Basics Redux

Redux is not a word we hear often. To me, it’s an awkward word. It sounds funny, and exactly what does … More

Art and the Higher Self

Intuitive art, I have learned, means two very different things. It can mean using our intuition as a guide for … More

Facing the Bugaboo

Last week I wrote about my bugaboo: getting a wide range of values in my drawings and paintings. I’m always concerned that … More

My Year of Art

Last October, fellow blogger inknpaper85046788 posted a review of Awakening Your Creative Soul. The book is a “52 Week Journey to Artistic … More

Summer Leaves

As an artist who is still working to learn basic oil painting skills, nothing pleases me more than coming away … More

The Great Van Project – 2

The Client Is Not Always Right On Sunday, I officially started on The Great Van Project.  The project is, thankfully, still … More

Let’s Be Whacky!

First things first. Whacky is a less-common spelling of wacky. I’ve always used wacky instead of whacky, unless I’m talking about whacking somebody over the head (which … More

The Artist Gift Shop

On Saturday morning I printed out the entry form for another art show. Before filling it out, I read through … More

Who I Am As an Artist

I’m catching up on a lot of art reading. During my painting and drawing hiatus, several months of Artist magazine piled up near … More

More Than Meets the Eye

In the earliest days of my art journey, I wrote about Telling Stories Through Art. It was a fun concept for … More

My Old Bugaboo

I love words, and among the words I love best is bugaboo. It’s a playful-sounding word; it’s light-hearted, and it makes … More

The Great Frame-Up

Recently I sat down with a notepad, lined all my “good” paintings up, and proceeded to evaluate them. I used … More

I Dare You!

I love landscapes, but I also love figure drawing and portraiture. At some point on this artistic journey, I want … More

Do Something, Even If It’s Wrong

Last December I started a new painting. At the time I was reading an oil painting book in which the … More

Art – Simplified

I’ve been fortunate in that one of the lessons I’ve learned in life is the value of simplicity. Of course, I … More

An Abstract I Actually Like

I am not an abstract painter. While I love abstract art, I’m only good at looking at it, not creating … More

In Praise of the Lowly Pencil

My foray into the art world began with a pencil. I think that’s how most of us begin, isn’t it? … More

Ready…Set…Show!

Art shows are exciting. Even with my limited experience, I feel that excitement each time I receive an invitation to … More

The Great Van Project – 1

The Great Van Project Begins I suppose it’s technically incorrect to say that this project is only now beginning. The … More

The Moon Lies Fair Upon the Straits

The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits; From Dover Beach Dover Beach … More