Inspiration

Finding Inspiration for Your Art

| Whitt’s End Art

I am often asked where I find inspiration for my art. First I consider myself more of an art doodler than a true artist. So with that in mind I just look around and paint or draw whatever tickles my fancy. While this may not help you with finding ideas to paint or draw here are some of the places I have turned to in the past when I got stuck in painter’s block.

1.Repaint a former piece. Take a former piece of art and re-imagine the piece in a different style.

2. Look to the masters. Go the library and get a book of paintings of your favorite artist  My favorite is VanGogh. Take a photo or picture of your choosing and try to create a painting the style of the painter.

3. Look to what is today’s source of inspiration for many people, Pinterest. The website is a treasure trove of ideas for art and more. I often find something on the website which catches my eye then I go and try and create a painting or drawing.

4. Look for one of those of those sites like Something to Draw and scroll through the pictures until you find one you feel compelled to reproduce. Make sure the site you pick your photo from is truly a free to use site.

5. Take a road trip. Often times I will get in my car, cell phone in pocket and head out to take some pictures. The main thing when you do this is to just take the pictures and not try to find perfect art. I often find when you do that you miss some pretty cool pictures.

6. Take an art class where you learn something you don’t already know.

7. Find an online list where they challenge you to draw something each day. I am using one of those lists for each month of my drawing challenge. I find these list invaluable because they make me try to and draw things which I would never think of drawing before.

This is only a short list of ways to find inspiration for your drawing or painting. There are many other ways out there. Just Google it and you will find all kinds of  ideas.

 

 

A Messy Studio = A Prolific Artist?

| Whitt’s End Art

art-studio

I am kind of embarrassed to put this picture out there but I am doing so for a good reason. In the picture you see and unfinished painting on the easel as well as one on the floor.

My art studio as you can see is anything but clean. The other part of my studio, which you can’t see looks worse. I find I am more productive when everything is lying about. I do make an effort to clean up my studio from time to time but find I do my best work among the clutter.

How about you, do work best when everything is nice and neat or does clutter equal inspiration?.

One Month Down…

| Whitt’s End Art

It is hard to believe I have completed one month of my year long art challenge already. Over the first month I have discovered several truths I would like to share with others.

  1. You cannot get better at anything  including art unless you take the time to practice.
  2. Sitting down to draw each day brings joy and is a daily reminder of why I like art, sharing it with others.
  3. Like believing in God it takes a lot of faith to look at a blank canvas, no matter what form the canvas takes and seeing in the mind’s eye a picture forming there. The faith comes in taking the first stroke and putting color down until the piece of art takes form.
  4. No matter what the finished piece of art looks like I must not get discouraged.I have to keep pushing forward and keep creating art because success only comes when you finish the race.
  5. And in the end I know I said it once and I must say it again it is my faith which keeps me moving forward in life and in this art challenge.

To Draw Digitally or Not to Draw Digitally

| Whitt’s End Art

I have been given a gift. It is not my gift of drawing or putting brush to paint and creating something from nothing. It is is a gift of a Paper 53 pen. I got the pen for Christmas and just started to delve into it’s many wonders. Let me tell you the pen is both a blessing and a frustration. I have discovered the creative process for digital art is a little frustrating.

Even with stylus in hand the digital canvas does not respond in the same manner as does the normal drawing process. All I can say at this point is I strongly admire all you digital artists out there. I know I will keep on drawing on my tablet and keep on learning but until I get better I will keep on asking myself should I draw digitally or not draw digitally. Oh yeah if anybody know of any good books or tutorials please let me know.

Why pick one medium?

| Whitt’s End Art

An art teacher once told me “You must pick one medium and stick with it in order to become good in that medium.” I took her statement to heart and divested a lot of time back in the 90’s creating new pieces in chalk pastels.  While I I love the medium I always wanted to venture out into other areas like pen and ink and acrylic paints.

After a few years life took over and I didn’t create many pieces until the last couple of years when I ventured into the wonderful world of acrylics.  I love the paints but I also have found a love for some other mediums like colored pencils, watercolors and blue pen

In the wisdom of my years of art work, yeah right, I have found while I agree with part of the statement about to become better at anything you must practice,  I also don’t agree with sticking with one medium.  I don’t know if it is my adult ADD but I love to create art in what ever form I am led to use. If I want to make a collage I pick up the pieces and create. I also love cartoons and manga. I guess what it boils down to for me is why pick one medium when you can use whatever is available?

Just art it…

| Whitt’s End Art

All artists go  through it. Those moments when you stare at you art and wonder if it is all worth it. I think it is part of the normal process of being an artist.  As the canvases pile up or the notebooks become filled with drawing you being to wonder about what you’re going to do with all the art work you’ve created. I had the same thoughts a few years ago so I stepped back from my art and wrote a fiction novel and a couple books of poetry.

While this seemed to fill the gap for a time and if I could stop procrastinating I would do more fiction writing,  art is still mu first love. I love the feel of a pencil or brush in my hand and the satisfaction you get with a newly finished piece of art so I returned to creating art a couple of years ago.  I am still not at the level of creating I want to be but I still love creating.

I still have the problem of what to do with all of my art work but I plan on creating an online gallery and post other artwork on Pinterest. In the end not matter what I will keep on creating while I try to figure out where and how to sell some of my work.  My advice to anyone reading this who is wondering what to do with their art life..Just Art It…and keep  creating.

Is my art good enough?

| Whitt’s End Art

I don’t know about you but there are times I look over my artwork and say to myself, “Is this stuff really good enough to be put out there for the world to see?”  My reply is always,”Does it really matter?” As an artist I am compelled to create. I don’t always understand where the inspiration comes from. I only know it drives me to create and more than not what I set out t0 create does not resemble the finished piece.  This leads me to the point of this little point of inspiration. I have learned over the years to trust the creative process more than I put stock in the opinions of those who do not like my artwork.

 

Another Christmas in the rear view mirror

| Whitt’s End Art

Well Christmas 2016 is in the books and it’s time to turn our attention to the New Year. If you’re like me thoughts turn to making New Years resolutions. I used to come up with some of the usual resolutions, lose weight, become more financially sound among many others.

As time went on I cut back on the resolutions and set my sights on being the best person I can be towards others. As an artist I create what others will see so I need to be the inspiration for others to create their own art. Being self centered or elusive will only cause others to turn away.

So in the New Year don’t make resolutions make friends and keep creating art.

Thomas Kinkade gone but not forgotten

| Whitt’s End Art

This time of year I am reminded of one of mychrnewfavorite artists, Thomas Kinkade. The reason is the guy could create some sensational artwork filled with light and color. His paintings also feel welcoming and warm just like the true spirit of the holidays.

Like the painting of the Rockefeller Skaters Kinkade’s paintings seem as if you could step into them and become part of whatever holiday festivities are going on.

What better way to get into a festive mood for the Christmas season than takings in some beautiful artwork. For more Kincade artwork click here.

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