Overnight Success

"It takes twenty years to become an overnight success."

~ E. Cantor

"The idea that success can happen overnight is a myth. You have to work for it."

Even if you are creating art as a pleasant pastime or hobby, starting off with a beginning art foundation provides practical tools and understanding that can be used with any medium or subject. Being introduced to the "primary" rules about color, values and harmony, through learning to draw and really see, will give you a deeper level of  involvement, dexterity, and enjoyment. Because you had to learn to walk before you could run; it is the same in art; you have to learn the rules before you can break them. Just like in cooking, you have to learn how to read a recipe, work the equipment, select your cookware and utensils and gather your ingredients before you can cook a gourmet meal! 

"Artists get better by sharpening their skills or by acquiring new ones;

they get better by learning to work, and by learning from their work."

~ D. Bayles, T. Orland

Since I was on a roll after drawing every day in June, July and August, 

I signed up for another 30 Day Challenge, called the 30 Day Creative Gathering,

hosted by Sheila Delgado.

To see the first half of this collection, click here.

The second half of this September 2019 collection can be seen here. 

X ♥  O

P.S.

All my paintings and drawings are available for purchase.
Contact me with your inquiries about details and prices, thanks.

Challenge, Process & Progress

"I’ve found that there have to be at least three prerequisites to motivation for the artist. They are; challenge, process, and the feeling of progress. Without challenge, the muse dies.  If an artist underestimates capability or goes too long with outworn motifs, interest fades and motivation fails. Complexity, nuance, even novelty, need to be consciously added to the mix."

~ Robert Genn

This is the second half of a collection of paintings and drawings that
I created every day in September 2019. 

#17 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#18 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#19 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#20 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#21 - 5 x 7" Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper, matted to 8 x 10"

#22 - 6 x 8" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#23 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#24 - 6 x 6" Watercolor and Pen & Ink Sketch on Coldpress Cotton Rag

#25 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#26 - 5 x 7" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#27 - 5 x 7" Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper, matted to 8 x 10"

#28 - 6 x 8" Metallic Watercolor on Stonehenge Aqua Black

#29 - Drawing done in Photoshop for upcoming Halloween class.

#30 - Drawing done in Photoshop for upcoming Halloween class.

To see the first half of this collection, done in September 2019, click here.

X ♥  O

P.S.

All my paintings and drawings are available for purchase.
Contact me with your inquiries and I'll get back to you with details and prices.

During the summer of 2019, I drew every day.
You can see all 92 drawings and paintings that were created and posted here.
And then, at the beginning of September, I signed up for another challenge for the next 30 days.
It is called the 30 Day Creative Gathering, hosted on facebook by Sheila Delgado.
This made it 122 consecutive days of creating and I think it's a record for me.

Surprise and Growth

"Unless you try to do something beyond

what you have already mastered, 

you will never grow."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I took off a couple of months from giving studio classes to pursue acrylic pouring. It is always exhilarating to expand the artist's toolbox and learn something new!! You never know how these babies are going to turn out! 

"The experience of surprise is a sign of one's readiness to grow."

~ Sidney Jourard

Thanks So Much for Stopping By and Happy Creating!

X ♥  O

In The Meadow - En Plein Air

  May all your weeds be wildflowers. 

In The Meadow

11.5" x 15" hand painted 'en plein air' watercolor on Yupo paper

16" x 20" double matted w/ foam core backing

See purchase information here.

This image is available for license here.

Yesterday I competed in the Medford NJ, "2013 Paint Our Town - Plein Air Challenge". Although temperatures soared into the mid 90's, I managed to find a shady spot and held up pretty well. This year the event took place on the Medford Leas Retirement Community's 160 acre impressively landscaped grounds. It was lots of fun and a very well run event. Upon arrival, our painting surface was marked and we were supplied with maps and information about possible painting locations.

Here is my set-up.

I learned so much, on many levels through participating.  I haven't really painted on location in years and setting up and working outside is not like being in the studio where everything's at your fingertips! The only thing I forgot was a spray bottle and my paints kept drying out.  I'm planning on putting together a "Checklist for Plein Air Watercolorists" in my next newsletter. Be sure to sign up to receive it in your inbox.

This picture of me  was taken by Beth, a sweet resident I met
who contributes to the community newsletter.

It was really good for me to get off the property. I tend to be a hermit. Most days, I'm here in my studio, painting, on the computer or hanging out with my critters. It was good to get out in public and it was definitely good to get out of my routine and comfort zone. Even though it was a lot of work, I'm charged up to do it again, hopefully when it isn't so darn hot.

Cutie Pye inspects the maps, brochures, and winnings.

Everyone I met or was reacquainted with was so nice! There was even a reception with food and wine after the judging. I am happy to report that I got a second place award and a cash prize for my painting of Katzell Meadow, titled "In The Meadow". That was just the icing on the cake though. The true prize was just being there in the moment, observing, feeling, painting, outside, in the zone, in the meadow.

Go to the meadow to stretch and grow

Get lost in her plume topped amber glow

Sparkling with gems in every color and size

Joyful appreciation the true grand prize

When is the last time you tried something
out of your comfort zone or routine?

What was it?

  What did you learn from it?  

 As Always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for stopping by!