Living Through the Arts

Art and Existentialism
Yves M. Larocque
Art History | General | Inspiration |Thoughts | PaintingFebruary 28, 2014

fear-and-tremblingWhy attending one of our painting workshops in Italy or France?

During our painting workshops in Tuscany and Provence, we aim to provoke the creative act by challenging our participants to see and think in new ways. If not, why traveling so far and investing in a workshop to repeat what we do at home? To provoke the creative act, is to engage the artist in an existentialist state of mind.

We came across this question through various philosophical readings by Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher of the 19th century who seriously questioned religion during a time when European artists were questioning their very own practice, hence giving way to Realism and Impressionism.

Art is a subjective commitment, just like religion is a subjective commitment too. So, why not questioning both in the same way? How do you understand art? How do you define an artist? Do you believe in art as therapy? Do you think it can help you rationalize your problems? Are you fully committed to the development of your art? Do you follow “doctrines” in painting or do you try to get away from the “mob” mentality?

During our art workshops in Italy and France, we promote the idea that truth is subjective, that true art is subjective, just like life is subjective. Subjectivity is, first of all inwardness and passion; we have to live fully.  We have to live inwardly, so we may reach depth and richness. Passions, for Kierkegaard, are not mere feelings (sensations), but profound insights into the beings we really are.

True art, just like religion cannot be proven scientifically… art is a manifestation of your passion, it is a commitment that requires a leap of faith. So, during our art workshops in Tuscany or in Provence, we invite you to explore and manifest your authentic existence.

 

by | Feb 28, 2014 | Art History, General, Inspiration |Thoughts, Painting

1 Comment

  1. Karin
    Karin on March 4, 2014 at 12:34 am

    Came across a great Rothko quote this week. Was reminded of it when I read this post. In conversation with Selden Rodman, he said: “The people who weep before my pictures are having the same religious experience I had when I painted them. And if you, as you say, are moved only by their color relationships, then you miss the point!” Although not entirely related, it somewhat touches upon “the profound insights into the beings we really are” you speak of. Thought I would share.

     
    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Who are we?

We all make art! It is part of culture. It is deeply rooted in human nature as a way of communicating with others. We all need to tell our stories because it is stories that link us all. We are all one, one creative mind! Though, all unique and equipped with unique ways of expressing ourselves. We live in constant search of that unique liberating voice. At Walk the Arts we aim to facilitate our art makers to explore new territories. Our painting classes and art history trips on three continents are meant to be rounded art experiences among small groups of like-minded adults. We offer an environment that fosters creativity. As we always say, art as religion is just a matter of faith. This blog is about living fully the experience of art, about finding our single artistic path, about the joy of art-making. We believe that making art accessible to all will lead to a betterment of our society.

Archives

Contact Us! North America and Europe

Twitter Updates

“Re-situating” myself

May 23, 2024

 

Alone in your studio, guided by your intuition, stop, sit down, with your notes in hand, your mindmap on the wall, to gather a feel for the next avenues. I suggest you take a few days to write down a first draft of an artistic statement. It will put some order into your thoughts so as to better clarify them. Be warned, however, that this will not be your final statement, as others will follow.
Set parameters: no more than 500 words, write a seductive title, an incipit (very first line) that hooks; write in the active form. Watch out for repetition and tautology! The more honest you are with yourself, the easier it will be to write this text. The more you hesitate to let go with your art, the harder it will be.

Gray a Philosophical “Color”

Jul 6, 2023

 

“Over the past 40 years, I’ve seen students in the process of transitioning from saturated colors to grayed ones, a sign of serious questioning about painting. As a beginner, we shy away from mixing colors, and the more we progress in our creative practice, the more daring we become. That’s life! When we’re children, we only see saturated colors, and as we get older, gray takes over. Adults realize that gray is everywhere. “The color of truth is gray” wrote the French author André Gide.”

We can face Artificial Intelligence

Jun 10, 2023

 

How many times were we tempted to fall into the trap of mainly teaching painting techniques now all available on the Net? Just type “How to paint an Italian Landscape” and … two million plus videos jump onto your computer screen.

A First History of NFTs

May 12, 2023

 

“I think the reason […] I’ve chosen the career that I have is because artists are always the seers or the truth tellers. They show us the way forward”. Nora Burnett Abrams, The Story of NFTs, Artists, Technology, and Democracy. P. 53

The World of NFTs!

Apr 11, 2023

 

I had to know if NFT art is and will be a fad or not. In Canada’s national capital (Ottawa) art world, I kept hearing that it is not going to last, it’s all smoke and mirrors, ya-ya-ya, etc. So, I entered the Palazzo Strozzi with an open mind. I saw the works, I read everything on the walls, and I came out of the exhibition thinking “It is here to stay.” From that moment, on la Via de’ Tomabuoni, I felt compelled as an art historian and art educator to embrace this new reality. Didn’t we do it for Pop Art and Conceptual Art in the late ’50s and ‘60s?

My painting workshop in Tuscany

Nov 11, 2022

 

Already a month since my return from a fun-filled art-learning experience in Tuscany, Italy! The workshop went far beyond what I even imagined, or hoped it would be. The roughly eight hours per day for most days of art instruction gave me a new perspective on my art: where I was and where I wanted to be, the past and the future. But, together as a group, we were living in the present.

“Perseverance” is the key to all successful artists

Dec 11, 2021

 

Perseverance is the key to all successful artists.

I always ask my painting students to memorize … “Until then, we will not rest or falter. Hand in hand with others thirsting for a better life, no matter how long it takes, regardless of support or persecution, we will joyfully respond to a savage need for liberation”.

Studio Italia, a painting vacation with…

Nov 12, 2021

 

If our art workshops focused mostly on painting techniques, then why traveling to Italy and spending money when you could stay at home and learn everything you need through the Internet for free?

Art and Neurosciences

Jan 13, 2021

 

When a subject becomes familiar, the brain activity shuts down like when viewing a lovely chickadee painting…

Can we talk about the neuroscience of art? This is the question that French neurobiologist Jean-Pierre Changeux addresses in his beautiful book The Beauty in the Brain or La Beauté dans le Cerveau (Odile Jacob, 2016). Prof. Changeux describes how the human brain behaves when making or contemplating a work of art. To make a long story short, he argues that the neural bases of aesthetic pleasure are the product of the link between cognitive and emotional brain functions, in other words, the harmony between reason and emotion. Moreover, he gives some tips on how artists can maximize the impact of their works on their audience.

Evolving in art is just a matter of faith; only believe!

Dec 11, 2020

 

We refrain from teaching painting techniques easily found on the Net. We prefer taking the necessary time (36 hours) to fully involve the participant in reflecting on her or his art — including all levels, all media […]
Rest assured that having attended one of our online classes, you will be more confident in taming the landscape in your own way while on a plein-air painting workshop.

Let Go! The Artist’s Way of Cooking

Oct 14, 2018


Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/walkth14/public_html/wp-content/plugins/rating-widget/rating-widget.php on line 3880
 

Ten years ago, here in Tuscany, we decided to write a recipe book but with so many good cookbooks in the market, we needed to propose a new idea. We had to find a modus operandi close to who we are and what we do as visual artists. The answer was in front of us and painting gave it to us: art and color!

Travelling with meaning : a painting workshop in Italy

Sep 30, 2017

 

More and more travellers from the developed world are looking for meaningful travels. We are aiming for journeys that allow us to learn something new, to deepen our culture, to enhance our lives. Purpose, inspiration and self-discovery are now vital elements in our traveling choices. Probably, this is why our quality painting workshops offered since 1997, have become more and more popular.

Privacy Policy