Capture those magic moments before they get away!

I’m usually a “hang in there” kind of person. I stayed in a 30 year marriage long after I knew that things were never going to change, and I endured a miserable job even after I discovered the boss was a manic depressive chameleon. He ran hot and cold, but always impatient and mean.

I’m not a quitter, and I can always be depended upon to do my job. But when daily circumstances become stressful that’s the time to pull back and re-examine what you really want in life. Can you relate?

I’ve always been able to juggle my schedule and keep several things going at once, but suddenly I’m feeling more overworked than usual. I’m finding fewer hours for creative ventures so instead of trying something unusual, I'm sticking to a painting of birds because they give me peace and I find them beautiful.

"Brown Thrasher" 20 x 16 acrylic in barn wood frame

We all go through this hassle each day: deciding how to spend our time, and what  comes first the chicken for the table or the golden egg for the bank? Our well-planned days seem to unravel before us, and we run from one endless pursuit to another. Our “to do” list outgrows the available minutes we have to spend. We start feeling exhausted and unfulfilled.

Surprise! It isn’t more speed, more arms or more time we need it’s a slowing down of our mind and our attitudes. Instead of trying to cram more “stuff” into fewer hours, we need to savor the ones we have.

Did you know that when you ratchet down your fast pace and live in the moment, it seems like time moves at a slower pace? When you delight in each bite of food, rolling it over on your tongue, chewing it purposefully and immersing yourself in its flavor that extra five minutes you spend actually seems like 15?

"Fuchsia Fantastic" 18 x 14 Acrylic on canvas

When you rein in your usual tendency to forge ahead, pause and enjoy a child’s smile, your spouse’s goodbye kiss, a neighbor’s wave, the new fallen snow or the freshly mowed lawns of your neighbor’s. Notice that your body relaxes. Instead of frazzled nerves and a churning stomach, you’re in the moment. More than that, you’re in command of your mind and emotions. You’ve mastered the art of self-control.

If it were only this easy! I know it’s a constant battle. But wanting to gain mastery over your life is a virtuous desire. I dropped some activities thinking I was going to get on top of things, but I took on more responsibilities instead to fill the void. If you really want to have more time for the things you enjoy, avoid this trap!

Pacing and balance are our two greatest allies. Life has a rhythm that helps us sense when things are off and when they’re not. By nailing down the moments and reveling in each passing second, we lay claim to our dreams.

Beauty Is in the Eye; Impressions from the Heart

"Victims of War" mixed media on canvas; in juried show re political angst

We've heard it all of our lives--"beauty is in the eye of the beholder." This was never more true than when I discovered a petrified cactus on the desert floor in Phoenix, Arizona where I lived for several years.

In the winter I liked to take long walks in the desert. If you've never done it in January and February, you're missing an incredible sight. During the milder temperatures of winter, the desert cacti and plants come to life. The sandy terrain sprouts into a thick carpet of grassy clover and turns the normally drab browns into radiant greens. The cacti begin blooming, dotting the burgeoning scene with splashes of pinks, yellows, reds, and blues. An incredible sight!

"Whimsical Drawing of a new Series
called: "The Neptunes"

In the midst of this color, a dead cactus, brown and forlorn, caught my eye. It's arms were arranged in graceful twists and turns as beautiful as any marble sculpture I could imagine. "God's handiwork," I quipped. and decided to bring the orphaned cactus home to grace my flower garden.

I mentioned my unusual sculpture to friends, family, and neighbors. I must have described my find in such detail and with such embellishment that soon I had visitors to see my heavenly sculpture. I chuckle now, as I remember their disappointment in this dried up piece of wood that once was an elegant cactus. To me it was still beautiful, but to those who saw it through a prism of their own experience, it was a disappointment.

I get that same reaction with some of my favorite paintings, especially the ones that I cherish because of the blood, sweat, and tears, that went into them. Those are the paintings that sometimes draw this reaction: "Eh!," a shrug, and they walk away. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder.

"Drawing is painted in with Burnt Sienna; This panel is called: "The Trumpeteers"

My grandfather cut his thumb off long before I was born. He tangled with a paper cutter during his years as a school teacher. Although he showed his granddaughters the scar where his thumb once was, and warned us about the dangers of paper cutters and knives, we never looked on it as a disability. It was simply Grandpa. The lack of a thumb made him unique and adoring. Whether he had a thumb or not didn't make one whit of difference. To us he was perfect as he was. 

Artists frequently fret about whether their work is acceptable; compliant with the constraints of acceptable color and composition. And yet, those artists who achieve recognition and acclaim are the ones who dare to cross the line; the ones who boldly walk into the cutting edge limelight through experimentation and creativity.

"Work in Progress:  "The Neptunes -- Trumpeteers" 11 x 14 acrylic on panel

I've had the same paintings rejected by a jury at one show and then go on to win first or second prize in another. How we look at something is personal, subjective, and fleeting. The mood of the judges and the way they view your art on any given day may change. Don't take it to heart. Listen to their comments and weigh it against what you know and were trying to achieve. Don't be deterred by others. An artist must express his own inner vision, even if that means standing apart and standing alone. 

Take a deep breath and dare to be different. Some people will love your work, others will criticize it. Beautify is indeed subjective; enjoy the moment, create while you can!

"Kindred Spirits" was rejected at one juried show and won 2nd prize at another! 24 x 30 acrylic on canvas

Composition Tips from the Best in the Business

"Moonshines"  24x18 mixed media on canvas

After entering several juried competitions – winning some and losing some. I usually ask for the reason I was turned down, hoping that I’ll learn from my mistakes. One of the comments that threw me for a loop was “the judge said, composition.”

Of course, the reason is never explained. “What was it about my composition,” I ask? “Did the judge give an explanation? No answer. My most recent criticism: “Conflict of color.” Whatever that means? I had to do some research to find out.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not always a loser. I have had many paintings accepted into juried galleries or competition. But it still smarts!

I went to http://painting.about.com  one of my favorite sites. Here’s what they had to say: “Strong composition in a painting can be very intangible . . . if it’s done well, you don’t notice it; you just know that there’s something appealing. When a painting’s composition is done badly, the painting just feels awkward.” Pretty nebulous, if you ask me! Always remember that it’s one judge’s opinion.

"Victims of War" 24x18 mixed media (accepted into juried competition)

 I do know that juried judges go through considerable education to achieve the honor and distinction of judging art shows. I also know that their concepts are hundreds of years old and proven. On the other hand, art trends are constantly changing. What becomes popular, trendy, and saleable, seldom appeals to traditional judges.

It’s nice to have some juried shows under your belt. It looks good on a CV. But it doesn’t necessarily equate with sales and money in the bank.

"Skudeneshavn Norway" 16x20 oil on canvas (SOLD) Prints available

The web link above goes onto provide 10 painting tips for strong compositions. I selected only a few to share with you:

1. Where’s the focal point? The focal point should draw the viewers eye to it. Remember the rule of thirds? Locate the focal point on one of those intersection spots. Avoid the center. Make certain your eye is not led off the page; bring it back.
   
2.  Isolate the key elements in what you want to paint, whether it’s a still life or a landscape piece. Use a view finder, if necessary, to zero in on it. Know what your focal point is and what you’re trying to say.
   
3.  Have an odd number of elements: three versus two, five versus four; it adds interest rather than sameness. Space those elements unevenly on your canvas. Trees do not grow in nature the way they are lined up in a Nursery. Always vary the space between your elements/images and vary the angles to add interest. Elements must be definitely apart or definitely overlapped; not just touching. 
   
4. Choose your color tones, whether warm or cool, but don’t try to be both. When the judge said one of my paintings had a “conflict of color” was he saying I had used warm and cool colors or was it the wrong choice of color? I will never know. It would be so helpful if a critique were required from the judges.

"Moody Blues" 18x14 oil on canvas

Don't give up on juried shows. Just keep trying and studying the rules of good art. I purposely used both warm and cool colors to accentuate the girls "moody blues" mood. Yes, I broke the rules, and this probably won't get in juried competition. It is trendy and current, however.

The painting below came in third place in a juried show. The judge commented that she would have liked to see more shadows. Yes more shadows would give it a picturesque feel, but I didn’t have a spotlight, and the photograph I worked from was the winner in a contest on my blog. I was still pleased with the third place win.

"With these Hands -- Love" 24x18 oil on canvas, framed