The Art of Medicine

Weird as it is, I love anatomy. I haven’t done any figure drawing recently since I’ve been focused so much … More

Where Am I Now As an Artist?

One of my recent used book finds is an oil painting book by George Allen Durkee. Who is George Allen … More

September is Here!

I love September. I always have, and I’m sure I always will. Really, what’s not to love? Although it’s still … More

By Any Other Name…

William Shakespeare said it, and we’ve all heard it. In fact, we’ve all probably said it a time or two … More

Line and Form

I love browsing through art books at Amazon. Actually, I love browsing through art books anywhere I happen to find … More

The Age of Innocence

When I was growing up, a beautiful framed reproduction of The Age of Innocence hung above my bed. Even as a young … More

The Art of Practice – Final Thoughts

Over the last few weeks, I’ve shared ten tips from The Art of Practice — a little flyer I found among my … More

The Hierarchy of Art

Until recently, I had no idea that an actual hierarchy existed in the world of art. I found it very interesting and … More

Johannes Vermeer: So Much Mystery

One of the artists whose work I’ve studied recently is Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer. Little is known of his life, … More

The “Plane” Truth

I hesitate to speak much of truth when it comes to art. There really are no absolutes. We have guidelines to follow … More

The Art of Practice – Tip #4

Today’s tip is a simple and effective one. Observe Without Judgment Rendering accurately is overrated. Give yourself a chance before … More

Claude Lorrain: An Artist Studying From Nature

I love painting landscapes in oil, and thankfully, I love learning about the art equally as much. I’m fascinated by … More

The Art of Practice – Tip #2

I can fully understand and appreciate today’s practice tip, although I don’t think we should swallow it whole. First, here’s … More

Don’t Laugh

We all know the importance of practicing…but, what shall we practice? That’s always a question, and it’s often answered with … More

If It Isn’t Fine…

Two years ago I posed a question about art — what makes a work a piece of art? With over … More

Field Trip

What student doesn’t look forward to a field trip? It’s true even for self-taught students of art. On Wednesday, I … More

Young Artist at Work

I’m never too trusting of internet quotes, but we’ve all heard the one attributed to Picasso: “Every child is an … More

Become One with the Tree

Recently I’ve been looking again at works by my favorite landscape artists — Thomas Cole, Asher Durand, Frederic Church and … More

What Does It Mean to be an Artist?

Anyone can learn the proper techniques to follow in art, but that alone does not make one an artist.

Landscape and the Sublime: The Art of Caspar David Friedrich

Friedrich wanted to capture elements of the sublime, that moment of “connection” that often happens when we contemplate the natural world, that inexpressible feeling of our own spiritual being, our awareness that we are but a part of something greater than our insignificant selves.