To paint or not to paint?

I came home last night with the intention of painting. I wanted to work on my still life, but arriving home after a visit to my moms, it was after 7pm. Dinner, spending some quality time with hubby watching reality tv, and more tv. I am beginning to really like The Voice. Of course hubby is not so fond of watching this-so off he went to retire to the bedroom and watch the races or some other show that interested him. I could have gone to my studio at this point, but was frozen on my coach like a rotting potato! I did wake up early this morning and after getting the coffee started, headed to my studio to lay down some watercolor on this still life I had in mind. The teapot and dish of fruit were still sitting on the table waiting to inspire me. The fruit is now in my lunch.

#9 Muddy Birches

I might as well keep track of the paintings from last weeks workshop, The Fall colors in the muddy painting # 9 Muddy Birches, came as an afterthought, in an attempt to salvage this dull mess that looked like a 10th grader did it. Looking at the thumbnail and the final piece, I am not so horrified by this. The subtle color changes and bright colors give it some life. The photo that inspired this exercise is from Sayen Gardens, but as I changed it so much, I doubt it looks like the same place.

#10 Palm Beach

My tropical beach #10 Palm Beach  was also done in the workshop. It is from a photo I took in Mexico from a trip our family took in 2001. Our last family trip, the year Jessica graduated from High School. The beach was in shadow, and so I had to improvise to add some vegetation and greenery. The Palm on the left was added to give some depth. I do like the tone in the sand and the hills.

Workshop Teacher

On Friday, February 24th, I attended a workshop on watercolor in  Island Heights, at the Ocean County Artist Guild. My sister Margaret and I went together to this one day painting workshop. This well known artist is very talented, and has some wonderful tips to teach as I learned when I have taken his class before. He asked for a sample from someone, and I had my two Palm Trees painting with me. I was now the subject of his critique. At first he was somewhat complimentary, asking me if I show my work. He said he does not enter juried shows often. HMMMM, does his work get rejected too? I wonder. He then repainted my piece -changing up the composition a bit and letting the paint flow in great pools of greens and browns and tropical blues. His 10 minute painting is so different from mine. He told me to loosen up and not try to paint each blade of grass and each frond of the palms. I thought I was quite loose. He exhibited such a command of the medium, it flowed from his brush effortlessly, not leaving behind a muddy mess. I did not feel his affirmation for my painting in his critique of the forest-stream scene I attempted. The birch trees were not white enough, far too much coverage of paint on the paper, my stream looked unnatural and my trees were not believable. I painted like a 10th grader! The man in front of me in this class assured me that I was doing better than his sixth grade critique. I think that a teacher/ mentor needs to give a bit more constructive criticism to an unsure artist. Find something we do right and at least give us positive feedback for that. We all know we are not as talented as you are, dear teacher, but we do not wish to feel like perhaps we should throw in the towel.

I have taken these types of classes before and while I do sometimes feel inspired and ambitious at the end of the day,  confusion sometimes sets in as well. Maybe the humility of the situation is enough for me to work harder and to overcome some of the quirks in my creative process that make me ordinary. Do I make up for being ordinary by being ambitious? Painting several times a week for hours on end has to be the path I need to take to improve my technique and not get myself lost in trying to duplicate the many methods of a variety of mentors I have learned from. I need to remember to take what I can from these classes, apply it to my own creativity and if it works for me, move forward with it. If not leave it behind.

In my quest for 52 paintings this year, I am not sure that my classroom practice applies to this number. I am not attempting to fill in 52 slots with art I did not feel truly creative about.

I am currently working a a still life of fruit and a tea pot. I set up the still life setting, shot a photo and ate some of the fruit as I sketched.

Pastels

I decided to try something different for my newest art expression. Pastels. I love the way they look, and have a wonderful set given to me last year by my son. They do allow me to use my impressionistic style. This is Painting #8 and it is of the wetlands down the street from our shore (bay) house. A storm was rolling in and the sky was incredible. I have painted this in oil, but think the pastels work well for this scene. Happy to have a view like this from my street. NJ can be beautiful. I like the pastel process, I need to do more in this medium.

Spring wetlands

Juried Show

As I expected, my art was not accepted in the Mercer County Artists juried show. 286 entries and only 70 or so accepted so only 1 out of 4 made it into this show. There was some amazing pieces accepted as well as some beautiful pieces of art that did not make it. So, I should not be too dismayed by another rejection. After being a juror on the ETS Chauncey art exhibits, I am full aware of the process and how many talented artists are rejected. I paint for my own satisfaction, sanity, enjoyment and learning.

#7 Two Palms

Painting #7 is the Palm trees I photographed in Florida last year in the Keys. This was from out day on the beach at a state park. I took some liberty and added the small amt of turquoise waters that is peeping through on the coral beach.

Vulnerable

I sit in my studio today, anxiously awaiting to hear from  Mercer County College if my art has been accepted into the yearly juried show. I have entered many times. I do hope this year is my lucky year. But with over 200 submissions my chances are minimal. I think if I am pessimistic, I will not be let down. Wow, this is something I must have learned as a child. My mom said this often. But with being rejected many times, it is a great possibility it will again be my outcome. The sale I thought I made through Fine Art America was a hoax. Seriously Sarah Lockwood, you expect me to accept your check for 2000. and give you back 1820. for the painting that would cost 180.? I am vulnerable and gullible, but not quite that much of an idiot.

But today I am painting again.  I am determined to keep up my art, and a scam and rejection will not keep me from my craft. Today's painting is 2 palm trees swaying in the gentle tropic. I guess I am looking forward to our trip to Florida in a few weeks.

Painting sale

I received an email from Fine Art America today, someone is interested in buying my original Crystal Rose painting. I am selling it for 180.00. This is exciting. Sure hope to get more activity on that site. I am entering the Mercer County Community College art exhibit this weekend. Still not sure what I want to put into this show. I have been rejected so many time in the past. Hope this year is different.

The start of my New Years resolution

Painting is my passion, my hobby and my learning experience. The more I paint the more I wish to paint. I made the commitment to paint 52 pieces this year. My New Years resolution-to paint one a week.

#1 Giraffe Twins

My first painting was a Giraffe. I was happy to sell this to my friend Ginny. The Giraffe Twins is from a photo I took years ago at Six Flags, Great Adventure Safari. I kept this photo and have always wanted to illustrate it. I kept my brush loose and was pleased with the outcome.

#2 Key West Proud

I took this photo in Key West last year in early February. What a gorgeous and proud Rooster. I have not painted many animals, but think that this is a good exercise in change.

#3. Cedar Beach Pinks

This is one of my favorite places in NJ. Cedar Creek Beach is a short walk from our cottage in Bayville and it has some of the most gorgeous skies and water reflections. I walk there all the time, and have painted this spot on many occasion. I am always inspired by my walks to Berkeley Island Park

#4. Iggy the Iguana

Wow I love this creature! He is so pretty. Who knew such a little monster could be so colorful? Iguanas are living on my sisters property in the Florida Keys, and in other tropical areas. I found the incredible coloring for this guy on line while doing some research, but the photo inspiration came from my friend's winter vacation photos to an island.

#5. Giant MVP

I am not so fond of watching football, but don't mind the Super Bowl. I thought that it would be fun to predict the winning team and start on this during the game. I did watch a few commercials and the halftime show. I am not thrilled with this guys face..My version of Eli Manning kind of looks like a teenager. 

# 6. The Valentines Crystal Rose

I wanted to paint something that had to do with Valentines Day. Hubby gave me roses years ago and I complained about how much money he spent! That was not a good idea. No more roses for me. Valentines day is our son Mike's Birthday, so it is special to us, but not in the way it is to most people. I now have roses to last me many Valentines days.