Author: Whitt’s End Art

The Perils of an Introverted Artist-Part 1

| Whitt’s End Art

I am an introvert. Many people who know me would probably disagree with that because I am a talker amongst those I know but it is true I am a shy guy. Social situations are a nightmare for me. When others are conversing I am standing around trying to get some words from my brain to my mouth.

In order to compensate for my shyness I will often joke around or worse yet just remain silent. Why am I telling you this? Well, I am guessing there are more artists out there like me. Those who are fine in their talent and creativity but when it comes to selling their work work, like me, they suffer the many perils of being an introverted artist. Here are a couple of ideas of what I’m talking about.

1. The social implications of hawking or selling our art. To sell our art means greeting there and talking to others about our art. I don’t know about you but When I get the itch to get out and sell my art my inner introvert kicks in. I then stand back, look at my art and say to myself, “Hey it’s not that good anyway so no one is going to buy it.” I am then satisfied I don’t have to go out amongst people I don’t know well and go back to my creating until the selling bug comes calling the next time.

2. The fear that if my art is good and people start buying it I will have to start attending, “artist’s events”. While this one is not as much a big deal for me it is still a thought that gathers in my mind. It is not so much the meeting of people in this one that bothers me because I worked retail for years so I am ok when people come to me. The fear here once again is seeking out one on one conversations at these events in order to network myself among other artists, the people who sell art and hopefully those who will buy my art.

Here ends part 1. Watch for the sequel otherwise known as part two coming soon.

#451 Orange Pansy

| Whitt’s End Art

A simple little picture created on an old book page with color pencil and soft pastel. I believe I am turning into a flower artist. I don’t know why it just seems to be happening. I like the idea that each flower is unique and there are many colorful varieties. Well anyway I hope you like my flowers.

#450 The Daisies

| Whitt’s End Art

This 6 x 9 closeup view of some daisies is done in soft pastel with some highlights of color pencil. I often think this is how God sees us not from far away but up. Lose and personal like these flowers. This makes me realize more how I have to self examine my daily walk so I am a good reflection of God to others.

# 449 Guitar Man

| Whitt’s End Art

A color pencil drawing done on a 9 x 11 old book page. I wanted to add a caption to this one but could not think of one. I will add one later when inspiration kicks in and one pops into my mind. One thing I have discovered in life is that some things come when they come. It is when we get impatient and forge ahead that we get ourselves into trouble.

#448 Pink Flower Up Close

| Whitt’s End Art

I like to take some subjects and get up close when I paint. It takes something real and gives it an abstract feel. I created this abstract flower using Nu Pastels and some Prismacolor pencils on a 6×9 Strathmore drawing pad. The Bible for many even some Christians the Bible is abstract. This is because we do not take the time to get up close to read and study God’s word.

#447 Little Red Church

| Whitt’s End Art

Another in my series of churches. This one the Little Red Church is done on a 6 x 9 inch Strathmore drawing pad in soft pastels and color pencils. I like creating scenes with small church because they remind me that the church is much more than a building it is the people inside the building leaving through the doors in order to do God’s work in the world.

#446 Walking Through Fields of Gold

| Whitt’s End Art

I really like the contrast of the colors in this picture. One of ,y favorite artists is VanGogh. I love the way he used shorts Burt’s if color to create a whole picture.i strived for a little of that here. I don’t know if I really succeeded or not. Oh well you know what they say, “If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.” or put another way practice makes you better. God does not want us to be quitters. He want us to run the race set before us until we reach the finish line.

5 Ways I Find Ideas of What to Draw

| Whitt’s End Art

Someone in one of my comments recently asked me this question, “How do you choose what you want or draw?” Off the top of my head here are fives ways I seek out art inspiration.

1. I look. What I mean by this is I’m ever vigilant for the things around me which fit into what I like to draw or paint. The world around us is full of ideas if only you train yourself to see them.

2. I use free picture sites and apps. There are several apps like Unsplash and Pexe which offer royalty free to use photos. Some of these I use outright. Others I use but change the picture.

3. Old Art. There are several websites which offer up old images as inspiration for art. Two of these websites are 99Designs.com and Vintage.com.

4. Pinterest. While a lot of the art on Pinterest is copyrighted you can still use it for inspiration or for practice.

5. I redo old art. I am constantly drawing. Many of these drawing accumulate and end up sitting in a bin or file at my art table. Every so often I will get out these pictures and rework them or colorize them.

#445 Little House on the Hill

| Whitt’s End Art

I used to love to draw landscapes. Then I stopped. I started to focus on not her for self art. Only recently have I returned to my landscape roots. This offering, “House On The Hill,” was created on a 6 x 9 piece of Strathmore drawing paper using soft pastels and Prisma color pencils. Life to me is sometimes like this picture we ha e habits we try to stop but sooner or later we return to them. It is only through the power of Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit that we can truly be free. The key however is to trust which means letting go and focusing on God.