A question for Marvin about his palette of limited color

Brenda Ellis · 08-16-2005, 12:29 PM

Patricia,

From seeing your portrait from the workshop, I can see that this palette is really working for you.

I will not be able to afford Marvin's workshop for the foreseeable future. (But I can't wait to get his book!)

I have to, for now, rely on the info I get from this forum. It is harder to absorb just by reading and seeing photos than it probably would be in a workshop doing hands-on. I persevere and I am putting Marvin's palette into practice on a portrait I'm working on right now.
We'll see how it turns out. One part reading, one part looking at results in Marvin's and other's work, one part conjecture and one part hubris.

Patricia Joyce · 08-16-2005, 01:47 PM

Brenda,
I think you are going to do very well. Your last painting, of Betsy is so beautiful. I think the greatest asset an artist has is her/his determination to learn and the attempts made to apply what we learn. Also, I believe that studying others work is so important. I try to go to the art museum in Cleveland as often as I can to view masterworks in person. Some day I will get up the courage to see if I can copy an original at the Cleveland Art Museum, like Janel is doing right now. I think one would learn so much by doing so.

Janel Maples · 08-16-2005, 04:05 PM

Pat,

I hate to tell you, if you wait around for the courage you will never get to the museum. It is terrifying!!!! But SO EXCITING.

I can not put enough exclamation points at the end of the sentence that I will never regret doing this to myself!

On to Marvin's pallette. There is no excuse not to take Marvin's class if something about his method is talking to you. If you sell your work, one commission will pay for it. And what is your time worth to you now? Do you really want to waste you time practicing how to paint wrong?

I have a husband, I have small children, I missed my sister's wedding, my brand new condo in Cozumel, Mexico was being hit with hurricane Emily the day I started laying in color. Shall I go on? I can tell you if money was a problem.......I would take out a loan.
I guarantee you will get more than what you pay for with his instruction. Other students of Marvin.......Am I WRONG?

I can say this now, becasue the workshop I coordinated for Marvin is over and done and I have NOTHING to gain by being his sales person, if you are serious about your art you owe it to yourself to take his workshop. Ahhhhhh and it is so much FUN. I ran myself ragged for two weeks and had a ball, an absolute ball. Thank you Marvin!

I know I sound like a hard @$$ here but if you would get to know me you would realize I am really not one. I am just trying to get the word out about what this man can do for anyone who is in the dark about color (no punn intended).

: )

Brenda Ellis · 08-16-2005, 04:12 PM

Thank you, Janel.
Wanna buy a kidney?

Janel Maples · 08-16-2005, 04:16 PM

That's the spirit........where there is a will, there is a way!

; )

Molly Sherrick Phifer · 08-16-2005, 05:19 PM

Brenda, you gave me a great laugh! I can relate to your wanting to learn Marvin's methods. Not only are his works breathtaking, the works of his students are so consistently wonderful. See PSoA best of show and people's choice winner and Mattelson student, Joseph Daily here .
I have long admired his students' works and wrestled with myself over whether I could afford the money, or for me more importantly the time away to study with him. I have finally made the commitment. I have enrolled in his weekly classes in New York City, which will run for 10 weeks (I am taking the Saturday classes) starting in September. I'll get six hours per week with Marvin. Yeeha! I understand that folks have traveled hundreds of miles each week to attend. My 135 miles seems pretty easy in comparison. I am really looking forward to this experience, even if I spend 50% of my Saturday time on the road. Yikes

Many thanks to Janel, Patty, Enzie et al for sharing your experiences. It really is inspiring to many.

Patricia Joyce · 08-17-2005, 08:54 AM

Ditto, Janel!
I did take out a loan to study with Marvin and I consider it the best investment I can make in my future as an artists. Heck, I figured that if I could take out student loans to getmy undergraduate degree, it made more sense to take out a loan for Marvin's workshop!!

I am 50, I only have so many years to paint and I want the greatest learning curve I can attain - I get that with Marvin. Molly I can't wait to hear your reports after you start studying with Marvin in New York - I'm very excited for you.

And Janel, I am going to the art museum tonight for my regular visit, but I am calling the museum today to see about painting there - you inspire me!!!