The Importance of Art & Attitude

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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!

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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

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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?

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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

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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...]

A Favorite Book – The Yin Yang of Painting

  Recently, I have been doing a series of posts that have to do with yin and yang in painting.  To read, click "Texture & Application,"  "Color Harmony,"  "Opposites Attract in Painting," "Composition - Yin Yang of Painting." I have had a good time learning and researching this subject online and in books.  "The Yin/Yang of Painting," has been especially enlightening and beautiful to read.  The art is luminous and well executed.  … [Read more...]

How to Gesso a Masonite Hardboard Panel

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First of all…what is Masonite? Masonite is brand of hardboard that was invented in 1924 and was originally used for many construction applications. It is formed using the Mason method of compressing and blasting wooden chips with steam and then forming them into boards. No glue of other material is added. Only natural ingredients are used which makes it an environmentally friendly product. Although I still call it Masonite, I have been told … [Read more...]

Attitude – It’s Your Choice

      Life is full of choices.  I ponder that sometimes while I am sitting at a red-light in town getting ready to turn left for home – but, what would my life be like if I turned right? That is a seemingly small choice to make, but it would affect my life.  If I turned right, maybe I would get a flat tire, pick up a hitch-hiker, or decide to go to Starbucks on the next corner and meet Mr. Right…well, you get the idea. As artists … [Read more...]


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