"Walls I" (draft 1)

(draft 1)

There is no quote yet, but this is the first piece in my "Wall" series. What you are viewing today is the first (4) layers of watercolor. The white paper showing was masked out with masking fluid before painting the glazes.

Whatever makes an artist stop in their tracks visually is worth a bit of photography or note taking. For me, it has always been texture...especially old walls with peeling paint...patches...and scrawled words. I have set about to look through all of my periodicals and compile a journal of wall pics that can serve as a starting point for this series.

There are a variety of textures and colors in my collection. It is much like having an inspiration board. A cork wall or board could also be used to inspire your direction. The main design consideration in the "Wall" series is making sure that I have identifiable shapes. No matter how vague or what size...paintings are made up of shapes.

So the first step in this first piece in the series began by sponging on some masking fluid (WN brand) and also using my "gloved" hand to spread it around. the idea was to make it look erratic and spontaneous. After the masking fluid dried, I painted on a dilute portion of Hansa Yellow over the entire piece. After drying this first layer with a hair dryer, I repeated the process with a layer of Caput Mortuum Violet (WN). The last glaze was Red Med. (WN) plus Hansa Yellow Med. (Daniel Smith) After drying the piece thoroughly, I removed the masking fluid with a hard eraser designed specifically to remove the masking fluid. And that is what you are viewing today.

So to sum it up...I have created shapes as well as preserved some white of the paper. I will add some background lettering before tomorrow as well as more masking fluid and a bit more glazing. This is just one watercolor technique and well worth the effort. And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.

"Dreams"

($125.00.......6" x 12".....Water Soluble Oils on 300 lb. HP....Mounted on a 2.00" depth Clayboard)

"Bring your dreams forward." The next question is... how do I do that? Set your goals higher, try new things, and remove the words of "naysayers" from your mind. Stay in your own lane and do what God has wired you to do.

It is pure impertinence to tell others what God's will for their life is. Frankly, it's between you and God. Counsel is good, but only if it's done with the utmost respect. And that's my little sermonette for the day.

In no other area of life does a person need firm resolve as much as they do if they're an artist. There are subliminal messages that we receive on a continuous basis that art needs to remain in the shadows of life and is something you do only as a hobby or when everything else is done. This is not true and all artists need to hear this on a regular basis.

And if you're creating your artwork in total isolation, the chances of you continuing on are very slim. The internal critic will eat you alive. So to bring your dreams forward also means to surround yourself with encouraging art friends who will help you progress. Just remember that if you don't do what you're wired to do, no one else will be able to fill that gap. Each of us has their own artistic fingerprint that no one else has. 

Keep that in mind when you feel like hanging it all up and moving on to something else. A true artist will never be satisfied until they are actually creating art. And there you have it...just a few more things to think about. 

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Splendid"

(unavailable....6" x 12"........Water Soluble Oils on 300 lb HP)

"Splendid bands of color describe the sky." Even though the sky changes all through the day, horizontal bands of color are the way it is often depicted, especially if the horizon line is included. There are some artists who omit the clouds altogether and paint contemporary landscapes with bands of color. Either way is splendid and brings a calm attitude to any environment. 

This is my third experimental painting of a sky scape. So far, my favorite one was the posting from yesterday. However, the jury is still out since I plan to paint at least three more before making a final judgement on which one to mount for an exhibit. I rather enjoy seeing all three of them together. It enables me to ask myself why I like one over the other and see where I need to improve on the sequence of laying down the paint and improving my technique. This is an optimal way of working that generally has a good outcome as opposed to trying to make a perfect piece with the first try. The important thing is to stay with it and continue practicing your technique of mixing the color and laying down the paint.

Artists from all disciplines often have one piece out of (10) that is exceptional and as long as you're practicing every day that will happen. The theory here is to work on a different piece each time because creative energy tends to dissipate by painting the same thing over and over. No matter which process works for you, the important thing is to do it consistently and passionately. It is unlikely that great pieces result from painting something you have little or no interest in painting.

Another thought is that you might be working in the wrong medium if everything you're doing goes against your "grain" (or the way you're wired). I've know people who created flat work, but everything that came out of their mouth was a passion for dimensional work or sculpture. So pay attention to the materials and techniques that excite you.  Life is short and creating artwork does require effort, but it should also be rewarding.   And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.

"Comfort Zones"

($125.00......6" x 6"......Water Soluble Oils on Gessobord....floated on a linen mat in a custom frame)

"Comfort zones are difficult to disrupt." We all need a few comfort zones to keep us on an even keel. The problem arises when they become the warm blanket we grab when we get cold. The real progress happens when we toss the blanket aside and reach for the stars.

This quote came to mind in connection with the barn because I think we all like to see old barns. They symbolize an era that is quickly disappearing while food and cattle are produced by corporations on a large scale.

I have also been thinking a lot about comfort zones because they become habits and rituals in a stressful world. Disrupting these zones takes a lot of intentionality. A recent book I read has helped me enormously. It's called the One Minute List. Unfortunately, I could not remember where I placed the book this morning so I don't have the author's name, but I do know I found it in the business section of Barnes & Noble.

The list recommended by the author has three key parts. The first part is called "Critical Now". This part of the list should not exceed (5) items and includes things with today's date attached that must be done today. I have taken it a step further and included a few more things that I consider non negotiables that need to be done everyday. One of those for me is blogging.

The second part of the list is called "Opportunity Now", which involves those things that you would like to get done if there is time left over after the "Critical Now" portion. This part should include things that need to be done within (10) days. 

The third part of the list is called "Over the Horizon" which includes goals and desires to be completed in the future. The idea is to prioritize your list into these three categories. A plan like this is very intentional and keeps all of your goals moving along. I also like the idea that there is extreme flexibility.

No matter what your plan is, the important point is to employ some way of avoiding the sabotage of your dreams by "floating" through life. Think intentionally and you will soon see yours dreams moving into reality. And there you have it...just a few more things to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.

"Special Perch"

($40.00.....6" x 6"....Water Soluble Oils on Gessobord)

"Everybody has a special perch." If everyone followed their heart and stayed in their own "lane" (as in a race around the track), each person would discover their very own perch. It's like a fingerprint. No two people have the same one.

Rather than commenting on the particulars of my posting today, I would rather talk about something near and dear to my heart which inspired today's quote.

It is very true that we all receive inspiration from other artists and often long to paint like someone else or do lettering like someone else. And this is the big lie...no one can create the same thing you create and you can't create what someone else creates. We truly are that individual and have our own habitual marks, brush strokes, ways of seeing that no one else has. 

So much frustration could be avoided if each artist found their own expression and then did that particular thing with their whole heart. The world would be a better place and there would be no more habitual comparison that kills the art spirit quicker than ice water in the face. This doesn't mean that you can't learn from other artist's work and even attempt to master a technique you might like in their work, but eventually it all boils down to arranging your schedule so there is time everyday to create your own work and if you can manage some consistency....something "magical" happens. 

Your own work will grow and evolve and it will be your work...and your work alone. What an extraordinary thing to discover. And there is one more secret. No matter how excited you might be to try a particular style and go in that direction for the rest of your life, there will still be days when you find it difficult to pursue and that difficulty arises out of fear. It is the fear that you will be unable to create what you feel in your heart and that somehow you don't have what it takes. 

This is also a lie and the only way to overcome these feelings is to ignore them and go to your studio and create. And there you have it...just a few more things to think about. 

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.