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.
Read MoreYesterday I wrote an email sharing insights regarding inviting change into your art practice. It isn't just how I view my art, but having openness to change affects my life and business too. This year has been full of change and I need to to tell you about what that is looking like for my business.
Read MoreI believe that any change - even a drastic change to medium or style - probably won't be as dramatic as you think. The essence of your style is YOU, and that cannot be abandoned, not even if you try!
Read MoreThe different shifts in artists' styles are usually described as "periods.” When I look back at my art journey, I see two distinct phases of development, separated by a pivot point when I realized that everything was going to change from here on out.
Read MoreIt might just be the hardest part of making art - figuring out how to sort, store and categorize the paintings I make. Evaluating whether or not a painting is successful takes time. I don't usually know if a painting is good based on my first impressions, and so I never rush to judge a painting, and I throw very few paintings away.
Read MoreWhat happens at an in-person workshop with Angela Fehr? Here’s a recap of my recent adventure in Tucson, Arizona.
Read MoreI used to get so frustrated when a drop of paint would fall in the wrong place while I was painting. My control-oriented style didn't allow for a single misplaced mark or drip. How the times have changed!
Read MoreArtists often perceive an expectation to paint in a consistent style. As I look back over the paintings that I painted last year, I see three distinct styles that categorize my work, and I'm not mad about it. Just as my personality is complex and nuanced, unable to fit neatly under a label, my art can be too.
Read MoreMy paintings work best when I create in a process that insists on good editing. This doesn’t come naturally to me.
When I start a new painting, my first instinct is to include every detail I see in the scene, and my first versions are stiff and don’t include a lot of personality. I’m not content to stay there;
Read MoreI have the wonderful advantage of being able to sample new products (sometimes even for free) and here's the list of what I have been trying, using and enjoying this year, as well as a few things that are on my own shopping list to try.
Read MoreYou are invited to join me for 7 days of blissful touring and painting along the Cornish coast, September 17-24, 2023. We'll be spending the week in a beautiful estate reminiscent of Jane Austen, and painting scenes that have inspired authors, poets and painters for centuries as we tour landmarks of the region.
Read MoreLast week’s workshop reminded me why teaching watercolor is my dream job. Not because I had the opportunity to travel and experience beautiful Madeline Island in Wisconsin, or because I love getting treated like an honored guest (although those things are certainly true). Not even because I am getting paid to do my two favorite things; paint and talk! What really makes this job so deeply rewarding is the same thing that makes a painting come to life; the power of connected presence
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreDear 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
Read MoreSometimes 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.
Read MoreWhen 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…
Read MoreEvery year I publish a list of great gifts for that special artist. This year's guide is up!
Read MoreArt 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.
Read MoreEarlier 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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