So much of developing as an artist is discovering the kind of art we want to make—learning our preferences for mediums and subject matter. For me, I can’t say that I am anywhere close to choosing anything exclusively, and as a mixed media artist, I probably never will. The more I create, though, the more I am learning my preferences.
I love working with watercolor more than acrylic paint, for instance. But I really miss
Read MoreI keep mentioning different online classes, so I thought I’d list my current online learning here in case you might want to look into them:
Each month of the year a different guest artist shares their process and we create in that style, including filling the map shown above with our own art representing each month. We also
Read MoreAs I hinted at yesterday, I do feel like I’m all over the place with art-making lately. I’m just doing a lot of experimenting, especially with character drawing. This sketch book page features an exercise from another Skillshare class, Illustrating Emotions with Anne Bollman. First I drew a character with a “neutral” expression—and then I drew the same character showing a different emotion—surprise.
Overall, I’m pleased. I am developing skill in drawing cartoon-like characters. I don’t think I could have done this a year ago, to tell you the truth. I plan to extend the exercise and try drawing her with two other emotions. And then maybe I’ll try 3/4 and side views…
If you’e followed along recently
Read MoreAs soon as this line came to me last week I knew I had my theme for the week.
Art making is kind of like skipping stones, right? Throw a flat stone across the smooth surface of a river and watch one idea become the next and the next…and then watch them ripple out.
I spent most of my week last week experimenting and playing and not doing much else. I created figures in different ways, some in ink and colored pencil, some paper cut outs, some watercolor, some collage. And then the acrylics came out and I found myself painting abstracts. I was kind of all over the place.
I can’t say I knew what I was doing—or even that I was comfortable with what often felt out of control.
Here’s what I wrote in my journal:
Read MoreI finished The Sentence in February for my Read with Me project this year, but I’m posting my thoughts about the book in the middle of March.
Just so you know, that’s going to be the rhythm for this project going forward and I invite you to join me! We’ll read the book for the indicated month and then look for a post about the book here on the blog around the 15th of the following month.
I don’t plan or intend to write a formal review. I’ll just share what I found compelling (or not) and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Ok, so here we go.
First of all, I thought Erdrich’s The Sentence was a beautiful book. Tookie immediately captured my heart and promised a good ride from very beginning—and when we get to know Pollux —oh my. I don’t know if I loved each of them or the love they had for each other more!
This is a story about people who are still haunted by the past.
Erdrich wonderfully works with the concept—motif—of ‘sentence’ to
Read MoreLast night I was dreaming about the art I would make today. I do that sometimes, which just shows how excited I get about my art practice and how much a part of my life it really is!
In my mind, I think, I was putting together some ideas.
You see, there was this experimental piece I’d made yesterday. I didn’t really intend
Read MoreFor a long time I’ve struggled with how to organize my art practice. Over the years, I’ve found some structure. First, I have a well-developed daily art habit and I try to devote at least some time every day to my art practice. And because I’m at my best in the morning, I try to work then.
But I’m always feeling this push and pull. What should I work on and for how long? There’s so much I want to do! Between learning and practice, creative exploration and all the projects I want to finish—there never seems to be enough time.
And then I found
Read MoreWhere I spill my heART and share my obsessions: art journaling, mixed media, and my creative life.
