The Painter's Keys Content Archives
Our archive is a rich art resources of creative content and art advice. The archive contains every one of the Robert Genn Twice Weekly Letters and clickbacks since the year 2000. Our system is to carefully edit a large daily volume of incoming feedback from the letters--and to reduce it to a terse and economical amount of reading. Duplication only occurs by nuance, veracity is checked, point of view is encouraged, and a balanced, timeless collection is the result. By so doing we have formed a world-wide creative art community--a brotherhood and sisterhood where all flags fly.

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An unusual type of art charity raffle prompts Robert to advise on the business of fundraisers and the use of our work to raise money for worthy causes. Read On

Mountain work is an excellent grounding in composition and pictorial design. With subject matter right up to and often beyond the top of a picture, as well as strong patterns of snow and talus, there are "ready-mades" everywhere. Read On

Lists can be a source of motivation. They bring the condensed wisdom of the successful in life and art to the attention of the students who may listen. But there is one, little known list that is valuable above all. Read On

Average people are in "task negative" for more than a third of their waking hours. Apparently, artistic and inventive folk are even more into it. As such, the "default mode network" is thought to be the buzzing beehive of creativity. Read On

We are living at a time of obsession with celebrity. People substitute celebrities for friends and acquaintances. TV heads are good enough. Question is, I know David Letterman but does he know me? Read On

Collectors take pride in recognizing a painter's work from across a crowded mall. The phenomenon can both bless and tyrannize. Robert sheds more light on the condition. Read On

Income tax time for artists. To report or not to report--that is the question. Tax expert Bob McMurray helps Robert with some practical answers and fresh ideas. Read On

A reader complains of the decline in art sales and success in the current recession. Robert puts "the sky is falling" into a universal perspective and gives surprising evidence of green shoots. Read On

Unlike some other art forms, paintings can proceed without the benefit of change and becoming. Robert shows how visual works of art can sidestep the deep pits of creative failure and boredom. Read On

A reader remarks how commercial galleries are often run like museums. Robert observes the plurality of gallery culture and suggests a few ways to wake them up. Read On

Readers complain of a "crisis of confidence" where work just doesn't cut it anymore. Robert lays out a simple program that sets artists on a new track with new inspiration and fresh work. Read On

A reader notes a feeling of deep sadness, even shame and guilt, after the opening of her long-anticipated museum show. We explore the reasons for this common letdown, and offer a few thoughts from the past. Read On

Using a game of chess as a guide, Robert examines the anatomy of creative decision-making. The metaphor throws remarkable light toward an evolved painterly process. Read On

What do we say to those truly beginning artists who want to show and sell? How do we help and mentor people at any level become the artists they want to be? Read On

What is the value of change, differentness and shock value in work that an artist would like to be noticed? Is quality always in style? Read On

Robert discovers a forgotten painting on the back of another that had been long out on loan. That's where the subject of money comes in, and the results may surprise you. Read On

Consider the ploy of depicting less in order to achieve more. Paucity means smallness of number or quantity--in this case--strokes. Read On

The insight of a casual observer gives Robert some clues to imagination, skill, discovery and the transcending value of total immersion. Read On

Maintaining a positive attitude is key to joy and success in our game. Robert provides a few unusual angles for keeping your sunny side up. Read On

Understanding the essential characteristics of pictorial elements is often more valuable than slavishly copying a specific item. Robert uses the example of a species of tree and suggests a better way of looking and seeing. Read On

Robert attempts to help a subscriber who is caught between a full time job and the rigours of daily art production. Simple, oft-applied habits hold the key to a thriving full-time art career. Read On

Multiple artists in the same studio space can be a sticky wicket. From his extensive email from subscribers, Robert explains how different systems work and don't work. Read On