Ahhh Summer!

"I will not lose, for even in defeat, there's a valuable lesson learned so that evens it up for me." -Jay Z, musician and businessman

Ok, after looking at the painting from Tuesday, I decided, I liked it more than I did when I first finished it. Again, time away helps.  However, I decided that I had a few ideas that might make it better so I decided to try it again.  WOW, what a difference!  I see much improvement.  So much more depth.  Anyways, moral of the story try, try again! The more often I paint, the more likely  things will soon become second nature.  I will feel more confident, knowledgable, and comfortable.

Daily Painting - Day 17

Summer in Northern Michigan
5x7 Quick Study

The painting below was painted before the painting above.  Big difference!  I guess I learned what to do and what not to do.  Yea, daily painting.

Day 15 painting
5x7 Quick Study 

Knowing when to stop

"I can't do it never yet accomplished anything; I will try has performed wonders." - George P. Burnham, -writer and editor

Daily Painting: Day 16

5x7 Quick Study

Ugh!  Day 16 and I feel like progress with landscapes is slow. Sometimes I even feel like I'm digressing.  I've painted only a small handful of landscapes my entire life and never felt satisfied with the results but I will not succomb to my frustrations and overly high expectations after all it has only been a few months using this new medium and only a few years painting since my 20 year+ away from painting.  Each time I learn something new or something I do or don't like.  

I also need to learn when to stop.  The timer for 20 minutes went off and I took the above picture.  After looking at the photo on my phone, I noticed a few things I didn't like so I went back in.  I like how I fixed the water line but I continued to add more and fix and add and change and while some things were good, I think I would have been better to stop sooner.

So, today's take away - stop sooner than you think.  Step back or even away from it for a while.  If/when you come back start very slow with only a few strokes at a time.  Take a photo.  I have found looking at your art from a photo shows things you just didn't see at first.

with a few too many heavy handed strokes

Do you need approval?

"The best way to get approval is not to need it.  This is equally true in art and business.  And love. And sex.  And just about everything else worth having." -Hugh MacLeod, cartoonist

Daily Painting: Day 9

Remembering Summer Vacation
5x7 Quick Study

Do you need approval?  Why?   Why do we so often seek approval of one sort or another?  Also, whose approval do we seek?  The approval from one is not the same as the approval from another, now is it?  For example, I know my father would look at this painting and probably every other one I've ever made and say, "it's amazing, you are so talented."  He was my biggest fan and I admit it is one reason I miss him so.   It is true I always wanted to please and have the approval of my dear father. However, his approval at least where art is concerned, was not the same as the approval of say a peer, a teacher, a mentor, a art juror.  His was the "unconditional" type of approval that comes out of love and relationship.  That kind of approval should perhaps be the kind we most seek and treasure because its a much deeper, wiser, kinder approval that really can lead to greater encouragement.  Instead we let someone who doesn't really know us, our journey, our process, or our work, judge us. Unfortunately, its that approval or disapproval that we allow to define us.  We can't let others define us according to whether or not they approve of us, or our ways, or our work.  Approval means we are doing something right.  But who is to say what is right?  Just keep doing what you love and you'll have your heart's approval and anything after that is added frosting on the cake.