Blog

 Ever Changing Open Space by Phil Wagner

Phil Wagner, Gallery Moab's resident philosopher, always gives an interesting perspective.

"Just being out in the wilderness painting, it's as if I slow down, get still, and because I am still, it seems everything around me is moving, and, it is! What makes a good painting is if the brushwork, the color balance, the inner-dynamics, etc., the conversation among the elements is equally as exciting as it is in nature itself. It's not that easy to pull off, but sometimes it feels like you come close. It's a thrill. It's certain that one learns to appreciate the miracle of ordinary things."

Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, who wrote, “Contrary to what we usually believe … the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times—although such experiences can also be enjoyable, if we have worked hard to attain them. The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile.” 

 The Crossing by Larry Christensen

"This is where the road to Medicine Lake crosses La Sal Creek. The setting sun sets off the autumn leaves against the darkness of the South Mountain shadow."  - Larry Christensen

One must believe that investment of time and intellect in creative work, and daring to tackle challenging and complex tasks with the knowledge that the occasional failure is a real, and ultimately, inevitable, possibility, are indispensable conditions to reaping the greatest rewards that one may get from the practice any creative pursuit. One must also believe that these rewards cannot be accomplished without considerable investment of time, attention, and effort—not by technology; not by shortcuts, tips and tricks; and not by peer recognition (be it awards, titles, “likes,” or celebrity).

  Cisco Desert after the Rain by Peggy Harty

"Driving down 128 from Cisco to Moab, I hit the jackpot with wildflowers covering the desert.  This painting  highlights the Cisco Daisy and a few globemallows in the foreground.  The backdrop shows the hills and red rock cliffs that follow the Colorado River Corridor as one drives on to Moab."  - Peggy Harty

It is often acknowledged that creating good art, and being a good teacher, require skills in art and in teaching, as well as creativity and imagination on the part of the artist or teacher. It is seldom admitted, however, that the same dedication and willingness to invest effort in learning and understanding are needed on the part of the student wishing to create or appreciate art (especially art that aims to be more complex than just “look at this pretty view/thing”) and to get the most out of an educational experience.

 Desert Nights by Robert McKendrick

"My goal is to share not just an image, but to create an image that allows us to see the world in new ways, to drop pre-conceptions and to find focus in a busy and chaotic world."

Similarly, some proclaim to seek a meaningful, spiritual, experience in communing or in expressing their thoughts and feelings in art, but are deterred by minor inconveniences, or come to the experience preoccupied with distractions or prejudices they are unwilling to let go of, and thus fail to find what they sought.

 Fortress my Deborah McDermott

"I consciously let the land work its magic on me, and was attracted immediately to the sculptural rock forms I saw on my hikes"

                                                                                                                           - Deborah McDermott

“I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always I want to live more intensely and richly. why muck and conceal one's true longings and loves, when by speaking of them one might find someone to understand them, and by acting on them one might discover oneself?”

                         - Everett Ruess