Art 2015: A Look Back

So Much To Ponder...

I am proud of this likeness.

This has been a year of questions and reflections particularly as they relate to my art and making art (paintings in this post are from 2015). I have gotten several comments that my painting style has “changed.” I guess my style has changed but is that a good thing? I look back at where I was two years ago artistically and art-socially. Two years ago I was alone in making and pursuing art. Now I have art friends, art critique group, a painting group and several art associations all leading to more fulfillment but still there is a need to pursue more, to do more!

This was all about fabric!

My trademark graphic background

My two year ago paintings were simpler. Simple doesn’t mean bad - I think some of those simple works were very nice – less detail, no background but still beautiful. Today I struggle more—so much more. I have internal conflicts and analytical struggles: what I want to include in a work, how much detail I need, and how long I want to work on the painting. I have so much more to think about and the more I learn the more I question. I read an article recently and essentially the statement was that the struggle of the artist is to get the work from the brain through the arm and hand via the brush to the canvas. Getting paint from my brain to the canvas is much harder than it sounds. Often my hope and artistic vision does not match what I create on canvas. And that leads to questions as to what should I focus on, what isn’t working, what is working?

Fun with the beard!

Juicy landscape

Now I am starting to think about my 2016 art goals which may or may not be definitive. Last year I wanted to get into a few juried shows, wanted to work on drawing, wanted to progress with my painting getting likeness (features). I also wanted to dedicate more time to painting and making art<<< I am sure that will be on the list for 2016 too. I am proud that I did spend more of 2015 painting and honing my skills. As I travel these holidays I will think (analyze and make lists) of my new 2016 Art Goals. Are there any good resources that can assist with that? What are your Art 2016 Goals?

My first larger landscape

Happy Holidays!

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!

Two Good Ones - The Takeaways!

Fall Is My Time

Finally, two successes in plein air painting!

Shore Colors 8x10

Recently I completed two plein air paintings which led me to feel as though I finally have made progress. I really concentrated on the composition, staying focused and limiting my painting time. Both paintings were completed outside in 2.5 hours (8x 10) in 15+ MPH winds. This was not an instant success, I have spent weeks plein air painting and reading and asking questions. Only now do I feel all that learning and thinking and frustration has led to a teeny bit of success. 

My key takeaways:

My wagon full of plein air stuff!

• Thumbnail sketch (most of my Instructors have told me this!)
• Red Value Viewer (helps me see lights and darks)
• Limited Palette (White, Cad Red, Ult Blue, Cad Yellow, Black, + Naples Yellow, +Yellow Ochre Light) I chose the additional yellows due to the yellow fall colors. (again Instructors like Limited Palettes)
• Talk to Art Friends: Talking to other artists is invaluable. They have encouraged me, suggested the red value viewer, shared plein air thoughts and expertise, shared notes from workshops -what wonderful resources! 
• Persistence (it is tough to go out and paint alone for hours) and while I have asked many art friends to go with me, it has not worked lately - I have gone out alone.
• Keep Looking for Spots to Paint Close to Home (I do not like to drive too far and have recently discovered a great new place a mile from my house!)
• Be ready on sunny days! (My Plein Air Kit is different from my studio kit - I take less paints, smaller palette, less brushes -anything to lighten load when painting outside). I watch the weather & if sunny and 60s70s, I will try to find time and go out!

Sometimes You Have a Moment

Sometimes you make great painting plans - packing paints and canvas and camera, gathering all your things together...Thinking, "Go Me, I have it all together!" And then the storms of life come along and rain on your parade.

Oakland Twins 8x10

I recently had a trunk of art stuff and was ready to go on a lovely sunny 60s October day (rare and wonderful). Paints, canvas, medium, brushes, bfast bar and viewfinder in backpack, camera, umbrella, clothing layers, sun hat and borrowed wagon -all in the trunk and ready to go! Needless to say, I was thwarted. Noooo! Oh the heartbreak! My day was ruined.

Determined to paint, I went out the next day, near my house, just a mile away. It was warm and the sun was out, but the winds were 20 MPH (a bit gusty). My hat blew off, I barely caught it and it went into the wagon under the backpack. With winds coming from the South I had to turn my easel so that the umbrella was behind me brunting the wind (and still would have lost umbrella if it hadn't been tied down).

Finally settled against the wind, after taping my canvas to the easel and taping my Gamsol jar to the palette, I was ready to paint! First I made a simple thumbnail sketch of darks lights and mids. Then I checked the scene with my red value viewer (this really helped me to see the lightest lights). Next I washed the canvas with Gamsol and a small amt of Gamsol Gel then wiped the canvas with a paper towel. Then I painted in some loose placeholders - the edge of the pond and the darks of the trees. Finally we get to my favorite part - the color! Yes! I spent about two hours in the open - braced against the wind, painting happily.

I was bedraggled when I got home, but I really like my work!  After weeks of struggling with plein air (painting outside alone  for hours), it finally came to fruition! I had my moment!

One thought that I had was that perhaps my success was due to the fall color. Maybe the color was the breakthrough, as I have struggled with my greens...I took a ton of fall inspiration photos--maybe I can still paint "fall colors" in the studio this winter.

Sadly, I see leaves already falling from trees! No! I need to go get more pictures! Stat!

Enjoy The Moment

Hey! Hey! Say The Geese

Indian Summer Rocks I  8x10

The last few weeks have been gorgeous, sunny blue skies with temps in the 70s. Ohh how wonderful! Each week I have been taking a morning and plein air painting. The beautiful weather has helped me attain a meditative and positive mindset. And piqued my curiosity about Landscape Painting.

When I plein air paint, I give myself permission to paint without a purpose. I enjoy the time outside and often have to pause and reflect on nature's beauty. I find that I do not need music as the breeze in the trees and the geese honking creates a soundtrack. Each time I go to the farm there is one goose who flies by, lands on the pond all the while honking out to his fellow geese "Hey Hey Follow Me!" Silly Goose!

Indian Summer Rocks II  8x10

Plein Air painting is freeing. I enjoy finding shapes and laying down expressive brushwork.

Only once home to I allow myself to deal with my questions about plein air painting. I note the questions and try to research them via Google. I also ask my experienced art friends my questions. Recently I have purchased my new favorite book - Oil Painting With Light & Color by Kevin Macpherson - a fantastic resource! I know in time I will develop and become better En Plein Air.

Some questions I have asked:

How do I paint the light?
What greens do I use for sunlight verses cloudy day?
What greens do I use?
How do I paint sunlight?
How should I start a painting?
Lay in shapes? Lay in darks then lights?

Hey! Hey!

Ode to Permanent Rose

A Much Needed Palette Color!

Blooming Rose
Permanent Rose used for hat, rose, cheeks & pillow

Every painter has a preferred color palette. There are simple palettes and there are complex palettes. Most artists will agree that you can mix many colors from the primary colors and white, you don't need tubes and tubes of colors. For example, many delicious greens can be mixed with blue, yellow and a touch of red. Additionally, yellow mixed with red makes gorgeous oranges. There are so many color possibilities that when painting I rarely use a tubes of green OR orange. 

However, getting a lovely pink hue is another story. Adding red to white paint does not result in a beautiful pink! Typically it results in a washed out red-ish (because most whites lean toward blue, the red color gets dulled down). So, I asked my artist friends what color they choose for luscious pinks! From oil painters I got two answers: Quincidrone Rose and Permanent Rose. Very specifically, Windsor & Newton Permanent Rose was strongly suggested. 

I do need to point out that Alizarin Crimson is part of my color palette. However, it also is does not mix with white for a perfect pink. Alizarin Crimson is a dark hue that some artists call "dirty". I love it and mix it often with my darks, but when you add white (which has a lot of blue) it remains dull, lacking vibrancy.

I went out and found the Windsor & Newton Permanent Rose (typically for me it is cheaper to buy paint online but if I need just one tube I take a coupon to Hobby Lobby or Michaels). Once I purchased the Permanent Rose I began to use it often! I hadn't realized how much I needed this color in my palette. In addition to using this color more, it has brought me luck as 2 recent paintings (in which I used Permanent Rose) were juried into art shows! 

The Dude  9x12

Tell Mama 12x16

Ahh Pink, a necessary color when painting portraits and my new color love! Permanent Rose background mouth and cheeks for The Dude painting. Permanent Rose for Tell Mama headband and shirt (a bit in the skin tone too)!