Blog

You know it, and I know it. So what are we going to do about it? (Of course, I'm talking about painting, but these principles can apply to any type of failure.) [...]

I've wanted to write about tangents in art for some time - ever since I learned about tangents the hard way. [...]

Some thoughts on starting a new project. In my case, it's watercolor painting. [...]

Sometimes it takes a few tries to get something right. Can you relate? Allow me to take you through the ups and downs of creating the above watercolor painting, "It's a Long Story." [...]

We all need a place that is ours and ours alone: a place we go to think or read or create or pray undisturbed. An artist needs an art studio. [...]

Do you ever have one of those days - or weeks - where nothing seems to work out the way you planned? It can be frustrating, even though we know from experience that "this too will pass." Last week I was working on several small watercolor portraits... [...]

When someone contacted me to purchase the above painting, Foundations, I hesitated. What if this latest and greatest piece is "the one" that will finally be accepted into the National Watercolor Society? The first time I entered, at least the first record I have of entering this prestigious exhibition, was in 2017. I've entered every year since, with no success.   Because I don't publish my rejections, you are probably not aware that I have the same "not invited" record with the American Watercolor Society. I don't know if I will ever get a piece into either one of these illustrious shows, but [...]

Getting into shows is a great honor and accomplishment, but shipping the paintings is work (and sometimes aggravating as you will see). At the time of this writing I am preparing to ship watercolors to four states: Michigan, California, Florida, and New York. [...]

After watching a David Lobenberg "California Vibe" watercolor demonstration during a recent Zoom meeting, I've been having fun playing around with his colorful and loose technique. I'll use one of these experimental portraits to give you an idea of the inner speech that typically accompanies my painting process.   I start every painting with optimism: I love the underpainting! It's so fresh and clean! I love how the colors have blended! The first layer: I've tried to be bold with the hair, but did I go too dark too fast? I'm pretty happy with his features at this point. On the other hand, the face looks a little creepy. I [...]

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has turned the world as we once knew it upside down. Personal, societal, and medical upheavals have tested the resilience of the human spirit. Masks, plexiglass, social distancing, virtual meetings and virtual events have replaced smiles and hugs and in-person gatherings. As the year comes to a close, we are witnessing a second wave of the virus. We are heartbroken as we see the rise in Covid cases and deaths, but we are hopeful as Operation Warp Speed is producing a number of vaccines which will be available very soon. Now that's perseverance.   Perseverance: continued effort to [...]

I was driving down the road on the way to an appointment in early August 2020. All of a sudden I spotted a backyard just brimming with pink Surprise Lilies. How wonderful! [...]

As I was thinking about how to go about answering that perplexing question, I thought I would take you through some of the steps, both mental and physical, that bring me to the conclusion that a painting is finished. Using the above original watercolor painting of my mom, I will attempt to provide the stepping-stones that brought me to the realization that this piece had indeed reached completion.   My plan: I've been wanting to paint my mother again...for sentimental reasons, I suppose, to recall happy times when I would visit her at our family home in Michigan. I wanted it to be [...]

What has staying at home been like for you? There are so many ways I could answer that question (both positive and negative) but today I just want to tell you about a little project I came up with that has helped me to connect with and bring a little cheer to others stuck at home during this time of uncertainty. [...]

True confession: I don't always practice what I preach. Shortly after writing my blog, Watercolor What-ifs (feel free to stop and read it now), I found myself trying to plan and control a painting from the start...exactly the opposite of what I had just written about! It's hard to change old habits!   Every year around Christmastime I get the urge to paint poinsettias. I love these bold and beautiful plants which can be enjoyed long after Christmas has passed. (I thought it best to skip buying poinsettias this year because of the kitties; they are just over a year old and love [...]

Has this ever happened to you? You have a watercolor painting all planned out in your head; but after working on it for several hours, something happens to change the trajectory, making you frustrated enough to scrap the painting and start over (only to find yourself repeating the process.) What if...? [...]

Reading books or articles by or about other artists that you admire is a great way to gather insight into the creative process. Often, finding out the whys behind the artist's approach can be more helpful than simply learning the mechanics of a technique.    Dani Shapiro’s book, Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life is filled with practical meditations on the challenges and successes of the artistic process. Shapiro is a writer, but a painter can simply substitute the word painting for writing throughout this inspiring little book to glean all sorts of helpful and encouraging tidbits.   We all have some sort [...]

Watercolor painting for me started out as something to fill a void in my life during a time of loss and change. During the ten years I have been painting, I've lost some very dear people in my life, as well as a beloved pet. Painting my loved ones is a form of therapy for me. A way to remember them, think about them, spend time with them. [...]

My head is still spinning from last week's  workshop, Painting the Figure from Photographs, with Ted Nuttall in Vermont.  Although I've studied with Ted twice before—once in St. Louis and once in Santa Fe—there is always so much more to learn, so much to remember, so much to apply!   Takeaway#1: INTERPRETATION–Working from Photographs   Each morning of the workshop, Ted began with a presentation (too awesome and varied to go into much detail here). Many phrases regarding the interpretation of photographs found their way into my notes (and are now swimming around inside my head!). “Tap into your feelings,” Ted said, “Don't copy the [...]

When I found out Linda Kemp was coming to St. Louis last summer, I didn't hesitate to reserve my spot in her Negative Painting workshop. I've long admired her fresh and fanciful style; and though I'd had some negative painting experience, I knew that there was so much more to learn!   Takeaway #1: “Kill it or Cure it”   Of all the great information and techniques Linda shared during those intense five days, her mantra of “kill it or cure it” really struck a chord in me. How many times have I stopped halfway through a painting and, in my frustration, tossed it aside [...]

So I've launched this new website through FASO (Fine Art Studio Online...thank you to Sterling Edwards for pointing me to this fabulous service!) and I've been trying to absorb all the great features, making decisions about Blogging and Newsletters (both new to me), uploading content to my website, freaking out when I am overwhelmed...    (Deep breath) However, FASO has this amazing support staff that is patient and encouraging and smart and thorough, making this new website building doable for a non-techie like me. Maybe even enjoyable at times. Problem is, I'm a perfectionist and maybe a little obsessive (shocking, right?).    I originally planned to [...]