As part of my ‘Petite Paper Paintings’ project, I’ve been making colourful collage papers with my gelli plate. While I love ready-made vintage papers and ephemera, for this project, I decided it was important for all aspects of the work to be created by hand. I’ve had a gelli plate for several years, but before […]
Art supplies are expensive. Yet artists, especially emerging ones, need to use them up (and continually purchase more) in order to increase their skill and hone their voice. This can be tricky when painting sales are down AND one is aware that focusing on selling the work can stifle creativity and lead to ‘safe’ (read […]
“Every decision or non-decision shifts the Universe in a whole new direction.” For the past six months, I’ve been experimenting with different ways of starting a painting. What I’ve discovered is that, like a complex ecosystem, the paintings that result are surprisingly sensitive to initial conditions. Because I paint intuitively, engaging in a ‘call and […]
Art must be life, it must belong to everybody Buying original art is a great way to decorate and personalize your living space. It adds colour, texture, and interest to a room, expresses your personality and taste, and makes your home feel like a reflection of who you are. It can also provide a window […]
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 […]
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art. The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity. I often start my paintings with a lot of scribbling and energy, covering the panel with marks to respond to and eventually, cover up. While […]
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 […]
The open mode is a mood in which curiosity for its own sake can operate, because we’re not under pressure to get a specific thing done properly. We can play. When you’re curious you find lots of interesting things to do. Creativity is like fitness. The longer you’re away from it, the more difficult it […]
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 […]
First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not. I’ve been a fitness coach for 14 years and a painter for 4. Surprisingly, the two have a lot in common. Both require motivation, inspiration, dedication, getting comfortable with doing uncomfortable things and a willingness to explore one’s personal […]