An Inspiring Quote

"The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Daily Painting - Day 23

An Improved Poppy
5x7 Pastel Quick Study

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 

If at first you don't succeed

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

I joined a painting challenge.  It was to paint a painting in 20 minutes for 5 days.  First of all, I am finding this scene difficult to begin with.  I've not painted too many scenes with lots of green grass so I am struggling to find the right greens.  Then I'm trying to give the illusion of the path traveling down a hill.  I've been trying to incorporate some of the tips from John Carlson's book Landscape painting, such as warm colors in the foreground and cooler colors in the distance.  I may try this one again and again until I get something I sort of like.  I do see some improvements from the first one.

Daily Painting:  Day 15:

Same scene as yesterday
5x7 Quick Study

Same scene as above - first time painting it
5x7 Quick Study

Baby Steps

"Progress: You might not be where you want to be but you're not where you used to be."

Daily Painting: Day 13

St. Anne and blessed mother Mary
Mixed media on UART 500 sanded pastel paper
Work in Progress

Continued progress - slow but steady.  Every mark is a lesson.  I'm using the pastel pencils a lot more than I ever have.  They seem to be easier to use over the acrylic texture that I created on the background.  Which, by the way, I won't likely do again.  I am finding it very frustrating and disruptive to this painting.

I'm thinking I would love to try some gold leaf for a halo around Mary's head. I have no experience with gold foil, however.  I would definitely try it on a smaller similar background to see how and if it adheres.  I'll be sure to share my process here so you can learn right along with me.  Another option, I was thinking, is a gold spray paint.  I'm thinking I would cover everything up except the specific area I want to spray.  Again, will test first and share process and results.

It's a Love/Hate thing

" I had a mother who taught me there is no such thing as failure.  It is just a temporary postponement of success." -Buddy Ebsen, actor

Daily Painting: Day 11

If you saw yesterday's post, you saw the experimentation I was doing with some mixed media on sanded pastel paper - UART 500.  I learned a lot and I had fun, as I always do when I do these kind of playful backgrounds.

So, the experimentation (i.e. learning) continues today.  See the progression below.  This is definitely in the HATE phase right now.  I have found I go through cycles of LOVE (sometimes just LIKE) and then HATE (or really not thrilled).  It's tempting to give up at this stage but I figure I have nothing to lose (except maybe some time) and always something to gain (i.e. a successful painting or at the very least lessons on what went wrong).

I'm really just kind of winging it when I do these portraits in pastel.  I've not had any instruction and pastels are much different than acrylics.  I'm definitely NOT in my comfort zone.  So, come along and get uncomfortable (and learn) with me.

sketch with soft charcoal (easy to erase)

 blocking in darkest values
LIKE it stage

WIP  unfinished portrait - in the HATE stage
9x12 pastel on mixed media UART 500 paper

Seems a shame that I covered up all of that lovely background, doesn't it? In fact, I think I almost like the second version better.  I was trying to allow some of the background to show through but at some point lost it.  Well, maybe next time.  Let's see what tomorrow brings with this one, shall we?

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.

Do what you love and love what you do!

"Whatever you like doing, do it!  And keep doing it.  Work hard!  In the end, passion and hard work beat out natural talent. (And anyway, if you love what you do, it's not really "work" anyway.) - Pete Docter, animator

Daily Painting - Day 8

Mountain Road 2
5x7 Quick Study

Same inspiration photo as yesterday but different approach.  I lowered the horizon line to put a little more emphasis on the clouds.  I also created the underpainting with cooler colors giving the entire painting a cooler feeling.  Still there is good contrast between warm and cool colors.  I also left out the tree(s) on the right side hoping the mountain range would help balance things out (not sure).

What goes before

"When nothing seems to help, I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it.  Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before." -Jacob A. Riis, social activist

Daily Painting:  Day 7

Mountain Road
5x7 Quick Study

This painting is what goes before (see quote above).  I got a little tired of winter scenes so thought I would try something new.  Was somewhat unsure and uncomfortable with this one.  May try it again soon.

Winter Color

"Your attitude is the minds paint brush, it colors every situation."  

Pastel Painting Day 6:

Winter Color
5x7, Quick Study

I LOVE color and looking at all this white stuff, especially on a very overcast grey day, one might lack inspiration.  Where's all the fun colors?  Sunny snowy days are better with shadows etc... but this is when its fun to be an artist with a huge palette of color and a little imagination. Purples, turquoise, blues, yellows, greens and a few neutrals.  Amazing how you can bring a boring scene to life.

It looks like its snowing in this photo but it wasn't.

May you always see the bright, beautiful and vibrant in your life!

Using Your Creative Liberties

Day 2

Dressed in Snowy White


"Art is not what you see. It is what you make others see" Degas

I love this quote! When I was in high school and even college, we were not really taught or encouraged to "be creative." Oh yes, it was assumed that if you liked art and seemed to have some bit of talent, than you must be "creative". 

Merrier Webster's Definition of CREATIVE: 

1 [more creative; most creative] : having or showing an ability to make new things or think of new ideas

2.  using the ability to make or think of new things : involving the process by which new ideas, stories, etc., are created 

3.  always used before a noun, usually disapproving : done in an unusual and often dishonest way. 

#3 rubs me the wrong way - never thought of being creative as dishonest but I suppose used in the right way such as "creative" accounting or something like that. 

Anyways, back to art school - unfortunately, my studies focused more on mastering technique which is quite important, yes, but what about expressing our creativity, imagination, individuality!?! I seem to mostly recall my assignments being copying exactly from a chosen magazine photograph or family favorite picture and using the grid system to copy it exactly. So, I find it very liberating (somewhat difficult right now because I am just learning to let go), to paint what I want others to see and not exactly what is there. 

This is my photograph (i.e. my inspiration).

It's not a great photograph. There really is no center of interest, it's just kind of a blob of trees. I took the photo because the snow covered evergreens caught my attention (much more in person than in this photo). I once read somewhere that you don't need a perfect photo because if it is perfect than it doesn't need you, the artist. I am working on taking lots of photos and not trying to find the perfect composition, lighting or even subject matter. I can't wait to keep practicing using my creative liberties and create art that allows you to see something different.

My process:

1/5/18
Happy New Year!  I'm a little late in starting my New Years resolution due to a nasty cold.  Here we go - a painting a day (in under an hour)!

Winter Warmth, 5x7

 In case you're interested in my process;  I started with a thumbnail sketch, taking some artistic license and eliminating a few trees, shadows etc... and evaluating my values.  I used UART 500 grit sanded paper, painted it with a bright blue pastel (it was that gorgeous sky that caught my attention).  I then used alcohol to create a wash and then dabbed it while it was still wet, with some paper towel.  I liked the texture.  I'm a major texture fan.  Then I roughly sketched in with a charcoal vine and began adding darkest values first.  I'm new to pastels, new to landscapes and new to winter scenes, so come along and learn with me.  Happy painting!