Natural Bridge State Park Kentucky

Natural Bridge State Park, Kentucky
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"
Original Painting available on Etsy

The sound of colors is so definite 

that it would be hard to find anyone who would express bright yellow with base notes, 

or dark lake with the treble. 

-Wassily Kandinsky

My Sister's Cat, Zoey

My Sister's Cat, Zoey
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 8" x 10"

 My sister has always had hand-me-down cats.  She took in my cat, Maya, who was too sensitive to move to a different city with me and many others over the years.  Recently she adopted a cat that didn't have a name.  She was very excited to give it the name, Zoey.  This painting is a special gift to her.

"What do I care about the purring of one who cannot love, like the cat?"

-Friedrich Nietzsche

Fields of Lavender

Fields of Lavender
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 8" x 10"

"I love the way the color lavender smells, and the way the color salmon tastes.

And if there were a color called "fur," I'd like the way it feels."

-Jarod Kintz, This Book is Not FOR SALE

And as luck would have it this painting is not for sale either.  :)

Alchemy of Art Podcast: Episode 23 Interview with Painter, Pam Newell

Pam Newell Painting
Find out more at: www.pnewellart.com

Podcast also available on iTunes

Today's episode on the Alchemy of Art Podcast features an interview with the plein air painter, Pam Newell.   Find out more about Pam's work at: www.pnewellart.com.  

The story of the day is the ancient myth, "Pygmalion." This story and many others are found in the book, "The Alchemy of Art: Stories for the Classroom."

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Along the Picket Fence

Along the Picket Fence
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 39" x 48"

After churning out so many paintings for the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge I focused on one big painting for several weeks.  This monster "Along the Picket Fence" is another view into

the garden of my imagination, 

where the mother is safe on her nest 

and all is right with the world.

"The ache for home lives in all of us, 

the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

-Maya Angelou

A Painting Mystery!

Landscape Painting by Allen Cochran

One of my wonderful students at the Indianapolis Art Center, Jerome Steketee, purchased this lovely little landscape painting in the early 1980s.  It was created by an Ohio artist named Allen Cochran (1888-1971).  Imagine his surprise when he recently went to have it cleaned and it was discovered to have another separate painting tucked inside the back of the frame!

This is the mysterious portrait that they found:

Portrait of a Mystery Man by artist Allen Cochran

Who was this gentleman?  Why was the portrait covered up and forgotten?  Did Cochran decide he didn't like the painting or did the patron not pay him for the commission?  Questions, questions!

We will probably never know who our mysterious gentleman was but needless to say if you have a lead on solving this mystery let me know!  In the meantime I'll have to write a book about who I imagine this guy to be.

"Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand."

-Neil Armstrong

Peachy Keen

Peachy Keen
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 24"
Buy now on Etsy
Prints available on Fine Art America 

I woke up to snow on the ground again!  This is the point of winter when I break down and buy the brightest, most garish hot house flowers I can find.  Then I paint them, savoring the yummy excitement of color.  This is springtime knocking on my door.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul,
and paints his own nature into his pictures."

-Henry Ward Beecher

As I created this painting I took snapshots of the process.

For just a few more weeks you can sign up for my free "Steps to Painting" guide by joining my newsletter!

The Alchemy of Art Podcast, Episode 22: Interview with Painter, Carrie Schmitt

Find out more about the Painter, Carrie Schmitt, at:
www.carrieschmittdesign.com

Podcast also available on iTunes

Today's episode of the "Alchemy of Art Podcast" features an interview with intuitive painter, Carrie Schmitt. It was such a joy to chat with her.  Her story is one of making lemonade out of lemons... of perseverance and light.  Find out more about Carrie's work at: www.carrieschmittdesign.com.  

I found Carrie through her fabulous book!

Available at:

Painted Blossoms: Creating Expressive Flower Art with Mixed Media 

Also included in today's podcast is a review of Elizabeth Gilbert's new book, 
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear,  
and my own most personal story of mystical art connections.

Enjoy!

Let the sun shine in?

Hydrangeas Painting by Hirschten
Order Prints on Fine Art America

After this painting sold my clients shared their excitement by posting this photo on Facebook.  The response was interesting because so many people were concerned over the original painting getting damaged by the sunlight. 

Sun damage on paintings can be bad over time but not half as bad as poor quality printing.  You can loose a print in just 6 short months by having it in a sunny spot.  This is an oil painting made with my favorite stellar high-quality paints.  (I have seen a painting made overseas with very poor quality paint crumble after only a few months.)  With the varnish the Hydrangeas painting has on it it should be good for several centuries unless it gets constant exposure to the elements. 

One person suggested placing the painting under UV protectant glass.  (I am not an expert on archiving paintings!) But it is my understanding that oil paintings are best not put under glass because it will trap moisture and rub against the texture of the paint. 

No worries the clients have said that this spot only occasionally gets sun in the winter.  And we all know that will be over soon!

Thoughts?