Creative Work and Self Care

Living an artist's life(synonymous with a good life, a creative life)is about balance. I must care for myself in order to produce work as an expression of the joy of life and celebrating beauty. Self-care for me can be spending time with friends, creating affordable healthy meals (egg salad in pita pockets) quesadillas with corn and fresh cilantro) homemade split pea soup with Yukon Gold potatoes and carrots. It is also resting when I need to rest, walking when I need to walk. It is knowing my limits, which are different and changing after my car accident in August and being in constant pain. It is not easy, but important. Sharing my struggles with others is difficult for me, but struggles are part of everyone's life, and a common thread to our humanity. Asking for help is even harder, but I respect those most who know what they want and ask for it specifically. I need what I need and it changes (like life itself) and I want to be honest in all of life, not just my paintings. Honesty and the present is where life is. If you are reading this, I ask that you would wish me the courage to be present in the moment with whomever I'm with.

"Where the Eagle Flies" is a painting I did on location as part of a weekend paintout in Victor, Colorado. People often ask me how I create my paintings, many are done on location to capture the lighting and color accurately. The ones I do from photo references are planned ahead, and I compose the photos with the painting in mind. These are ones from locations where the lighting and color hits me with inspiration, and I create a composition by eliminating unnecessary elements and simplifying the scene to include a point of interest, and move your eye around the scene. This painting won me an award and was sold the same day. An artist's best case scenario. We love to share our work and have others appreciate what we do. Most work is created in isolation, but art is about communication and sharing beauty.

Using a Scanner

Using a scanner to record images of small works (9 x 12 or smaller, or however large your scanner bed is) gives a much more accurate image than using a photograph, even with a tripod. I had to wait until the oil painting was dry, of course, but compare this image of "Barns in Winter" with the one from the previous blog post. It really gets the colors and textures. This painting is sold, but there are more available (all are one-of-a-kind originals!)See previous posts or my website for paintings for sale. Or call me for a particular subject or commission.

Finishing Touch

this is an example of a watercolor that looked unfinished to me. I did it on location, and the edges seemed "mooshy." When I got home, I added the definition of ink pen and liked it so much better once defined. I always did ink and watercolor sketches on travels, and this way, although "backwards" works very well. I have transformed many of my watercolors from several years ago with this "finishing touch." Turtle Rocks at 11-mile canyon, $175 framed to 11 x 14.

Old Town clock

This was done in fall on location as part of the Art on the Avenue event in Old Colorado City. I sold it at my Annual Studio Sale. My favorite pieces usually sell first, and its a wonderful affirmation to have this happen. I had to move the mountain (Pikes Peak) to fit it in the scene, which meant I had to move my easel and use several on-location references to accomplish the desired effect. Plein Aire painting is the best for lighting and even though the light changes quickly, it gives you the accuracy for color notes that really make the scene shine. Colorado light is brilliant, and fall colors are spectacular!