Inspired by the Art on the Internet

"I wish I could paint like that."

I see so many incredibly talented people on the internet. I'm inspired by their technical skills and/or their creativity. I think, "I want to paint like that." or "I wish I thought of that." I have to stop myself and give myself a talking to. It goes something like this:

"You are on your own unique journey. You can copy someone else but what's the point? The world already has THAT person to do that art. There is only one you. What you have to say is unique and important. Be inspired, effected, challenged but make sure you're on your path."

We all change... evolve in our own ways. The internet is to inspire and possibly to push us to work harder, more often, get better. Our special signature is there inside of all of us, just give it the time it needs to grow. Use other artists work to change, to get better not to destroy that which is unique about your work.

Work in Progress

Lilies

Watercolor

11"x 17"

What Mediums do You Work In?

It felt good to do some watercolors yesterday.
The slower pace of the watercolors felt comforting. I had to resist the temptation to start an acrylic abstract - inspired by something I saw on Pinterest. There's a lot of pieces to do before the May 16th show in Riverside and I'd better get to it.

Work in Progress

Question of the day.

Do you work in more than one medium?

(Dee Santorini asked me this question a month ago.)

Yes, I love going back and forth between watercolors, pastels, oils, alcohol inks and pen and ink. I guess it has a lot to do with my mood. For instance, I just finished a watercolor which typically takes a long time and is a very slow process. Today, I want to celebrate by doing something fast and somewhat out of my control. I’ll work on a commission, a pet portrait in alcohol inks and paint colors freely and figure it out as it goes. Typically, if I’m craving control I’ll go to pastels or watercolors.  If I want freedom I’ll do alcohol inks. If I want to feel artsy and challenged I’ll do an oil painting. If I want something low key and safe I’ll do a pen drawing.  

 

What mediums do you work in? 

Do the mediums evoke certain moods in you?

The HeArt of Rockford

Friday night was the opening of  The HeArt of Rockford at the Rockford Art Museum. It showcases Rockford sites from an artist's point of view, an event to celebrate the 60th year of Rockford Art Guild. The show is free and will run through June 7th.

 

An Unforgettable Day

A good cause and a great day at the

Unforgettable Art - an Affair for Alzheimer's event.

This year's UA was held at U of I Medical Center, such a beautiful location. I had the best seat in the place where I could almost see everything... and what incredible work did I see! I couldn't believe the talent and so wanted to run around and talk to everyone but didn't.
My work typically takes several days so I was anxious to get going.

Cristi Kniess

Beverly Broyles

 My piece started out slow as I first drew it out with masking fluid.









I bathed the canvas in color and so started it's ugly phase.  I learned something when Cristi came over and said,"Let's get some chocolate". Now Cristi is probably 100 pounds if that and I'm pretty sure rarely eats sugar. But she wanted sugar. I always knew almost every artist's work will have an ugly phase- I just didn't know it was at about the same time in everyone's works.





Interestingly enough even Jim, who's work I had been admiring all day was going through a period of frustration. I certainly didn't see it in his work. Anyway, everyone managed to push through it, whatever challenges they may have had and the night went on.

The band started playing, the people started coming and the wine and h'orderves were served. We all finished our
 pieces. I had about 15 minutes to spare.

 

Matt and Mark

R L Webber

Marsha

Ron Clevenger

ChuckGregory

The evening ended with the auctioning 

off of everyone's works. 

Very exciting.
And all for a wonderful cause.

My Composition Remains a bit Forgettable

Unforgettable Art is in two days and I'm still playing with the composition of my painting.

Samantha and Mark felt this one had too much grass so I'm leaving this one as it is for now and trying another piece with less grass and bigger flowers. I'll get back to it later - after the show.

I realize that I don't have to have this perfectly planned out before the event. For me, finishing a painting of this size (12" x 24") in one day is a bit unusual. Besides, it sounds like a great party and I'll be wanting to go around and see what everyone else is painting. There will be a lot of artists to meet and that's all before 6PM. At 6 I"ll want to be finishing up the work and available to talk with the guests. And let's not forget this is a fundraiser, so I'll want to produce something people will be willing to buy. I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures to share later. It should be great fun.