Recently, I had an interesting request from a Twitter follower. With only two weeks left before her big art show, a photographer named Amy asked me for some advice on ‘how to prepare for gallery night’. Amy is not represented by a gallery, or a co-op gallery, so she had to do a lot of the work herself. I am writing this post to help better prepare any ‘newbie’ artist for his or her first art show. This article is directed toward … [Read more...]
Rule of Thirds – Composition in Art
The Rule of Thirds is probably one of the most basic rules that has been used in painting for ages. It is a compositional rule of thumb that is commonly used in the visual arts today including painting, photography and design. This is a very basic rule about that is often overlooked by amateur artists and forgotten by many art teachers. Interestingly, it is one of the most important rules that a novice photographer learns about in … [Read more...]
The Importance of Art & Attitude
Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude toward us - and that includes our art careers! For years I have collected quotes and inspirations to help me with my own attitude. The paragraph below written by Charles Swindoll is an old favorite of mine. I hope you enjoy reading it. The priceless wisdom of inspired thinkers like Swindoll is thought provoking. This wisdom expands our own … [Read more...]
The Right Art Gallery – How I Found Mine
You now you have a better idea of how to find the right gallery. So, I thought you might be interesting in my personal 'gallery shopping' story. But first, a few relevant thoughts: Whether you want to admit it or not, being an artist is kind of like being in show business. We are in fact – entertainers or even celebrities of sorts. You will find this to be true anytime you put yourself out there in the public eye: i.e. gallery exhibitions, … [Read more...]
Overwhelmed in the Studio? Check Your Work Habits!
Having just returned from a wonderful tropical vacation in the Virgin Islands after leaving snowy, gray Idaho for two weeks. After a trip like that I should be recharged and ready to tackle the work I left behind – right? Wrong. In fact, I am feeling blue. I am overwhelmed by the work ahead; I don’t know where to start! Before I left town I was on such ‘a roll’…what happened? Obviously, I have gotten out of the habit of … [Read more...]
Local Color of the Caribbean
I am writing this post from the island of St. Thomas where I have been with my family for nearly two weeks. It will be tough to leave in a few days and go back to gray skies and slushy snow! I have been so inspired by the ‘local color’ I decided to share it with you. The Caribbean has a complex, rich and varied history that is reflected in its art and architecture. The local colors are vibrant and reminiscent of the sun and sea. Although … [Read more...]
Right vs. Left – Brain, that is!
Most of you know that artists tend to be ‘right-brain’ thinkers. But in school, left-brain strategies are still the ones that are most often used in the classroom today. Right-brain students sometimes leave their school experience feeling inadequate - did you? Each individual person has a right, a left and/or a middle-brain ‘neurological style’ preference in which they view the world. By understanding the processes at work in our own … [Read more...]
Feeling Blue in the Studio?
Why am I feeling blue in the studio? I just had a successful gallery show and sold a lot of paintings in spite of the slump in the economy. I am grateful for my successes, but I still feel letdown, grumpy and just plain, blah! And worst of all – I can’t seem to drag myself back into the studio to paint. I don’t want to face those blank canvases! Maybe it is that typical, self induced artistic temperment we all suffer or indulge … [Read more...]
Breaking the Rules in Art
Picasso’s, “Dora Maar with Cat” sold for $95 million in 2006! Were you one of those kids who carefully colored inside the lines, careful of breaking the rules? I was. As a small girl, I remember taking pride in my perfectly colored pages. Teachers, parents and restaurants alike still encourage and glorify these early crayon versions of paint-by-numbers by taping them to their bulletin boards, refrigerators and the walls at Apple … [Read more...]
Recent Comments