Immersed in Art

I just got back from a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto to see an exhibition called The Great Upheaval: Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Collection, 1910-1918 featuring works by the likes of Kandinsky, Chagall and Matisse. (You still have a few weeks to catch it if you can!)

I am savouring an online course offered by Jeanne Oliver and eight other artists, called Studying Under the Masters {becoming an apprentice}. Each week is dedicated to one master, chosen by the guest teacher. This week we are studying Marc Chagall.

I am showing up at the studio weekday mornings before going into the office. Sometimes I'm only there for 25 minutes including setup and cleanup, but I'm there. Consistency is key.

La dame au chapeau rouge (Woman in a Red Hat), January 2014

20"x20", acrylics on canvas

In the past month I've completed three paintings (La dame au chapeau rouge, above, and two studies) and several new digital pieces.

I sent in a submission for a local art festival, putting my art out there for the first time in a few years. I am choosing to celebrate this step outside of my comfort zone no matter what the outcome.

I am reading about art and artists, soaking up words and images that inspire and inform.

In short, I am immersing myself in art.

It feels good.

Draw and Paint What You Love Part 2

I am sinking into art and loving it. 

I am expanding my artistic comfort zone, discovering new-to-me tools and artists that are bringing an entirely new creative energy to my usual mix.

I'm two weeks into Pauline Agnew's Draw and Paint What You Love, Part 2. In case you missed it, earlier this year Part 1 had me busting through artistic comfort zones and producing art I never thought I'd be capable of producing.

This second e-course is proving to be just as transformative as the first one, opening me to yet new creative possibility.

Here's a glimpse of what I've been doing so far:

I made marks to the sound of jazz. It made my soul sing. 

I sketched something from my studio. I resisted this and found it frustrating, which probably means I should practice it more. 

I learned new techniques that led me to painting a photo of Cassie I'd been wanting to paint for a while. She's still a work in progress (I think); I still can't believe I even got this far!

Then, through Pauline's lessons, I explored technology and how it could help me in my art.

In the process I discovered that I LOVE making digital art. I'm hooked!

More digital imagery, the possibilities are endless. 

I am learning a LOT and frankly I'm a wee bit overstimulated. But that's OK, I can take it.

For more information on Pauline's e-courses, check out her website. I highly recommend them.