Recap of Facebook Chat with Lori McNee (Part 1)

Last week, I was invited to be the host of Blick Art Materials‘ first Facebook Chat. The topic was “The Blank Canvas” and we discussed helpful ideas about inspiration.

Due to the overwhelming response, it was difficult to keep up with the questions (I couldn’t type that fast!). So, I have been working on answering everyone’s questions. Below is the first batch that was covered live and has been posted on Blick’s Facebook page. Next week I get more personal with answers that were not seen – so stay tuned for Part 2…

BLICK ART MATERIALS

We’d like to thank everyone who joined us Wednesday evening for our live Facebook Chat with professional artist Lori McNee! Thanks to an amazing number of active participants, Lori was unable answer all of the questions posed during the Chat. If you’re waiting for an answer, it’s likely below. If not, it will be answered right here on next week’s Tip of the Week when Lori addresses the remaining questions about getting started, her own personal journey to success, promoting work, and staying motivated. Lori’s additional tips for finding inspiration and boosting creativity can be found after the participant Q&A in the Q&A with Blick.

Enjoy!

PARTICIPANT Q&A WITH LORI MCNEE

DORA@DORASPAINTDRIPS

Q: What is a sure-fire way to beat the dreaded Resistance? I deal with it every day, all day, even though my art is important to me

LORI

A: Create an action plan by writing down your goals and reviewing them often. Visualize where you would like to see yourself and your art career in one year, then in five years. Think big, but start small. Small decisions are important for your long-term success. Don’t worry if you get sidetracked…this might be a good time to reassess and modify your goals. Here’s an interesting Ted TV video on keeping goals: http://www.finearttips.com/2010/10/6-ways-to-keep-your-goals-to-yourself-to-achieve-them.

CONNIE BENNETT

Q: You said Pinterest helped. How?

LORI

A: When I go ‘blank’ or need to refuel my own artistic inspiration, I open up my file cabinet where I have collected folders full of scrap photos. I also enjoy surfing images on the web. I love to use Pinterest and as a way to bookmark the sites and photos that inspire me! For example, here is my Pinterest file, Art that Inspires me: http://pinterest.com/lorimcneeartist/art-that-inspires-me/. I also use Instagram and Pixlr http://pixlr.com/express as a way to manipulate my own boring photos and turn them into much more interesting images that give me more inspiration! I wrote this article about 5 Ways I Use Instagram to Boost My Art Business: http://www.finearttips.com/2012/06/5-ways-i-use-instagram-to-boost-my-art-business.

RAZIYA/JOY

Q: Do you stick with one medium or experiment a lot?

LORI

A: Usually when I really feel really bored or ‘stuck’ I often will try something new! Recently, I was feeling bored with my own art. I am a realistic painter (I use Cobra solvent free oils), so I decided to take some encaustic and abstract classes! It has invigorated my art. http://lorimcnee.com. Now I am playing around with encaustic wax paintings too… @Raziya It is important to become good at what we do, and miles of canvas behind us helps us do that! I have been painting in oils for 20 years, and lately have been exploring new things. It can get confusing at times, but I push through and improve and add to my repertoire. Here is a great post about expanding your artistic repertoire: http://www.finearttips.com/2011/09/10-ways-to-expand-your-artistic-repertoire.

SALLIE