Tea Time!

"Tea Time" 9x12 Pastel on pastel board

Sorry I've been MIA the past few months, I've been having major issues with my computer! Namely- my 9 month old computer crashed and I had to get another one!

This painting was a bit of fresh air for me. I normally do not like still lives, but I got the itch to try one out. While I was browsing through a picture reference gallery, this image just popped out at me. I wish I still had the original picture's file so I could show the 'artistic license' I did for it, but you'll just have to take my word on it.

So, that leads to what is artistic license? To put it simply it means that nothing is set in stone. If you want to paint a purple cat, well, then by all means do so. It doesn't matter that in 'real life' a purple cat doesn't exist, you are expressing your creative judgment on the world.

An in depth look at it is how I worked this painting. The original picture was very dark and brooding with other objects cluttering around the tea cup and books. I didn't really like the cropping of the original picture or the composition. So, I played with what I wanted out of this picture in my sketch book until I had a composition that I felt really worked. I de-cluttered the background and lightened the mood. I made the painting mine and not basing it off something someone else took, and that is a big part of what I think the artistic license is all about.

Massive Chaos

"Silent Comfort"

Melody had another relapse last week with her injury and ended up going back in for surgery. It's now been a 7 month nightmare in trying to keep my horse alive. Every time I see the vets they tell me that my horse should be dead. I just keep trekking, and treating her because I know if I slack off even slightly she could get infected and die.

Back when she first injured herself I put my entire life on hold while I stressed out and obsessed over keeping my beloved mare alive. I felt empty and alone, but I figured this was all because of what was happening right in front of me. My horse was seriously hurt, and that's all there was to it. In reality it wasn't. It wasn't the stress of the horse's injury that was making me feel empty- it was the lack of creative energy that was doing it.

It's only been the past 3 months that I've realized I HAVE to paint, I HAVE to write, I HAVE to use my creativity or there's really no point in being here. After I complete a painting or write a short story I feel so warm, so full of life. It doesn't matter what kind of day I've had, if I come home and do something creative everything is instantly better. Art is a part of life, and I have to do it. Since I embraced my creative side again I'm not as stressed out. The threat of dire things still looms heavier over my head, but I can deal with it now. I can take it and channel it into something- a painting, a short story.

Poor Melody still has a long way to go. She came home Friday after her surgery and it confined to strict stall rest. She's such a brave little mare. Everyday when she sees me she nickers happily and rests her head on my chest. I keep praying everything will be alright, and any doubt or troubles get washed away in layers of paint on canvas.

The Secret to a Good Painting

People have always been baffled with what makes a good painting, and it's not just having a good grasp on colors or brush techniques mastered. Although, those things certainly help they aren't the most important part. The key to a good painting is a well thought out drawing. Let me explain, if you were trying to create a painting of a horse, for example, but had a half hearted drawing with lots of errors there is no way you can create a wonderful painting. By making the job more frustrating than it should be- the painting is doomed to fail.
This was a very hard lesson for me to learn as I would rush through the sketching process so I could color it. Guess what? All those paintings were pure crap. They were rushed through making them poor quality and awkward. Art is nothing but checks and balances. There is no one part that is more or less important than the other. Creating a good solid drawing is just as important as painting it. If you rush with anything in the creative process it will fail.
You have to enjoy the entire process of creating a painting, for this is what ensures a warmly received high quality treasure. A treasure that you have put every ounce of your being in.