Having fun with oil painting

This is a detail shot of my latest oil painting, "Rest". Whether I am working small or on a bigger canvas (this one is 24x30"), I paint with my bare hands as well as brushes!

I use a variety of oil painting brushes, but in addition to adding paint with brushes, I like the subtractive nature of scraping back with 'shaper' tools. I also blend and move paint with my fingers as well as the heal of my hand.

If you look at the light area above the hand in this detail shot, you can see the cast shadow created by oil paint when I scraped back through.




(PS... both of these are quick pics from the easel. I'll post better images soon. Oil paintings are tough to photograph until the surface dries a bit... don't like the glare.)

Multiple income sources help!

Here's a section of my studio wall... color samples and inspiration. At the bottom, you can see a bunch of hand written notes on large white paper. This is a quick at a glance 2010 calendar and different possible income sources for me as an artist, teacher and entrepreneur.

As a self employed someone, I can say having multiple income sources really helps. I sell my art through galleries, non profit organizations and have commission work... then there are grants and residencies... sharing marketing & strategic planning with other artists, my DVD royalties and other ideas for the future.

When I plan, I work on short term and long term projects... and try to keep an open mind to totally new ideas. IF someone would have told me ten years ago, not only would I love the business of art, but I'd be sharing this passion with others... I would have laughed hard! We all have multiple gifts... plan, listen and work hard (AND smart) and you will achieve success.

Don't give up!

Don't give up! I have been applying for a residency at McColl Center of Visual Art in Charlotte, NC for years and finally got a yes. I will be an Affiliate Artist (for artists in the area) from April-August 2010. Check out the website... www.mccollcenter.org

The photo above is the studio I will occupy for that time. I am extremely grateful and excited. And, if I'd given up one of the many times I applied before, I would NOT have finally heard the "yes" this time.

(FYI... I also contacted the woman in charge of residencies after my last "no" and we discussed the strengths AND weaknesses of my application. This was kind of tough to hear, but information I put to good use with my most recent application in which I got in. Often there are tips posted on websites or organizations giving grants & residencies will often give applicants help.)

There are numerous artists applying for the same grants, residencies, galleries, etc... And many times, one doesn't get in the first time. Sometimes, it's because it is very competitive that year, maybe your work is not as strong as it could be... maybe they just want to make sure you are a dedicated artist and will keep applying. There are too many variables and each time is different.

As an artist who's received a LOT of rejection, but also has received multiple grants and sold work in galleries... I'm telling you to not give up!

Another one completed...

"Below" (12x16", soft pastel on board) is my newest pastel painting completed. I really like working on the textured pastel surface. (See previous blog entries for in process shots... including the original textured surface.)

"An underwater composition"

"An underwater composition"... here it is finished.


... a detail.