Tag: art,

A Look At Self

I have always been one who did not like looking at myself. Somehow as I have grown more artistic and have met other artists I realize that it is not an uncommon trait.

One of the things that was required of the artists in the master class series I have been watching was a self-portrait. It was not just a physical representation of themselves but also represented their artistic style.

Facing yourself in a portrait forces you to face your flaws and imperfections. By doing a self-portrait I had to acknowledge every wrinkle and layer of fat and you know how painful that can be.

Now that I have done it I get why it is important. I can’t fully understand or capture others until I can face my own imperfections.

Here is my self-portrait.

Not too bad for a 74-year-old I guess. I’m not perfect nor have I been or ever will be but Jesus loves me so I’m okay with who I am.

A new year is a chance to regroup, restart, and reignite passion for life. Have a great year.

How To Begin

Now that Christmas is behind us I’m looking forward to what I can create in the new year. I like to try my hand at different things. While I primarily concentrate on southwest art and landscapes I want to learn different techniques and venture into portraits.

How do you begin a new year of painting? I’ve been watching the Master Class Portrait videos and have been amazed by watching other artists. The techniques were varied and so were the results. One guy actually dripped wax on his canvas and painted the wax.

I like to sketch, sometimes just roughly and others I add colored pencils so I can see before I paint what kind of image I am going to have. It gives me a chance to play with the colors or toy with different techniques.

Color is everything.

In the new year, I want to explore all I can, try new things, and see where life leads me.

Have a joyous and profitable new year.

Keep Christ in all you do.

Finishing Touches

It has been my experience so far that the last strokes on a painting can make or break it!

This painting was actually done as what I refer to as a waste canvas, you know when you use leftover paint to create another painting. It had actually been sitting in my barn for over a year. I pulled it out tonight with the intention of painting over it.

Sometimes just relooking at a piece can be a game-changer. What just looked like a bunch of strokes before tonight was given life. Just creating an open eye made all the difference.

Delilah Duck

She’s not perfect. She’s not even pretty, but she is unique.

Never throw out a canvas. A second look and a few extra strokes might be your next sale.

Merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

Visualization And Painting

Yes, it’s almost 3 AM and if I’m not creating art I’m thinking about it. If I’m asked to paint something that I may deem more difficult than normal I use visualization to make it happen.

Rather than risk a total failure if I am struggling with a painting I just have to stop and sit with my eyes closed and try to visualize what the object or person looks like. Not just a flat image but try to see the full 3D image. The mind can do it if you allow it to. Clarity in how an image looks can make the difference between a good painting and a great painting.

Typically I paint from photos but if I am sketching something freehand visualization helps a lot. Details can make all the difference. The one stroke that you miss can make a difference.

I am the world’s worst at finishing a painting too quickly. When I slow myself down and see the finished product in my mind I am much more successful at completing something saleable.

Take your time, see your success. It is reachable.

Have a great day.

Bubbles 🫧

Versatility In Art

While my main genre has been landscapes I am venturing out into other areas on this journey to perfect my craft.

Tonight when I could not sleep I came up with this image and quickly put her to paper.

I’m sure we all heard this directive at some point in our lives. Right now I’d like to say that to Congress!

Anyway, I am trying to be flexible and not get stuck in just one category of art. Changing the painting surface can also stretch your imagination. I paint on canvas, paper, wood, metal, fabric, and anything else that it will adhere to.

Regardless of your art or craft continue to think out of the box and see just how far you can reach.

Have a peaceful sleep.

Seeing Double – Creating A Double Image

Every time I sit down to draw I like to challenge myself. Challenges have never been something I ran from but engaged with.

One of my favorite artists has always been Bev Doolittle. Bev is a master at multiple images or camouflage art. Check her out at https://www.bevdoolittle.net to see her beautiful art.

Here is my feeble attempt at camouflage art.

If you are an artist regardless of where you are in your art journey you should continue to challenge yourself.

The artist you are today is just a hint at the artist you will become tomorrow.

Have a great evening and continue the journey.

Paint & Glaze

Good morning my friends. As I continue on this artist journey I will pass on to you any tips and tricks I find.

Glaze

When I initially unpacked my Dad’s art supplies after he passed I kept moving around this bottle of Glaze.

Over the years I did not find a use for it until today. Honestly, I really didn’t expect it to be any good since it had to be at least twenty years old. I shook it up and heard that familiar “slosh”. This plaque needed a little something on the edge.

I carefully unscrewed the top and poured a little into my palette. With a half-inch brush, I waited to see if this bronze Glaze was going to do the trick. Standing back looking at it I decided it was definitely worth the wait.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. The thing you pass on might be the one thing you should have done. Will definitely be glazing again.

Have a great artistic day.

Gallery Ready

Well, when my instructor asked me to show a few pieces at our local arts council I was a little hesitant.

My largest piece at 22×28 is my Kayak Run. If you are one of my FB friends you have already seen these but now you get the story with them.

Kayak Run

As a photographer, I have many times photographed kayaks maneuvering the rapids and rivers including in the Smoky Mountains. Of course, my favorite places in full or in part end up in a painting.

My second entry is Shawl Dancer.

Shawl Dancer

I have many times photographed beautiful native american women at Pow Wows doing this same dance. When I sat down to do this piece I wanted to do her with as much color as possible.

3rd Entry

My smallest piece at 11×14 is Cyprees Knees.

Cypress Knees

This picture really came about by accident as I use whatever paint I have on my palette to create my next painting. A few days prior I had been photographing knees in Edenton. I guess they were still in my head when I created this. The driftwood was simply a creative stroke.

Now that these pieces have been submitted I can just enjoy painting. Here’s today’s creation in water color on aged paper.

Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my crazy artistic life.

Have a great day. Don’t forget to like and share.

Waste Not

The one thing I hate is to waste paint. When I finish a painting I like to take whatever paint is left on my palette and put it on a new canvas. Sometimes there is enough paint to create an entirely new painting. As was the case in this painting.

This was not planned. When I pulled the paint off my palette I had no idea what was about to develop. I have an obsession with cypress knees and have photographed a lot of them.

Ironically as I threw the paint on the canvas the knees began to form. Then as I cleared out my greens and yellows they mellowed nicely into forming the grasses. These waste paintings as I refer to them are much more fun since I don’t feel pressured to create something perfect. They are what they are. So before you leave paint on your palette or pour it into a jar just throw it onto another canvas, metal pot, wood, or any other surface to see what else you can create.

Have a great day and don’t waste another creative moment