Art Inspiration: How to Express Yourself

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

This month in Painting Club we will be reading Brenda Ueland.  She said...

"Everybody is talented because everybody who is human has something to express. Everybody is original, if he tells the truth, if he speaks from himself. But it must be from his *true* self and not from the self he thinks he *should* be." 

  Roses on the Table

I believe that if we express the nitty gritty truth we will be closer to understanding ourselves.  This is how we use art to flourish.  This is how we live life to the fullest with no regrets for things unsaid.  

What truth do you need to express? 

At the end of the year I was in a rut and not painting.  But I have the itchiness that comes when things are left unsaid.  Perhaps there is always more to be said so I committed to creating one new artwork each week in 2023. 

Here are a few I created so far...
    Sukkot Gathering and Lilies

Some of my artwork this year won't be that great.  But we have to slug through the practice pieces to get to the nitty gritty, to get to the simple truth. 

 Peony Practice!
Like a piano player we must pound out the notes over and over until they are smooth like a river stone.  

To express your truth you just have to keep creating... keep painting, keep writing, keep gardening, keep playing music.  To express yourself you must participate.  You must find your voice.  You must do.



No one says on their deathbed that they wish they had been more time wallowing in the cowardly act of silence.  Silence is death.  So make some noise!  Participate and get up off the couch. 

Art Inspiration: How to Paint People

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." 
- Vincent Van Gogh

 The Hourglass

I consider painting people to be one of the most challenging subjects! 

Yet it can also be the most emotionally rewarding. 

    

If painting people is new to you I recommend starting with basic simple silhouette forms.

  The Immaculate Heart

Focusing on the outside shape and leaving the center of the body solid is a great way to start painting accurate proportions. 



Then work your way to incorporating body parts like hands and eyes.

In our upcoming class Painting People: Abstract to Realism we will do a variety of techniques that will build our drawing skills as we gain confidence painting people.

 Open

New Classes Added:
I had requests to add Painting People to the calendar.  We will be meeting Saturday afternoons in February!

Also added are...
Botanical Painting Workshop (Learn how to make environmentally friendly paints!) this Saturday,
Intuitive Abstract Painting in March,
Learn to Paint Step by Step in April
and Impressionist Painting in April 
 

Painting Club is now Thursday Afternoons AND Thursday Evenings.  

You can find our entire list of upcoming classes on Eventbrite.

Andy Warhol said, "Art is anything you can get away with."
  

So like Warhol we experiment with the form.  We morph it until it expresses what we are trying to say.

  Madonna and Child

Art Inspiration: Diving into a New Year

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Diving is a leap of faith, plus gravity."  - Gabrielle Zevin     Saturday I created this Vision Board to articulate what I'd like to do this year.  I was surprised that I was drawn to the image of the diver.  (I have always been afraid of diving into water!)  The diver symbolizes how I want to dive into the next stage of life with confidence. .   I want move forward into the future with confidence! I want to be prepared and to make a plan. One thing that I am planning to do is to find ways for my art making to be better for the environment.  That is why I am super excited about our upcoming class at the studio, Botanical Painting.  It will be taught by my friend Maria Schechter.  In it we will learn how to create inks from plants. Each of us will receive a jar of natural treasures then we will create mixed media pieces from it!  Maria will also be teaching a kids botanical printing workshop!  Sign up for any of our upcoming workshops on Eventbrite.  Painting People, Impressionist Painting and more!  We are adding evening Painting Club too!!! What are your plans for the year?  In what new way do you want to grow?   If you are a planner I invite you to create your own Visionary Life Plan in this online class  It is on sale 70% off until Friday.  Use promocode NEWYEAR2023 at checkout. May you grow toward the light and as always...  Choose Peace, Prints available here