technical difficulties

My apologies to anyone who looked at my site the last couple of days.  We had a little glitch, but I solved it.  The more I play with the site, the more I learn. 
I'm also getting into a time when I'm out the in garden quite a bit (there's a lot to do!!) so will be painting a little less... at least not all day like I do in the winter!  So be patient, more is coming, eventually. 
There's also the issue of sharing everything I do when I have a show coming up in August... but that's still a long way off.  I hate to spoil the surprise for those who take the time to come to the show, but know that a lot of you can't physically manage to come.   I may keep a few secrets, but will post them all for sure after the show.

Befores and Afters!

                              after   
     (to suit owner's decor and arrangement)


(after) -adjusted the beard shape

Sorry about the rotation!  I really worked on this one, changed a lot.  The feeling is a lot better in the final product (the one on the right), to me anyway!

Relief in the sharing of ideas

I subscribe to Robert Genn's letters, and find them very enlightening and reassuring.  The latest letter was all about style and subject exploration.  I always felt I was a little different in that I did so many different subjects, and that each piece was unique from all the others.  It seems I'm not alone!  There are many out there, like me, who do what they do because they do it for themselves.  I realized, after reading many letters reacting to Robert's, that it is a good thing to not be boring just to satisfy a market.  I see now that in my quest to keep my life interesting, I'm also keeping any viewers interested too!  You never know what you'll see next! 
Some artists are easily recognized for their subject (eg.Trish Romance or Robert Bateman), which is 'nice', but after a while I'm sure a collector of their work will be bored too, and seek some variety.  It's nice to be recognized, sure.  But with so many artists out there, it's not likely.  So I 'work' for me.
'Work' is the wrong word.... it's my favourtie thing to do for enjoyment, (other than gardening) and I'm very lucky that I don't rely on my art for income!  
So now I shall continue, in the way I have been, knowing I'm OK, and not as unique in my dilemas after all!

Great stuff out there!

I just checked out one of my fan's blog, and really got inspired!  It always amazes me how many good artists are out there, and we're all working together, supporting each other, inspiring each other,... all in the name of good art.  You get a lot of insight to a person's character by their art and their words.  I feel a connection to Robin through the similarities I see in her work, and by her methods.  We both take lots of pictures, (from the car),  and love painting horses!  I just wish I could paint more en plein air, but alas, we have winter.

I've been redoing a few old pieces lately that I wasn't completey happy with.  I'll post the before and after pictures later, when I think the 'after' is up to what I'm after.

so many ideas, so little time!

I've been busy painting, and traveling, and watching the Olympics!  We had booked the cruise so it wouldn't interfere with the games.  We had a wonderful time in the west Carribean, got some sun, took a ton of pictures, zip-lined, snorkeled, saw some Mayan ruins, got some more sun....and the food!   I have some very nice tropical pictures that I could use as reference material, but almost find it too cliche to use.  Not too many people want tropical themes unless they can actually relate to it personally, I would think.  I'll probably do a couple, just for the sake of variety, which I like.  Nothing worse than an artist who only sticks to one theme - they end up all looking alike, boring.
The garden is starting to call, and I realize I better get painting before I really do need to get outside.  This year the pressure is on because my garden is on the Garden Tour in June.   Pressure!
Before that however, I'm on a trip of my dreams... of inspiration... to see Amsterdam, and Paris again, plus a little detour to explore Normandy.  I know there will be tons of subject matter from that, so I better get busy on my current ideas.

Re: when is it really finished.

I think I'm done this one.  I worked on it again.  See if you can tell what's changed since I posted it earlier!

When is it really finished?

The real answer is practically -never.  I've redone paintings that were done as long as 10 years ago.  Ones that I just wasn't happy with.  Overpainting is one technique that I've only done once - where you paint over a painting with an entirely different idea.  Some artists burn the ones they don't like, some paint over them.  I hate to be wasteful, but the feng shui just isn't right for me knowing there's something else underneath.
I just sold a piece.  It was to be picked up a few days ago, but wasn't.  In the mean time I was looking at it, and ended up touching up a few things.  I figure the longer an artist looks at something, the more critical we are of ourselves.  We have to decide when to quit though.  I've touched things up and ruined them... but that was a long time ago.  I think I'm getting better with each piece... at least that's my opinion.  I let that piece go today, and I believe it was at its best.