My “Dazzling Dahlia”

Remember that sad-looking overgrown dahlia I drew last month? Oh, it was depressing. That oil pastel painting was — in … More

The Birch Forest

Yesterday was the final day of the Student Art Show sponsored by our HFAA club. I went to the library … More

Making Messy Art

Many times I’ve said that creativity is “making a mess” — but that’s only part of it. The rest of … More

Earth Day 2022

I always look forward to Earth Day. This year, however, as much as I want to get out and celebrate … More

How to Use Oil Pastels

Oil pastel sticks look like crayons. Some are a bit larger than the familiar “Crayola” colors we used as children, … More

Floral Studies

Yesterday you saw my sad, over-grown dahlia. I didn’t show you the rather droopy rose I’d drawn the previous day. … More

Art Misconceptions

Because I had a very limited acquaintance with art as a child, I grew up with a lot of misconceptions, … More

Midwestern Roots

I recently watched a video presentation from John Hulsey, an artist who is almost a “neighbor”. He is from Lawrence, … More

Quick Study: More Monochromatic Green

Over the next few days I’ll be doing a number of “quick studies” for my “Mood and Atmosphere” project. These … More

So Many Mixed Emotions

I’m working now with inspiratons from tonalist artist Charles Warren Eaton, often known as “the pine tree painter”. Today’s painting … More

Winter Memories

Today I’m sharing the seventh painting in my series of 3 x 5 “Index Card” landscapes. It’s part of my … More

It’s Complicated

Several years back there was a movie — It’s Complicated — about modern-day relationships — which can, indeed, become a … More

With Apologies to Frans Hals

Among the many artists whose works I’ve studied recently as I’ve explored my Dutch heritage is Frans Hals, also known … More

A Method to my Madness

Insanity, it’s been said, is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. By that definition, I … More

What Did I Learn Today?

Practice painting is often frustrating. Sometimes I feel I’m wasting a lot of canvas as well as wasting a lot … More

Starting the Day With a Smile

I don’t know if I’ve ever told this story before…maybe or maybe not. If I have, just stop reading and … More

Staying Within the Lines – Not

While I understand the blending technique and managed to create a three-dimensional sphere, I certainly haven’t yet mastered staying within the lines. As a result, my little sphere is a bit lopsided.

Patience Is a Virtue

I’ve never been a patient person. When I want something, I want it now — a fact that Amazon Prime … More

Measuring Success

In recent days, I’ve completed a number of “successful” art works. Of course, any real artists who visit this site … More

The Importance of Making Mistakes

Today’s art project was a disaster. Luckily, I learned early on in my art explorations that making mistakes was an … More