Tag: #workinginthestudio

MY WHY, how I came to be the artist I am.

Leave a comment
IMG_1445

River Bank  30″ X 30″ Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Here is a flash back from 2014 when I began to paint bigger and bolder with Color, Energy and Movement. At that time I was in an experimental stage with my art and not knowing where it would lead me. Little did I know that 2014 would be the pivotal year in defining my work and finding my voice.

It certainly didn’t happen all at once but with a conscious effort to dig deep into my inner self I discovered my “WHY” ( why do I paint).  It took an extensive and intense workshop in North Carolina, and much soul-searching to find the Why of my art.  Slowly my work became more cohesive, more me, and I was able to speak to its depth of meaning. It now defines who I am, and who my audience is. It has made all the difference in how successful I have become.  As an artist who struggled I can only say you must know where your WHY comes from in order to be great at what you do. Art now defines my life, gives me a voice to speak about a future of abundance, and helps others find the happiness that I have found.

Finding my WHY one painting at a time…

“Looking Over Avila”

Leave a comment
avila 2

“Looking Over Avila”  11″ X 14″ acrylic study

This is an acrylic study of  a view I saw looking at Avila Beach while I was standing on the patio of the San Luis Bay Inn. The inn is situated on the hill above the town.  I snapped a photo and saved it until I was back in the studio.  I had never seen Avila from this perspective.  I thought it would make a great painting for my “Road Trip” series. The road below leads to San Luis Port which is one of my favorite destinations.  I love watching the seals begging for scraps from the fishermen coming into port with their fresh catch of the day.

 

I enjoy capturing these interesting vignettes, which become memories of a life well-traveled.  At a later date I may create a larger painting of this scene. But for now it captures the mood and feeling of that moment.  One of my friends who saw this study said it was “magical”… Yes, I believe it is.

If you enjoy my art follow me here or visit my website for more beautiful paintings

 

Saturday In The Studio

Leave a comment
WATERFALL

Water Fall 14″ X 11″ on Paint Board

Today is a rare opportunity to play in the studio, without time constraints or deadlines.  It will be the last time in the Studio for a week since our Road Trip to the Central Coast starts Monday bright and early.  My studio will be plein air on the coast.  Looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, today I decide to go abstract, play with colors and see what happens.  First off the easel is this piece.  So full of energy, very alive.  I can always tell my mood from my paintings.  Today’s start is expectations of fun, excitement and freedom.  I guess I need this upcoming road trip badly.

Using three main colors and their variations created the cohesiveness of the chaotic strokes.  Black gave it drama.  I love mark making and this is pure mark making.  No thought as to what it should become, it definitely is telling a story. Going back to my roots as a child growing up on the water. My happiest places are near the water, and on Monday I will be heading for the Pacific and that’s one large body of water.

Follow me on this fun adventure, for I will be doing some plein air painting on the coast.

If you love this blog please share and visit my website

CREATING POSITIVE -ENERGY ART

Leave a comment

 

FOREST BASIN

Forest Basin

I have discovered over the years that I love to teach and confab with other artists.  It brings me as much energy as it does the student.  Many times I learn from them how to be a better teacher, nurturer and friend.  This year I embarked on a new journey of discovery with my first workshop on Creating-Positive Energy Art.  I realized I needed to kick  it up a notch, and stretch my possibilities along with my students.

 

What I paint is not all that unique, but how I go about creating a painting may be.  First off I have evolved into a mark maker.  Tiny strokes off nothingness, becoming something.  It feels very magical when an image in my mind’s eye evolves into an image on canvas solely by creating small stokes of energy.

I start off remembering an event, a life circumstance or a picture; than I create a story from memories or feelings.  This becomes my story, unique to me seen through my own mind’s eye.  I hold it in my heart and then I put down my first mark.  I choose my colors by the mood that the memory brings. Slowly I add other colors usually starting from the top of my canvas and moving downward. Magically I start working, sometimes that memory will evoke another feeling, and than I am off in another direction.. It is a journey of self-discovery.  Each painting unique, created in the moment. It maybe realistic or abstracted solely based on the emotions brought to the surface.

In my workshops I try to teach this technique to help open the artist to greater possibilities.  It is not always easy and I see them struggle, it is hard for an artist to lose control and not dictate the direction of the painting. But than the magic happens, I will get an e-mail a few weeks later from a student telling me I showed them a new way of seeing. That it was freeing to let their intuitive side dominate the canvas.  They like the outcome,  they don’t mirror my technique but they create their own story, a story unique to them and a painting that is all their own.

I call it Creating Positive-Energy Art.

If you love this blog please share and visit my website

 

I