digital and traditional painting / whimsical
be-real-ism
RICHARD (RICK) LORENZ – German born – Louisiana artist and creator of his popular series - ‘BE THE BIRD’
“In the realm of all things symbolic…birds and feathers have held a certain fascination for me. My earliest drawings as a toddler were of birds and flying. Indeed, I drew every kind of bird imaginable. Self taught, working mostly in oils, I consumed the works of Audubon and other notable ornithologists both past and present. With many awards and accolades along the way, 1998 was memorable with my winning entry in the prestigious Louisiana Duck–Stamp competition.
Birds have always represented a more ethereal realm of freedom and liberation. Feathers have a long and illustrious history, beginning with the earliest of civilizations. In Egypt for example, the feather represented the word ‘TRUTH’. Just as Truth can ‘set you free’, feathers may give flight to the Truth within.
My series – ‘BE THE BIRD’ – is a whimsical bird’s eye view…of the real you. There is only one Bird quite like you!”
‘You already have wings...BE THE BIRD'
DIGITAL PAINTING TECHNIQUE
What about ‘digital painting’? The time has come…and it is now, digital technology has become refined enough that traditional painters are able to make use of this new digital palette as a new painting medium. Digital painting uses the latest painting software (not to be confused with photo manipulating software) to translate physical properties of traditional painting into a virtual representation of the painting process.
’Digital Painting’ is just that…a 100% virtually painted image. A virtual representation of a traditional painting method using a digital device, such as a Wacom tablet (to represent the blank canvas/paper) and a digital stylus (to represent the brush/pen/pencil, etc.). The final digital painting is a file on the computer, the original template by which the painting can be realized…printed on canvas or paper.
So…the next hurdle to wrap your mind around. If there is no physical painting…where is the original!? The ‘digital painting’ does not exist in the real world until it is ‘produced’ or printed onto canvas or paper. Maybe a better example…‘digital photography’…where is the 'original' photo? The photographer captures an image with a digital device, then manipulates that image using photo editing software, then saves that image as a digital file on his computer. This file is the template for his image to be realized in the traditional sense…printed on paper or canvas. Voila! These multiple, first generation (each one absolutely identical) images then come into existence as original signed and numbered pieces of art.
Originals are produced as the highest quality image possible in the industry today, using archival ultrachrome inks (lasting 200 years and more) and acid free canvas. This canvas is then enhanced with further texture and traditionally painted details by the artist. The canvas is finished with 2 coats of UV resistant acrylic clear coat for further protection.
VIDEOS
CHECK OUT MY 'DIGITAL PAINTING' VIDEO! SHARE WITH YOUR PEEPS!
DIGITAL PAINTING - Music thanks to - 'FALCO' - 'Rock me Amadeus'...you rock! All of my art begins with music...inspiration for the soul!
CHECKOUT MY 'SKETCHBOOK' VIDEO! THESE ARE A FEW OF THE 'SHOW SKETCHES' YOU HAVE SEEN ME WORKING ON AT OUR MANY ART EXHIBITIONS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. ENJOY! SHARE WITH YOUR PEEPS!
Hey my Peeps...this one is for you. A few of my show sketches along the way...enjoy! Pen (cheap ball point pen) on paper. Music by - X Ambassadors - 'RENEGADE'
CLEAR COAT VIDEO. THIS IS ME APPLYING THE FINAL ACRYLIC CLEAR COAT TO - 'THAT BIRD'! ENJOY! SHARE WITH YOUR PEEPS!
so...I thought I would show you Birdz how I add a clear coat to my canvas prints. Can you guess what song is playing? Enjoy! 'BE THE BIRD'! Share with your Peeps!
STRETCHING CANVAS VIDEO. ME STRETCHING 18x24 'CLETUS'. SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE A CIRCUS! ENJOY! SHARE WITH YOUR PEEPS!
quick video on how I stretch 18x24 canvas. 'CLETUS' has become my fastest selling new piece ever! Enjoy! Share with your Peeps!
'BERNIE' IN...'FLYING LESSONS'! MY FIRST ANIMATION ATTEMPT. SPREAD THE WORD...'BE THE BIRD'!
hey U Birdz...first attempt at stop motion animation! Bernie in 'Flying Lessons'! Enjoy! SPREAD THE WORD...'BE THE BIRD'!
FREQUENTLY-ASKED-QUESTIONS
DO YOU HAVE ANY ART TRAINING?
I have no formal training in art except for my weekly rendezvous with Bob Ross from the local PBS access on Saturday mornings. It was his show that inspired me to paint. I saved my allowance till the day I was able to buy his painting kit. The rest is history as they say. I continue to paint in oils as well as acrylics.
My latest challenge has been learning to paint digitally. I am completely inspired to this day by watching young people paint in this new painting medium. That's right...YouTube is how I have learned digital painting!
WHAT KIND OF DRUGS DO YOU DO?
I get asked this at literally every art event. Really? Do you really think drugs are the only way to create art? There is a huge misconception that artists must be 'high' to create art. I blame society for this misunderstanding. It is quite the opposite. I have never created art under the influence. Even a glass of wine can alter the original vision or message that I wanted to convey.
WHY BIRDS?
I have always drawn birds. As far back as I can recall...always drawing birds and dinosaurs. How interesting that now we know these may be related! Birds represent freedom. A chance to give wings to our thoughts, ambitions, and goals in life. Birds have also traditionally represented the 'messenger', with the ability to soar from this world to the next. Since art is a 'language', indeed...mankind's highest form of communication, my paintings are a may to 'speak' as authentically as possible.
Many traditions and civilizations use the feather to represent 'Truth'. Just as the 'Truth' can set you free, so too the feather has long symbolized our connection with 'Spirit' and our desire to break free from our earthly bonds.
YES...THERE IS A MESSAGE TO MY MADNESS!
I created my series - ‘Be the Bird’ - as a reminder that each Bird is unique. There is not another Bird quite like you. You are one of a kind. You are here on purpose...for a purpose. God makes no mistakes. What ever your perceived challenges are, remember these are the opportunities that define you...that make you unique.
It seems to be the most difficult thing these days (especially young people...of all ages), to find the real YOU...the person buried beneath the turmoil of this world. Our society seems hell bent on determining who you are through whatever means possible: TV, radio, social media, internet, music, peer pressure, social, geo-political, gender, work, religion, ethnic propaganda...and the list goes on. We are so bombarded each and every moment of each and ever day about who we should be, look like, sound like, what we should eat, how we should dress...indeed...who we should be, that we may have totally forgotten (or have never known) who we are! The beginning of all 'Truth' is to know ones self. Who do you think you are!?
My paintings of 'Birdz' are of you guys! I love watching (Bird watching) people in their natural habitat, going about their perceived 'normal' existence, unaware of the inspiration I receive from them on a daily basis. There is always that one Bird that stands out from the flock. This is the Bird not afraid to spread her/his wings. You know the one...big feathers, lots of color, quirky, a bit messy, insecure, but facing the world head on with an unwavering determination to be 'Real'. These are the Birdz I paint. The ones who make us believe that no matter what the circumstances, no matter the limitations, we all have the potential to fly above the madness and discover the real, authentic Bird that lives inside.
'Eloise' - 'It's better to show your true colors, than to let them fade'.
'Alvin' - 'Alvin was color blind...and everyone knew it. Our world made brighter...with dear Alvin in it'.
'Pierre' - 'close to the edge' (of greatness) Pierre is a pirate without an ocean. He is aqua-phobic (fear of water). Not good for a pirate, right!? So...he has become 'Captain of the high trees'. Don't let an ocean stop you!
"Remember, no matter what your perceived challenges are in this life, it's all an illusion. Embrace who you are...perfect in every way. Shrug off the labels, contempt, value and worth put upon you by someone else. Find your feathers, live your Truth, and most of all - 'BE THE BIRD'!"