Monday, July 25, 2011

Finding Time for Summertime Painting

Do you paint every day? How do you find time to paint? How long do you paint? These are questions I am often asked. Do you have a problem making time to paint? Have any of you out there, found a way to make time to paint on a regular basis? If you have please let us know by commenting with your ideas.

I generally feel "icky" (a technical term) if I have painted in a while. Sometimes that feeling motivates me to paint.

Sometimes I paint when I see something that inspires me. The photo that inspired the painting on this blog post, was taken by my dear friend and director of logistics for my trips, Eileen Condon. This is my 3rd time painting from this photo, I just love it.

Often I am motivated to paint when I am taking a painting class that meets regularly. Sometimes I am motivated to paint because I want to enter my work in a show that has a particular theme. Sometimes I paint because I need an example to show students.

I used to believe it was best to paint first thing in the morning after my coffee when my mind and vision were fresh. The problem with this morning painting was that I often got so caught up in the painting that I was still in my pj's when it was time to pick up my child from school or when my husband got home from work.

So basically I am saying, I haven't found a perfect schedule for painting. I do know you need to have your supplies easily accessible when you have a moment to paint, and you need to paint a lot in order to be a good painter. I am open to all suggestions from you as to how to have more time to paint.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Beagles Revisited




In the midst of the chaos of reorganizing my studio I cleared a spot on my desk and painted a portrait of my little rescue beagle, Ollie and entered it in a pet themed art show. The theme of the art competition is to show through your painting how much your pet is loved. It was an interesting challenge, to try to show that emotion. I painted Ollie cuddled into her favorite corner on the couch where she likes to catch some rays of sunshine.