Deb's Art World Blog
State of the Art Gallery
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Being an artist for over thirty years I’ve seen many art galleries fail. At present most galleries consider selling only art. I think this isn’t prudent when you consider how small your client base becomes. In the 18th century the French introduced the first art galleries as “luxury merchant,”(marchand-mercier), they offered a mix of high end furniture, jewelry, ceramics, and sculptures. Art was viewed as a sideline in shops to be sold with mirrors, furniture and even toys well into the 19th century. In recent years there seems to be a resurgence of exhibiting high-end design with art. Which I believe is a good thing, an art gallery should excite even those not knowledgable in art. A art gallery space full of interesting and fun things to look at and not a cold formal room filled with art no one really understands.
Donating Art
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I’ve donated a lot of my art through the years not because I thought I’d profit from it but because I liked the causes my art could help. Since I don’t have extra cash flow I can paint my donations. I know some artists think their sales will increase and they will become famous because their art was seen on TV or in some newspaper as being donated to a cause. I doesn’t happen! The collector gets your art cheap and sells it for more later. I donate anyway through Mission Fish on Ebay. Part of the income from this Steam Punk Puppy ACEO went to Franklin County SPCA.
Here is another opinion on donating your art:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mat-gleason/charity-art-auctions-_b_872953.html
Here is another opinion on donating your art:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mat-gleason/charity-art-auctions-_b_872953.html
Tim Newton’s Advice
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I recently read in Pleinair Magazine Spring 2011 advice from Tim Newton to Artists. I’m going to summarize do to space. So here is the list:
-Be original. Don’t copy anyone even your teacher.
-Let your art tell a story.
-Be confident but open. You have to show you are satisfied with the work created or collectors won’t buy it. But still be open to growth.
-Don’t crank out “products.” Collectors don’t want products they want art.
-Carefully consider your representation. (In my opinion this is the hardest thing for an artist to find. You need someone you can trust with your art who will tell you when they have sold your work and not rip you off.)
-Share your art. (Get out there online, to shows and talk to people.)
-Be original. Don’t copy anyone even your teacher.
-Let your art tell a story.
-Be confident but open. You have to show you are satisfied with the work created or collectors won’t buy it. But still be open to growth.
-Don’t crank out “products.” Collectors don’t want products they want art.
-Carefully consider your representation. (In my opinion this is the hardest thing for an artist to find. You need someone you can trust with your art who will tell you when they have sold your work and not rip you off.)
-Share your art. (Get out there online, to shows and talk to people.)
Graphic Design Easy?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Computer software is making it so easy to do your own graphic design. Anyone can make posters, flyers, ads etc. on their home computers. But is it good graphic design? Sometimes in our effort to get the word out to the public we try to cram things in without thinking about readability. Which is one of the basic rules in graphic design. Is it easy to read. Another thing we forget is will it grab the public’s attention and keep it long enough for them to read what we are saying. I could go on there are whole books on the subject of good graphic design. Here is a website that will help you clean up your graphic design messes:
http://www.visualmess.com/
http://www.visualmess.com/
Gourd Purses So Cool
Friday, May 27, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
My first and only attempt at a gourd purse it happened a few years back. It got third place in the NC Gourd Festival. The gourd purses are mostly made from Canteen gourds but I’ve seen Bottle and other types of gourds used. The thicker the gourd the better most ladies are rough on their purses. I need to make some more of these. After seeing the Arizona Gourds Newsletter for June I can see how really nice these purses can get.
Here’s a link to inspire:
http://www.arizonagourds.com/June2011.html
Here’s a link to inspire:
http://www.arizonagourds.com/June2011.html
Messing with Icons
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
One of the favorite things for a Pop Surrealist painter to do is to mess with icons. Images that everyone knows like Mickey Mouse, the Bald Eagle, and my favorite the Statue of Liberty. The titles for these paintings are: “Is Liberty Dead,” “Liberty No Joke,” and “Is Liberty Fading Away.” Gets the point across and sometimes angers people but art should stir emotions.
Go to Your Studio
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I don’t remember the exact words on the T-shirt I think it went something like this, “Go to your studio and create something.” It seems like my entire life I’ve been searching for a studio that was mine and only mine. All artist need quiet times to think and create stuff in their minds. A studio away from the phones and people running in and out is ideal. I have had to work the hard way in my living room for the pass couple of years because life got in the way and someone needed my studio just to have a place to live. Well that someone moved on with his life now I have my space back. It feels great. I don’t think I will give it up again. The photo above is my studio now. More photos on My Albums page. Time to, “Make Art.”
Painting Series
Monday, May 16, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Artist’s do paint series of paintings on one subject. Monet painted series of the same haystacks, churches, waterlilies etc. in many different lights and seasons. I’ve taken one of Monet’s waterlilies paintings and created my own variations on the theme by putting something extra in the Monet. I call the ACEO series, “In the Monet.” The series was started back in 2007 with “Nude in the Monet,” my last one was the “Whistler in The Monet.” I think I am getting better at it! There is a “Deb in the Monet,” here too! Hehehe
More on Monet:
http://www.monet2010.com/en
More on Monet:
http://www.monet2010.com/en
Self-Portraits
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Self-Portraits are a common assignment for student artists. They are also found in a lot of professional artist’s portfolios. Painting a self-portrait is a challenge that I’ve done several times. I have self-portraits in woodcut, photography, oil paint, acrylic, color pencil, pencil and ink. No it is not an ego out of control it is an attempt to understand facial anatomy when you do not have a paid model to sit for hours for you. I could trace a photo but that creates flat looking faces. I’ve see this flat look many times with so called portrait artists. So I use a mirror and study my face. It is often not very flattering like the above portrait in which I used an old photo for reference and a mirror. This “Summer Deb,” a colored pencil painting it was created in many layers of colors. It is me as a flower child of the 1970’s. Lately most of my self-portraits have been done in photography for Face Book. Here is a link to a how to do a self-portrait in photography.
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/04/st_howto_nonshakyportrait/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/04/st_howto_nonshakyportrait/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
Redo
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sometimes I look at paintings I did years ago and see dozens of ways I’d like to change them. This Outer Banks horse painting has been sitting in my studio for years. Dang I want to put more shadows in this painting! Fix the ear, the sand color, the grass movement and the foam. But why? To what end? Just for it to sit in my studio another ten years. I can see what needs changing but just don’t see why I should spend the time on any of my older larger paintings. I don’t belong to any galleries now and I’m enjoying painting tiny ACEO’s. Since I don’t have a venue for larger paintings why bother painting them. I used to enjoy painting whole walls and large paintings. This must be some kind of painters block or is it the economy. Then again when a person is pushing 60 those large bold strokes get painful!
Hanging a Show
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Having your own show can be magic or tragic. Your one person show should be a work of art in itself. Art buyers should find your show visually interesting. Many artist’s make the mistake of trying to hang too much art all at once. Quality is better than quantity. Also hanging art in a uniform uninteresting straight line with all the same frames and sizes is boring. The walls should be broken up with larger and smaller works or even 3D works to add interest. Remember the far wall as you enter the gallery will be the wall people focus on first it should be dramatic and eye catching. If you can’t use that wall the right wall is the next eye catching wall. The corners of the gallery need to lead a viewer around them by putting some 3D art there or a painting on an easel. Make sure the lighting crisscrosses over the art and doesn’t shine directly at each piece. This makes the lighting more interesting. All this being said if you don’t think you can do justice to your work hanging it yourself have an expert to it for you.
Check out: June 2011 issue of The Artist’s Magazine, Jonathan and Marsha Talbot share excellent tips for showing your works to their best advantage in an exhibition space.
Check out: June 2011 issue of The Artist’s Magazine, Jonathan and Marsha Talbot share excellent tips for showing your works to their best advantage in an exhibition space.
Walt Disney, Me and Pixar
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Of Cal Arts, Walt once said, "It's the principal thing I hope to leave when I move on to greener pastures. If I can help provide a place to develop the talent of the future, I think I will have accomplished something."
I applied to college at Cal Arts in 1970. I was able to get permission to send a portfolio in for review. After reviewing my portfolio they suggested I apply at Chouinard Art Institute and that they were sure I’d be accepted there. At the time the Disney people were wrestling with what Cal Arts had become. They wanted the school to be more family friendly and threatened to cut funds if they didn’t. I came to the Cal Arts portfolio review with recommendations from the people at Disney studio who had worked with my Dad. My Dad had been working with Disney on lighting at the time of Disney’s death in 1966. So my guess is a red flag was raised in the Cal Arts campus so I was shuffled to the school known for family friendly animation art across town not the fine arts painting school I applied for. I wanted to do fine arts painting and printmaking but I was good at cartooning, my art teachers all encouraged me to go. But before I could my Dad’s business partners began to edge him out. In anger he left and we moved from CA to NY. My parents didn’t like the idea of my staying in LA or in Oakland where the other art college I was accepted to was at so they dragged me to NY and I went to LIU. I often wonder if I had stayed in LA at Chouinard Art Institute, now part of CAL Arts, if I would have gotten to work with Pixar and Disney. Dream on Deb!
So why am I telling you all this? Because now I have a son who wants to be an artist I am not going to do what my parents did to me. He can go and live and learn where ever he chooses if he pays for it. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on my parents they really didn’t have an income to support my dream at the time and I didn’t either. I was also only 17 at the time. Life happens when you are making other plans. Hey, my life turned out okay even if I didn’t become best women animator of all time. Hehehe
I applied to college at Cal Arts in 1970. I was able to get permission to send a portfolio in for review. After reviewing my portfolio they suggested I apply at Chouinard Art Institute and that they were sure I’d be accepted there. At the time the Disney people were wrestling with what Cal Arts had become. They wanted the school to be more family friendly and threatened to cut funds if they didn’t. I came to the Cal Arts portfolio review with recommendations from the people at Disney studio who had worked with my Dad. My Dad had been working with Disney on lighting at the time of Disney’s death in 1966. So my guess is a red flag was raised in the Cal Arts campus so I was shuffled to the school known for family friendly animation art across town not the fine arts painting school I applied for. I wanted to do fine arts painting and printmaking but I was good at cartooning, my art teachers all encouraged me to go. But before I could my Dad’s business partners began to edge him out. In anger he left and we moved from CA to NY. My parents didn’t like the idea of my staying in LA or in Oakland where the other art college I was accepted to was at so they dragged me to NY and I went to LIU. I often wonder if I had stayed in LA at Chouinard Art Institute, now part of CAL Arts, if I would have gotten to work with Pixar and Disney. Dream on Deb!
So why am I telling you all this? Because now I have a son who wants to be an artist I am not going to do what my parents did to me. He can go and live and learn where ever he chooses if he pays for it. Okay, maybe I shouldn’t be so hard on my parents they really didn’t have an income to support my dream at the time and I didn’t either. I was also only 17 at the time. Life happens when you are making other plans. Hey, my life turned out okay even if I didn’t become best women animator of all time. Hehehe
Cultural Icon Dream
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to create a cultural icon like the bunny with the battery that doesn’t die. I mean people all over the world would know the art some may even remember the artist. Von Dutch’s flying eyeball, Big Daddy Roth’s Rat Fink , Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Playboy’s Bunny and the list goes on of our American cultural icons. Most of these icons have gone international too. How cool it would be to come up with my own cultural icon. Not an easy task I’ve been working on it for years. Dream on Deb!
Here is a cute story about a cultural icon:
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/04/mudflap-girl-was-this-guys-mom/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
Here is a cute story about a cultural icon:
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/04/mudflap-girl-was-this-guys-mom/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
Muse Vs. Money!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Money is the biggest muse killer I can think of. If I could just create whatever art my muse wanted to create without wondering if it would sell I’d be working in all media and enjoying the whole creative process like an art student again. Okay, so I am a bit freer than some artists since I have other sources of income beside art (my income from investments, my company, and my hubby) but I still feel the need to paint in acrylics more than any other media because acrylics sell the best for me right now. Money making mediums win over experimental mediums using muse driven ideas. In the past few years I did sneak in a few muse driven art projects such as art cars, painted gourds and soft sculpture. Printmaking was once my money making medium recently my muse has been kicking me to sneak in some very colorful woodcuts. By the way if I let the amount of money earned per year factor, determine whether I was a serious artist I would have stayed an Illustrator/Graphic Designer where a six figure income may have been reached by myself at this stage in my art career. Then again that stressful type of art career might have killed me and my muse by now. No an artist is an artist because they are born with the need to create something. Money is just a by product. Their muse just won’t let them be anything else but a creative artist! Too bad the money has to continue to fight the muse. When the money wins you see a lot of artist’s trying to be human cameras to appeal to the general public either by the artist’s ego appealing art of a buyer’s portrait painting or by the buyers wonder of how real everything looks in the artist’s painting. No creative thought in that! Money kills the Muse!
Welcome Good Advice
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Welcome good advice in your art career. How do you know it is good advice? Well you don’t until you try it. Being an artist is not smooth sailing. You’ll fail many times. Sometimes your style of art will just loose it’s popularity but if you are growing as an artist your art will never be without an audience. I’ve read many books on how to be an artist in my thirty years of art study after receiving my four year college degree in art. I’ve followed most of the paths recommended by these books. They say the same things over and over again. Which leads me to the best advice:
''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"- Unknown
Some more good advice:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/post/2011/04/25/Listening-to-the-Advice-of-Jack-White-by-M-Theresa-Brown.aspx
''Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!"- Unknown
Some more good advice:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/blog/post/2011/04/25/Listening-to-the-Advice-of-Jack-White-by-M-Theresa-Brown.aspx
Dressing the Part
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
How does one dress to show ones art? I tend to dress in slacks and a nice top for local shows and in a skirt with blazer for all others. I have been considering going arty with my clothing. I am of an age now that I can join the Red Hat Society. So why not become a work of art myself. Hmmm? This is still in the planning stages. I may have to consult with Kelly Lyles.
One of my favorite artist's Kelly Lyles of Seattle, WA dresses the part to the extreme sometimes I think people come to her shows not only to see her art but to see what she will be wearing. She is always a work of art herself. So much fun!
Another artist I know is known for her Airbrush art so she will wear her art on her clothing. Denise Thurston Newton wears mostly airbrushed T-shirts to her shows and sales.
Karen Lyons an international award winning toy designer never dresses down for shows or awards. She wears formal tops with blazers and slacks or skirts. Around her studio she is mostly in t-shirts and sweat pants. LOL
One thing I do know is that an artist needs to dress the part of a successful artist. Dressing down like a starving artist will just turn buyers off. Why should they invest in a looser. They want what they buy to increase in value over the years or at least hold its value.
One of my favorite artist's Kelly Lyles of Seattle, WA dresses the part to the extreme sometimes I think people come to her shows not only to see her art but to see what she will be wearing. She is always a work of art herself. So much fun!
Another artist I know is known for her Airbrush art so she will wear her art on her clothing. Denise Thurston Newton wears mostly airbrushed T-shirts to her shows and sales.
Karen Lyons an international award winning toy designer never dresses down for shows or awards. She wears formal tops with blazers and slacks or skirts. Around her studio she is mostly in t-shirts and sweat pants. LOL
One thing I do know is that an artist needs to dress the part of a successful artist. Dressing down like a starving artist will just turn buyers off. Why should they invest in a looser. They want what they buy to increase in value over the years or at least hold its value.
Painting Underwater?
Friday, April 22, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Painting underwater with water media (acrylic paint) is not going to happen for me. I’ve always loved to swim underwater. The fact that you can’t just setup an easel and paint what you see forces you to use photographs and memories of undersea. So my underwater paintings are a blend Surrealist fantasy art of a place I love with some interesting fishes and mermaids tossed in for fun.
Who Framed Me?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
To frame or not to frame that is the question for many artists these days. Framing by a professional picture framer is very expensive. An artist has to raise their prices higher to pay for it. When a piece doesn’t sell the artist is stuck with a beautifully framed work of art that only they like and a huge framing bill. Some artists have chosen not to frame and to let the customer frame the art. I have done this in the past. It did save me a lot of framing bill money but I think some customers passed up my work because they didn’t want the hassle of framing it. After almost thirty years of framing and not framing I have learned from my mistakes. One thing is for certain a picture frame should compliment the art not over power it. I went to an art show recently and saw an artist who framed every painting in the same over powering thick gold leafed frames. I didn’t see the art work I saw the frames. A frame should not be the first thing you see! I’m not sure if that artist sold any paintings that day. Anyway take it easy on the gold leaf and if you do paint your own frames make them part of the art not fighting the art for attention. One more thing you don’t have to frame gallery wrap paintings just make sure you paint around to the sides to give the paintings a finished look. Remember a frame could make or break the spell your artwork casts on a buyer so take care to do it right!
Waterfalls
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Last week I was up in the NC mountains sketching a waterfall when I had this thought: It is not the waterfall I’m sketching but the spaces around the waterfall. Because the waterfall is just white space I’m sketching what artists call the negative space around the waterfall in order to show the shape of the waterfall. What an interesting lesson this would make to teach students see negative space.
.
Yes, the art teacher still surfaces in me from time to time. LOL
.
Yes, the art teacher still surfaces in me from time to time. LOL
If I Could Weld!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
If I could weld I’d try to weld art like this artist. Grace Cathey’s work is delightful! These sculptures are in Waynesville, NC at Walker Service Station where she has a gallery. See more of her work on her website:
http://www.gracecathey.com/
http://www.gracecathey.com/
Pottery or Ceramics?
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Call it pottery or ceramics I collect it. Maybe accumulate it is a better way to describe what I do. I’m not very good at keeping records of who the potter or artist was that created the piece. Anyway this rabbit dish came from the Balsam, NC in the mountains from a shop called, “Mud Dabber’s Pottery and Crafts.” A very nice and interesting potter talked with us as he worked. Thomas did most of the talking and I did most of the shopping. We left with four pieces. The rabbit in the photo was my favorite. See the Mud Dabber’s website:
http://www.muddabbers.com/directions.htm
http://www.muddabbers.com/directions.htm
Travel Sketchbooks
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
I carry a travel sketchbook whenever I go on vacation. It is fun to look back at what I found interesting enough to sketch at the time and keeps a record of good times. As I go off for a week to the NC mountains I will have my travel sketchbook with me. Who knows maybe some of these sketches will make their way into paintings. It has happened in the past. I’ll blog again when I get back from my travels with hubby
.
.
Painting the Seasons
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
I’ve been so busy this month with painting the whistlers that I didn’t get around to my usual Easter and spring art. I enjoy illustrating the seasons and the holidays. I call myself a Pop Surrealist because I do illustrate popular themes in my paintings also because my paintings mainly come from my mind. I do use real images as reference for some landscapes but my animals and people etc. are all made up from my memory. Oh well summer is coming! The beach, mermaids, surfers, swimmers, lighthouses, flowers, fireworks, dancers, cats, dogs and sunny days all subjects for me to paint in the coming weeks.:-)
Whistling In the Dark
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
When an artist finds themselves in the middle of setting up their art in a new show that doesn’t have any track record it is kinda like whistling in the dark. This is the first time the International Whistling Convention has let visual artists in the door with the whistlers. We started setting up today. I was told to find a spot and stake my claim for that spot. After several attempts I think I finally got a spot to hang my art. It is all new to me I’ve never had to hang my own art in a group show or a juried show the show sponsors always did the hanging. I have set up booths, hung my own art in a gallery or in sidewalk show but this staking out a spot is a bit un-nerving to me. Assign me a spot so I don’t have to fight for a spot! I’m a wimp they walked all over me. You have to search for my art but it will be there somewhere if they didn’t move my claim to the coat closet or the ladies room. Hehehe
Artists I’ve Met
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Being an artist means you’ll mean other artist. Sometimes they will be kindred spirits that will inspire you, you will find their work so much fun. Kelly Lyles is a Seattle artist who is well known in art circles all over the world. She not only creates art in painting, but on cars and often in what she wears. It is fun to see how she will be dressed for a show. Her hats can always be spotted in the crowd at the art show openings that she attends. The lady has style. I’m so glad I got to meet her.
http://www.kellyspot.com/
http://www.kellyspot.com/
The Mood of Color
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
One of my favorite ways to use color is to use it to create mood in my paintings. Warm colors give people warm feelings. Yellow is considered the warmest color. Cool colors give people cold blue feelings. Blue is considered the coolest color. Red and orange like green and violet can go warm or cool depending on how much of a yellow or blue they have in them. Also you have to consider the fact that warm colors come forward in a painting and cold colors fall back. Some times you may want to break this depth creating rule to create a closer warmer feeling as in an intimate painting of someone in prayer or having sex. In the painting of the women fire fighter I placed her yellow uniform on a red, orange and grey background then gave her a warm yellow glow in her and the baby’s faces to give the viewer the warm feelings and also bring her forward. In the painting of the spirit of night, I used whites warmed with green blue and red violets to bring the spirit forward because of all the blues used in the background the basic mood comes across as cold, and scary.
Of course color mood isn’t as simple as knowing cool colors and warm colors, you have to be able to see when the color changes from a warm color to a cool color. There are thousands of variables even the proximity of other colors can change the color temperature when you are trying to set the mood. Greens and violets can go easily from warm to cold if placed near certain colors.The more you mix your own colors the better you will get at seeing the variations.
To sum it up don’t forget to give your paintings feelings, create a mood with color. It is a joy to see someone viewing your paintings with a tear in their eye or a smile on their face because they feel the mood you created in your painting.
Of course color mood isn’t as simple as knowing cool colors and warm colors, you have to be able to see when the color changes from a warm color to a cool color. There are thousands of variables even the proximity of other colors can change the color temperature when you are trying to set the mood. Greens and violets can go easily from warm to cold if placed near certain colors.The more you mix your own colors the better you will get at seeing the variations.
To sum it up don’t forget to give your paintings feelings, create a mood with color. It is a joy to see someone viewing your paintings with a tear in their eye or a smile on their face because they feel the mood you created in your painting.
Studio on Wheels
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
One of the many things I like about being an artist is that I get to spend time dreaming up stuff. For years I’ve be thinking how great it would be to be able to move my studio to different locations when I tired of the view or when the light changed with the seasons. I mean when the sun gets lower in the winter with little of it coming in the window you could move the whole studio to a sunny spot or in the summer when it is so hot in the sun you can move to the shade. Maybe in the summer you want to go paint the ocean you can just park your studio at the beach. I think a Tumbleweed house would work great for this if you needed to live in your studio. If you just needed a space to work this type of studio might work for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMOLMor1crI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMOLMor1crI
Posters for Art Shows
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
This is an artist’s art show poster I plan to it hang with my art that will be showing at the International Whistlers Convention starting this week. As you may know artist’s posters often become collectors items by themselves. I used a common formal design for this poster but artist’s posters can get really creative. Sometimes they get too creative and become unreadable. In my opinion a good artist’s poster should tell people about the art being shown, where it is being shown, who the artist is, and have a sample of the artist’s work on it. Sometimes I’d even add a map if the location is hard to find. That being said you can get really creative with your art show posters. Check out some examples:
http://www.allposters.com/-st/Exhibition-Posters-Fine-Art-Posters_c84652_.htm
http://www.allposters.com/-st/Exhibition-Posters-Fine-Art-Posters_c84652_.htm
Cars as Canvas
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
If I could get my hands on another white car with no trade-in value I’d do another Artcar in a heart beat. So much fun! Who cares if all your neighbors think you’re a little off! Cars make fun canvases! Volvo thinks so too. See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j94vgIJSuPg&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j94vgIJSuPg&feature=player_embedded
Artistic Advice
Friday, April 1, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Vanity Claus
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sometimes I think I could take the easy way out to get the monkey off my back. The monkey on every artist’s back is how to make a living from their artwork. The easy way out is to create “Vanity Art”. The Vanity art short cut to income is so tempting! What is “Vanity Art?” It is art that appeals to the art buyers vanity alone not to any knowledge of art the art buyer may have. Portrait artist or artists whose art makes buyers or the things art buyers own look better than they really are, will appeal to the art buyers vanity. This form of art no matter how uncreative or boring it is, gets sold to most art buyers as long as it appeals to the art buyer’s vanity. If an artist can get the formula right and can make those vain art buyers happy they will be able to support themselves on art. So should I give up on being creative, stop growing as an artist and painting my own paintings without a buyer looking over my shoulder telling me what to paint? No way could I stop being my own Creative Artist! I have so many paintings in my head waiting to be painted. It would be like selling my soul! I have to add there are buyers out there that have art knowledge, they are the ones who have bought hundreds of my paintings. Thank You! Now if I could only get the big bucks for each painting that the Vanity artists gets so I can kill the monkey! I know it can be done because other Creative Artists have done it.
Gauguin: Maker of Myth
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
I just finished watching a series of four videos from the National Gallery of Art on iTunes about Gauguin entitled; “Gauguin: Maker of Myth.” Very interesting how art captures a person’s soul and turns them into a creative artist. It is never a questions of can I sell what I am driven to create with a truly creative artist instead it is I must paint a painting of this image I have in my head. Anyway if you can get the free podcasts from iTunes I think they are worth watching.
Next blog Vanity Artist vs. Creative Artist!
Next blog Vanity Artist vs. Creative Artist!
Knitting or Crocheting ?
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Okay, I think I have crocheting kinda figured out. I made the purse above awhile back. I am still not to sure about using the patterns though. Freehand and wild crocheting is all I’ve be doing. It seems to work for making hats, purses, pouches, pot holders, computer covers and iPod covers. I guess if I decided to do a sweater I’d need to follow a pattern.
Now I’m trying my hand a knitting. I haven’t got my brain around it yet. Looks simple but I feel I’m missing something. Just doesn’t look like the knitting book’s knitting. When I get it maybe I’ll go knit wild arty things like the stuff in this other knitting book I might get.
http://astoundingknits.blogspot.com/
Now I’m trying my hand a knitting. I haven’t got my brain around it yet. Looks simple but I feel I’m missing something. Just doesn’t look like the knitting book’s knitting. When I get it maybe I’ll go knit wild arty things like the stuff in this other knitting book I might get.
http://astoundingknits.blogspot.com/
Other Artists Can be Fun!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
We are all sitting around staring at the same model. You can hear a pin drop. Our minds are focused on what we are painting. Then the artist next to me says without taking her eyes off the model, “This guy is really hung.” The whole class starts to giggle. So it is when lady artists get together to just enjoy painting. We aren’t in some competition to see who paints this guys parts the best we are just here to paint the way we paint and what we choose as the subject matter. The artist next to me remains focused on his family jewels while I’m lost in his great big blue eyes and jet black hair. Over the years I’ve joined various art groups trying to find another like the one I was with when that model forgot his jock strap. No luck so far. Seems like most older women’s groups are more competitive or out to prove something. Let it go ladies we will never be the next great Monet. This looks like a fun group too bad I’m 3,000 miles away. Hehehe
http://www.carrascostudio.com/blog/candpcoffeehouse-seattle/
http://www.carrascostudio.com/blog/candpcoffeehouse-seattle/
“Sell,” the Four Letter Word!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
“Sell,” is the four letter word that has plagued me my entire art career. I pray for a rich patron to come and support all my creative efforts. In the meantime I have to find a way to support my art supply needs. So selling art in every untried venue I can think of has been my goal. It takes time away from creating art but that evil four letter word, “sell,” is a must. I’ve sold in so many venues over the years here are the ones I can remember; galleries, juried shows, college art shows, sidewalk art shows, malls shows, libraries, bookstores, artcar shows, arts council shows, art society shows, churches, Christmas shows, gourd festivals, companies, street festivals, garden club art shows, my studio and online. I may have missed a few. At least I know I will never give up looking for venues because I love to create art and I know a rich patron will never find me if I don’t keep selling. Word of mouth from happy art buyers is the best form of advertising. Yes, I still believe in the rich patron myth! Hey, I paint fairies and Santa Clauses! Okay, I guess my hubby is my patron for now but I’m still waiting for the rich patron with the big bucks to show up!
SCI-FI Art Guess Work
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
What will life on other planets look like? Artist’s have been trying to render it for many years. My guess is above. The planet would need water, sun, plants, etc. Since there are descriptions written of bug eyed green or white beings visiting earth I render them that way. NASA has other ideas like their guess in 1975 of what life would look like on Mars. So wrong even with all the science behind their guesses.
See:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/nasa-archive-mars-life/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
See:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/nasa-archive-mars-life/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
Online Art Lessons
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
There are lots of websites online now giving free art lessons. Most people think of Youtube for this. Here is a website from the UK that offers some good art lessons:
http://www.thepaintinganddrawingchannel.co.uk/index.html
http://www.thepaintinganddrawingchannel.co.uk/index.html
Art Science Fiction to Fact?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Art has created science fiction images that later became science fact. We’ve seen it in movies, books and visual arts.(Examples: Jules Verne, H.G. Wells) Creating future designs or dreams for robots, homes, cars and cities, etc. is nothing new to artists. So as an artist I have painted science fiction images in the past.
Nuclear energy electric plants leaking radiation was the theme for the above paintings created over two years ago. Now Japan is going through a real radiation leak I hope none of what I painted about radiation changing animals becomes science fact.
Nuclear energy electric plants leaking radiation was the theme for the above paintings created over two years ago. Now Japan is going through a real radiation leak I hope none of what I painted about radiation changing animals becomes science fact.
Flower Time
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Happy Spring Everyone! Of course this is only for those north of the equator. I love this time of year with all the flowers popping out all over. I get so inspired to paint the flowers and add a few fairies to them for fun. Seeing all the new life around fills me with hope too! While people seem to want to crash and burn flowers always seem to want to grow. The flowers cover the graves of the lost as if to say don’t cry let our beauty cheer you, life goes on. I’m reminded of James Thurber’s, “The Last Flower,”
http://www.ommas-aarden.net/Last_Flower_page1.htm
http://www.ommas-aarden.net/Last_Flower_page1.htm
Portrait Artist
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
My favorite portrait artist is Ann Kullberg. Not just because I took a workshop with her but because of the soul she gives her portrait paintings. You can almost feel what her subjects where feeling. She works in colored pencil and has several books out. I have two of her books. The eye and the girl above are two colored pencil paintings I did at her workshop. An artist can learn a lot from Ms. Kullberg, I’d recommend any artist even an acrylic painter like myself to take one of her workshops. Here is her website:
http://www.annkullberg.com/index.php
http://www.annkullberg.com/index.php
Painting Soul with Spirit
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
To me painting a people is painting their spirit and how they live. I can’t see the benefit of just posing a person at a desk, sitting in a chair or in some classic portrait pose. People painting should show the life of an ethnic group. They aren’t statues carved in stone they are living breathing people. They have their own ways, do their own things and have their own soul. It is what makes them who they are in this world.
Some say this is one of the reasons I’d never make it as a portrait artist. I’ve got to tell the whole story good, bad or ugly.
Some say this is one of the reasons I’d never make it as a portrait artist. I’ve got to tell the whole story good, bad or ugly.
Lowbrow Art Borrows
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
The subject matter in lowbrow art is often copied and transformed by other lowbrow artists. The skulls, race cars, snakes, hearts, eyeballs, rats, flames, etc. you see painted on t-shirts, cars and other items have been updated many times by artists. The market determines what and how a lowbrow artist paints a subject.
That being said this article about Big Daddy Roth not being the creator of the Rat Fink does not shock me. Roth did create the most marketable Rat Fink. Here is a link to the article:
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/37105/i-smell-a-rat-the-true-creator-of-lowbrow-arts-iconic-rat-fink-revealed/
That being said this article about Big Daddy Roth not being the creator of the Rat Fink does not shock me. Roth did create the most marketable Rat Fink. Here is a link to the article:
http://www.artinfo.com/news/story/37105/i-smell-a-rat-the-true-creator-of-lowbrow-arts-iconic-rat-fink-revealed/
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. ~Adrienne Cook
Red Riding Hood
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Now Red Riding Hood has been made into a movie for mature audiences. I’ve always thought of the story as a cautionary tale telling little girls to stay out of the forest. In reality it was a story that started in Germany about a very evil man that attacked a little girl. They changed the man into a wolf to tell the sad cautionary tale of warning. Through the years it got lighter and happier. The endings had everyone saved and safe. Now this movie gets almost back to the really scary German tale. Way to ruin my happy childhood version of this tale Hollywood!
PS I still have this 8” X 10” Red Riding Hood painting if someone wants to buy it email me.[Editor's note: This painting now hangs in her husband's bedroom and is not for sell.]
PS I still have this 8” X 10” Red Riding Hood painting if someone wants to buy it email me.[Editor's note: This painting now hangs in her husband's bedroom and is not for sell.]
Telling the Story of That Dog
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Is it enough to paint their pretty or cute faces? I don’t think so. What is the story of that dog? What is in that dog’s soul? Not just his/her soulful eyes but what makes that dog that dog? I try to paint the story of that dog. I guess I’m an illustrator at heart or maybe just bored with pretty dog paintings.
Poet or Craftsman
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
"There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the craftsman. One is born a poet. One becomes a craftsman." --Emile Zola
I feel sorry for those artist’s that get caught up in the craftsmanship and never let the poet out.
I feel sorry for those artist’s that get caught up in the craftsmanship and never let the poet out.
Rework It!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Some artist’s would be shocked or even say I’m selling out but if an ACEO doesn’t sell on eBay I rework it. Hey, if no one liked it there must be something wrong with it that I just don’t see. So this Whistling Robot will turn into another kind of robot. I’ve got some thoughts on what it will be. Soon the robot goes back on eBay all new and different. After all art needs a buyer to be worth anything in our society or it is considered just a hobby plaything. Nothing wrong with just doing fun art and playing with mediums but a professional artist creates to sell.
Creative Couples
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Creative couples are always of interest to me. After all I’m an artist and my husband is a writer. So whenever I come across a creative couple online or in a magazine I get curious and have to read all about them. Just to see how they do work together and make it all work. I came across Elizabeth Black in Plein Air Magazine, her husband is a photographer. They both seem to have found their niche in making art that has canyons and western landscapes as subject matter. Interesting too she uses an adapted mobile home for her studio like I do when I’m painting larger. Anyway Elizabeth Black has a website and a link to Chris Brown her husband’s website is at:
http://www.elizabethblackart.com/index.html
http://www.elizabethblackart.com/index.html
Happy Mardi Gras
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Big Easy is partying now. Mardi Gras is so artistic with all the floats, music and parades. It would be fun to design one of those Mardi Gras floats or maybe some wild outfits/masks. Well anyway have a good time all you fans of beads, boobs and booze. More about Mardi Gras:
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html
http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html
Art Easy?
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
“Art isn’t easy. Every minor detail is a major decision,” wrote Stephen Sondheim.
More of the song goes like this: “Bit by bit, putting it together, Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art, Every moment makes a contribution, Every little detail plays a part, Having just a vision’s no solution, Everything depends on execution, Putting it together , that’s what counts. The song is from the musical “Sunday in the Park With George,” the George being George Seurat. Seurat did pay attention to every little detail. He spent years on some of his paintings using what he called, “Pointillism.” So he would think art is all about so much pain and never easy. Some artists and critics still feel this way. I wonder how many great artworks Seurat would have turned out if he didn’t get so bogged down by execution and his Pointillism technique. Then again he didn’t follow all the rules. Hey, we woulhttp://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.phpd never have remembered George Seurat if he wasn’t different.
I say lighten up people let the creativity flow from your vision to you brush. So often I see young artists struggling so bogged down by their art education, afraid to break the rules or be different than all the other artist’s. Art is as easy or as hard as you make it. Easy is way more fun!
More of the song goes like this: “Bit by bit, putting it together, Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art, Every moment makes a contribution, Every little detail plays a part, Having just a vision’s no solution, Everything depends on execution, Putting it together , that’s what counts. The song is from the musical “Sunday in the Park With George,” the George being George Seurat. Seurat did pay attention to every little detail. He spent years on some of his paintings using what he called, “Pointillism.” So he would think art is all about so much pain and never easy. Some artists and critics still feel this way. I wonder how many great artworks Seurat would have turned out if he didn’t get so bogged down by execution and his Pointillism technique. Then again he didn’t follow all the rules. Hey, we woulhttp://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.phpd never have remembered George Seurat if he wasn’t different.
I say lighten up people let the creativity flow from your vision to you brush. So often I see young artists struggling so bogged down by their art education, afraid to break the rules or be different than all the other artist’s. Art is as easy or as hard as you make it. Easy is way more fun!
It’s Back!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
“Plein Air Magazine,” is back. I had a subscription to this magazine a couple years until it changed to, “Fine Art Connoisseur.” They are both good art magazines with beautiful photos but when the focus of the magazine changed from making art to buying art and galleries I didn’t need the later. I was more interested in Plein Air painting and groups that hold painting events/shows so I let the subscription drop. I’m so happy to see “Plein Air,” back the way it should be. I might even subscribe again.
Rusty Me!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It has been at least a couple of years since I matted and framed art for a show. I am so rusty! I guess after seeing sales of large pieces of art fall off in this recession I really couldn’t justify spending huge amounts of money on framing large paintings then paying huge entry fees to be juried by people who could just take my entry fee and reject my art. No I turned to ATC’s and ACEO’s to let my painting out. No need to frame them but they do look nice in a frame so I framed them for the up coming ICW show in Louisburg. Just a tiny little show but I needed to practice presenting my art in the traditional way. I may wait another couple of years to try this again.
The above ACEO will be in the show it is called. “Whistling in the Dark,” which is kinda what I feel I’m doing by entering this local show.
The above ACEO will be in the show it is called. “Whistling in the Dark,” which is kinda what I feel I’m doing by entering this local show.
Nonsense
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
"I like nonsense. It wakes up the brain cells." -Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as "Dr. Seuss", born on this day in 1904.
This is my “Whistling Robot,” ACEO. Of course it is nonsense. Who would use a tea kettle for a robot head? I like nonsense or even love nonsense it makes life so much fun!
This is my “Whistling Robot,” ACEO. Of course it is nonsense. Who would use a tea kettle for a robot head? I like nonsense or even love nonsense it makes life so much fun!
History or Make Believe?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Monet loved to paint his water lily garden. I don’t remember seeing anything in the water just water lilies. We artist’s can paint anything into our paintings. We can make false histories of things just by adding something to a scene. I’ve painted a series of ACEO’s called, “In the Monet.” What if Monet did paint mermaids, gators, sharks, beavers, clowns, fairies, aliens and my latest a whistler in his water lily painting? Too much fun! An artist is the master of an imaginary world where anything is possible. So I have fun with making things up!
Whistle Painting
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
I’m getting ready for a show in April. It is for local artist’s to show their work at the International Whistlers Convention which is held in the next town over from us in Louisburg, NC. Very local but it will have people from all over the world coming to whistle. So I’m painting whistling ACEO’s tiny paintings of whistlers.
I did get a little silly painting so many whistlers. The whistler above is a Gnome whistler. I will be showing some of these on Facebook and selling some on eBay soon.
I did get a little silly painting so many whistlers. The whistler above is a Gnome whistler. I will be showing some of these on Facebook and selling some on eBay soon.
Just Playing?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
I’ve often wondered when does making art change from just playing at a hobby into a business? I mean is it with the first art sale you make or is it after you formally do the business paperwork? I think it may be with the first sale. When you start selling your art you have gone pro. You must pay income tax on the income you get from your sales. It is income! Anyway we artists are playful people, artists love to play with paint etc. Many of us just play at art and that is just fine as long as you are not selling your art the IRS won’t come after you. So play and have fun at art but if you sell keep good records. These artists seem to be having lots of fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6egUsZvWu4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6egUsZvWu4&feature=related
Learning Figure Drawing
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Practice makes perfect in most things. Drawing the figure is one area of art that many hours drawing practice with a live nude model really makes perfect. But who can afford to hire a nude model? So most artists turn to books with good photos, the internet and software. Here is an interesting website you can use with your computer, iPod touch or iPhoto.
http://www.posemaniacs.com/blog/
http://www.posemaniacs.com/blog/
Artist and Science Together
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"Science and art belong to the whole world, and the barriers of nationality vanish before them."--Johann Wolfgang Goethe,
We all know about how science uses illustrators but did you know that paper folding artist’s are also being used. I have played with Origami myself. I enjoy folding flowers and animals using fancy, colorful papers. This artist takes paper folding to another level. There is much more science in his paper art.
http://vimeo.com/16489158
We all know about how science uses illustrators but did you know that paper folding artist’s are also being used. I have played with Origami myself. I enjoy folding flowers and animals using fancy, colorful papers. This artist takes paper folding to another level. There is much more science in his paper art.
http://vimeo.com/16489158
Cars in Art
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
I’ve painted cars and driven them around but there is another way to use cars in art. My world adventurer daughter sent me this photo of cars in art from Valparaiso. So artist’s recycle and reuse cars in art!
Crayons for Every Home
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
This Pac Man frog was created with what I call adult crayons, wax based colored pencils. I use Prismacolor colored pencils. The thing is I really began learning to use these wax based colored pencils when I was just a toddler because we always had crayons in the house. Crayola crayons are my brand of choice but I keep a big bucket filled with crayons of many brands. You never know when you might need a crayon. There are so many uses for crayons beyond drawing. I’ve used them to add color to my bees wax candles. Here is another use that might also work for touching up picture frames:
http://www.ronhazelton.com/archives/tips/crayon-tip-video.shtm
http://www.ronhazelton.com/archives/tips/crayon-tip-video.shtm
From Surplus to Art
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Art supplies aren’t always found in an art supply store, or art store catalog. Sometimes they are found in a surplus place or catalog. I love wandering through Army surplus stores. I’ve also found other forms of surplus supply places. If you ever visit New York City be sure to check out the stores on Canal Street. Don’t have the time to wander, there are many surplus catalogs out there. When I was designing my first artcar I found this surplus catalog very useful:
http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm
http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm
The Business Plan
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
A business plan is a must for any business. We have written several for TC Allen Company. Our company sell both art and books. So our business plan is book length in order to cover all that we do with writing and artwork. Looking at our business plan now I realize it needs updating. Our list of goals have changed through the years. Reality hits the business plan dreams hard. Anyway the Artist Paycheck Group on Yahoo had an interesting reference to setting business goals:
http://1stturningpoint.com/?p=5932
http://1stturningpoint.com/?p=5932
WWW Could Shut Down?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
I’ve come to rely too heavily on the internet to sell art. I just got a reminder of how easily I could get shut out of a website on WWW. Okay, Google took over Youtube then told me they didn’t support my web browser any more. So I couldn’t watch Youtube. I went into a panic then Youtube withdrawal. I downloaded Google Chromo then got told that it is buggy and not safe. Great! So now I’m using two browsers and maybe I’ll add another. So much for easy safe web surfing! Yikes! Yes this is a warning don’t put all you eggs in the online sales basket! They may take your browser and/or your website right off the web.
Camp and Paint
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
My favorite place to camp is on the NC Outer Banks. This painting is of the NC Outer Banks, “Outer Banks Horse.” My sketch pad usually comes along when I camp but I’ve never done the plein air painting thing. I’ve often wondered what it would be like to travel and paint. Maybe follow the street fairs around the country and/or take art workshops. Stopping in National Parks to paint landmarks and scenery. Selling paintings to people who come by while I’m painting. I read about people who work and camp they call themselves Workampers.
http://www.workamper.com/optinnew/index.cfm
http://www.workamper.com/optinnew/index.cfm
Canvas or Not
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
For some artists a canvas is not always canvas. I’ve used my car as a canvas and gourds as a canvas. Here are some artist’s that use hubcaps as a canvas:
http://www.landfillart.org/index-1.html
http://www.landfillart.org/index-1.html
Valentines
Monday, February 14, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! Create something with love. Babies are good but it is also fun and cheaper to make Valentine cards. My hubby has received a few of my handmade cards through the years. I’ve also painted many ACEO’s for Valentine’s Day sales on eBay. This frog prince I painted last year was sold on eBay. People do enjoy collecting Valentines cards. See:
http://www.ebaycollectors.com/2011/collecting-valentines/
http://www.ebaycollectors.com/2011/collecting-valentines/
Sculpture? Mine is Soft
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I do like turning some of my 2D ideas into 3D. I once though of sending my images to a manufacturer to have them made into vinyl toys. Yikes that is expensive! So now when I decide to try a 3D sculpture it is a soft sculpture on my sewing machine or crocheting. Speaking of soft sculpture here is a website of my favorite artist: http://www.kjlyons.com/
CSI Meets Art
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
There are so many ways to go in an art career. I love the TV shows CSI. In forensic art, art and meets CSI. If someone young at art wanted a career that combines their interest in art and science this sounds like an interesting way to go.
Learn more:
http://www.askaforensicartist.com/
Learn more:
http://www.askaforensicartist.com/
Online Painting Lessons
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
In praise of all artists that teach art. I did enjoy teaching when I had students that acted interested. Now I’m just on the student side again and enjoying watching other artists teach online. Having taught I realize what angels these artist’s are considering they are taking time out of their creative painting time to show those willing to learn how to do art. I’ve just discovered a likable and knowledgable artist online, Mike Rooney, on Youtube. Very interesting painting lessons:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pPhyt06tg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1pPhyt06tg
Does It Have To Be Real?
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
“I have never understood why some artist's choose to become human cameras instead of creative artists. I guess they like having their left brain rule over their art. Making every artwork a product they produce from skilled craftsmanship and technical accuracy. Nothing new or revolutionary about realism!” Having said this on Face Book today I feel I need to say more. I’ve been told many times that realist don’t always paint exactly what they see. They change things to make the painting look better. So to them that is creative. No that’s just being a well educated designer. Creativity is creating things never seen before and may never have been seen if the artist didn’t create it. These killer whales came from my head memories of whales and sunsets I created the painting and the scene never was real. Just Deb’s world in Surrealism. So does realism have to be real? I’d rather make it up. My own reality using my skilled craftsmanship and technical accuracy in a Surreal world because what we see isn’t the only thing art is about.
One more thing I could never joint the PSOA because whenever I did portraits the true person would shine through to me. Things got pretty ugly in those faces sometimes. I’m just too honest!
One more thing I could never joint the PSOA because whenever I did portraits the true person would shine through to me. Things got pretty ugly in those faces sometimes. I’m just too honest!
My Favorite Model
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Did you think I would post a nude here? LOL Nude models are expensive. Years ago I had college courses on drawing and painting the human figure. Many classes of an intense four hours of staring at a naked man or women while drawing or painting. I learned a lot. Not only about art but about people in general. We all come in so many body types and sizes. It is amazing how people are put together with so much variety. Sometimes I wish I could pose nude and paint at the same time. Now I work from the nude memories, Google and books when I paint nude fairies, mermaids and swimmers. It is not the same I miss the live model. At least I have my pets, mostly my cats, as models they come cheap and are always nude. Vera cat is my favorite model. Her wonderful white fur shows every curve and every shadow
.
.
Colored Pencil?
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Colored Pencil! There I said it again! We all have regrets in our art careers. Coulda, shoulda, woulda moments. Mine was helping to get the 114 District Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America get going. I jumped into it blindly helping Donna Slade with her dream of rebuilding an NC chapter. Hey, I like helping people. Thing is I got way do excited about the whole thing. Like a kid in a candy store. I wanted it to work out and be the best it could be. I let the people I thought would be the best for the chapter take over and I stepped back to be webmaster. I still had my loud mouth if I thought they were messing up. Little did I realize the politics would make me want to leave what I helped start. I’ve never been good at reading people. I left the CPSA with a pencil stuck in my back, only now have I really looked back and realized I’m just not a joiner of clubs or societies. Crowded rooms full of people all trying to one up each other makes me ill and angry. The North Carolina 114 District Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America is still active if you like that sort of thing draw your pencils and don’t let them see your back.
http://cpsadc114.org/
http://cpsadc114.org/
The Good Eye
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Art degrees don't make you an artist. The stuff that makes an artist comes from within. What you experience in life is reflected in your work. There is also something called having a good eye. Without being able to see what would make a good photo or painting your work will never be good no matter how many courses or workshops you take.
For many years I taught art I used to say to my students while critiquing their artwork, "It works!" I'd say this because they chose right using an artist's eye they had that good eye for composition and subject matter. Having a good eye doesn't mean you can copy everything another artist/photographer has created it means you can find for yourself what would be a good painting. In the case of a surrealist and abstract artist that comes from your dreams or thoughts first. Many photographers and realist painters first think up what they want to paint or photograph then go out to find it or set it up. Photographers, realist and impressions all use their artist’s eye to choose what to paint or photograph in nature too. I’m still on the fence when it comes to whether an artist can develop a good eye or if it is innate. The debate goes on as to whether artists are born or made. Anyway college or workshops don't make artists. Working every day at art does and if you are blessed with the artist's eye you will succeed.
For many years I taught art I used to say to my students while critiquing their artwork, "It works!" I'd say this because they chose right using an artist's eye they had that good eye for composition and subject matter. Having a good eye doesn't mean you can copy everything another artist/photographer has created it means you can find for yourself what would be a good painting. In the case of a surrealist and abstract artist that comes from your dreams or thoughts first. Many photographers and realist painters first think up what they want to paint or photograph then go out to find it or set it up. Photographers, realist and impressions all use their artist’s eye to choose what to paint or photograph in nature too. I’m still on the fence when it comes to whether an artist can develop a good eye or if it is innate. The debate goes on as to whether artists are born or made. Anyway college or workshops don't make artists. Working every day at art does and if you are blessed with the artist's eye you will succeed.
Know Your Medium
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
In order to get the most out of your materials you’ve got to learn all you can about your medium. No I’m not talking about that psychic medium person. Your medium is the material you use to make your art. I paint mainly with acrylics so that is my medium of choice. There a many different types of acrylic paint and I have to know how each of them will behave on my canvas or any painting surface I choose to use. Since I like to use a series of glazes to build my colors I need the type of acrylic that is transparent or semi-transparent that will adhere to gessoed canvas. I also use a glazing medium or other painting medium to add transparence. I knew one artist that used beer to make his paint more transparent. Anyway I am still learning about new acrylic products and new ways to use my chosen medium. The more I get to know the better I paint. It keeps the fun in my work playing with the new stuff I’ve learned.
Most manufactures are happy to teach you about their product, take advantage of these free lessons. I do. Here is an example:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-lessons/free-art-instruction-videos.html
Most manufactures are happy to teach you about their product, take advantage of these free lessons. I do. Here is an example:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/art-lessons/free-art-instruction-videos.html
The Rule of Seven
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Just a word on how to get art buyers to love you and buy your artwork.
The rule of seven simply says that the prospective buyer should hear or see the marketing message at least seven times before they buy it from you. Here is a website that explains it well:
http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/258/what-is-the-rule-of-seven-and-how-will-it-improve-your-marketing/
The rule of seven simply says that the prospective buyer should hear or see the marketing message at least seven times before they buy it from you. Here is a website that explains it well:
http://thebabyboomerentrepreneur.com/258/what-is-the-rule-of-seven-and-how-will-it-improve-your-marketing/
Dream
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
“I dream my paintings, then I paint my dreams.” (Vincent van Gogh)
Van Gogh was considered an Impressionistic painter but from this quote he sounds more like a Surrealistic painter. I am a “Painter of Dreams,” Deb A.M. Allen. Which makes me a Surrealistic painter at this time. I did dabble in realistic painting and impressionistic painting my style has changed through the years.
"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them." — Pablo Picasso Picasso painted every style, he changed as the times changed. He found his niche then moved on to another. So he is remembered as one of the greatest artist’s of all time. When I hear advice given to the young at art to find your niche in art and stay with it I want to scream, “Grow, change and search your art soul.” How else are you going to find your real art self. People change! Dreams change!
Van Gogh was considered an Impressionistic painter but from this quote he sounds more like a Surrealistic painter. I am a “Painter of Dreams,” Deb A.M. Allen. Which makes me a Surrealistic painter at this time. I did dabble in realistic painting and impressionistic painting my style has changed through the years.
"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them." — Pablo Picasso Picasso painted every style, he changed as the times changed. He found his niche then moved on to another. So he is remembered as one of the greatest artist’s of all time. When I hear advice given to the young at art to find your niche in art and stay with it I want to scream, “Grow, change and search your art soul.” How else are you going to find your real art self. People change! Dreams change!
Starting to Panic?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Rats! the art cash flow isn’t what it used to be for many artist’s in the down economy. My advice comes under the heading of never stop working. Even when all is in a whirl and the dark clouds of bill collectors are forming don't panic! Get up and do something. Email or print Newsletters send them to past art buyers. Enter contests and juried shows if you are that type of artist. Many of the summer sidewalk shows are taking entries now. Join some art organizations. I recently read what I think is the best advice for these hard economic times. It came from, "The Artist's Magazine," a few months back. They said don't stop painting just because buyers aren't buying much art right now. Use this time to improve your art and build up your inventory. If you must sell try painting some smaller paintings small art with smaller price tags will sell to a wider audience then will high priced large paintings. Save the large paintings for a special show when the economy rebounds. By then you should have lots of great paintings to show. Never give up!
Yes to Live Models
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
This is an example of student work. You can tell a live model wasn’t used. How? Look at the location of the feet. One just isn’t coming from the right place. Also the proportions are all off. This print was created from a picture of a man and a photo of an elephant. Photos distort shapes and make it difficult to see the locations so mistakes like these happen. A live model would have solved all these problems. Looking at the correct dimensions and measuring on a live nude model creates a more realistic looking nude. I’ve even seen computer produced figures make distortion mistakes that some drawing from live models would have solved. Never turn down the opportunity to use a live model whether for drawing people, animals or anything!
Pricing Art
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
After thirty years of selling art. I've read this and heard this raise your prices lecture many times. First you have to consider your focus group, who really buys your art. My art seems to appeal to fun loving women around my age or young people who enjoy comics. I'm not collected by the rich and famous who can afford to over pay for art as an investment. Raising prices would cut me out of my market and create zero sales. Also once you raise your prices you can't go backward and lower your prices again. Your collectors will become angry that you sold to them at the higher price and you are now devaluing their collection. So what do I do about pricing? I have base rate of a dollar per 2 square inches on stretched canvas painting or a dollar per 6 square inches works on paper. The price structure triples for commissioned work. No frames included in this pricing. This is after thirty year of selling and a college degree in art, those young at art should build up to this price structure. Also your prices should increase if you have many awards and many collectors. Raise your price higher every year if you are among the few lucky enough have art that appeals to rich investors, God bless you! The highbrow art investor market is very narrow and will get saturated with your work quickly so your art will soon be out and another artist's work will be in. Then you may end up sitting in a studio full of unsold canvases because you can not lower you prices again. That is when you'll have to reinvent yourself as another type of artist, which is another whole issue.
Oh one more thing; It always seems to be the galleries suggesting I raise my prices. Could it be they just want a higher commission?
Oh one more thing; It always seems to be the galleries suggesting I raise my prices. Could it be they just want a higher commission?
Open Studio or Not?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Not for me! Some artist’s live in areas where they have open studio tours every year. I just can’t wrap my head around having strangers snooping around my studio. It seems so invasive to me. Having strangers intrude on my creative space is so painful for me. Which is the reason I don’t have sales from my studio. Also at this moment another artist is busy in my studio and I’m sure he wouldn’t want strangers seeing his unfinished work either. Anyway I’ve also heard of dangers. Remember Craig’s list? Now they give out warnings about people who visit your home/studio for criminal reasons. They suggest you meet buyers away from your home.
Craig’s list is another place to sell art if your willing to take the chance and meet buyers in a public place our local Craig’s list:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/art/
Craig’s list is another place to sell art if your willing to take the chance and meet buyers in a public place our local Craig’s list:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/art/
Getting Inspired
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sometimes it gets hard to pull something out of my creative art hat. So I go looking for inspiration. I find it in news stories, old tales or stories, photos of landscapes, old calendars, my cats, my dogs, my chickens, movies, flowers, and even other artist’s work. I never copy anything just think of how I could illustrate/paint it better in my own style. Art is all about saying stuff your own way. You can really see how artist’s have their own way of saying stuff when you visit sites like; http://www.theispot.com/ Check out all the different styles and how the artist’s tell the stories. It is so inspiring!
Snow People
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
For me painting snow people is so much fun. I also enjoy creating them in the snow. But first you need snow to do that. Here is how one group solved that problem. Snowman in the desert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FM6OAIyWZM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FM6OAIyWZM&feature=player_embedded
Art Supply Shopping
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Making art makes me happy. So why do I feel like the Bluebird of happiness has made off with my piggy bank every time I go to buy art supplies? My husband says that only the people that sell art supplies and run galleries really make their fortunes in art. I’m inclined to believe him.
Where you buy art supplies really can make or break your art career. I buy many of my art supplies online from one of those art supply stores with a man’s name. Lately I’ve been finding them more expensive than my neighborhood Walmart so I’ve been getting some of the more common items there. I also make some 3D art and Walmart has been great for supplying me with scrap cloth. Anyway remember art is a business so watch the bottom line.
Where you buy art supplies really can make or break your art career. I buy many of my art supplies online from one of those art supply stores with a man’s name. Lately I’ve been finding them more expensive than my neighborhood Walmart so I’ve been getting some of the more common items there. I also make some 3D art and Walmart has been great for supplying me with scrap cloth. Anyway remember art is a business so watch the bottom line.
Art for Church
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Deb Sermon
If you don’t like God talk don’t read this.
I know you can’t buy your stairway to heaven. Some people try by doing all sorts of things for their church and giving huge amounts of money. No God doesn’t want what he already owns to begin with. As an artist I was guilty of thinking that giving my artwork and art teaching away to a church would bring me closer to God and he would bless me with lots of art buyers. Big mistake because the more I gave the more the people in the church took without buying my art. God does love a cheerful giver but you need to be sure it is God you are giving too. Charity has to come from love to be cheerful. God really wants us follow his commandments, give him our love and have faith in him to take care of us. So I let go of the greedy church, I moved on to a place I could worship a loving God and give without threats from a church. Only then did I really see all the blessing God had already given me.
If you don’t like God talk don’t read this.
I know you can’t buy your stairway to heaven. Some people try by doing all sorts of things for their church and giving huge amounts of money. No God doesn’t want what he already owns to begin with. As an artist I was guilty of thinking that giving my artwork and art teaching away to a church would bring me closer to God and he would bless me with lots of art buyers. Big mistake because the more I gave the more the people in the church took without buying my art. God does love a cheerful giver but you need to be sure it is God you are giving too. Charity has to come from love to be cheerful. God really wants us follow his commandments, give him our love and have faith in him to take care of us. So I let go of the greedy church, I moved on to a place I could worship a loving God and give without threats from a church. Only then did I really see all the blessing God had already given me.
Art A Business?
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Art is a business make no mistake about it. As a business art sales depend on the economy to sell. I’ve seen many ups and downs in the art market in my thirty year art career. I remember the fun years when I saw almost everything I created sell so in this down economy I’m looking for new clues on how to make this business more profitable again. A local couple offers help on their website to those young at art or those experienced artists looking new ideas:
http://www.art-career-experts.com/
http://www.art-career-experts.com/
Artcar Culture
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
I discovered the Artcar culture totally by accident while surfing online. I was trying to get tips on painting my beat up old station wagon. I had decided to just have fun with it and paint my kind of paintings all over it. I thought I was being so creative and that nothing like it had been done. I was wrong. I found this art on car thing has been going on for many years. Anyway I charged ahead and had fun with it for a few years until I gave my car away. So now I’m just dreaming of a new way to display art on my semi-new 2008 HHR. If you are inclined to become a, “carist,” or Artcar Artist here is where I found some helpful hints:
http://www.artcars.com/klubhouse/tips.html
http://www.artcars.com/klubhouse/tips.html
Optical Illusions
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Do you see the wine glass? Okay so maybe I haven’t got that optical illusions thing down yet. I do love to see a good optical illusion. Here is a website that shows some good ones:
http://games.yahoo.com/braingames/brain-teasers
http://games.yahoo.com/braingames/brain-teasers
January Full Moon
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Full moon out tonight! The January Full moon was labeled the “Wolf Moon,” by native americans because it was the time when wolves were hungry enough to come to the villages and howl. I love using the moon in my painting. It casts a erie blue light on things and just enough light to make ugly things beautiful. So romantic!
Anyway here is more about the January full moon:
http://www.almanac.com/video/full-moon-january-video
Anyway here is more about the January full moon:
http://www.almanac.com/video/full-moon-january-video
Art on TV
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Now I don’t have to hog the TV to watch art programs I can go to Youtube and see all kinds of art programs. I’m kind of overwhelmed by all of them. Here is one I watch I love the accents. From the UK:
http://www.thepaintinganddrawingchannel.co.uk/tv-anytime.html
http://www.thepaintinganddrawingchannel.co.uk/tv-anytime.html
What is Art?
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
What is art? Simple answer is “Form and Content.” The artist uses form which is all the technical parts of art where art is defined by the artist’s use of color, value, space and line (elements of art). He/her used balance, contrast, emphasis and proportion (principles of design). He/her composed the aforementioned elements and principles on canvas, using brushes and oil paints (the physical materials). Content means what is the idea behind the painting or work of art. What the artist meant to portray, what the artist actually did portray and how we react, as individuals, to both the intended and actual messages. If you find a painting boring it lacks content. Art should make you feel some emotion when you view it.
There are other answers to this question; “Art is anything the artist creates,” but this is so subjective that anything can be labeled art even someone tossing their cookies on the street or peeing on a canvas. “Art is beauty,” no not always. I could go on but all other definitions of art are subjective. The simple and solid definition is art is “Form and Content.”
There are other answers to this question; “Art is anything the artist creates,” but this is so subjective that anything can be labeled art even someone tossing their cookies on the street or peeing on a canvas. “Art is beauty,” no not always. I could go on but all other definitions of art are subjective. The simple and solid definition is art is “Form and Content.”
Need Drawing Lessons
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Drawing is basic to any form of art even 3D art. Whether you are drawing something you see that you plan on making a painting of later or sketching an idea for a sculpture. When I was teaching art I told my students if you can write you can draw. Writing is drawing letters. Most of drawing is drawing basic shapes first the same shapes you use in writing. I use a mix of the shape method of drawing and contour drawing to draw objects. Thinking in 3D is useful every object needs to show it has volume or it looks flat. I could go on but here is a site that will help teach those young at art: http://www.drawspace.com/
Nocturnes?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
I really want to paint more night scenery. The dark has so many interesting colors and is so mysterious. Marc Hanson seems to get the nocturnes right. I think I could learn something from looking a his work.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=374354&et_mid=65096&rid=2853587
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=374354&et_mid=65096&rid=2853587
We Are Not Alone: I Paint Aliens Too!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Outsider Artists do paint what is rarely seen in real life. In a Surrealist dream things never seen are seen. As a Surrealist painter I paint Aliens. I believe anything is possible in our universe and paint what could be possible all in fun. This Outsider Artist disagrees with my theory of what aliens do when they visit us. I paint them helping us out. He thinks they are more subtle in their communications.
See: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/12/pl_grimes_artist/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
See: http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/12/pl_grimes_artist/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29
Women Comic Artists
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Comic books and comics began as a man’s art. Few women artists drew comics in the early years. It makes me want to dance when I see all the comic artist that are women now. Not only are there many comic book and comic artist’s that are women but many are minority women. The Cartoon Art Museum in SF, CA is having a show for Jewish women comic artists. Miss Lasko Gross really caught my eye. Her work shows so much emotion and tells the story well. See for yourself:
http://www.misslaskogross.com/
http://www.misslaskogross.com/
Comics Big Business
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I enjoy reading the newspaper comic strips every Sunday. I wonder what the world would be like without comics. Very sad! I also have collected my share of comic books and graphic novels. They are so much fun to read. No wonder comics have become big business. There has been a bunch of rehashing of old super heros and new movies about them. Anyway it is hard to keep up with the comic’s business here is a site that might help:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/
http://www.comicbookresources.com/
Art the Universal Language: Chinese Flower Painting
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
I do enjoy flower painting too. Chinese flower painting has to be one of the most beautiful of the techniques to paint flowers. You can feel the softness of the petals just viewing the paintings. See what I mean:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xur3KE86wZs&feature=related
I don’t understand a word of Chinese but I understand the art speaks for itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xur3KE86wZs&feature=related
I don’t understand a word of Chinese but I understand the art speaks for itself.
Animate Me!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
I think it would be fun to make a series of animated snow people. They are one of my favorite winter subjects. There are so many animation software programs on and offline to choose from now. I can’t make up my mind. I guess it all depends wether you want to do the drawing or have the software do it for you. If I wanted to showcase some other artist’s work I might use one of the online animation programs. If I wanted to use my own art I guess I’d have to pay for an animation program and work offline. This free online using other artist’s art might be fun just to play with: http://goanimate.com/
Drawing Plants Relaxing?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
I found drawing plants with colored pencil is very relaxing to me. I find a flower or a plant with interesting leaves and just sit and draw it. Takes time so I need to have some free time to kick back and do it. I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve missed spending time this way. Anyway some artists get really serious about drawing and painting plants. See: http://www.soc-botanical-artists.org/
Doodling in or out of class
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
This is what happens when I doodle now. I can’t help but start thinking of art projects or future paintings. In this case it was gourds and what to paint on them. When I went to school I was so bored in Math class and English class I would doodle all along the margins of my notes. Mostly just patterns but sometimes cartoons of the teachers. Here’s a link to a fun Youtube video about math class doodling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heKK95DAKms
Painting Water Drops
Monday, January 3, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Painting water drops is a lot like painting glass in that the reflection of light creates the shape of the drop in the same way light creates the shape of the glass. Decide which direction the light is coming from in your painting as this will determine where the highlights and shadows in the drops will be. This link explains it well: http://painting.about.com/od/landscapes/ss/water_drops.htm
Deb’s World Art Blog
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Starting in January I will be posting links to videos and art websites that interest me and I hope they will interest you also. I have been posting these links on Face Book but since my Face Book page is for just family and a few friends I decided to share these links and videos with everyone interested in art. Some of the videos will be of my own making. Hope to share with you here soon!