Crocus croquis — or how will you prepare for drawing in the summer season? Today was the first day of spring, and also my first day back in the garden after a long winter spent indoors, looking out at the snow. It felt wonderful to be outside again. Later in the day, I felt inspired […]
Precision and calm. Today I gave myself two uninterrupted hours of drawing time to move a little further into my portrait project, which I started this year. The first person I’m portraying is, as you may be able to see, Bob Dylan — a motif full of all kinds of challenges. There is, of course, […]
In my sketchbook today, I returned to a very essential contour and value study — about 15 minutes — of one of my absolute favorite motifs and favorite flowers: the incredible lotus flower. I didn’t have much time to draw today, so I stripped it all the way back and focused entirely on following the […]
Trusting your artistic journey is not always easy.Especially if you care deeply about your art. Many artists carry a quiet worry that they are moving too slowly, that their work is not progressing fast enough, or that they should be further along by now. There is often a strong inner pull toward an imagined future […]
Recently, I received a really interesting question about the art-making process: “Do you paint your feelings — and if so, how?” My short answer is yes. Yes, I do paint my feelings. But the longer answer is where it gets more interesting. Feelings are Always Present in Art I believe that, in some way, your […]
There’s nothing more frustrating than finally sitting down with a free hour to create—only to stare at a blank page or canvas with absolutely no idea what to do. Inspiration has a way of disappearing just when we need it most. Over the years, I’ve learned that the trick isn’t waiting for inspiration to magically […]
Letting Go of the Impossible and Embracing What’s Real in Art Perfectionism. We all know the word—but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, is it even real? Many artists feel the pressure to get things just right. To make something flawless. To live up to an invisible standard that often isn’t clearly defined. […]
There’s something special that happens when I sit down with just a pencil, an hour ahead of me, and no plan at all. This lesson—Two Flower Fairies—was born exactly like that. No reference, no fixed idea… just a soft willingness to let the pencil dance and see what emerges from the mists of graphite. This […]
This video and article is a feature from a Live Session for members of my Art Soul Living – Creative Academy membership. Making Time for Art When Life Feels Full There’s a quiet longing I hear from many artists — and often feel myself. It’s the sense that if only I had more time, I could finally make the […]
If you’ve ever faced a blank canvas or sketchbook page and felt a wave of hesitation or even fear, know that you’re not alone. The “fear of getting started” is something all artists experience, whether they’re just beginning or have years of experience. This hesitation can stem from the desire to create something perfect from […]