Thanksgiving Thanks

This Year I have TWO Large ART Thankfuls: Kindred Spirits & Artistic Growth

Kindred Spirits: I am Thankful for my Art Friends

Plein Air with my Art Group

An Unfinished Look but I love it

I love admire and respect my art friends, many of whom have been making art years longer than I. If you are not or have not made art you may not realize how hard it is -- how hard it is to get motivated, how hard it is to build skills, how hard it is to sell. It is a dedication, often with little to no reward. I spend several hours a week with my fellow artists. They are great motivators and great sounding boards when I have questions. I can chat with them about classes, workshops, and even get instant critiques on my art. You my creative kindred spirits help me get through the tough weeks, I appreciate you.

Love the pink & got her attitude

Artistic Growth: 

My Favorite Model - Santa!

As I reflect back on the last few months, I want to focus on my growth as an artist. There is no one Aha Moment but I know and feel that I am bettering my art skills. And my style has evolved to be more fresh and expressive; this is a culmination of many things. I have been working with a mentor, I attend a monthly art critique group, take art classes, work on art at home and en plein air, and read art blogs and books. Whew! It has taken much work to get me where I am today and sometimes I feel I have art successes, lately now more than ever. I am excited about the future which does perhaps include my work in a few art shows.

Think Small:Defy the "Go Bigger" Movement

Four 2x2" works in the Northville ArtHouse Small Works Juried Show.

It is no secret, I don't use the largest canvases or the biggest brushes. I have friends who use full sheets (16x20") of water color paper to create lovely portraits or still lifes - those seem large to me. My works by comparison are much smaller. Lately my portraits range from 9 x 12 to 12x16 inches in size. I have been happy with many works that I have created in these sizes. I also want to emphasize that smaller canvas sizes do not necessarily mean spending less time on a painting. Small still means planning and often hours of hard work.

Recently I entered several of my Mini Still Lifes into a Small Works Show. I was thrilled when 4 of my small works were juried into the show-the show prerequisites being art that is less than 12x12" in size (framed). My mini paintings were done on 2 x2 inch canvases -very small. I had to think about how to best present those as they were not condusive to framing. So, I found some mini easels and noted in the entry form that the canvases would come with little easels and would need to display on a flat surface. While I was at the show opening two of my works got the red dot--sold! Very exciting.

Many artists encourage larger paintings - I have heard " You Need to Go Bigger" but lately I've found more success in thinking small. At this point, I say if you are creative there is no size limit but don't always go larger--how small can you go? What can you achieve with a 3"x3" or 2"x2"canvas?

These little wonders are studies in color and composition and yet they are wonderful little works of art. These little works took hours to create, took the same thought and skill only to a smaller scale. And, for some of my still lifes I think the 2x2 inch versions are more successful. Next time a painting isn't working for you or you want to try out a composition I'm suggesting that you think in reverse --perhaps you should try a mini painting. You may be pleasantly surprised!