A few months ago I decided I just wasn’t that happy with my work and my style. I have had a lot of fun playing with a lot of different medias but hadn’t settled into anything. Then I saw Erin Hanson’s open impressionism paintings. I was blown away! I love the looseness and the brilliance! I have tried this thing called “loose painting” in my past but it just isn’t easy for me.
Well, I made a promise to myself to do some artwork and art classes every day and for the last three-plus months, I have! First I found YouTube videos. I loved watching Louise Fletcher‘s total enthusiasm while she painted her abstracts. She’s quite amazing. I started with her free classes. Her full course wasn’t in my budget at that time. I created some abstracts and learned I DO like painting abstracts. Next, I found Ian Roberts, an oil painter and a master at composition. You can see one of the paintings I did after watching him on my Sept. 29th blog post. He has quite a few YouTube videos which come out every Tuesday. I do enjoy opening up my email to be reminded I have a new art video to watch!
Next, I found Malcomb Dewey on YouTube. He is also an oil painter in South Africa and very loose. Definitely impressionistic in his style. I like his slow speak and watching him paint. I don’t know if I will ever get that loose but I do love it!
THEN…tada! I found an acrylic painter on YouTube, Jed Dorsey. He created Acrylic University. Most artists seem to have a set of free online classes to show you how they paint and what they have to offer. I was so impressed I did sign up for his ongoing classes and I am NOT disappointed. There is so much on the Acrylic University website it would take me months and months to take all the sessions they offer. Jed is not the only one teaching – he has interviews with other artists and other artists teach. I will tell you I have been one busy old chickster painting every day. Somedays, I am frustrated as hell. Other days, I feel successful. I remind myself it is a process. AND to enjoy it. My style will come. The looseness and colors are waiting for me to join them. I wake up now thinking about what I am going to try next.
I am in a local online (because of Covid – when will that be over!?) art show beginning this November 26th and running through December 6th. Check it out. Yachats local art guild artists are putting on a Holiday Boutique. The shop is just setting up, so no link yet. I’ll share next time.
Have fun and paint. Check out the websites, YouTube videos, and Facebook groups. I thought I was alone. I am not, and neither are you.
Warmest regards fellow artists,
Nancy
