It's about sharing

I feel very postive about the recent change of direction in my work. Sometimes it takes some real tuning in, listening, and it can be a very subtle realization or a loud one. Personally, it was both! It was like a bud developing and giving me hints of what I should be doing and stop doing, and then the flower opened, and I knew.

What I absolutely love about creating my art is sharing. We live in society and we need the connection to others, at least most of us, and sharing art is most rewarding. I know that what I draw or paint usually bring a reaction in most people, and that's what I'm after. Sharing means allowing people to express what it is they like, dislike or are indifferent to, basically opening a conversation with them. I doubt that my artwork ever disturbs anyone (although if it does, do let me know why), particularly since I've gone back to painting figuratively. So if it makes one feel more at ease, enjoying what they are looking at, then I feel happy that I've contributed for a moment to a positive state of mind.

There is enough sadness and suffering in this world that if we can bring a little joy to anyone at any time, then it's an act of kindness.

Finally, I feel I am doing the right thing with being on a new path. I have painted 5 paintings and sold 3 within days. That is most encouraging. I am grateful and wish to be bringing you more art often.

Aude

Minimalist paint kit for trekking

I was just on a 7-day trek in the Teton range, on Teton Crest Trail, a fabulous experience. I so love hiking and being out on trails for that long period of time, it rewinds my clock, energizes my creativity and allows me time to reflect on aspects of my work and life.

With my backpack weighing around 42 lbs, I had to really trim down on the art supplies! So I chose my little watercolor notebook, a Moleskine one with 60 pages, and good paper, my mini box of watercolors, 1 yogurt pot lid for a palette, 2 tubes of gouache (white and black), 1 small pencil - no eraser (I never use them anyways), 1 apple sauce container for water, 1 tiny light ruler, 1 #3 brush and 1 Niji waterbrush, 1 Copic Multiliner brush 8mm, and 1 Artline pen 0.1.

With the pouch to carry all this, the kit weight is 325g, or 11 1/2 oz. Not bad!

Thus I had the opportunity to write, sketch scenery, work on abstract vignettes too. I never totally stop doing art, it's simply a part of my daily life one way or another.

I'm set for the next trip!

On studio time optimization

Browsing the net for info, I came upon a great article for artists about being efficient with time spent in the studio. It's clever, well-written, and I liked it so much that I printed portions of it to have on my wall as a reminder. I read it in the morning with my cup of coffee, before working, and it really opens the mind up to possibilities. 

Not much else to say, read on about Artists - Making Effective Use of Your Studio Time