By: Sandra Hutton, @artimmersionstudio
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I had the opportunity to take part in a fantastic tour in April, organized by Mindie Burgoyne of Thin Places Tours. Participation in this tour was truly a bucket list experience for me as I had long been intrigued by the Wyeth family, their artistic legacy as well as their connections to those in their community, including the Kuerner family. In fact, when I was university I wrote an essay in which I analyzed Andrew Wyeth’s portrait “Karl” (1956). I don’t remember all the details of this essay to be honest, but studying and writing about the painting remains a fond university memory.
Fast forward to 2023 when I learned about the Art Spirit tour and I knew it was meant to be! This tour not only encompassed further study and understanding of the Wyeths and their work, but also provided all participants with an opportunity to connect with artist Karl J. Kuerner who happens to be the grandson of “Karl” from the famous painting. As it turned out, Karl J. Kuerner had an exhibition at the Brandwine Museum while I was in Pennsylvania and this provided an incredible opportunity to learn more about his creative journey. He was so generous with his time and met with us on the famous hill in between the Wyeth and Kuerner properties, where we sat on the long grass as he shared stories and insights. As he spoke, I took notes, feeling as though there were guiding lessons, not only in Karl’s words, but within the tour experience itself that I wanted to reflect upon.
So here they are: 10 lessons from The Art Spirit Tour that caused me to pause and reflect as both an artist and an art teacher.
Lesson 1: “Make art every day” was a pivotal lesson from Karl J. Kuerner, shared as we sat atop the hill overlooking the Kuerner farm. Karl emphasized that daily art creation, whether through a sketch, a small work, a photograph, or a larger project, nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. Consistent artistic practice sharpens creativity, enhances observation skills, and fosters emotional well-being. It acts as a meditative process, providing a therapeutic outlet for expression and reflection. By making art every day, we cultivate a deeper connection with our inner selves and the world around us, enriching our lives in profound ways.
Lesson 2: “There is no recipe for an art piece,” resonates deeply with my own beliefs. Karl spoke about this and reinforced that each art piece presents unique challenges and opportunities for artistic problem-solving. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; each creation is distinct. We learn by doing, by embracing trial and error, and by building upon the skills honed in previous works. This process of continual learning and experimentation allows for artistic growth and fosters innovation, reminding us that each piece is a new journey of discovery.
Lesson 3: “Be an encourager” was a heartfelt lesson from Karl who spoke fondly of the encouragement he received from the Wyeths, particularly as a student of Carolyn Wyeth. Her support was instrumental in his artistic journey, and Karl has carried this ethos forward in his interactions with others. Encouragement fosters artistic growth and confidence, creating a nurturing environment where creativity can flourish. By uplifting others, we not only inspire them but also contribute to a more vibrant and supportive artistic community.
Lesson 4: “You’re always a student,” underscores the idea that we are all lifelong learners, guided by our curiosity to acquire new knowledge and skills. This principle applies universally, across all walks of life and careers, but Karl specifically highlighted its importance for artists. In the artistic journey, growth and learning are continuous, reminding us that the pursuit of “perfection” is unnecessary. Embracing this mindset allows us to see ourselves and our work as ever-evolving, appreciating that we are all students and perpetual works in progress.
Lesson 5: “Feel the vibrations and creative energy”
Karl J. Kuerner emphasized the profound impact of our surroundings on creativity. As we sat on the hill overlooking the Kuerner farm, Karl spoke of the energy of the land, enriched with artifacts from early inhabitants like arrowheads. This connection to nature’s history and energy can fuel our artistic inspiration. The rolling hillsides and vast trees served as a reminder that nature itself is a powerful source of creative energy. Karl shared how N.C. Wyeth chose to settle in the Brandywine Valley because he felt these vibrations, highlighting the importance of attuning to our environment, picking up on its signals, and following our creative intuition.
Lesson 6: “Stretching yourself doesn’t always mean going far,” highlights that artists often find the richest inspiration in the familiar objects and people around them. During the tour, participants were reminded that N.C. Wyeth, who never traveled outside the United States, found imaginative sparks from the forest outside his studio, even for his Robin Hood illustrations. Similarly, Andrew Wyeth’s work focused on his local community, deeply studying the people, buildings, and landscape around him. Karl J. Kuerner also draws inspiration from the Kuerner homestead and his memories– a poignant example being his painting of walking up the hill with his father. This lesson emphasizes the profound creative potential in connecting with our immediate surroundings and the people close to us.
Lesson 7: “What Hills Will You Climb And Where Will They Take You?” emerged as a powerful metaphor during my time atop the hill overlooking the Kuerner farm. Andrew Wyeth discovered this farm, a central subject of his work, by physically climbing a hill, symbolizing exploration and discovery. Metaphorically, these “hills” represent the obstacles or challenges we must overcome to reach new stages in our personal and artistic journeys. Reflecting on this, I realized that each hill we climb, whether literal or figurative, shapes our path and propels us toward growth and new horizons.
Lesson 8: “Art narrates our story”
I reflected on the timeless role of art as a powerful storytelling tool, a tradition dating back to cave paintings. Atop the hill, Karl emphasized how art captures and conveys our personal and collective experiences. Karl’s recent exhibit at the Brandywine Museum, “The Continuity of Creativity,” beautifully illustrates this concept. Through his work, viewers can discern pivotal moments in his life and connect with him through the symbolism and narratives embedded in his art. This lesson reinforces that art is not just visual but a profound medium for sharing our stories and connecting with others.
Lesson 9: “We Are part of a vast, connected experience”
Art communicates universally through its content, subject matter, and themes that resonate with us or spark our curiosity. The “language of art” lies in its fundamental elements like colour, texture, shape, line, and form, which together invoke a response from the viewer. These components deepen our feelings and enhance our understanding, bridging connections between the artist and the audience. This lesson underscores the importance for both artists and viewers to appreciate and create art, reminding us of the intrinsic value of engaging with artistic expressions.
Lesson 10: “Art comes from emotion”
This lesson highlights the powerful emotive qualities that emerge when artists tap into their memories and feelings, translating these experiences into visual form. The art process itself can be intensely emotional, prompting artists to reflect deeply on their inner selves as they create. This journey provides invaluable insight into their thoughts and emotions, making the pursuit of depicting a theme, idea, or subject matter a meditative and impassioned experience. Artists connect with their current selves on a profound level, continually evolving through their creative process, which is deeply attuned to their present state of being and part of their future journey. I was reminded of the artistic narrative and emotion demonstrated as part of Karl’s “Continuity of Creativity” exhibit at the Brandywine Museum. Art making represents a timeline of creation, snapshots in time of emotion and narrative.
