I’m gonna give you the three secrets to becoming a good artist - are you ready?

1. Learn the fundamentals and be able to apply them in your work.

2. Learn how to take what’s in your heart and put it out on the canvas.

3. You gotta be you.

I have made these studies for a long time, but never thought anyone would be interested in seeing me paint them until recently. So, I thought I’d share a little bit about them.

Have you ever held an open studio event to sell your art? If not, you may want to try it. People ask me all the time how to sell art. It’s complicated and harder to do every year - because now everyone is an “artist.” One way to help increase your art sales is to hold an open studio event.

I’ve shared in previous posts my love of the Desert Southwest and the scenery it holds. I couldn’t live there for many reasons, chief among them the heat. However, I do love to visit and experience this beautiful part of the US. Like many other artists I am inspired by the colors and feeling of this beautiful area.

Are you buying art supplies in a frame store? Of course not. Then why on earth would you get your framing done at a big box art supply store? Some of those chain stores send the framing out to get done - they don’t even do it onsite, so you have no idea who is handling and framing your precious artwork.

Are YOU paying too much for art supplies? Well, if you’re buying them at your local big box art store then chances are pretty good that you’re paying too much. I can’t tell you how many times I have asked students why they purchased a particular product, and I always get the same response, “It’s all they had.”

Oh, how I love Spring! I’m sure many of you feel the same way. We had a very mild winter in North Carolina, but it was VERY rainy. It is so wonderful to have sunshine, low humidity and a beautiful Carolina blue sky. I’ve been doing a good bit of yard work and some vegetable planting in the garden. I’m trying to spend time outside enjoying the beautiful Spring weather.

Some friends of mine went through a construction project at their house recently and I was able to assist them since I worked as an architect for 30 years. A common question was, why is it taking so long. My response was, It Takes Longer Than You Think. Particularly when renovating, the process takes longer than you think. Conditions are uncovered that weren’t previously seen. Issues arise. Delays occur.

I know I am fortunate to have a dedicated studio space for my work. I know many artists who paint on a kitchen island, a dining table, in a spare bedroom, attic, basement or garage. It’s much easier to have a dedicated space where you can leave your supplies out for easy access and use. I get questions about my setup, so following is a brief description.

I remember the first time I ever saw an artist do a full painting demonstration I was mesmerized. It was so helpful seeing how they manipulated the brush, paint and substrate to create a beautiful work of art. I am sometimes mesmerized by my own painting process. Often when I create a new painting I step back to look at it and say to myself "Where did that come from?" Even after 30 years of painting, making art is still a mystery.