Sometimes we wonder where to find inspiration, where to find beauty, where to find our muse in life. The daily tasks, unexpected emergencies, the routine daily grind seem to take their toll and leave us just a bit tired and jaded. I found my breath of inspiration early this morning, drinking my hot coffee watching […]
People scan images constantly. Looking for pathways of least resistance. The easiest routes have no hard sharp edges that act as ‘shut gates’. Upon A Hill has several “open gates” Soft Edges that allow the viewer’s eye to easily travel up and through the image. This painting is very easy on the eyes […]
How do I fix my paintings? How can I tell what needs to be fixed? How do I critique my work? A phrase I prefer over self critique is self assessment, a much more positive and hopeful turn of phrase. I also prefer the term ‘not yet resolved’ over the dismal, its a ‘failure’. […]
The humble honey bee, attracted to my lavender was a cheery, busy little thing inspiring me to get busy myself and take some photos. Which in turn gave rise to the bee inspired semi abstracted prints. Taking the actual photos this close to the bee was just a bit daunting, without my telephoto I […]
Passionfruit flower photos just in time for the holidays ! It is an exquisite flower, with the lovely cobalt-lavender and yellow complementing each other. I love the tendril like fronds that seem to be stretching right out, reaching out to touch and connect. The bottom image with its gorgeous misty soft edges in the […]
Paints are the artist’s words. Express your Self! Yesterday, it was brought home to me just how desperate we are to paint like someone who is ‘famous and well regarded.’ Halfway through teaching my class, a man pops into my classroom out of the blue and asks me where he can go to learn […]
After a busy week and a weekend workshop teaching – its time to kick back and watch the sun set.
One of my favourite vases caught my eye today. Its deep indigo, ultramarine, cobalt teal, yellow green seemed to call out to me to look, to pay attention. The vase had been tucked away behind many of my art supplies for a number of months, but today I saw it with new eyes. As I […]
I want powerful, dynamic brushstrokes! I want them lively, not boring. And, I want 1 brushstroke to do the job of 20……. Its not that I’m slacking off, I tell myself I’m ‘efficient.’ I’d like my time, effort and energy to be optimised to the maximum possible. You too? I thought so! Let me tell you […]
Zen of Art. How to tame the Dragon called Perfectionism? In search of perfection. A tantalising empty promise. An Illusion. “How Good” does my art have to be, before I’m satisfied? When will I be content and not frustrated? What does it actually take? And hey! why should I bother thinking about this anyway?! […]