Joyful Purpose

Awkward Teenager Phase

All paintings go through the awkward teenager phase.  I don't care how trained, accomplished, or fabulous you are; there is is always a point in the evolution of a piece where it looks awkward.  You will want to toss it and start a new all the while doubting your abilities to even put brush to paint.  Thoughts that may arise  - I don't know who I am kidding, I'm not an artist ... I really am wasting my time ... who do I think I am ... really? seriously?  to mention just a few.  But hold tight!  This is normal and even necessary!  Stick with it!  It is the process of the painting.  So I am showing you the evolution of my work to see that I really do practice what I preach.

I find it helpful to work on two paintings at once so when you are totally frustrated with one you can set it down and grab the other.  It is amazing with some time away how the spirit is refreshed!

 

 

 

sketch

 

 

 

 

laying in background

 

 

 

 

 

Layering (awkward teenager)

 

 

 

 

Starting to mature

 

So stay tuned .....

Let me know!

I hope you have enjoyed the FREE Tips and Tricks Workshop!  If you did please let me know by leaving a comment here or emailing me at [email protected]  






I have been busy working on a new site that I just can't wait to  show you and would love to inlude your comments.  That goes for any class that you have taken from me as well!  I would love to hear from you. 

Free Tips and Tricks Workshop

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TIPS AND TRICKS WORKSHOP

 

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Progression with Paint and Horses

I often work on quick studies in my journal in preparation for the finished pieces - often just working on line and color as above ......

Here is the progression of my watercolor painting of a horse so far.  I often start something and leave it for months and just stare at it before I actually start work on it again.  So after doing some quick studies last night I woke up to feeling it was time to begin on this guy.  Stay tuned ....

No Excuses Guest Artist ~ Mary Love Soeldner

 

This is what I love about the No More Excuses Method of Art Journaling - you find people like Mary who use it to drive them, to take away their excuse of not doing art, and who take what they like and make it their own!  It has always been my goal that this program is for absolute beginners as well as trained artists like Mary.

 

Mary Love Soeldner

 

I am a mixed-media artist (although my first love is Watercolour and experimenting with it).  I am currently living in Geneva, Switzerland with my husband Rob who works here.  Since being married (26 years), we have lived in 5 Countries and 8 States - some through Rob's Army Career and the rest through his new adventures; the longest being Ashburnham, Massachusetts for Five years, where I went back to school full-time, after 17 years of being a stay-at-home Mom (and the usual other Hats this entails) for my two boys and earned an Associates degree in Art (Professional Track) studying with the most generous Artists/Professors/Mentors one could ever hope for, at Mount Wachusett Community College.

 

One of the best things about being an artist in Europe is that I get to travel and visit the most incredible places that one can ever dream of!  The colours, the textures, the smells, tastes and sounds are great motivators to create and learn in.  I've met several really creative people whilst over here in Geneva.  All of them artists in their own rights, and generous in their enthusiasm for my experiments on paper.  However, none of them create daily, which is why I was searching for something to motivate me and push me to the limits.  That is when I found an interview on YouTube with Gina Rossi Armfield regarding her program "No More Excuses". Sometimes in life, you meet the right people on the right day!  After researching "No More Excuses" I contacted Gina, and now I feel like I have a new mentor and with Gina's method, comes a creative community that not only are generous by sharing of their work, but inspire me and motivate me to push on.  DAILY without any excuses!

 

Sunday Muse

Several years ago I came across this Ted Talk by Elizabeth Gilbert on banishing fear and welcoming the creative.  Today I listened to it again.  What a great reminder for everyone to embrace the creative and to show up no matter what.  

 

She definitely has a No Excuses Approach to Life!

 

 

Tips and Tricks begins Aug 19th

I am happy to announce my new FREE workshop!

 

Please make sure you sign up below to insure you get into the workshop!

 

 

 

Sometimes I don't want to do a whole project or study a new process ...

 

Sometimes I just want something that makes me go ...

 

AH HA!

 

Yeah!

 

That's Cool!

 

I can use that!!

 

 

Everyone can use a new tip or trick to make their art easier or inspired and if you are like me ...

 

You don't have a ton of time!

 

So HERE IT IS! A workshop that is fun and fast!

 

TIPS AND TRICKS THAT TAKE DOWN ALL EXCUSES!

 

It is an EVERGREEN workshop which means you can start it and revisit as often as you like there are NO TIME LIMITS. (Begins August 15th)

 

However, YOU MUST - 

 

 

SIGN UP!

 

 

Cost: FREE