Staying Positive in Trying Times

My Fellow Artists,

We Have Got This, We are Prepared for This, We can do This

A 5x7 Quick Study, Sunset

My thoughts are these:

1. We have the perfect job for times like these. 
2. We have all of our work materials at home/studio (and I know you have a plethora of materials). We have or can make studio spaces in our homes. I have much of my art stuff in our sun-room and paint and work there. Your art space can be your kitchen table (that was my place for a long time), the point is that you can work from home. And my hope is that you pull out your supplies and start making art.
3. Technology is Our Friend (OK typically I would not say this, but please read on):

Art Supplies: Right now, Jerrys and Dick Blick continue to fill and mail online art supply orders. We can get supplies shipped to us if need be (however I suspect you may have enough supplies to sustain you a few weeks).
FaceTime/GroupFaceTime: We can use our phones to call our friends and see their faces, schedule some virtual time with friends! Also, you can now add a person and have 3 people on a FaceTime chat! Did you know that? I am not sure how many people can be added, but Group FaceTime is easy. Also, I did a FaceTime this week with an art friend and we showed each other our work. Do not isolate yourself from conversations. Phone Calls are fine, but try a FaceTime to see each other (messy hair and old tee shirts and all), it just feels good to see another face--even virtually.
FaceBook: Not my favorite venue, I get it. However as Artists this is a good way to stay in touch with friends. Post your artworks -what you are working on, what you need critique on. Post art challenges and interesting art articles.
The Internet: Want to try out something new artistically? Most likely you can find an online resource. Today I Googled 'Setting Up Still Life' and found a great article. Use technology to your ART Advantage.

There is much talk about regarding what we can control. I am not saying don't watch the news-- I am saying limit the amount of news you watch, don't do it all day. Try to get into the studio. Even sadness can be channeled into artwork.

What have you been meaning to do? Make a list and start checking it off! Ideas: Clean and organize your studio, set up and paint still lifes, organize your reference pics, plan what you are going to paint, finish old studies or unfinished works, start that big painting project, make a studio schedule.

I have friends who are not artists who are restless and struggling right now, being at home on Day Five of the "Stay Home" recommendation. I am not restless, I am not struggling because I have a schedule and have been turning off the TV, turning on the music and heading into the studio, I can work from home.

One last recommendation: Make A Schedule. Write down a simple daily schedule for the day by hour.
Sample: 8-9 Breakfast, 9-10 News/Shower, 10-12 Paint, 12-1 House Chores & Lunch, 1-3 Paint, 3-4 FaceTime Friends, 4-6 Paint, 7 Dinner. Simple! But it gives you something to do each day. I review and expound my schedule in the morning. For example, Paint then gets details of "finish still life painting on easel" and House Chores get specific like 'do laundry', etc.

Art Friends I encourage you to stay strong. I truly believe that artists can use this time to create, please consider turning off the news and getting into the studio. Play some fun music and paint!

Much love to all, I am thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way,
Sara

Let Me Think About It

Grey day painting, loved this shack!

As you know I have just returned from a week long art business trip. Yep, I am tired and still doing laundry and unpacking. I went right back to the studio yesterday to paint a portrait from life. My artist friends all asked for the best takeaway and lesson from my portrait art workshop--hmm...I need to think about it. I am analytical and in my workshop I listened, took many notes, and did much painting. I do need to think on the key takeaways. Let me think about it, let me process it all and write it up in a bit.


THE WET PAINT OUT in TX:

First I flew into town, then drove out to meet my friend. We scouted locations together, which was great, I loved every view. As you can imagine Texas landscape is much different from Michigan landscape. I loved all the brush, the terrain, and the animals. I live in the burbs and this was definitely the country, I saw potential paintings everywhere.

Gorgeous Hill Country, grey rain day

The first day of the paint out, we got up early, gathered our canvases and went to get them stamped. The weather was cool and rainy (such a bummer). We quickly reviewed the painting location list, but learned that we could go anywhere, yahoo. So my friend had a few places in mind, and yep I could work with that. One place was downtown where there were these seemingly abandoned buildings. Of course I loved the green trim around the door and window of the shack. We got lucky as while the skies were grey the rain stopped for the few hours we painted. Just as I finished my first painting, it starting raining hard.

We then chose to take cover near my friends house - which also had terrific views. I really loved the dark clouds that moved in. I was painting on the back patio and was fine painting in the rain until the wind shifted and the rain came at me sideways. I stopped painting for a bit, moved my easel and then went back to painting between rain bursts. Despite the rain, a good painting day, 2 paintings done.

Let It Rain, and it did! 9x12 available

The next day was clear sunny and beautiful. We had decided a location the night before and went directly there to set up. I loved a little shack that had lovely tree shadows on the roof. I enjoyed the sunshine but struggled with the painting, it proved to be complex and I did not capture the light. We moved to a new beautiful location in the afternoon, again so lovely. However, once again, I did not get a good painting--such a beautiful spot but I did not get a good painting. It sometimes goes that way. That evening I framed my painting and then packed up to head off to my workshop.

My friend took our paintings over to the event (one each) for display and show opening. We each felt we had created 2 good paintings over two days. Go us! Sadly I don't think either of us sold our paintings - although my friend knew someone who liked my painting but claimed she had no wall space. What? Go look in the gallery bathroom where art is stacked on the walls gallery style, make room!

I loved the wet paint out and painting possibilities, it was wonderful. And despite having a bad day with 2 not great paintings, it was a great experience. And I have many new landscape photo references and I was able to get outside and paint for 2 days.

Yes, I endorse the wet paint out experience, go for it. Meanwhile, I will think about and analyze my portrait workshop and get back to you soon with my thoughts.