Art Inspiration: Love is a Lens

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "What and whom we love is a lens to focus our love of life itself." -Maria Popova   Apples in the Tree, Sold What do you love?  What will you focus on?   Did you know that before Hitler rose to power in Germany he wanted to become an artist?  Twice he applied to study at the Academy of Fine Art in Vienna but was rejected.  I wonder how different the outcome of WWII would have been if he had been encouraged to focus on something more positive.   What you focus on will shape your life.  What you focus on grows. In 1902 the author, James Allen, wrote... "A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."  Tree on a Summer Evening, Sold Right now my focus is on painting more of what I want to see.  I want to see more growth and vegetation- less pavement!  20 years ago my garden was paved over.  The former owner had the pavement torn out.  Now it is teeming with birds, bugs, herbs, flowers and my blue tailed lizards. How funny is it that outside the other day I found this sign.... When my focus this week is on gathering materials for our upcoming Tree Painting Class! (August Painting Club and this class start Thursday! Join us by registering here.)  For the Beauty of the Earth, Sold So let's work on trees!    Morning in Ed's Garden, Sold "Learn to cultivate your own garden." -Voltaire By the way I did end up changing my Great Balls of Fire painting.... Before                                                                           After   Great Balls of Fire, Hirschten The blue cooled it down too much and I wanted it hot!  Sometimes you just have to keep working until you get it right.

Art Inspiration: Great Balls of Fire!

 Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"I laughed at love 'cause I thought it was funny, You came along and you moved me honey
I've changed my mind, this love is fine, Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!"
- Jerry Lee Lewis

 Great Balls of Fire, Hirschten

(Is it finished?  That is the question.)

Continuing with my music series... this latest painting depicts the song Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis. 

To create the patterns I listened to the song over and over again.  I also looked at the sheet music... but the black and white notes on the page just can't convey the ENERGY of the song.  That is what I am trying to paint, the emotion of it.  



The beginning of this painting looked like this....


This idea of painting music is not new.  In 1911 Kandinsky went to a piano concert of Schoenberg's music and created this piece...

 Impression III, Kandinsky 1911

The large black form is the piano. The colors are meant to evoke the tone of the piece.  

And now I ask myself if my Great Balls of Fire Painting is finished... does it express the song?



On one level the arts can never completely express our emotions. But I think that Great Balls of Fire does a great job of coming very close to expressing that raw energy of love.  Can I mirror that?   



Yup. All I can do is try.  

Then maybe, just maybe, you will feel that same energy as you look at the painting. 

And you will hear what I am trying to say.

 

---

Join us for upcoming art classes at the studio:

Painting Trees - 4 Weeks, Thursdays August 3-24  9am-Noon  $220 
Since ancient times artists have honored trees as a sacred symbol of life and vitality, and you can too!  In this 4-week class we will create paintings inspired by traditional symmetrical tree designs as well as realistic forms.  This is an excellent class for both beginning and advanced students.  All materials provided.

 
Landscape Painting - 4 Weeks, Wednesdays August 30-Sept 20  6-9pm  $220
In this 4-week class we will create a variety of landscape paintings while learning basic contemporary impressionist techniques.  We will enrich our painting skills by focusing on how to create atmosphere, realistic perspective, and a well-balanced composition.  Advanced and beginning students welcome.  All materials provided.
 

Learn to Draw - 7 Weeks, Wednesdays October 4- Nov. 15, 6-9pm  $320
Are you interested in learning how to draw?  In this class we will learn many techniques for drawing so that you can gain control over your artistic projects.  Drawing can be a meditative process that can help you to focus your mind and appreciate the beauty in subtle details.  Together we will do exercises to learn to notice the patterns of our world and create dynamic designs. All materials provided.

Create Your Visionary Life Plan -  2 Weeks, Saturdays Oct 21 – Oct 28  1-4pm  $110
In this unique class we will create vision board collages and journal in a notebook that will become our life plan.  Part art class and part self-help we will answer questions that will help guide us into our next stage of life.  Together we will support each other as we cover a wide variety of topics such as our dreams, ideal day, vacation plans, career, relationships, and health. Pulling it all together we will create concrete action plans. All materials provided.

Painting Club     Thursdays Afternoons 1-4pm or Thursday Evenings 6-9pm 4 Sessions $80 
Create your own projects in our warm and inviting painting studio.  Your instructor will be there to support you, answer questions, and share inspiring readings as you develop your own style and voice.  Bring your own materials and a sense of humor!  

And yes there are more one-day workshops available too! Like...

See the full list of classes at:  https://studioalchemy.art/classes-at-the-studio


Together we make things happen!

What are you wanting to say?  How can you express it with your creative voice to break the silence?  When we come together in community we listen and grow together.  I am looking forward to seeing you in class!

May you grow toward the light and as always...

 Choose Peace, Prints available here


I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! 
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material. 


Would someone you love be inspired by this message?  Feel free to share   

Join us for Fall Art Classes at the Studio!

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

Yes!  You can join us to work together on your creative projects this fall.
Our art class schedule is open for registration AND we have a new platform to sign up on my website.  

Join us for.....

Painting Trees - 4 Weeks, Thursdays August 3-24  9am-Noon  $220 
Since ancient times artists have honored trees as a sacred symbol of life and vitality, and you can too!  In this 4-week class we will create paintings inspired by traditional symmetrical tree designs as well as realistic forms.  This is an excellent class for both beginning and advanced students.  All materials provided.

 
Landscape Painting - 4 Weeks, Wednesdays August 30-Sept 20  6-9pm  $220
In this 4-week class we will create a variety of landscape paintings while learning basic contemporary impressionist techniques.  We will enrich our painting skills by focusing on how to create atmosphere, realistic perspective, and a well-balanced composition.  Advanced and beginning students welcome.  All materials provided.
 

Learn to Draw - 7 Weeks, Wednesdays October 4- Nov. 15, 6-9pm  $320
Are you interested in learning how to draw?  In this class we will learn many techniques for drawing so that you can gain control over your artistic projects.  Drawing can be a meditative process that can help you to focus your mind and appreciate the beauty in subtle details.  Together we will do exercises to learn to notice the patterns of our world and create dynamic designs. All materials provided.

Create Your Visionary Life Plan -  2 Weeks, Saturdays Oct 21 – Oct 28  1-4pm  $110
In this unique class we will create vision board collages and journal in a notebook that will become our life plan.  Part art class and part self-help we will answer questions that will help guide us into our next stage of life.  Together we will support each other as we cover a wide variety of topics such as our dreams, ideal day, vacation plans, career, relationships, and health. Pulling it all together we will create concrete action plans. All materials provided.

Painting Club     Thursdays Afternoons 1-4pm or Thursday Evenings 6-9pm 4 Sessions $80 
Create your own projects in our warm and inviting painting studio.  Your instructor will be there to support you, answer questions, and share inspiring readings as you develop your own style and voice.  Bring your own materials and a sense of humor!  

And yes there are more one-day workshops available too! Like...

See the full list of classes at:  https://studioalchemy.art/classes-at-the-studio


Together we make things happen!

What are you wanting to say?  How can you express it with your creative voice to break the silence?  When we come together in community we listen and grow together.  I am looking forward to seeing you in class!





Want a studio t-shirt?  For a limited time you can order Studio t-shirts and stickers here!
(I created the design in Photoshop.  If you want for me to create a design for you the commission order form is here.)

May you grow toward the light and as always...

 Choose Peace, Prints available here


I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! 
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material. 


Would someone you love be inspired by this message?  Feel free to share   

Art Inspiration: Cats and Crows

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"Invisible threads are the strongest ties."  -Nietzche

  New Studio Logo! T-shirts are now available!  

One of the first times I came to visit my art studio I met my realtor there on a cold winter evening.  I was excited to potentially buy the property.  It ticked off a lot of boxes for me.  It had a garden, plenty of windows, street parking and it was zoned for business or residential use. I felt worried though that my favorite students would think it was located too far away from where they lived. I was currently renting a studio space that was closer to many of them. I knew that when a business is relocated, they often lose customers. 

When we arrived, I was surprised to find that in the large trees across the street were hundreds of crows.  Perched up in the branches they cawed and fluttered around. Moving together as a group they migrated from tree to tree down the little stream that runs through the neighborhood.  I felt delighted to see such an overwhelming congregation of birds.  The experience reassured me that tribes move together, that it is within the instincts of birds and humans to move as one.  I saw this encounter with the crows as a comforting sign that my art community would migrate to the new space.  I bought the studio, and our art community now continues to thrive and grow within it. 

So when I think of mascots for the studio I think crows AND OF COURSE CATS!

 Doogie wouldn't want to be left out!

So when I was cooped up during 2020 I painted on our cabinets cats and crows....



  
And now I made a new logo for us using the cabinet design. 

For a limited time you can order Studio t-shirts and stickers here!

(Yes- I created the design in Photoshop.  If you want for me to create a design for you the commission order form is here.)

BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS
Since I had to find that crow photo I stumbled across my first photos of the studio.  If you love a good Before and After photo session check this out....
  Before
 After
 Studio Before
 Studio After
 Kitchen Before
 Kitchen After
 Dining Area Before
 Dining Area After

I called us Studio Alchemy because the ancient alchemists were all about transformation.  And boy have we transformed!!! Whew

Now let's take a moment to laugh about it...
 Order your t-shirt here!  

May you grow toward the light and as always...

 Choose Peace, Prints available here


I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM! 
Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material. 


Would someone you love be inspired by this message?  Feel free to share