Will I ever learn?

My latest painting is reminding me of a very bad habit of mine, being too timid! While I know, in watercolor, one begins light and goes darker, there is a happy medium. It takes me way too many layers to get as dark as I need to be. Why can't I remember that each time I sit down to paint? Still have a lot to do on the painting, it isn't a lost cause but I sure get mad at myself when I realize, once again, I am being way too stingy with the paint!

Fun or Work?

I just read a comment made by an artist who wrote that when folks tell her that being a professional artist must be fun, she immediately replies that it isn't fun, it is work. Then she says she enjoys what she does. That confuses me. If you enjoy what you do, isn't that fun? Yes, doing art is hard work, we sweat bullets over it but, if it were all bullet sweating and no fun at all, why do it? Can't one work hard and have fun too? Does one exclude the other? I don' think so. Sometimes, when I am working on a painting, it is a roller coaster ride! And that can change from one minute to the next!
I think that artist may be feeling that those who tell her she must be having fun being an artist, is feeling she has to defend what she does; somehow, if it is fun, it isn't legitimate work. Perhaps a more appropriate answer to the comment would be that, "yes, being an artist is fun but it is also hard work". Such a response might just start a dialogue so that the person who made the comment is then educated in a pleasant way about all that is involved with being a professional artist. The "lay" person only sees the art and thinks of the artist painting away joyously. They haven't a clue about all that goes on that doesn't involve creating the art!
Perhaps the artist means that the art is fun but the business end isn't, which is totally understandable.

Productivity

Lately, I have been painting way more than usual and have some finished work to show for it. All of these were learned and/or started in my art class. They were fun but not sure I will do many or any more like them. Will be more likely to do flowers than pots but I did enjoy doing the pots.

Haven't felt well the last few day so haven't been painting. Got back to it today and ended up tossing a work in progress. Was trying a watercolor canvas, thought it would be a nice change. Well, I was wrong. Guess someone needs to give me lessons but I couldn't get the thing to wet, paint wanted to bead up. Also, if you go back in to add shadows or second washes, the first color that was put down, comes up again. Like I said, guess there is a trick to it that someone needs to teach me but, until that happens, won't be buying any more of those things. The pots were done on watercolor board and I didn't mind that at all. It is different than paper but easier to figure out!

Started a painting of a cat today. Hope I can manage it!

Excited

I promise to post a photo next time I write here. Just haven't gotten to it lately.
Had to write to say how excited I have been over the last couple of weeks. My level of creativity has just overflowed. Not sure why or how long it will last but has been so much fun. Some of it comes from learning new things in my art class, subjects and techniques I hadn't seen before or never thought of doing. Mostly, though, I think I am finally relaxing and enjoying myself, not worrying so much about the outcome but what I learn in the process.
There are times when a nasty little thought creeps into my head. "Why bother with your art? There are so many other artists out there doing the same thing, what makes you think you can do it better or that anyone will ever like what you do?" This thought used to stop me in my tracks and kill my urge to paint. Now, however, I answer back, I don't care!!! This is fun, no matter how things turn out and no matter if anyone else likes it or not. So there!
I know I have a lot to learn and I am going to enjoy getting to the next level, which I know I will, eventually. Until then, because I am having so much fun, I am painting more. By painting more, I will get better than much faster.
There are no deadlines and I am fortunate not to have to sell my art to survive (thank goodness for that or I would starve!). I can relax, have fun and gradually get to where I am going, where ever that may be!

Back to it!

Haven't posted in a while, no new painting to post and quite a bit going on. Our art league's membership show was last week. I didn't sell anything but, according to someone who was there at the time, someone almost bought one. Guess that will have to do. ;-)
Two paintings are entered in our upcoming juried art show. Eager to see if either are accepted.
Since I have started painting more often, I have found that I want to paint more often. The fever is growing. There is so much to learn and practice that I can't let anything slide. Would also like to accumulate a body of work, don't have much right now. Well, to be more accurate, don't have much I would want to show anyone.
Getting ready to begin a new painting, first time to try a watercolor canvas. Should be interesting. In art class last week, we painted American Indian pots on watercolor board. Things must be handled differently, no fiddling allowed or it all comes up. It was fun! Wonder if the watercolor canvas will be the same?
When I get a chance, will post a photo of my Indian pot from art class (unfinished) and my latest painting.

Just Wishing

Finished reading blogs a moment ago. It is interesting to read the artists' bios. Most have had formal art schooling and have been doing their art since childhood. Looking at their work, I feel as if I am so far behind, rushing to catch up. Have never sold a painting, entered only one juried show so far (amazingly accepted!) and took a few art classes in college as electives. As a child, I drew for fun, mostly doodling. Had a Walter Foster drawing book or two to use for direction. I guess the difference in me and the artists I am reading about is they had a drive to do art from a young age. My drive came to me late in life, hence playing catch up. I also don't remember any encouragement from my family...no discouragement at least.

I need to fight this type of thinking, however. I am not playing catch-up with anyone, I am on my own personal art journey. I need to admire other art without comparing my own to it. Each time I paint, I learn something, mostly what not to do but that is so important. The occasional work shop or class will help too but finances don't always allow them.

Not sure if what I write here is interesting to anyone but it does help me to think things through and to remember to enjoy my art and not worry about the outcome. Progress will come but only if I work at it, don't become frustrated and push right through the occasional wall.

My latest painting is posted here. I made a big mistake in the background color (photo doesn't show true however) and have some ideas of how I might fix things. The flowers themselves need more work as well. It is a small painting, 4x6.

Inspiration

Finding inspiration can be difficult at times. At least, for me personally, that is the case. The creative muse can be fickle, leaving at the oddest of times, sometimes staying aways for what seems like an eternity.
I find my inspirations in different places. Nature is the most common place. My home is in the middle of several acres so, if we choose, my husband and I don't have to see anyone. We are surrounded by Nature, sometimes beautiful, other times harsh and hard. The trees are beautiful, appearing different as the daily light changes. When we have rain, wildflowers are everywhere and there are the animals and birds that live here as well. Sometimes, because I am surrounded by these things on a daily basis, I forget to really see them. They can become commonplace and uninteresting. I begin seeing just a tree or just a bird or gee, there is another deer, ho hum. It is rather like taking it all for granted, something I try very hard not to do because I feel truly blessed to be able to live in this place. When I snap out of it, I begin to see the beauty again, not just in the form of the tree but in the texture of its bark, the shape of the branches and varied greens of the leaves.
Another place I have found inspiration lately is by reading the blogs of other artists. Here I find people that have the same joys and difficulties as I, so I feel less alone or unusual. There are also those that have artistic blocks, difficulties with a painting or drawing. Sometimes I get the feeling that I am the worst artist, having doubts about my abilities. In reading blogs, I find others with the same doubts and, seeing their beautiful work, it makes me feel better about what I am doing and attempting to do.
Thank you to all of the other artists, no matter what your style or medium, for sharing what you are working on and how you are feeling with the rest of us. It has truly helped me with my art and my outlook!