This is one of my favourite photos.
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The problem with "if only" and "when" is that both of these preface statements. Statements of judgments about your work that make it very clear that you don't get to feel good about what you're doing right now. There's no room for negotiation.
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there was a time when my future as an artist seemed unnavigable and impossible to penetrate. Surely it would be easier to succeed and grow as an artist if the obstacles were taken away; if I experienced the "flat land" of a more artist-friendly region, if I had furthered my art education, if I didn't have to juggle parenting and art, if I could paint full-time instead of in the margins.
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I believe that no matter how much (or little) the time I have to paint, I paint best in a safe space where my creativity can thrive, and over the years I’ve developed habits that help me find a space of flow even when time is short.
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Dear Angela,
I have gotten good at copying painting demonstrations on YouTube, but I want to do my own work. How do I find my own way? - a recent email question
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Sometimes it seems like even though my mind wants to paint, my body hasn’t gotten the memo. Time passes and the dent in the sofa gets a little deeper, and the paper in the studio stays white and clean. Or I’ll make the effort to be present and available to paint, but none of my reference photos seem right, and all my ideas feel lackluster. I know I’m not alone; many artists have written me with the same lack of motivation. We’re feeling blocked.
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When I'm feeling that burgeoning sense of failure, I know my perspective has gotten skewed. I'm worried about my painting's outcome and my enjoyment of the painting process has been lost. Fear of failure causes me to disconnect, while love and freedom creates an emotional connection that can't be imitated and brings my art to life.
When I was first starting to make my name as an artist in my community, it was interesting how frequently I had to turn down possible art jobs. I was painting landscapes and florals in watercolor, but I received requests for mural paintings, portraits, graphic design, children’s book illustration…a smorgasbord of variety! But I knew my limitations…
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Every year I publish a list of great gifts for that special artist. This year's guide is up!
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Art bundles like the Art Bundle for Good are a rare opportunity for you to get a great deal on a large selection of courses that will open up your world to new artists, new projects and new ways of approaching art. So, how do you approach all that goodness? Here are a few tips to help you break things down and target the next course you want to work on in your bundle.
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Earlier this summer I took a walk into the field across from my house and sat down in the grass to paint. I was thinking about the immersive experience of plein air painting, and how much I wanted to feel connected to my surroundings. The last couple of years have been hard. Painting needs to feel good for me right now!
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I love, love, love watercolour. It's unlike any other medium to me, and while I have created many things in many different outlets for creativity, watercolour is the one that satisfies me most. There is a beautiful magic to "collaborating" with fluid colour and water, responding to what is happening on the paper in a back and forth dance between maker and medium. Sometimes I don't know how a painting came to be; there's just a haze of emotion as I fell into the painting.
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I'm committed to making 2021 a year focused on wholehearted living. The mindful intention that makes my art practice significant and authentic has huge application for my daily life.
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What do you think of when you imagine abundance? Imagine your permission slip to make the art you want to make and be the artist you want to be. What would it read? Now imagine that the setbacks and obstacles that you're struggling with now are the exact conditions you need to become that artist.
Imagine writing your biography in ten years and starting with, "2020 was a turning point for..."
You know it can be.
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Some of my most spontaneous adventures have started with a mistake. A wrong turn, a forgotten step, knocking on the wrong door. A taxi driver, unloading my wet palette and smearing beautiful paint all over the bag that held it, prompted the paint miser in me to wipe that fresh paint onto a sheet of paper and try to make a painting out of it.
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I used to feel a little self-deprecating about my status as a self-taught artist, but over the years I’ve realized that every artist is self-taught. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that everyone can become their own favorite artist. Here’s how to find out what stage you’re in and what you can do next.
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I love looking at art supplies at Christmas, even though I know that when it comes to painting goodies, I buy for myself. Because I set goals in January for my painting through the year, I always try to stock up on supplies that will inspire me and strengthen my painting habit.
I’ve made a list of some of my favorite supplies, things that will help you if you are growing your own painting habit, and a few delicious luxuries you and I can dream about, and maybe, splurge on!
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From February 4-25th, you can work through the lessons in Watercolour Workout with me. In the course, you'll receive a dozen exercises to help you think outside the box and paint more freely.
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