Friday, December 17, 2010

Holidays

It's hard to find time to get to paint during the rush of the holidays!  Yesterday, I spent six hours at my studio going through and organizing photos for future paintings.  I ought to be off to a good start of averaging one painting a week in 2011! 

Here are a couple of quotes to start off the new year:
"Success doesn't come with painting one picture.  It is building step by step against great odds." Georgia O'Keefe
It's how you find, every day, joy in expressing what you think and feel, as you try to create that most magical of things - a work of art.
"The true use of art is, first, to cultivate the artist's own spiritual nature - No artist need fear that his work will not find sympathy if only he works earnestly and lovingly."  George Inness (1825-1894)

Here's one of my pastels that was sold to a very special friend.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Barn for my dad

My dad just called to say he had received his Christmas painting and that he loves it. The pastel barn turned out  nicely thanks to Summer's (Frame Warehouse) help with matting and framing (not shown).

Friday, December 3, 2010

Loving the palette knife

This week I finished a palette-knife exercise.  Although it is not an original work (a semi-copy from a magazine photo of a beach-house living room),  I learned a lot and had fun playing with the colors and paint application.

Quotes to Consider

Took some time to read through some of my ever-accumulating art magazines and found some great quotes. 

The artist as a creator - rather than an imitator of nature.   (Henry Keeler)

We draw to discover, to gain understanding, to develop compassion.  We can't transcribe if we haven't seen.  Look while you have the opportunity.  This is a great moment that will never be repeated.  (Ellen Eagle discusses portraiture in The Pastel Journal)

Stay away from negative people.  Being an artist is challenging enough; surround yourself with those who support your choice.  (Sam Goodsell in The Pastel Journal)

Each time I set out to paint a portrait, I'm reminded of my own humanity.  The human experience is full of great triumph, disappointment, love, and loss.  For me, no other subject possesses a greater amount of complexity than the figure.  (Mario Robinson in The Pastel Journal)