Working Artist Findings

I can not imagine doing anything else. I am tired at the end of the day. I am thinking and working non-stop and barly have any time for myself. However, I can not think of a time that I have been more alive than I am now. My Grandmother use to call me a Free Spirit. A Free Spirit because I live my life like each day is a gift. Shinning with Happiness, that is the artist within.

Working Artist Findings

While getting started today on a 24x30inch painting, I was greatly disappointed with the loose canvas. To save time, I buy high quality canvases. However, as I started with the under painting today, I found the canvas to be very floppy.   What do you do?   Return the used canvas, throw it out, paint anyways and look like you use cheap materials?

Well Lacking quality is never an option for me. Returning the canvas seemed like such a hassle and throwing the canvas out was not an option either.

My solution was to gesso the back side of the canvas.... Although I started with creating x's all over... I did end up putting gesso on the entire back side.  That did the trick and tightened the canvas right up leaving the perfect sound the canvas makes when you knock on it.

Now my canvas is useable, good quality and the painting can be completed.

Moving Art Foward

Art is alive, Art is Awesome. Art Careers are very much a viable option. One of the toughest obstacles is to look past is criticism and to keep moving forward. Sometimes those obstacles are from those who are closest to you. There is no right or wrong way to get to your goal. Everyone's story is different. What matters is that you are going for what matters to you. You are finding that BURNING DESIRE with in, just won't go out and you just, simply need to go for it.

The path is not an easy path. Anything worth great satisfaction doesn't come easy. You need to work for it. Any of the great artists of the past and present come to down to a common theme. WORK. 

What is your passion?  What motivates you?  What would you like to see more of on my blog?


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Hello World

The artist shows the beauty of life, everything from the morning sunshine to the most vibrant sunset. Don’t be afraid to show the world your colorful thoughts. Don’t hold back you inner creative. The moment an artist turns her back to that, the world is a darker place. Let the world see the artist in you.

Sharing the art created is giving back to the community. It not only documents the daily life, it captures the purest of life/ a moment of time. It can either capture the artists emotion or there lack of it. There are good artists and bad artists. The point is that they are out there creating art.

Persistance

I am a firm believer that if you are not fully satisfied with the first attempt to give it 2nd chance but change it up.   

Summer Refection's 14x11 Oil on Board.

This is a painting that I tried once before and than recently revisited. Very happy with the end results. This painting will be entered into the Ozaukee Art Show and also a well respected national art contest. 

Ahhh the Sand Between My Toes

Are the winter blues starting to set in? and is do I really need to shovel for yet another snow storm on your mind?


Here is something to think about instead.

Transport yourself to the hot sunny beach in Florida. Picture yourself sitting on the beach with your favorite beverage while your skin is absorbing the heat from the hot sun. You enjoy the feeling of the sand between your toes as you make circles with your feet in the sand. All is quiet except for the sounds of the water crashing on the beach and the pigeons flying about looking for food. You may take a short nap and when you do look out to the water you see glistening sparkles of sun on the mini waves in the water.   Ahhh You could sit here all day.

2014 - "Beach Sensation"  12x9

What are you waiting for?

It is awesome you have a great idea. Take Action. A great idea with out action is just that, just an idea.

Be Bold

The artist shows the beauty of life, everything from the morning sunshine to the most vibrant sunset. Don’t be afraid to show the world your colorful thoughts. Don’t hold back you inner creative. The moment an artist turns her back to that, the world is a darker place. Let the world see the artist in you.

Plein Air Painting

Question one must ask - Do I paint on  location or in studio today?

 The more I paint, the more I prefer the great outdoors as my work space. There is something about connecting with nature while creating a visual history of it. 

I had been itching to paint outdoors versus inside and it was incredible to be back outside. Yes, me who hates being cold, painted in the snow. I got all bundled up, including feet warmers to complete this painting below. Turned out my challenge was not being cold after all, it was how the snow (big white fluffy snowflakes) affected my paint. "Snowy" 12x12

 

Perseverance

The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs…one step at a time. Or one painting at a time.

Reflections 9x12 Oil on Canvas. Currently showing in the Oconomowoc Art Show at the Oconomowoc Arts Center; 641 E. Forest Street, Oconomowoc.

Perspective

The longer I live, the more I realize the

 impact of attitude on life. 

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. 

It is more important than the past, 

than education, than money, than 

circumstances, than failures, than success, 

than what other people think or say or do. 

It is more important than appearance, 

giftedness or skill. 

It will make or break a company, 

a church, a home.  

The remarkable thing is we have a choice 

everyday regarding the the attitude we will 

embrace for that day. 

We cannot change our past...  

We cannot change the fact that people will 

act a certain way. 

We cannot change the inevitable. 

The only thing we can do is play on the one 

string we have, and that is our attitude...  

I am convinced that life is 10% what 

happens to me and 90% how I react to it. 

And so it is with you... 

- Charles Swindoll -

Serious Art for Serious Artists

I have entertained the idea of incorporating daily paintings into my routine. Best decision ever and recommend it for all serious artists. If you are determined to make a living as an Artist, you need to treat it like a full time job. That includes painting. Lots of Painting.

Over the last 30 days I have seen my work take on a higher level of energy I have been trying to strive for. Just in 30 days I have seen a huge difference as I explore my skills through the process of Daily paintings. The idea behind them is to have more beginnings and endings for my paintings, providing opportunities to see what works and what does not work faster.. 

Daily Paintings provides me more opportunities to analyze and self critique for continuous improvement.  I find it all exciting and challenge you to go for it as well. 

 

Follow Your Dreams

I can't say it enough... Find your passion and Go For It. Don't be afraid to go out there to follow your dreams, aspirations and goals. My dream has always been to be a Professional Artist since I could remember. I am doing it today and the most happiest I have ever been.    I stopped listening to all those who hold the art profession in the light of starving artist... no one makes money as an artist . I stopped taking paths that led me away from my goals, to be a Successful Professional Artist. People are out there doing it...living their dreams as Professional Artists.  Why can't I?. is what I ask myself?      What can't you?   Find your true passion and follow your dreams.  Go for it... after all, what do you have to loose?

Sunny Days Painters Delight

I can not think of anything better, besides spending time with my family, than to be outside painting on a beautiful sunny day like today.  When painting on location you have so much information to decide what to and what not to include in the painting... But it is those details you get to have a choice... that you otherwise might not have from a photo. Please do not get me wrong, working from a photograph has it's advantages as well. However, I believe working outdoors while feeling the elements and smelling the smells, the painting takes on a whole different life of it's own than if you paint from a photo. It comes to life and you gain a greater and deeper appreciation for your chosen painting location. So go out and paint. What are you waiting for.  =)