A few weeks back, my hubby and I took a drive out to the valley to see the annual tulip fields. Although we’ve lived in Vancouver for nearly 30 years, this was the first time we made the trek and we weren’t disappointed. Acres of every size, shape and colour of tulip you could imagine, […]
When I tell people that I’m an abstract painter and mixed media artist, with a lovely home studio and a thriving art practice, the first question after ‘what type of art do you make?’ is ‘how much time do you spend painting?‘. The truth is, a good portion of my studio time is spent on […]
Recently, a friend introduced me to the idea of Artist Trading Cards and asked me if I’d like to swap some. ATCs (as they’re known), are original bits of artwork that measure precisely 2.5 by 3.5 inches and are widely traded amongst artists in the know (one of whom I now am, and you are […]
Ever see a painting and immediately know who the artist was, without having to look at the gallery tag or their social media handle? Chances are that’s because the artist has developed a strong and identifiable visual language. For me, slightly off-circular, wonky organic shapes and bright, saturated colours and transparent layers are three of […]
Recently, I opened my studio doors for the first time and invited local friends and art lovers in to take a peek. It was a low-key and small-scale affair by design, but provided me with many insights and lessons about the value of showing my work in person. Below is a list of seven surprising […]
A work is finished when an artist realizes his [or her] intentions When something is finished, that means it’s dead, doesn’t it? I never finish anything. I just stop working on it for awhile. One of the most frequently asked questions in the artist support groups I belong to is “is this painting finished?”. While […]
Colour is a power that directly influences the soul With colour one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft Colour is one of the most powerful communication tools available to an artist. Not only does it affect mood, colour can also trigger memories, incite action, and even create measurable changes in the physiology […]
Art isn’t paint; it’s love. One of the best pieces of advice I ever received as an artist was to figure out what I truly loved, and paint that. Art isn’t about paint; it’s about love. The same advice also works for art collectors. And is especially important because, unlike the artist, who finishes and […]
Examine your reason for doing the project this year – are you doing it to have fun, to work on a skill, or to work towards an outcome? Having a clear why will help keep you focused when the project inevitably gets boring or difficult (working through it is part of the project!). Lindsay Jean […]