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.

Every Journey Starts with a First Step

ART-Ambitious?

One of my fave plein air paintings from last summer, 5x7

Planning makes me happy. Planning for an art trip and workshop makes me happy and a little anxious. Soon I embark on a week long art/work trip to Texas. As I start to think of all that I have to do to prepare for this trip, I also start to worry. What have I done, why did I sign myself up for this?

I would be thrilled if every master artist and workshop was within driving distance of my house (Oh Amazing Fantasy!). Reality is that I will have to travel if I want to study with my 'Aspire To' artists.

Initially, I had thought that the stars aligned so that I could participate in both a Paint Out AND then an art workshop (both about 900 miles from my house). I checked the dates and the Paint Out is a Weds/Thurs followed by the Workshop Fri through Sun. The paint out and workshop are 90 miles apart so there will be a bit of driving, but same state and good proximity to one another. As all of the events are 900 miles away, I will be flying--with my art supplies.

Now, as I start to go through logistics, I am thinking that I was a bit art ambitious. Did I take on too much? I am passionate about art and I love being with other artists. I am doing this because I think that both experiences will be beneficial to me but a part of me worries that I will be away from home too long. So why am I doing it? I am doing this because it is an art opportunity and I can do it.

I talked to my husband about my worry that perhaps I was too art ambitious. My calm and thoughtful husband said, "You enjoy socializing with other artists." He continued by saying, "Many believe that art is solitary, but you thrive around other artists"--and he is right. It is always good to have another perspective.

At the very least, I am taking that first step in the journey---making that effort and showing up. I have found that meeting and interacting with other artists is a wonderful way to grow. What have you been meaning and wanting to do as an artist? I encourage you to sign up, plan it and take that first step toward your journey.

An Uphill Battle - The Business of Art

Artist: That's My Job

What do you do for work? I'm an Artist.

My work is incredibly important to me. The other day, as I was painting in the studio with art friends, one artist asked what I did for work. "This this is what I do, I am an artist," I replied. I was, I confess, a little flummoxed and incredulous, how could an artist not understand? I am a Full-Time Professional Artist--that is my job. If an artist cannot understand my work/job how can I get others to understand?

What is my work?

Daily: painting/organizing/planning, sketching, reading art blogs or art books (trying to learn/to see to glean information from other artists), organizing my studio, washing brushes, and more. Painting could be starting a new studio painting or trying to finish a painting started from a model session. I have a large stack of unfinished paintings just waiting for me, these do take time to finish especially since finishing means often using a photo reference.
Weekly/Monthly: maintaining a studio, ordering art supplies, cataloging paintings, catalog/organizing photo references, maintaining a website and blog, entering local and national art shows, framing art, monthly art critique, promoting art business via Instagram & Social Media posts.
Yearly: Workshops, Conferences, museum visits, goal planning, show preparation, 1 time per year leading art critique discussions. I paint 75 portraits a year and about 50 plein air paintings, that is a ton of canvas and paint and a large volume of work!

Art is my business. My professional website is where I show and sell my work. My blog is where I talk about my work and art process. Images get uploaded to Instagram. Business cards and resumes are for networking and business purposes.

I relentlessly pursue self improvement to become a better artist. Acquiring art knowledge is never ending. Every year I take classes and workshops and paint 'from life' (3 days a week). I have mastered my color palette and know quite a bit about composition and design, proportions, Alla Prima portrait painting, figure painting, anatomy and plein air painting...In my mind, it is still not enough, there is more to learn. I have mastered painting trees and water reflections but still I struggle with sky-holes (those bits of sky that show through trees), paths, flowers, structures, cityscapes, hands. Truly there is so much to learn and absorb!

"You are Lucky to be an Artist" many have said to me. It's true, I love being an artist, but it is also hard and sometimes frustrating as there are show rejections (be strong) and things I haven't yet learned or mastered (painting urban landscapes). I dare and encourage you to take an art class --not only for your soul but also for a glimpse of how much there is to learn. 

Ultimately, I am serious and dedicated to my job. I'd love to hear how you've overcome art obstacles to be taken seriously in your art work and business... please share in comments below. 

Thank you,

Art Goal Creation, Opt In

A January Art Challenge...

This year in the studio we have monthly art challenges. The January challenge is Art Goals, where each artist creates and then shares her art goals. From my perspective this is a great challenge as many artists do not typically create personal art goals. However, I literally got an email from an artist that asked if MY goal was to make all of my art friends have goals. What? No, that is not my goal.  Goal creation is an optional exercise. My art goals are relevant to me, my art and my art business. Yes, you can opt out of art goals but why not opt in?

In order to lead an art goal discussion, I searched for art goals. I could not find many articles or professional art blog posts specific to art goals. Do most artists not have goals? Do they not talk or write about them? Hmm.

The main thing that I found online is that it is very important to write goals down; if it is not written down it is a HOPE. Somewhere I read that a person is 42 percent more likely to meet a goal if it is written down. Written goals give you something to work toward, to focus on, and should be used to motivate you. Goals should also be specific and have a timeline and deadline.

As I talked goals with my friends, we also talked about our inner critics, and how we are too hard on ourselves. One comment was “listen to constructive criticism not destructive,” an apt statement for artists.

My biggest art challenge and goal, yet again, is painting schedule--I need to get into the studio and paint more! I struggle with this and with tracking this, I am not getting in enough painting time. I tried a time tracker app last year to no avail. This year I am trying a notebook although I am open to ideas. How to best track my time and how to best get into the studio (room) and stay there?

I understand that many artists may resist goal creation or avoid goal creation --that is absolutely ok. I will not force you to make your goals, and I will not bug you about it! I enjoy thinking about what I what to accomplish this year, so I will opt in. And if you want to share, I would love to hear your art goals too! 

See My Art on Your Wall, VIRTUALLY

 Websites are so amazing these days and mine has a new fabulous feature where you can view what MY artwork would look like on YOUR wall! Amazing!

Here is how it works, so you can try and buy!

Steps to take to view my work virtually on the wall:

1. Go to my website. www.greenhandleart.com
2. Click on the image of work that you like. 
   
3. Then click (under the image) MORE INFO.

4. Next, click "ROOM"  where you can see my art on the wall. Here you can select which type of room (living room) and wall color. So easy, LOVE!

How great is that? My only wish was that you could see a frame on the art, then this feature would be perfection!

Be sure to check out this fantastic virtual room feature on my website! Go on give it a try!

Bone Chilling Cold & The Studio Painter

Landscape Potential in the winter months

It is snowing right now and while I love being outside and plein air painting, it is now officially (my opinion) too cold to plein air paint. The forecast is highs in 30s, lows in teens--without accounting for wind chill. BRR! Now that Winter is here, it is time to start thinking about studio painting.This is when I will sit down and scroll through my photographs, searching for those that have landscape potential.

All throughout the year, I take pics with my iphone, always looking for landscape potential paintings and images wherever I go. And often when I am out plein air painting I take multiple pics just in case I want to paint another view later. I have a big file folder on my computer for my landscape potential pics. It is always fun to scroll through looking for my next great studio painting.

There are pretty much two kinds of photos in my landscape potential folder, one is park and greenery (mostly tree and water pics) -- the other is urban landscapes which are buildings and storefronts. I have many more park pics than building pics because I feel that I still need to learn to paint urban landscapes.

I really want to take a painting urban landscapes workshop--but I have not found any workshops near me! Bummer!  I like the little towns and main streets near here, but I need to learn the painting rules for urban landscapes.

Last week my husband and I were out to dinner and we drove by this storefront that I have been wanting to paint for awhile. I love the building and storefront--but since this is on a main street there is not a good way to stand across from the building and paint--without blocking a small sidewalk. So, after dinner (and it was dark), I stopped by for some photographs. Hey, I love a good nocturne and the light and dark on this was fascinating. I painted this in the studio at home and am happy with how it turned out.