for two weeks for every meal and see how you feel. Eliminate sugar and all processed foods. Most health problems seem to dissappear when the body is properly fed and nutritional deficiencies are remedied. It may take some discipline, but it is well worth the effort.

Scott J. Menaul • smenaul@aol.com • www.menaul-art.com

Fear, Art and Passion

I had my grand piano tuned a few weeks ago. Hadn't had it tuned since I moved to Clearwater four years ago. The tuner I telephoned, Glen, turned out to be the same guy that tunes for Chick Corea! He'll tune Chick's piano every morning on recording days. He did an incredible job on my piano. It sounds like a new piano. I didn't know that there was a significant difference in tunings between different piano tuners...apparently, there's a huge difference.

I mentioned to Glen that I had been a frustrated musician. My personal barriers had gotten the best of me. Glen had the same problem. Chick told him that is was only fear. Just ovecome the fear.

I realized that it's true...fear of making mistakes, fear of disappointment, fear of failure, fear of appearing foolish in front of others, fear that you won't amount to anything after years of hard work, fear of becoming a starving artist, etc. Fear is the enemy of the artist. Having a real passion for what I do gets me through those fears. I love to create something out of nothing, and then get real excited about it. I love it when others get excited and passionate about my abstract artwork. Knowing that I'm making others happy and helping them to improve their state of mind drives me to create. And that drive is stronger than my fears.

Artwork is much more than being about the artist, it is about humanity. It involves personal communication from the artist to an audience. It's a communication that moves another person spiritually via material means. The material world in the hands of the artist becomes elevated and imbued with magic which seduces the observer into higher states of existence.

I recommend that you get passionate about doing something. Fuel that passion and rise above your own fear of accomplishing it. You might try this out on some smaller things at first and have success at those before tackling major things. Marvel at your successes and ignore the failures and frustrations. You are your own worst critic. Lighten up a bit. Don't court failure because you haven't yet achieved a professional level. Think of what you are doing as planting seeds. Nurture it without suffocating it with expectations and criticisms. Do more of what creates the good results and less of what creates the bad results and you'll steadily and rapidly improve. Anything is possible.

Scott J. Menaul • smenaul@aol.com • www.menaul-art.com