New Developments

I find that if I keep painting and sketching, showing up to routinely create, eventually, some new development awakens within me. One morning, I try an exploration, and find a new creative sprout emerging.  

This was the case with these two paintings.  In the first, I started with complementary colors -- Hooker's green and permanent rose.  I added in a touch of Azo yellow and some Phthalo blue.  The paintings seem to express the thought that even in the winter, there will be color and light.

The second painting mixes French Ultramarine blue and Phthalo blue with permanent rose, lemon yellow and Azo yellow.  I was taken by the way that the permanent rose and the Azo yellow mixed to create a warm, glowing peach, like a sunset.

I usually draw and paint from the world around me.  It's also fun to create from my imagination.

Creating your own imaginary worlds can be a freeing experiment to try.  You can set yourself the expectation of playing with color, or exploring how a small group of colors mix.  The most important element of this project I find is to listen to your Intuition, that tiny, little voice within you that suggests curious, peculiar and even weird ideas.  This is your Muse, and you can trust this voice.

Even if your Muse is somehow wrong (I've never had this happen), all you stand to lose is a piece of paper, really.  And every painting teaches you something. So you stand to gain something valuable no matter what.

Happy Creating! 

Making More Art

We often want to create more frequently and make more art.  Yet it can be hard to settle in, get past the yelling of our inner critic, and establish a routine.  One approach that helps me create is to attach art-making to other things I already enjoy.  

I love to go for hikes in our state park.  Adding a small art kit and including stops for sketching helped me to fill this accordion-fold sketchbook.

Maybe you like to go to coffee shops and sip a hot drink.  What if you took a sketchbook & a pencil, and gave yourself the assignment to sketch people?  If drawing people seems overwhelming, you could draw, hats, shoes, or patrons' hands holding coffee cups.  You could even draw the festive centerpiece gracing the cafe table where you sit.  The world is full of things to draw and paint!

Make a plan. 

Think about things you love to do or things you regularly do.  Riding a bus to & from work can be an opportunity to sketch your fellow bus riders. 

Find a partner.

My husband likes to take nature photographs, and we often hike together.  While he sets up a photo, I sketch.  Do you have a friend who wants to make more art, too?  You can encourage each other and make a habit out of creating together.

Give yourself an assignment.  

Narrowing down what your subject matter will be can help you focus and feel accomplished.  You could fill a sketchbook with tiny things in nature, botanical drawings or pets in your neighborhood.

Start small.  

And build as you go.  A small sketchbook, a simple goal, etc.  Remember, persistence is far more important than seeking perfection!

Keep your kit simple.

The fewer decisions you have to make, the more likely you are to pick up your art supplies and create.  You can skinny down your supplies to fit in a small zippered pencil pouch.  You can always change out that graphite pencil for an ink pen if you prefer. What is the absolute minimum equipment that would work for you?

Celebrate your wins.  

Post your artworks on social media if you like, share it with a friend, or simply prop your artwork up in your home where you pass by often to remind yourself of how beautiful your artwork is!

Wishing you many creative adventures and a new routine to fill your sketchbook and create joy.

Happy Creating!