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

The Drive to Strive and Overcome Struggle

"All artists struggle to some degree with their emotional and creative output."

~  Michael Fantuz

6 x 6" Framed Alcohol Ink Tile ~ $129.

I have heard some instructors state that learning is painful. No pain, no gain and all of that. I have been serious about my art for very long time and know this struggle to be true. There were times when I'd had a bad painting day that I wanted to scream or just rip my hair out. But in hindsight, what did this feeling, this attitude, this anguish accomplish? Very little, I'm afraid. 

Since then, I've learned that struggle needn't be so painful if you adopt the right attitude. I've come a long way since then, and I want to tell you that it just isn't all that serious! Setbacks and throw aways are to be expected in the learning process, especially during the first thousand paintings or so, lol. It usually takes time, and lots of just doing it; again and again and again.

When we are struggling and making mistakes, we need to understand that it is all part of the learning process. I continue to learn so much more from my re-dos than from my keepers. And, we can't be afraid to take risks and "ruin" what we are working on; because that step beyond OK is usually what separates the good from the great. Yes, it's a struggle to get there, but it needn't be painful when the right attitude of accepting the process, experimentation and discovery are in place. Instead of asking; "why didn't this turn out?", it may be more helpful to ask, "what did I learn?".

My philosophy and teaching appeals to people who want to learn new approaches that free them from limiting thoughts, fear of failure and anxiety. Focusing on the process and embracing the joy of creativity, my students move into that happy place where time fades away. Here, we are in touch with a universal spirit, truly living in the moment.  Here there is no struggle, only go with the flow, create and learn.

Without putting too much emphasis on the end product, making mistakes, solving problems and building on positive experiences, the learning process isn't painful or frustrating. With my guidance, I see creativity, achievement and fulfillment blossom. When the right foundation has been laid, living with art and experiencing the joy of creativity can help us to live life now, with more engagement, love and enjoyment. See more ...

Shine Your Light!

"Those who are at times described as being

“too emotional” or “complicated” are the 

very fabric of what keeps the dream alive 

for a more thoughtful, caring and humane world.  

Never be ashamed to let your feelings, smiles 

and tears shine a light in this world."

~ Marc Chernoff

'Shine On" ~ 5 x 7" Matted Alcohol Ink Painting on Vinyl

 I love working on black substrates but the tiles limit us to a small size. This is one of my first attempts on mat black vinyl. The inks work good on the mat vinyl too. I ordered the 40 pack of glossy 12 x 12" vinyl and it's a great deal.  I'll cut them to various sizes - with 4 x 6"'s I'll get 6 pcs. out of ea. sheet for my studio classes. I'm gonna try it with my students on April 7th! I also ordered some black boards from Blick that I'm going to try too.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Have a really great day!

X ♥  O

Germ of Happiness

 "Growth itself has the germ 

of happiness." 

~ Pearl S. Buck
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FEB 6th, 2016 - ALCOHOL INK WORKSHOP - NOW FILLED!

See More About Sandy's 2016 Alcohol Ink Workshops HERE

I've got 3 and four day sessions scheduled and there's a motel 
nearby to accommodate out of town participants!

 

"Unless you try to do something beyond 

what you have already mastered, 

you will never grow." 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The only way that we can live, is if we grow. 
The only way that we can grow is if we change. 
The only way that we can change is if we learn. 
The only way we can learn is if we are exposed. 
And the only way that we can become exposed 
is if we throw ourselves out into the open."
~  C. Joybell

X ♥  O

Learning And Artistic Growth

"Learn and grow all you can; 

serve and befriend all you can; 

enrich and inspire all you can." 

~ William Arthur Ward

10 x 8" Yupo -Watercolor (left) and Alcohol Ink (right)

8 x 10" Yupo - Watercolor (top), Alcohol Ink painting (bottom)

I have been painting in watercolor since childhood and added alcohol inks to my skill set only 15 months ago. Each painting, process and medium is a doubling back, a spiraling process of regrouping and building on what has been before. Continuing to repeat previous paintings and studies, I believe each piece is a building block to the next. Criticism for changing my "style, substrate and medium" and for leaving behind what some have loved, comes with the territory. To me, being a life long student of art means constantly learning, growing, changing and evolving. One of the reasons I don't do many commissions is that I learned a long time ago, that the surest way to my unhappiness is to try to please everyone else. 

I believe:

"One of the worst things an artist can do is

stagnate into a certain style or genre for life. 

It's all about growth, and the growth

of the artist should never stop"

~ Dorenda Crager Watson

How do you readers feel about this topic?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Have a great day,

X ♥  O

Artists Working Mightily

This week I am expanding my base of experience by participating in the SmARTist Tele-summit with Ariane Goodwin's lineup of Art experts. More than 200 artists, designers, photographers, writers, poets and craftspeople have signed up this year. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!"

GROWTH

Many people and events continue to contribute to my growth as an artist and human being. My new foray into creating commercial images, along with my current mentors and influences continually shape my spirit and my work. For all you artists and quote-a-holics, go to Robert Genn's Resource of Art Quotation Pages for hours of perusing and unbridled inspiration!