artists – Through My Eyes

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.

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.

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.

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.

Taking Art To The Next Level

If you are not making enough money selling your drawings and paintings you do have other options. Turn your art into sellable products.

For instance, I create art both digitally and through photography. I take an image and scan it into my computer. At this point, I can import the image into my cross-stitch software to generate a pattern or upload it to a print-on-demand company that will transfer the image onto their products like cups, T-shirts, etc.

This is the image I am going to start with. This is the initial raw sketch.

From this sketch I am going to create three-way products, painting on a canvas bag, cross stitch pattern and print-on-demand products.

This is a work in progress for the painting on a bag project.

Within just a few hours I was also able to initiate the creation of this pattern from this same design.

My last step in this diversification process will be when I upload the original image to a print-on-demand site to print on already established products like cups and tees. You now you should understand the process of diversification in art. Now I am not saying you have to do it the way I did but it is a way of keeping your art alive and monetized.

So artists get cranking out that beautiful work and let’s see the metamorphosis begin.

Have a blessed day.

T + C = Happiness

Time plus creativity equals happiness. I never really thought about it until recently but this simple formula holds true.

At a local craft show this weekend I realized crafters were happy people. Unlike most places I go to in a week’s time, this place was full of happy people.

I know myself, I am happiest when I am painting or creating something. It’s the joy in taking “stuff” that otherwise might be ugly or not have a use and making something beautiful out of it. My favorite abbreviation is WIP (work in progress). I always seem to have plenty of WIP’s.

Here’s what I am currently working on.

I challenge you if you don’t already have a hobby/craft to learn a new craft. Take a class, watch a video or learn through a friend.

The next step of course is to share your craft. When you can do that you share a part of yourself. So get out there guys and gals and get crafty happy!

Don’t forget to like and share. Have an awesome day. God bless you all.

Alphabet Challenge – U

Uniquely

In God’s creation of mankind he created us all uniquely different. Even in the case of multiple births they have something that is unique to them.

Our DNA is the one true roadmap to who we are. You can change a lot of things about yourself but you can’t change your DNA. It is those differences that define us. If you look at yourself compared to family members while there are differences there will still be common characteristics that continue through generations.

For instance I am a third generation artist. My father and grandmother before me also painted and shared those creative gene’s. My great aunt on my mother’s side also was creative and spent a lot of hours making beautiful quilts.

Music has also been another link in my family. I started playing the piano at a young age and then picked up the guitar as a teenager. Over the course of many years I have played more than seven instruments. My father in his later years also played the guitar, banjo and fiddle. Some of my ancestors further up the line also shared these same skills.

What does your DNA mapping share with other members of your family? You might find those special talents and skills you have were a gift from another ancestor.

Share your talents and show the world you are unique. Have a blessed day.