I have loved Richard Diebenkorn’s work since whenever it was (a long time ago) that I first saw it. Without knowing anything about him, just seeing one of his pictures on the cover of a magazine, I fell in love. His ideas have affected me since.
Here in the drawing from one of his little notebooks (above left) and the detail of my painting Distant Oak (below), I think the affinity shows. I never met Mr. Diebenkorn (who was the same age as my mother). But I still think of him as being one of my teachers.
Aletha Kuschan's Weblog 
Wow! I agree – Richard Diepenkorn’s work, and yours – stride stoppers. 🙂 From his Wiki photo he looks like quite a character too. Definitely converted to a fan. Have you come across Arthur Pinajian? First time I came across his work also took my breath away. His work is even more abstract. Would love your feedback on his work.
Thank you for your kind words, Diane. Arthur Pinajian is new to me. I was just “googling” his name and found some images. At first glance his paintings remind me somewhat of Joan Mitchell’s. (Don’t know if there’s any connection.)
And I was looking at your blog where you wrote about the effect his art had when you first encountered it. Perhaps you should explore further that emotion/sensibility. Is it coming through the colors, the texture of the paint, the drawing, the scale — probably all those things, of course, but is there one element — if you had to pick one thing — what would you say it is, that could be a first place to begin your own exploration?
There are particular artists who, for me, stand out , who have exerted a strong effect on me over the years. When a picture has that kind of knock-me-down influence in my life, I just study it — I try to stay with it a while — to live inside that feeling as much as I can — and I try to figure out what it means for me personally — in terms of colors, subject, size, drawing, whatever — any quality that I can grab, that seems like it might be key. And it becomes like a door that I can step through to learn more — perhaps — about where I need to go. Those are wonderful discoveries.
You’re very, very lucky to find an artist’s painting having that effect on you. I think you should indulge the sensibility it evokes, Diane, and see what happens. There are very specific, personal, focused lessons to be learned in such events. Since you sew, remember that sewing can also be a medium through which you can explore the images. Drawing, painting, sewing — you can use them all profitably to discover different aspects of a visual idea/feeling.
For others who are curious, here’s works by the artist we’re discussing Arthur Pinajian.
Hello Aletha!
Thank you so much for your insightful and inspiring reply and apologies for my tardy reply – I’m was bumbling around on WordPress and just found this handy drop down list of comments and replies!
Yes – thank you – I will and have explored and continue to explore why the world stands still sometimes aided by a visually arresting and mind suspending image.
In the spirit of sharing, the closest I can get for now to describing this is the power of the lines of intent which I feel are not so far hidden from view sometimes and is why some scenes capture the artist’s eye so readily, but over which this world is stretched and arranged. A trickery of light may also suffice as a description.
And Yes! Sewing is so much about draping and lines of structure and intending and guiding the eye. If only my hands were not still so terribly clumsy in execution – but I persevere!
I have been away from my blog lately. What a delight to find your thoughtful reply!