Discussions with Mark Norseth

Few things grab my attention like painter’s equipment from the old days.

Here is a little treasure I picked up many years ago, and it’s still functional. A traveling watercolor sketching kit, it was made in Germany and was sold under the Weber brand, which is still around, I think most visibly as the makers of Permalba White oil paint.

It’s at least 70 years old, based on the look of the logo.  Totally self contained, the body of this portable palette  holds about a pint of water and it sports a brass screw cap on the end.  The cup, when attached, holds the water.

I always wonder about the designer of such a wonderful tool, and of course, who may have owned it.  Where in the world did it travel to?

This piece, an 10 x 8″ oil on panel, began as a demonstration piece for students.  The assignment was to see if such a subject could compose off center in a vertical format successfully. I remained interested in the painting, and pushed it forward.  Now, I’m planning a frame.

Aloha, and thanks for visiting my blog. I’m a painter living and working on the island of Oahu, Hawai’i. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I moved to New York City for over a decade to pursue an in-depth study of painting, supporting myself as a freelancer. I’ve been what people like to call a full-time painter for a dozen years, but it seems like about four.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

I’ve started this blog to keep people up to date on what’s going on with my work, share experiences and ideas, and dream aloud a bit.  More…

– Mark Norseth

Aloha, and my warmest welcome to you for visiting my blog.

As I begin this, I’d like you to know that I’ve made a couple of agreements with myself.

First, I’ll always shoot for being clear in what I’m writing, and as brief as possible; an art I’ve yet to achieve any distinction in.

Second, I’m committed to creating a place where my visitors, such as yourself, will leave feeling enriched and encouraged. I enjoy your input, and really look forward to your responses…what you think, how you agree or differ from my point of view, and what your experiences have been. Please don’t hesitate to comment, because the farther I’ve walked, the more astonished I’ve been to see how much I have to learn from those around me, meaning you.

Really.

And on that thought, one of the entirely unexpected benefits of being an artist is the amazing variety of people I get the opportunity to meet and know. Over the years, I’ve found myself invited into the lives and confidence of an incredible spectrum of people…and therefore given the opportunity to briefly experience life through the eyes of the poor and the rich, average and not-so -average, the happy and the less -than-happy, the insider and the outsider. Painting seems to work across all groups and boundaries, and carried me along with it.

Such insight feeds into my work and gives me my sense of place, because I’ve come to recognize part of the role of a painter is to be a reminder. That’s a big insight for me, because if you don’t understand why you are doing what you are doing, it isn’t as easy to face the inevitable challenges that every serious undertaking produces. We can remind people that there’s more to life, something going on besides the monthly bills and the crisis-du- jour on the evening news.

I hope that doesn’t come across as a bit grandiose on my part, but I have to squarely admit that if art can no longer feed and elevate our spirits in the unique places that I know that it can, then it’s too much trouble.

When someone tells me, (and they have), that some painting I did brings them a sense of joy or has moved them in a positive way, I feel like I’ve been successful. I’ve used my gifts for the purpose for which I was entrusted with them. And that connection is critical; it makes the next painting something I can be absolutely wholehearted about.

And you?