Painting color drenched artworks of places and things I love
“I can’t change the fact that my paintings don’t sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture.”~Vincent van Gogh(Dutch Painter, one of the greatest of the Post-Impressionists, 1853-1890)
Creating a set of affirmations for the Blast Off class was a difficult task for me to start doing. Yes, in my Morning Pages I tell myself all kinds of things, not all are positive affirmations. Some times I say You Jerk, why’d you do THAT?
Trying to come up with affirmations that didn’t make me feel dopey and making cards to look at daily was causing me some resistance. Since beginning this course I think the classes, the readings, and the audios are kicking in. Today I had the time (made the time) and for some reason, felt the urge to jump in and do it.
I chose these four thoughts, something simple and do-able. I decided to try out the free paper I just got at the art supply shop this weekend. (Hmmm, abundance coming my way?)
First I wrote out my phrases in pencil then I played with the watercolors, thinking up designs as I read each card. The things I painted are the things I love looking at for my still life’s. I think they make sense to me.
Will reading these help me move ahead? Maybe. I’m trying my best to keep resistance at the door so I can stay in the game. One step at a time.
Yesterday I planned to take a short break while I still was semi free and visit the nearest art supply shop. There are two in my area and both were having sales. One shop sent me a great coupon to take off 40% on a non-sale item. That is huge.
My little artist date started at the office supply store for some stuff I needed to continue working in the Blast Off class. Then I moved on to Dick Blick art supply. I purchased a nice large block of Arches watercolor paper on sale. I needed watercolor paint and chose yellow ochre from Windsor&Newton. Dick Blick didn’t carry MamieriBlu which I’ve been using. Fine.
Afterwards I drove over to Utrecht where the Arches was also on sale, same price. Ok. I found MamieriBlu paints there and bought permanent green light. Sale! I decided I liked the brush selection at Dick Blick better, so that’s for another day.
At the register the manager was fussing with some large sheets of heavy weight paper as I was paying for my paint. He turned to me and asked if I knew what the paper was, because he had no clue and no paperwork for it. What did I know? Was it bristol board? Was it watercolor paper? No idea here.
Then he said, Why don’t you just take it?
Who? Me?
Yes! Happy New Year to you!
I said, Why not? Hey, I will never refuse free paper. I don’t know what it is, but it’s all mine now.
Now if I can only get my butt in gear and use it.
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| Shell, Pepper, Pot ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis 8×10 Watercolor on Arches paper |
There was just enough time to squeeze out this painting yesterday. Just enough time to throw these items together and just paint them. I want to say it took twenty minutes, but I really can’t be that sure. Maybe it was a smidge more? Not positive. I didn’t put the timer on.
None the less, I painted. And there just was no time in the day to do any more.
“Motivation requires motive.” ~ Brian Tracy, author of Eat That Frog (I’m going to have to read this book now!)
You know me, I’m so last minute all the time. Well, true to form, I decided, at the last minute once again, to take a class in self promotion, process, progress, organization, all in the name of art.
Yes, I said Yes, again.
Alyson B. Standfield of the Art Biz Coach/Blog regularly holds online classes in various matters pertaining to artists and their work/business. This class is called Blast Off! and that’s just what I need right now. A little guidance can go a long way. It’s not hand-holding either. You have to do the work to succeed. No one can do it for you.
I’m all strapped in and ready to Blast Off. Wish me luck!
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| Shells ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis 8×10 Watercolor on Arches paper |
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| Sunflower Petals ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis 8×10 Watercolor on Arches paper |
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| Rocks ©2012 Dora Sislian Themelis 8×10 Watercolor on Strathmore paper |
Finally, I took a real Artist’s Date. Between holidays I found myself with a free day and I had been waiting to visit the Tiffany exhibition of oil and watercolor paintings at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, New York.
Not many people are aware that Louis Comfort Tiffany painted besides designing stained glass windows and lamps. It seems he traveled to the Middle East and Egypt and painted during his visits. His watercolors were my favorites.
The museum allowed photographs without flash so I took a few of the works I liked best.
I was especially struck by the way he painted highlights, paying special attention to the play of sunlight on objects. Some darker works popped with the dappled highlights, really giving his paintings life.
This watercolor painting was special to me for the beautiful color of the endless sky against the sandy foreground with the small figures as an afterthought. How evenly he applied the color to the sky area. I was impressed.
This is one of the pieces of glass work in the exhibit. The colors and design are reminiscent of Tiffany’s travels from his paintings. The museum had large glass panels and paintings Tiffany did with the Hudson school of artists, which were nice, but I liked his paintings of the Orient much better.
It was inspirational, to say the least.
“When I’m painting, I’m not aware of what I’m doing. It’s only after a get acquainted period that I see what I’ve been about.”~ Jackson Pollack