Taking a Break

"Aspens at Sundown (Commission)"
Oil on Panel
20x16"
2010

Sorry for the long absence, but I've been having to neglect the blog in favor of getting some actual painting done! In the interest of getting work done for galleries and shows, I think it's probably going to be a few months before I can think about blogging again. In the meantime, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter, and check my website for new work.

I get a lot of emails from people who read my blog and are encouraged by the fact that I'm juggling being a mom and a painter, and I want to thank all of you so much for that. It's rough, but possible to do both, and having this blog has been a nice way to keep in touch with others who are in the same position. Keep in touch!

Style

"Almost Winter"
Oil on Panel
24 x 18"
2010

Fellow Colorado painter Dan Schultz posted a thoughtful blog today about developing one's style, and it got me thinking about my own style. I've only been painting landscapes for about six years now, so I've seen my style evolve pretty significantly as I improved my skills. Recently, I feel like my paintings have been getting more refined as I spend more time trying to get things right. I used to be all about thick paint everywhere and bold color. Now I'm more interested in the contrast between hard and soft edges, thick and thin paint, and the use of greys to make the important color notes pop.

Yet however my style has evolved, I feel as though my paintings still look like mine - they still have a bit of my own signature style. I guess it's a bit like handwriting, in that I can't really pinpoint the elusive quality that makes my paintings mine, and I don't spend much time thinking about it. It just IS.

What do you think about style? Do you think a lot about your personal style, or do you let it be?

2009 In Review

"Bandit"
Oil on Panel
18x14"
2009

Well, it's a new year and I'm not even going to begin to attempt to status my 2009 goals to see how I did. That train derailed quickly when I got pregnant, and there's no point in beating myself up about what I didn't get done this year!

Instead, I figured I might as well make a short list of some of the things I DID manage to do this year, just to make myself feel a little bit better (even though I'll still be internally beating myself up). So, here are some of the things I'm proud to have accomplished this year:

• Had a painting accepted into the Salon International show
• Participated in the Colorado Governor's Invitational
• Survived 5 months of all-day "morning" sickness
• Managed to keep my art business afloat despite aformentioned morning sickness
• Got invited to join a great new gallery
• Had a successful two-person show in August
• Moved into the gorgeous new house my husband built
• Started working in my roomy new studio
• Gave birth to a beautiful baby boy (sans drugs!)
• Sold more paintings than I painted
• Had my work featured in and on the cover of the local tourist magazine
• Had my studio featured in the American Artist "Studios" magazine
• Awarded "Best of Show" in the November FineArtViews Contest

Overall, 2009 was a tough year for me, mainly because I had a rough pregnancy and couldn't physically do a lot of things I wanted to do. It was totally worth it though, and I know I can get things back on track with my art this year. I'm thankful for my kids and my health, and thankful that I get to do what I love for a living, so in the end it's all good.