I've always loved watercolors, but never felt comfortable using them. Despite the many classes to learn this medium, the results were less than stellar. It was such a challenge figuring out how to control the water! At the beginning of this year, I finally found joy out of my comfort zone. I was 1 of 12 lucky people who qualified for a free watercolors class, funded by a grant received from Aroha Philanthropies by Naples Botanical Garden! It was called "Nature Journaling: Botany Through Art". … [Read more...] about Finding Joy Out of My Comfort Zone
Art
Finding My Art Voice
Discovering my voice in art was a gradual process. When I returned to making art a few years ago, I was driven by the desire to convey the emotional, ethereal, spiritual experience of swimming with wild dolphins. Words did not suffice, so I had to express visually. Initially, I used colored pencils to sketch the dolphins in their oceanic playground. That was my most comfortable medium, stemming from years of using them to draw abstract, geometric mandalas. It was good to begin with a … [Read more...] about Finding My Art Voice
Why Does It Take So Long to Finish a Painting?
People ask me all the time, "How long does it take you to do a painting?" It depends. I rarely finish a painting the same day I start it. Usually, it takes 2-3 sittings before I experience that definitive moment of "it's done." Each sitting is approximately 3 hours. If the painting is small, I may be able to finish within 2 hours. Larger paintings take me longer. But, size isn't the only factor. I'm thinking about all of this right now, because I finished a painting this summer that I started … [Read more...] about Why Does It Take So Long to Finish a Painting?
New Cards and Prints with Quotes
Last year, Peggy wrote the book Lose Your Mind, Open Your Heart, and I painted the art for it (and designed it). We've teamed up again to create new notecards and prints, pairing 3 of my favorite paintings with quotes from her book. Her loving words are uplifting and thought-provoking. The cards and prints could be framed, they are so beautiful! Get some for yourself or as a gift! ORDER at my Fine Art America Shop! Related Posts T-shirt Art and Design for Thoreau Society Self-Publishing … [Read more...] about New Cards and Prints with Quotes
Louise: Boston 1944 (In Memory of My Mother)
A couple of years ago, I assisted Linda Novick when she taught a program at Kripalu called Unmasking Your Soul. The mixed media piece I created in memory of my mother, shown on the left, was done at the end of that program. I had brought xeroxes of several family pictures with me in hopes that I would use them in some artwork. This particular photograph of my mother is one of my favorites. She's a young woman, recently graduated from high school, and probably working at her first job. That … [Read more...] about Louise: Boston 1944 (In Memory of My Mother)
How to Create a Watermark in Photoshop
I use Photoshop to create watermarks as a way to protect my online art. A watermark is a subtle graphic or text identifier: logo, copyright information, pattern, etc. It helps deter web viewers from downloading that image and using it without your permission. Steps for Embedding Text Select the Horizontal Type Tool Click anywhere on the image. This will automatically create a new layer on top of the existing image layer. Type the text you want. In my case, I type my copyright … [Read more...] about How to Create a Watermark in Photoshop
Surrounded by Art in Asheville
My partner and I just returned from a week's vacation in Asheville, North Carolina. This small city has long intrigued us, because of its art community and its location on a plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We love to hike and we love art. So, we spent most of our days hiking, and the rest of the time looking at art and eating excellent vegetarian food! Part of the larger Appalachian Mountains that stretch all the way from Canada to Florida, the Blue Ridge range has some of the oldest … [Read more...] about Surrounded by Art in Asheville
Filling the Blank Canvas
Last week, I sat down in my backyard to begin my first painting of the season. While I experience some level of anxiety when starting a painting, it's mild compared to what I feel when starting a design project. With art, I'm not trying to solve any communication problem; I'm simply expressing a sentiment or emotion or vision. Excitement tempers most of the unease. I think this year's harsh winter enhanced my joy about finally getting outside to paint again. I usually have more than enough ideas … [Read more...] about Filling the Blank Canvas