Being Brave

I've always loved Impressionist art. It doesn't matter how hard I try to create a different looking work, it always ends up looking very Impressionistic or a little bit Impressionistic. It's the colours, the texture, the movement of the style that I just adore. Van Gogh has long been my favourite Impressionistic artist(Technically speaking, he was a Post-Impressionist artist) His work, to me, is stunning.

One thing I am learning about my artwork lately, is that I'm not really happy to just 'dabble' and be safe anymore. I have this urging to create a monstrous canvas piece of ... something! A landscape? A portrait? Our cat?! Who knows?!! But I think I'm working up enough courage to just jump in and give it a shot! I feel as though I've been 'practicing' for years and years, and now? Now it's time to get cracking!

I would like to see my art progressing and each day, getting that little bit better at what I do. Not comparing myself to others, but enjoying the uniqueness of my own work. Art is, after all, individual expression.

I really appreciate this quote from Matisse, and while it is sometimes easier said than done, it's something that I'm really desiring to implement more into my art.

COURAGE = BRAVERY = BOLDNESS = INDIVIDUALITY.

One thing I do know, is that when I do create courageously, it will most likely have an Impressionistic vibe to it! 

See what I mean?! ...

'The Long Journey Home'.

I used oil pastels to create this piece, entirely from my imagination without a reference picture. For me, that was courageous. And yep, Impressionistic feel! Now, I'm ready to take the step in creating that large piece of work! 

Wish me luck! 

I'll let you know how it goes!

I hope you have a beautifully creative week!

Exciting News!

Hi everyone! I have some very exciting news to share with you all! Yesterday I opened up a RedBubble account where my artworks can be sold to the public! 

I have a selection of works available from my photographs, to some of my sketches and mixed media paintings! 

Here's the link that you need to follow! Please check it out and share it around for me! I would really appreciate it, thanks!

Happy creating!

(Other places to find my art)

Art Lesson For My Kids!

The other day I was in the mood for art ... surprise, surprise! As we're a homeschooling family, I decided that I would give my kids an impromptu art lesson!

I wanted the kids to explore using oil pastels to create their piece. I also want them to be somewhat familiar with the work of famous artists; so  I picked 'Flowers' by Vincent Van Gogh for them to re-create.

 We discussed the colour wheel, complementary colours, dimensions, and filling out the whole page. The only guidelines I gave my kids were ...

• To draw their preliminary sketch lightly
• Fill the whole page
• Try to eliminate the white of the paper
• Try to use complimentary colours
• Give your best and HAVE FUN!

 

 

 

Here's their finished pieces! I absolutely LOVE them all!

 

 

 

 

I'm hoping to frame these pieces and display them in our home!

 

I hope you're having a wonderful creative week!

 

 

'Moving Forward' ... A Mixed Media Canvas Piece

I spent six hours today working on this mixed media canvas piece. I've only just begun creating mixed media art and I'm hooked! I have still got so much to learn though. When I posted it to my FB page, I received mixed responses, what do you guys think? I am happy with the end result ...

... 'Moving Forward'

Mixed Media Canvas Art

Yesterday I had a blast creating my first two Mixed Media artworks! I had paint all over my fingers and the floor (and on my clothes!), but it was just so relaxing and therapeutic! The best thing about mixed media is that you don't necessarily have to do a whole heap of thinking ... you just get to create and it turns out however it turns out!

Here's the first one I made ... Mixed Media Canvas 'Elegance' ...

 

I am very happy with this piece! I really love the blues and yellows, the design and the texture!

The next piece that I created I wanted to steer away from my normal blue/green/yellow/turquoise choices; create something in colours I'm not used to using. So I decided on purple. 

I think it ended up turning out really well, even though I'm still not completely sold on purple! It was good to give myself a small creative challenge.

Mixed Media Canvas 'Paris' ...

I found creating these pieces were very quickly addictive! I'm already thinking and planning on more to create (I have a couple of 'themes' in mind) and I'm very excited to begin!

Have you given yourself a little creative challenge at all lately? If not, maybe you could try one of these ...

• paint a small piece using a brand new medium that you find difficult
• create a piece using different tones/shades of the one colour only
• paint using a colour you actually don't really like
• see if you can use a different technique than ones you normally use
• create an artwork that is a completely different style than you normally go for

However you create, whatever you create, just remember your art is unique to you. Don't stress about others opinions, just enjoy your creativity and let it out!

Have a fun, creative week!