New watercolor portrait work in progress

work in progress watercolor portrait 

It's been a very long time since I painted a watercolor portrait that wasn't a commission. I think it's been since January. Wow. I kind of can't believe that. I just went and looked it up and it HAS been since January. That's a long time for me. 

This painting is based on a photo by the amazing Steve Evans, of a beautiful young girl from South India. This section is just a close up, the full painting is all of her face and some of her arm too. I fell in love with her eyes. So sincere, so alive. I'm very excited to get back to painting it. 

And here's a peek at what's been going on during my 'dragon days.'

 A little horse bust I sculpted on my birthday last week. Just for fun. :) 

My latest sculpting project. A bigger, more detailed horse sculpture. Hopefully, if everything works out, this will be a full body gypsy horse when it's finished. That's the goal anyway. :)

I am feeling SO excited about this little side project right now. It is filling up my creative well in a big way. 

Anyone out there tried sculpting before? And, what's something you guys do to refuel your creative fire?  

 

 

An Abundance of WIP's

 'Powerhouse'  work in progress

7 x 10 inch watercolor

'Sleepy smitten'  work in progress

8 x 10 inch watercolor

It seems like I have lots of works in progress right now. These two, and a colored pencil piece, and a larger commission too. But those last two are still in the drawing stage. 

Do you ever feel like you have so much to do that you just kind of sit there, not knowing where to start? Yeah. That's how I feel today.

At least I am fortified with chocolate. Now I can conquer anything. Huzzah?! ;)

A bigger work in progress

new watercolor work in progress

10" x 14" 

 reference photo by faestock on deviantArt

So. I felt like it was about time I did a bigger painting. There is just nothing like big splashy watercolor backgrounds. So much fun. The background and her hair are finished, just the rest of her figure needs work. When I started this painting I masked off the entire figure (after I had painted her hair) with a combination of frisket film (for the majority of her figure) and masking fluid to seal the edges. It looked like this: 

It ended up working really well. There's just that one spot on her arm that leaked, but that's a dark area anyway so it won't matter. Which is a good thing because I used a ton of pthalo blue in the background, which if you're an artist you know NEVER COMES OUT OF ANYTHING. I've ruined quite a few shirts by splashing pthalo around indiscriminately. 

I had originally planned to pour the background on this painting. But after giving that a try on another painting that I did for a fundraiser with my son's class, I decided not to. I really don't care for pouring. I think it gives the most beautiful and luminous results, but I don't have the patience for it. Maybe one day I'll give it a try again. 

Speaking of my son's class fundraiser I just remembered I never showed you guys the finished painting! Here it is, they did a really great job I think. :) 

The finished painting! I had three of the girls write the quote with a wax resist crayon and then each kid got to pour several cups of paint onto the painting. There were about 65-70 kids and each one of them got a chance to build up this painting. It was really cool. The stars are colored pencil drawn on once the painting dried. But the letters are entirely wax resist. It worked out pretty awesome I think. Considering all the paint that got poured onto it.

Until tomorrow friends! 

Listening to: The Dead Weather

Reading: old art magazines

Watching: my crazy dog hiding in the curtains

Snacking on: Cadbury mini eggs

She is such a good hider. :)

Sweet Baby Girl Portrait Commission WIP

Sweet Baby Girl, work in progress

8 x 10 inches, watercolor 

 

This week I've been working on a new portrait commission of this absolutely darling little girl. I'm going to show a few pics of the painting in progress just in case you guys are curious. The above shot is where I'm at right now (that blank line to the left of her is water from a sprinkler, haven't started that yet).

My client said that she really loved my use of vivid color so I'm trying to keep that in mind as I layer the skin tones (no I haven't found a way around that layering yet. Argh). Painting a baby's skin is a very delicate process, you have to be quick and sure about what colors to use and where to use them. The less you layer on a baby the better. Her face is basically done at this point, we'll see if I need to add anything once I finish the background and her body. 

This has been one of the funnest commission's I've ever had. I mean just look at that smile? Don't you just love her? :)

Here are a few earlier pics in progress too: 

the preliminary drawing

A close up of her face, in progress 

It's been a while since I've posted a watercolor WIP so if you guys have any questions ask away and I'll try my best to answer them in the questions. :) 

Listening to: ZZ Ward, Put The Gun Down

Reading: Indigo Spell, by Rachelle Mead

Watching: you guessed it, Supernatural :)

Snacking on: apple slices and peanut butter

The Sunny Spot (WIP)

"The Sunny Spot" - work in progress

8" x 10" watercolor on Aquabord

Sometimes I reach a point with my art where I'm not exactly sure what direction to take. I have a hundred ideas roaming around in my head, drawings completed, and watercolor paper stretched and ready to paint on, and yet. . . I can't really seem to find my way to express what I'm striving to. To capture the image with my hand that's so vivid in my head.

When that happens I press forward. I keep making finished drawings that are waiting to be painted, I pick up halfway finished works that I set aside months ago hoping to feel a spark to get them finished this time, I look through photos for that one perfect image that's calling me to paint. I do this knowing that eventually I'll find what it is I'm looking for, and I'll be able to paint without inhibitions or fears once again. 

It's not really a block. . . But it's close to it. That's where I am now. And that's why there's a sudden rush of work in progress pieces on my blog. :)

This piece is close to being finished, I just need to strengthen the colors and fine tune the details. I plan to leave the background white because I really like the shape of his little seated figure in that spot of sun. 

There's just nothing like painting sun kissed baby skin. It's the best thing ever. :))

Until Thursday my friends! 

On Being True

latest WIP - untitled

8" x 10" watercolor on aquabord

I've recently started working on aquabord, just to try something new. This is a very tricky surface to get used to. It is super absorbent so there's even less time to manipulate the paint than I usually have when I work on paper. I'm determined to master it though, no matter how long that takes me.

And during this last year I have found out that in order to keep artist's block at bay I need to constantly be challenging myself with new subjects, surfaces, mediums.

Maybe it's not so much to keep artist's block at bay as it is that I don't want to admit that I have a very short attention span. In honor of that short attention span I'm keeping my post short and sweet today. (I know you are *shocked* right?? ;)

There's been a lot going on in my mind lately about the life of being an artist. We live a life of extremes I think, we have passion for what we believe in, and what we do, in nearly excessive amounts, and because of that when we feel despair we feel it deeper and with more intensity.

But what else can we do? In order to be the artist we are meant to be we need to be who we really are, we need to be true. To the dictates of our own heart.

No matter what anyone else says.

"Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish." John Jakes

Happy weekend everyone. :) See you all on Monday for the reveal of the Cook-Waller monthly painting challenge. Huzzah!

 

This Artists Life

watercolor work in progress

10" x 14"

With every portrait painting there is a certain point when everything starts to come together. I have the foundation in place, the shapes of the face are accurate, and the hard part is over.

But. . . this point is kind of a no return. I'm crossing the Rubicon. It's do or die from here on out. (okay I'm done with the cliches. . . I think) I need to tread carefully and take slow, methodical steps to finish the painting and push it to be everything I want it to be. If I rush it and don't think it through carefully I will make a mistake and it will be ruined.

That's where I am with this painting right now. I'm ready to see it finished but it's taking me a long time, more in planning than actual execution. But that's the way I paint. This is me. I can't paint any other way.

Sometimes there's some kind of Divine intervention that comes over me and my hands and eyes know exactly what to do, but most of the time my paintings require a good deal of thought and planning, as much as I might wish otherwise.

I think that sometimes we try to be what we think others want us to be. Spontaneous, loose, impressionistic. Those are all qualities that I admire in other artist's work. But it's not me. I can't force myself to paint or write in a way that isn't my own unique voice.

So I paint portraits, because I love faces and expression, and horses because they are beautiful, powerful, and kind, or stuffed animals, or sliced kiwis just because. And I write about cupcakes and chocolate, insecurities and fears, Coldplay songs and the Vampire Diaries, Hobbit jokes in novels and my life as a mother. I write about things that make me feel something. I paint things that make me feel something.

And it is my fervent hope that when you come here you feel something too. :)

So thank you friends, for reading my posts (which are sometimes longer than they should be), looking at my paintings (even the bad ones), encouraging me (when I'm feeling bad about myself) and making me laugh (with your witty comments and emails). I am an artist and I always will be, but the journey is made easier and more enjoyable when you know there's someone there to share it with. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. :))) 

And my good friend Sandra featured me on her blog today! I'm so honored and touched. Thank you Sandra! Do go check it out right here. :)

Portrait Workshop Recap!

This was my demo. :) Didn't get very far.

watercolor work in progress 10" x 14"

Well, the portrait class is over and it went very well! Thanks for all the good luck wishes and tips you guys gave me, it helped a lot!

I decided to paint a step by step and stop in between each step so that everyone could follow along on their own paintings. I had every one use the same photo reference because I thought this might be a more effective way to show my techniques in such a limited time period (it was only three hours) instead of everyone painting something different. I think it worked out pretty well. 

me painting the demo

(thanks so much to Patricia Christensen for sending me these photos of the class! I brought my camera only to realize I had left the battery at home. D-oh!!) 

I was so nervous for this class. I have never really taught painting before, I've given a few demonstrations, but never actually taught so I was worried that I would be very incoherent about how to actually use my techniques.

This is what I was afraid would happen:

Student: "So how exactly do you do that??"

Me: "You just, sort of , like, put paint on your brush and then kinda move it around the paper. . . "

:D

Me again. :) And some lovely, wonderful, talented students. :))

Everyone was so great, really passionate about watercolor, with lots of talent, and willing to learn whatever I had to share with them. They were a very cool group. I mean, they even laughed at my lame jokes! :)

Here they are hard at work.

And more of the class! I was really excited because fellow Utah Daily Painter and blogger Patricia Christensen was there! (That's her in the blue shirt in the back) I instantly felt more at ease knowing I had a friend there. :)

And here's the whole class. Except for the two men who somehow managed to slip away when we announced 'Group Picture'. Next time Mike and David, next time!

It was a lot of fun and a great experience. Teaching this class really helped me understand why and how I paint the way I do, and also how to articulate that for others to understand (hopefully!). And it's been good practice for that how-to portrait book I've been thinking about doing. 

I think the class had a good time too because they asked me to come back. Huzzah!

Until Thursday my friends. Have a great week! :)

P.S. I talk a lot on this blog about being true to yourself as an artist and painting what you love so I thought I'd direct your attention to two fantastic posts that I read in the last week about the very same thing.

Sandra wrote a beautiful post that you just must read. If you don't know Sandra hurry on over there because she is not only a truly talented artist, but one of the loveliest and kind hearted people in the world. Literally. :)

And the always inspiring Carol Marine wrote about how she feels about her most recent project. Inspiring stuff for sure.

K, bye for reals now. :)

I'm Back!

Hello?

You guys still remember me?

I'm back!

After some very annoying computer problems (which are all fixed now) I am finally back to blogging! And let me tell you that I am feeling a little rusty. Writing a blog post, like anything else I guess, is really a lot harder when you haven't done it for nearly two months than when you're churning out a post a couple times a week.

So, forgive any incoherence or rambling thoughts in this post. I'm still getting my blogging legs back.

I've missed you guys. And thank you so much for every single one of your kind and friendly emails wondering where in the world I'd gone. You guys are so great!

watercolor work in progress 10" x 14"

Here's one of several works in progress I've been working on lately. It's a portrait of my sweet little mare that I've had since I was seventeen who is now retired and living at my parent's house. This painting is further ahead right now than what this photo shows, but I really like this stage.

 I've always been drawn to sketches and halfway finished works. They seem to have a little more personality sometimes than perfectly finished pieces. And there's just something about this stage in this particular piece that really 'speaks' to me. I'm not sure why. It just does.

I'm going to be posting just once a week from now on. My two months of forced unpluggage convinced me that less computer time is a pretty good thing.

 I played more games with my boys. And overall just spent a lot of time having fun with them.

I organized certain areas of my house that I had SERIOUSLY been neglecting (cleaner, tidier bookshelves with extra space?! Now I can go buy more books! Sssh, don't tell my husband that that was my real motivation ok?)

Read a lot of books that I had been dying to get my hands on. Huzzah!!!

Spent time with the people in my life who matter more to me than anything else. Date nights, lunch with my mom and sister, you get the picture.

Started taking photos of small and simple things that happen in my every day life. (Look for these in future posts) 

Sketched just for the fun of it, not as a training exercise.

Thought about writing and illustrating a children's book just for my boys.

In other words, I slowed down. I took time to enjoy the little things in my life that I had been taking for granted. And I loved it. Slowing down is a good thing. Sometimes we (and I mean 'me' here) get too caught up in where we want to be instead of where we are right now.

And I love my life right now too much to just sit still and watch it pass me by. Living my life is the only place I want to be.

In other news, I sold a painting internationally for the first time ever ('Emerge')! And my painting 'Here Be Dragons' won 1st place from an artist/juror that I've admired for years, Linda Stevens Moyer. :) How cool is that?

And speaking of cool. . . Check this out!

Dude!

That's me breaking a board!

Hi - yah!

My boys started taking Tae Kwon Do last year and after watching their Master instructor demonstrate some AMAZING moves I knew I had to give it a try.

It is awesome and FUN!

Huzzah!!

So. . . that's what's been going on with me. Now I want to hear all about you. What's new with you guys? :)

See you next week everyone!

Planner or Pantser? And more work on the WIP

more work on the WIP (still untitled)

15" x 20" watercolor

Things are coming along on this painting, even if it is a little slower than I'd like.

It's funny, when I mess up on a painting I usually approach my next one with a little more. . . caution? I guess you could say. Not timidity, just approaching the painting with more of a plan in my head of what colors to use and in what order, more careful looking at shapes and placement.

Which really is a pretty good thing, because I've realized (and I seem to be forced to make this realization every couple of months) that when I think I've nailed my process and I know exactly what to do and I'm basking in my own awesomeness of painting skills (totally kidding, I never bask, sheesh how prideful would that be? ;), that's when I mess up.

I think I have it all figured out, and I'm rushing to get it finished, and then I make that fateful error that I cannot fix and the painting's ruined.

Sometimes that really sucks. I hate having to learn things the hard way, but it seems like I always get to anyways. :)

So, at this point in the painting I'm laying down the skeleton, making sure that my framework is accurate and all set for the big splashy finish. I once heard an artist say, "first make it strong, then make it pretty." I've always remembered that. Sometimes I think I'm a little too anxious to get to the pretty making part.

So far I'm using light value colors so I can still make slight adjustments to his face and proportions that are so dang important with portraits. I'm making it strong right now so that at the end I can come back and make it vivid and beautiful (hopefully, that's the goal anyway).

In other words, I've been planning. No winging it this time around.

So, fellow artists and creative types, here's my question for you: Are you a planner or a pantser (pantser= fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pantser)?

As much as I'd like to be a pantser, I'm pretty sure that I'm a planner.  

New WIP, and one of my favorite painting tips

watercolor work in progress 10 x 14

First of all, can I just say how much fun reading all your comments from my last post was? Cuz it was, like BIG time. :) Thanks to each of you for the encouragement, your kindness and just generally for being all-out-fabulous Rock Stars. You are the best blogger buddies in the world.

I promise that I'm working on my landscape. I may be procrastinating a little, or a lot, but that's only because I'm a little intimidated. It's a bit easier to paint emotion when you're dealing with a face or figure than when you're dealing with a tree. . . or a barn. Right?

I'm working on it, I promise. I'm going to be posting some of my sketches on Monday. Along with a new Motivational Monday post because it's been a while and I could use a good dose of motivation right about now.

I started this painting yesterday just because I love this beautiful face and the golden colors of her coat that just glowed in the sunshine. But let me tell you that the harness is making my eyes cross. It's tricky to keep all the lines straight. It's a good challenge, a lot of negative painting which is SO fun.

Turning the painting upside down to work on the harness has helped me focus on the shapes that really are there instead of the shapes I just 'think' are there. That's been one of the best tips about art that I've ever heard. Paint upside down. It really helps to get you to see what's really in front of you.

But I think my all time favorite painting tip I've ever received was when I asked an artist I admired, back when I was a wee watercolor newbie, how she got so good. Very tactful question don't you think?

;)

She told me that she had to paint an acre of bad paintings before she got to the good ones. I love that. And I have to agree with her. I had to paint an acre of horrible paintings before I started to figure out how this watercolor game worked. I still have them too, just to remind me of how far I've come. 

Thinking about this tip makes me curious about you guys. What's the best tip you've ever received about art or anything else that's creative?

I hope you all have a great weekend! See you Monday. :)

WIP Wednesday and a very random thing that made me smile

more work in progress 15 x 20 watercolor

First of all thank you so much for all of your wonderful, heartfelt comments from my previous post. You guys are the best. :) Thank you.

Second, I've made some progress with this WIP. I was hoping to be finished by now, but I'm not quite there yet. It's coming along though. I like the warm colors in this piece, and that very different green apple. 

Third, sometimes you just really need something to make you smile you know?

Yes, of course you do.

That's why when I saw this:

I just knew I had to share it with any fellow sugar junkies out there.

You're welcome. :)

And last of all, I started a Facebook Fan page for my art and would be honored if you wanted to come and 'like' me. The widget is on the side of my blog.

Thanks everyone!

Until Friday.

Huzzah!!

WIP Wednesday and Small Things To Be Thankful for

watercolor work in progress

15 x 20

Remember a few posts ago when I told the story of my two year old who ate my still life set up? Well this is what I've decided to paint instead of plain old apples. There's a story here which hopefully will be more apparent when this painting's finished. You'll have to wait and see. :)

And my 'what to paint next' poll is over and do you see what I have to paint now? A landscape. This should be interesting. I've never felt particularly drawn to landscapes and since I'm a bit of a detail type person this will be a challenge for me. I'm trying to think of what kind of landscape it should be. Probably something with snow, because it's winter here in Utah.

Now, on to Small Things To Be Thankful For:

1. My kids are out of school for Thanksgiving break and thus today I will not be a taxi driver all day long. This makes me happy as I have recently discovered that a very large portion of my day is spent in my car ferrying kids to and fro all their different activities. I love my car and all, but we need a little bit of a break.

2. My husband is not making his famous creme brulee for Thanksgiving this year. This of course was initially on my list of Things To Cry About (remember how I'm a bit of a list junkie?), but I've decided to look on the bright side. So, no sinfully, seductive, delicious creme brulee but also no 5,000+ calorie desert. My skinny jeans say thank you.

3. There are people out there (ahem. . . that would be you reading this :) who like what I paint and are kind enough to take the time to tell me so. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. :)

4. We had a severe snow storm (so the weather people say) last night and now my kids are out building The World's Best Snow Fort. Complete with stairs, a second floor, and turrets I believe. At least that's what the blueprint they made said.

5. My husband telling me I'm beautiful. I never get tired of hearing that. All you husband's out there, consider this information I've just given you your secret weapon.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!

Your turn. What are you thankful for?

More work in progress and Motivational Monday

watercolor work in progress 15 x 20

The other day I was telling my husband that I didn't think this painting was going where I wanted it to and that I was thinking of starting over. Watercolor's tough in that if you want it to look really spectacular you need to get it right the first time, and I wasn't feeling it was 'right' in some areas.

Anyway, being the amazing and supportive husband that he is, he said, "You always do that (meaning, I don't feel satisfied with a painting and so I start over. . . It's true, I do that. It makes for a lot of paper wasting). Why don't you just work on a different area and then see what you think?"

So I did. And I like it more now. It's coming together. Sometimes I think I just forget that most paintings go through an awkward adolescent phase. They're just not that cute anymore and really, sometimes kind of annoying.

No offense adolescents, I was awkward and annoying once too. Okay. . . so I still am. :) But, I digress.

Moving on to my Motivational Tip Of The Day: Just keep working, it will get better. It might hurt a little (or a lot) and it might not always be fun, but it will get better.

For example:

Yep.

P 90 X!

Last week I started doing this P90X workout. My husband has been doing it for a while and he challenged me to try it. I think he was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to do it. Or maybe he just thought it would be funny to see me limp around the house for the next five days. (And yes, he did indeed get to see that)

 I said of course I can do one measly hour of exercise. I mean pu-leaze, I ran a half marathon this year don't you know?! I can do this. No sweat. Bring it on.

Yeah. . . 

So, I did it. And the full hour too, but it was HARD! Like crazy hard. And just so you know, I'm not a wimp when it comes to working out, the more challenging the better for me. I love it. I know, that probably makes me a little neurotic. But, that's me.

My point is, that this workout was not like what I'd previously been doing (which was just running) at all. Not even close. And I'll admit that I was seriously feeling very wimpy when it came time to do about fifty different varieties of pushups, and I could barely make it through 10. Nevermind that the girl on the DVD is a little, tiny thing and whips out 30 (!!!) millitary style push ups right next to the men! Holy cow she was awesome.

It was painful (in a good way:) and it was kind of discouraging at times, but I know that I'll never be able to do 30 millitary style pushups unless I start out doing 10 girly ones now. I have to go through the pain and discouragement now to get to the good part later.

Endure. Persevere. Nevah, nevah, nevah give up.

It all pays off in the end.

So, you tell me. When was the last time you did something that was really hard, but paid big rewards in the end? Art related or not. :)

New Work In Progress

watercolor work in progress 15 x 20

This is a portrait I'm painting of the local leader of my church. He is one of the best men I know, always inspires me to try a little harder, and a good friend. This stage is the beginning layers of washes that will form the foundation of the rest of the painting. Achieving a likeness is what I'm most concerned about right now.

I'm feeling a little harried lately. My blog schedule has been hit or miss, and I'm just generally feeling like I need to recharge. So, I figured I would try to lighten things up today and post three random facts happening in  my life right now. These may or may not be related to art, just so you know. :)

1. The other day I decided I would try to paint a still life. This involved me setting up some apples on my dining room table where the light was pouring in from outside. I left my apples sitting there for a while and went to do some laundry, when I came back my two year old was sitting at the table taking a bite out of each apple. "Mmm," he said. *munch, munch, munch* "apple. . . good." This led me to the conclusion that I should probably not leave potential art references and my two year old unattended. Who knew that apples would hold such appeal? I mean sure, if it had been cookies. . . but apples?
2. I won a gift certificate to an art supply store in a recent art competition and I am seriously considering spending it on oil painting supplies. I have never, ever painted with oils and am suddenly feeling inspired to give it a try. What do you think? Should I go for it?
3. This week me and my two older boys have hung fake cobwebs, skeletons, spiders, ghosts and pumpkins all over our house to make it really 'haunted' looking. My eight year old keeps asking me when I'm going to let him buy fake blood, or other 'real, scary' decorations (like tombstones, zombies, or flesh eating rats). I can not convince him that it ain't gonna happen. Like ever. I know, I'm so mean right? ;)

So. . . what's new with you guys? :)

I LOVE fall

watercolor work in progress

still thinking about a title :)

     I love fall. It's my favorite time of year, and I don't think I could happily live in a place without this season. I love the way it smells, so fresh and crisp. I love pulling out my comfy sweaters and wrapping up in them. I love making soups and stews that remind me of my mom, making my house really feel like a home. I love that feeling of anticipation that good things are coming, soon.

     I met my husband in the fall, and I think for that reason alone I will always have crazy, romantic, nostalgic feelings at this time of year. I love it :)

     So, I've been wanting to do a Halloween painting for a while with all those fun colors, costumes and memories. A few years ago I asked my son to sit and model for me, and he did. . . reluctantly. Then I did what any good mom would do. I bribed him with candy.

     Which of course worked. :) Never underestimate the power of sugar.

     Oh, and you'll have to forgive the staples showing in this picture, I'm in a bit of a hurry. I've got a hot date tonight with my husband :):):) See you tomorrow friends, I'm off to pretty myself up. 

     What I'm listening to (about a hundred times today): Take Me (As You Found Me) by Anberlin (my new favorite band)

Motivational Monday and latest WIP

watercolor work in progress 5 x 7

     Why a mountain lion? Because they're beautiful. That's one reason :) I was very drawn to this image. I love the sunlight hitting her shoulders and back, how it turns her fur a golden-red color. I love how she's completely focused on whatever it is she's looking at.

     This happens to be a captive mountain lion, and I was honestly surprised by the affection she showed her human handler. It was pretty cool. Here we have an example of another sometimes-cuddle-beast.

     And I've just always really loved mountain lions, they remind me of a cat I had when I was a kid, who was definitely a cuddle beast. 

     Now on to Motivational Monday :) I have three things to say about that today. 

     I've been painting a lot lately, making sure that I've got plenty of paintings lined up and ready for me to start. Because I've found that a lot of the time I'll get stuck when I finish a painting and then have nothing else to work on right away.

     So right now I'm sometimes working on two or three paintings at a time, switching back and forth. This is something I haven't done a whole lot of in the past, because it would just throw me off my groove. But now that I have less and less time to devote to painting, I'm finding that I'm making the most out of whatever time I do have.

     So that's tip number one, make sure you have something ready to work on when you've finished your current piece.  Keep that momentum going.

     Something else that I'm going to start doing this week is to take three of my favorite living artists and study their work. What are they doing that I could incorporate into my style of working? Composition, value, color, mood, things like that. I think it's important to keep learning, studying and practicing, and I haven't spent very much time doing that lately. So this week I'm going to try and pick that back up.

     The artists I've chosen are Ali Cavanaugh, Steve Hanks, and Susan Harrison-Tustain. Three master watercolorists with an emphasis on portraiture and figure work. The point of this study is not to copy their work, but to learn from it, to pick their paintings apart and figure out what makes them successful and then take those principles and apply it to my work.

     Tip number two is, find an artist that inspires you and try to figure out why they do and what you can learn from them. 

     And finally, this weekend I realized something. Other people don't think about you and your work the same way you do. Shocking revelation right? Yes, well, what I mean is that if you're feeling discouraged about your work just remember that it's probably not as bad as you think it is. Actually, I'm positive that it's not. Someone out there most likely loves what you do and really admires your talent and hard work. 

     Yes, they really do. I'm serious. Not even kidding. So feel good about what you do, whatever stage you're at in your art career.  No one else can paint like you :)

      Tip number three is, you are an awesome artist. Now don't let that go to your head, but feel good about your talent and effort. It's okay. You can. I just told you that you could :)

     So, what's motivating you lately?

 

Progress

"Brand New" a work in progress

watercolor 10 x 14

     Made some progress on this today. I think the precious-newborn side of this painting is winning out. Don't you think?

     Now things will start moving a little more quickly on this painting. I wanted to be sure that I had the proportions right in the beginning, now I just need to strengthen the color and values and deal with the background.

     I really am starting to like this painting. I think the hand in front of his face is so sweet. The reference photo is of my youngest son when he was about four days old. I took HUNDREDS (and I mean that literally) of photos of him in that first week, knowing that he'd outgrow that newborn stage so fast. And I'm really glad I did. :)

WIP Wednesday

watercolor work in progress 8 x 10

for purchasing information please email me at crystal@crystalcookart.com

     Getting closer. But still, a long way to go. The body of the horse and the head is pretty much finished, but the mane, bridle and the rider's hand still need to be finished.  Then when I have all of that finished I'll go through it and see what needs to be strengthened. All those little last minute pieces.

     Oh yeah, and the horse's teeth and tongue. Jeez, how could I forget that? ;)

      I'm keeping this post short and sweet today because tomorrow my friends, oh boy, tomorrow I am going to be posting some of my art from high school (brave!!) and ten things I've learned about art since then. I hope I've learned more than ten things since then, but ten sounded like a good number.

      Now I really must go, I keep getting interrupted by a little hand tugging on my pants and asking for "pease?!" more snacks. He's starting to get a little peeved with me I think. Until tomorrow :)

WIP Wednesday

Step two of my current watercolor work in progress

8 x 10

Step one, basic placement of features and colors

Here's what I'm working on right now. This piece is going to be part of the holiday invitational I'm a part of, but I'm going to make it available for purchase here first, to the viewers of my blog and my Facebook friends. If you're interested in reserving it let me know at crystal@crystalcookart.com by September 1st. Thanks everyone!

      One of the thing's I like about this horse (photo provided by photography by Jenny Martinez) is his mane. I loved the movement there, and I really think this is just a dynamic pose, it's of a horse and rider roping a steer.

      Something interesting about the horse is the position of his ears, he's listening to his rider. His ears aren't flat against his head (which would mean he was ticked off) and they're not pricked at attention (which would mean he could care less about that stupid human on his back). He's listening, he's excited, he wants to hunt down that cow, he's a team with his rider, and I think that is very cool :)