Some days, life is a bowl of pudding and you are trying to swim in it. I gave myself a break today; well, kind of. I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. We all have those days. I gave myself an extra hour, I have that luxury. It was hard to get up though and I got dressed and put on my […]
Wasted Opportunities
I write with a heavy heart today, a gentle talent went home. Bob Walton was a wonderful man and a generous mentor to many artists. I had known this man for most of my 50 years and he captured the mountains and light on canvas in ways that Thomas Kinkade could only dream of. I was raised around artists, they were my uncles, aunts, surrogate […]
Competition is fine but always remember, We are in this together.
Just before I was given the residency, I was juried into an amazing national organization of Women Artists. They arrange for competitions for its members but they also support each other with knowledge and networking. I had been trying to join the organization and was encouraged to do so by a member I saw on a regular basis. I tried to jury in 4 times […]
Teaching others; a lesson in humility
In the residency program, I am required to offer 2 classes per session. Here is the good news, I get paid an hourly for standing up in-front of people and telling them how I do it. The bad news is, sometimes they don’t need you as much as they think. Here I am, with 3 eager students. Each one of them clutching their untouched boxes […]
Pastels vs Chalk and other questions; discussing your medium and being nice too.
One of my favorite authors, Dick Frances, wrote a book about an artist. He actually wrote at least two but the one I’m thinking of was an acrylic painter. His family was faintly appalled with his vocation but were even more embarrassed with his choice of medium, “Not oils but those frightfully common acrylics.” The Character went on to explain to the reader how amazingly […]
Time Out for Prep
There are times that the muse sits on my shoulder and tickles, itches, pulls and tears at my ears. “Hey!” She says, “Pay attention to me!” I can envision each step of the next project to the point where I feel the pastel in my hand stroking the surface of my painting and clearly see the color laying down for me. I know the size, […]
Don’t Court the Muse, Create!!
Boy was I surprised when I was awarded the residency. I had just recently moved to Spokane and needed a way to feel connected to the local community. I’ve been watching Spokane Art Calls on Facebook and when the residency application popped up, I decided here was an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. I put the appropriate information together and applied. Then with unpacking, doing […]
