"I've always tried to go a step past wherever people expected me to end up." - Beverly Sills
A 'residency' is a period of time where an artist commits to developing their artwork in a very immersed atmosphere. Many artists apply/sign up for residencies around the country or world and often times the devotion to their art during that time has some wonderful findings, changes and effects. Recently I read about an artist who chose to do her 'artist residency' right in her own studio - she cleared her calendar of all appointments and took to two weeks of working on her art without interruptions! What a great idea!
Last week I spent the week in Door County studying art history with artist Margaret Lockwood and then painting studio style in the afternoons and evenings. Door County is very different in the winter - there isn't much open or much to do - it was kind of nice to be able to 'totally focus on my art'! Our group was a wonderful mix of creative spirits and Margaret's lectures were wonderful - we had the best time.
During my mini-residency I focused on a different color palette - brighter colors and really liked the new direction. Then when I got home, I was informed by Edgewood Orchard Galleries that they will be using one of my new 'winter birches' paintings in the 2012 calendar so . . . I am excited to be continuing that series for some time this winter.
Being back home in the studio feels good and hopefully it will continue to be a very productive winter.

"Some of us come on earth seeing - some of us come on earth seeing color." - Louise Nevelson
All artists are very talented, some are 'stronger' at certain aspects of art. I have always had a passion for color, putting colors together, experimenting with color, mixing color, throwing odd combinations together and making them work . . . and so on. Inspiration also easily comes to me, I am lucky. Seldom do I hit road blocks in my art, if I do it is because I need to step away for a bit and start to 'see' something different.
Yesterday I had a lady in the studio signing up for a workshop of mine and she was very interested in 'how I come up with inspiration and ideas' and 'how I never run out of ideas'. What a great blog post idea!
It took me a moment to think about this but then I realized that I am always 'seeing' - sometimes more 'seeing' than 'thinking'. For instance, when I go for a horse ride, I am looking - always looking - at the trees, the grasses, the terrain and it obviously works its way into my work. When I am hiking or biking, I am seeing - I am seeing beautiful patterns for future landscape paintings.
I guess to be 'a real artist' too, you must live and breathe art. It becomes your life. You are constantly reading, looking, playing and creating every moment of our day!

I am a very humble person. I do not like to brag. I am very grateful for everything in my life.

2011 was a very challenging year for many of us. Even though the economy and world seems to be in a bit of turmoil, I try to focus on the present in my 'little corner of the world' and I keep doing what I love to do. I had a very successful year with my artwork and I am very thankful to the galleries and collectors that have such faith in me. I sold twice as much art this year as last and owe it all to YOU!
That doesn't mean I am getting rich, just enjoying what I do - and having the guts to do it sure helps.
I don't want to re-cap the whole year, but I had some wonderful shows of my work, lots of time to paint and ponder and grow as an artist as well as some downtime to relax, do yoga, spend time with family, friends AND I got a lot of horse riding in, too! I am grateful for every moment of this year.
One biggie that happened in my art career was that I was 'discovered' by an art consultant in Wisconsin - who loved my work and presented it to Northwestern Mutual Insurance in Milwaukee - who loved my work and purchased 4 paintings for their collections.
I can't wait to see what 2012 brings . . .

Found this 'tip' in the wonderful publication "Where Women Cook" and had to share it with you.
TIP: "Some people think that the life they want will just come their way and hopefully they'll be there ready and waiting for it. I believe wholeheartedly that nothing worth having comes your way by mere coincidence. You have to be open to the exploration of your passions and interests, creating the life you desire. You are the creator of your destiny. It all comes from within you, and you have to sustain it."

Thank you for sharing in my art path with me - Have a wonderful Holiday!!!

Every artist has a process. Every step of the process has a purpose.
I am finding that my 'process' is taking longer, it seems there is more thought, more contemplation going into each and every layer, every stroke. This seems to be comforting and frustrating at the same time. I think it means that my work is diving into deeper meaning.
Yesterday I had a wonderful day, it was so nice to get out of the studio and do some hiking along the shores of Lake Superior, Marquette, with some artist friends. The sky was beautiful and the waves were crashing in, all thoughts embedded in my memory and soul, which will probably work their way into layers while I am working in the studio today.

"What comes from the heart, goes to the heart." - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

What inspires you? What inspires you to paint, to bake, to clean . . . .

As artists, inspiration surrounds us, most of the time, and makes the hard task of making art easy. Somedays, it is nowhere to be found.

In my long journey of an artistic life, I have been inspired by so many people, so many artists, so many friends - I feel very blessed. I hope to give back to others by inspiring them, sharing with them, helping them. This is what makes the creative circle keep going.

It is not only other beings that inspire me, it is the beauty of nature that surrounds us that inspires me as well as a million other artists. The natural world, the trees, the fields, the marshes, the lakes all play a part in my work. I am definitely not an 'urban' artist and know that I could never be - as that, for the most part, gives me no inspiration at all. I guess I am lucky to live where I do and need to keep reminding myself of that.

So where do I get my inspiration from . . . hiking, walking in the woods, riding my horse through fields, woods, marshes, in all seasons! Traveling, awakening my eyes to something different. Sitting and doing nothing. Yoga - giving my mind time to 'chatter-down'. Exercising - hiking, biking, walking, snowshoeing, skiing.

Inspiration is all around us, sometimes we have to look for it, sometimes we have to just be still and it comes to us!

This painting is titled "Forest Grove" and is 18x18" oil/cold wax on paper.

"Every canvas is a journey all its own" - Helen Frankenthaler
Today I am going to think about GRATITUDE.!!! Not only is it Veterans Day and all Americans should be thankful, but I am also feeling inside of me the need to really think hard about all the good things that have come my way on this journey.
Last night I attended the Northern Exposures Annual Juried Show of U.P. Artists at the Bonifas Art Center - WOW!!!!! - UP artists rock! The show is a very competitive one filled with great art and represents the UP - the best of the best!
I was happy to have two pieces accepted into the show and I also won an award - an opportunity to have a show at the Ed Gray Gallery in Calumet! I haven't visited this gallery, but have heard from other artists that it is a favorite - and one of the best in the UP. This opportunity comes at the perfect time - as winter nears, I start to get really serious and dedicated in the studio and a deadline/opportunity sure helps me to focus. - So THANK YOU Lynn and Ed Gray Gallery I look forward to the show!
Other artists/friends winning awards were Candace Zebell, Ronna Katz, Ingrid Blixt, Martha Fieber, Patrick Dragon and more. One especially lucky artist/friend of mine, Mara Manning not only won an award but sold/purchase prizes all three of her paintings - she is very talented and well deserving!!!! (See our smiles in photo!!!)
Oh and there were lots of sales that night - everyone should be grateful for that!
So as I contemplate my work here in the studio, I take time to see my older works along side my new works and I am pleased . . . and thankful to each and every friend, collector and art lover that I have met on this beautiful journey . . . may the road continue . . .