A Merry Creative Christmas from me to you. I am wrapping up the gifts and wrapping up a wonderfully creative year as an artist. 2018 has been amazing as far as growth for me as an artist. I continue to develop creatively, I put together this website, I joined a few amazing art communities, became an Instagram junkie and painted whenever time allowed. Trying to carve a path out as an artist is hard work. Especially figuring out where you are headed and how much to push yourself when a compass points you in a specific direction. I am grateful for the leadership of friends and family.

December in the Works

Yesterday I wrapped up a painting of the Detroit Ambassador Bridge. (Well not literally wrapped, figuratively wrapped) The inspiration came from a panoramic photo I saw of the bridge at sunset. There was a golden sheen dancing off the water and a purple gray sky.

I am a very fast painter, but I wanted to take more time with the water and work on my technique painting waves. I watched a few you-tube videos and talked a little with my Saturday morning instructor Bruce at the DCA before I kind of fell into a rhythm with my round brush. I found if I loaded my brush with 1 or two colors and rolled it across the canvas, the upward swell of a wave appeared. Concurrently, (ooh big words), I would move the brush over a little, load it with a slightly lighter or darker color and roll it again. Doing this roll technique across the canvas created the swells of the waves.

In the past, I have used a palette knife, and flat brush to create the upward/downward surface of the water. Never really obtaining the right “chop”. I am extremely satisfied with the outcome of the painting. I love the bright and vivid colors. I have come to terms with the fact I love color. Hiding from this is not natural to me. I love to wear colorful clothes, paint colorful pictures and live a colorful life. Shine BRIGHT right!

Where’s Waldo (Find my work)

Last year, I created a few little 6×6 paintings of Michigan Landscapes and adhered them to wooden frames. I sold 6 of these throughout 2018, and had 2 left in my inventory. I had approached a local gift store in Wyandotte without success, but I kept thinking these little paintings could find a home somewhere, with someone. They are inexpensive and make great gifts. So, to the rescue AGAIN came Downriver Council for the Arts. They sent out an email to members looking for art for their little gift shop. So, thank you DCA. I have placed the two paintings there, along with a very cool abstract 6×6 painting, and a little angel painting I made last Christmas.

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Random Thoughts

In the first paragraph, I highlighted some of my achievements this year. I forgot the most important achievement. People wanting to enjoy my art! I sold 16 paintings, and donated 8 other paintings to family and friends. That means over 24 paintings hang in peoples homes or offices. WOW! AWESOME.

Thanks to creative groups like Embrace Creatives, the DCA, Lawrence Street Galler, J.Mane Gallery and Downriver Arts and Crafts guild, I have been able to network with other talented artists in the Detroit area.

Sometimes it is a struggle to sit down and write a blog, with fulltime work, parttime art and other stresses of life that pop up unexpectedly, I just wonder why I am pushing myself to do ONE MORE task. The blog is important because I can see the successes in my life. I was rejected from 2 Detroit Area shows this last month, and its okay. People are enjoying my work, and I am enjoying it too.

As my late art teacher Kenneth Barb would say – See ya when I see ya.

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