Trust

Trust

Trust is a word that plays many rolls in our lives. I have learned over the years to trust my gut instincts. When I walk into an art store, I prefer to follow my gut the moment I walk into the store. Allowing myself to explore new media down the isles and touch papers or canvas. The aesthetics of shopping for art materials is very personal. I prefer to create my own sketchbooks by purchasing or finding various papers and cutting them to fit various sized folios that I create or purchase and tie on three sides. This process allows me to choose the paper that will work best for the media I plan to use at any given moment. The media used in any work is just as important as the concept behind the work. Art stores will have testing papers on the shelves down the drawing media isles. The personal relationship you feel to certain drawing tools is unique to each artist. I like to use certain brands or colors. I enjoy running my fingers through the pen nibs and smelling primed and unprimed canvas. I enjoy finding bargains in bins or markdowns. I open paint tubes to see the color and at times I touch the tip of the tube to see how the color moves on my fingertips. I also enjoy searching the isles in the Materials Resource Center and the Habitat for Humanity Restore. Finding discarded materials is an earth friendly way to go green in ones art work. My students like to have a list of materials telling them exactly what to purchase in an art store. These lists should only be used as a guide when shopping. The best lists will leave options and openness for individual exploration when choosing art materials.

Trust is a word that is used when I set my brush to paint, as well as when I walk into a museum. In both situations a feeling of excitement comes over me as I approach the Museum door or a blank canvas. The feeling of trusting my gut instincts comes into play in both these situations. When I enter a Museum, I let my instincts tell me where to go and what direction to focus on. I step back and observe others in the galleries around me as I listen to the sounds and glory in the sights that surround me. Recently, I was walking around the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan. I bypassed the Hugh line of people waiting to purchase tickets as I use my museum card to enter the exhibitions. As I turned around I stood directly across from Andy Warhol’s work hanging in the lobby. One of his life’s ambitions was to have his work exhibitied in the Museum of Modern Art. So I observed this as a certain peace. I could hear the sounds of people excited about what they may see or experience on this day at the Museum. People from various countries speaking many different languages were there that day. I love the Museum in that it introduces new forms of art to the public as well as chronologically preserving the historical reflections of humanity all preserved for people to view and contemplate.

The galleries exhibited many works in various disciplines. In my observations, as a Painter and Theatrical Designer, the concept of Sound, Film Projections, Drawings, Paintings and Sculpture seemed to come into the space of the viewer rather than waiting for the viewer to approach the art. Many works reflected various times in the history of art but the two paintings that continue to receive the most attention remain Claude Monet’s “Reflections of Clouds on the Water-Lily Pond”, 1920, oil on canvas, (78.74 inches x 502.36 inches) and “Dance (1)” by Henri Matisse, 1909, oil on canvas, (8’6 ½” x 12” ½”). Crowds of people stood and sat in front of these works for long periods of time. The works convey the feeling of hope, love, beauty and a flowing humanity. That common thread which brings us all together.

Trust

By Kyle Blumenthal
June 28, 2011

Kyle's 2015 Graduating Portfolio-Prep students

Nassau County Museum of Art Art Classes

What is unique about you?

As a Professional Artist and Educator, I would like to begin by sharing a little bit about my own work. I would also like to discuss a little about why the subject of creating a portfolio for college admissions is such a broad topic. There are so many of you out there that dream of a career in the arts and spending your life’s work in the art field.

Let me start by saying that it is important to understand that your parents or family members come in very helpful in this portfolio and college admissions process. You want to be working together as a team. I was painting in oils on canvas at the age of five years old. My years in College were as follows, my first year was at Farmingdale SUNY in Graphic Arts and Illustration, I transferred to Pratt Institute for my second year until I completed my BFA in Painting with a minor in Art Education, I went on to CW Post College for my Masters in Painting so that I could keep my Teaching License in Art K-12. I went on after that to CW Post College once again to earn my MFA in Painting.

In school I tossed theories and concepts around in my head, I became an observer at times and began to intellectualize things in my head. I noticed how many students there were in my classes and began to think about how I would be able to compete in the art world when there were so many talented people in the field. I remember it very well to this day because this was very important in the big scheme of things. I realized that I would have to be much more than great at rendering the figure or painting various subjects. I began to question what made me different. What could I do that the others could not do? This is where I ask my students to start in order to start setting themselves apart from the others. 

Kyle's website

Pre-College Portfolio: An answer to your prayers!

I have started this blog to reach out to young Artists in need of help in preparing their portfolios for admission to Art Schools. I call myself the Portfolio Queen. For many years I have coached students with their portfolios and helped them in the entire admissions process. My students have received the highest rating of 10 on their portfolios. Most receive scholarships to the schools of their choice. I had one student that was admitted on the spot to every school she applied to with one painting. I have many stories to tell and much to share.

Mission:

To encourage student's creative vision.
A grounding in drawing, painting and fundamental visual communication skills.
Introduce a broad scope of methods, materials and techniques in a variety of media.
The students are encouraged to develop conceptual talent and a visually distinct voice.
Provide photographic documentation for college entrance.
Provide advice and encouragement in all areas and career avenues.
Help in the completion of a presentation portfolio.
Advice in the interviewing process.
Help with essays if needed.
To encourage individuality in each student's work.
Assistance for Pre-College age students wishing to pursue the Arts as a career goal.
Gearing each student's portfolio towards their individual career paths.