"You've got to find the force inside you." - Joseph Campbell

YES!  you must pull it together find that force inside you and head to....the studio!

I have been working the gallery this entire week and have had no time for painting but that will all change tomorrow.  I am so thankful that I will have the entire week to paint in my beautiful, large Michigan Studio.  While the horses graze in the pasture, I will find quiet, uninterrupted time to fill my soul with happy painting hours!   Or as I will call it - work!


Yes, being an artist is work - ask any of us and we would agree that hard work it is.  When we are in the studio we spend a lot of time contemplating color, texture, our next move, it all is part of the process we must think before we act.  The process of painting like life, takes much contemplation, dedication, honesty, respect and trust.
When I start a painting I pretty much have to let go of knowing what the outcome is and just let the painting happen.  It is the artists dedication to their art that will allow them to finish a piece, finish a series or create an artful lifestyle.  Contemplation is a big part of your studio practice whether you realize it or not.  Artists spend so much time 'contemplating' life, landscapes, colors.  We enjoy reading about art, studying art history, enjoying nature and absorbing the influences around us. It is our job as an artist to practice Dedication to our art, because without giving 110% to your art practice, it would be to easy to lose what you have worked so hard for all these years.  Giving up is not an option.
Honesty is an important part of the studio process.  You must be honest with yourself while you are working on your art, you need to know when to continue with that same piece, or when it is actually finished.  Sometimes I find when I am on a roll in the studio that I find it difficult to know when the painting is done.  I keep 'working' it and sometimes that just destroys the good parts of the painting.  Sometimes it makes the painting better in the long run.
 Respect of ourselves as artists, our art, the process and the finished paintings is more important than some of us realize.  When we are in the painting process we must respect our own thoughts as we release, let go and let the painting happen.  We must also respect the good and the bad and realize that each painting is its own being and each are so different.
Finally, Trust in yourself and your creativity is the real thing!  We must learn to trust what we are doing and trust that we are on the right path, even if we doubt ourselves or the next brushstroke or the next decision.   Each painting I do starts as a blank canvas, a white surface and it is up to me to color and create that surface into a beautiful painting.  Some days it doesn't seem so beautiful but eventually the final painting is beautiful in its own way.

Metaphor.
Gratitude.
Ginnie Cappaert
May, 2016

"allow yourself to be surprised..." - unknown

I have spent a little time on the computer today, mostly reading other artists blogs and thoughts.  We, as artists, have challenges in our careers and lives just like all other people.  But as artists, we often have a spirit that asks questions, wants to learn more, explore more, experiment, challenge ourselves,  grow and of course spend time in our studio.
Today I read in someone's blog (I wish I could remember which one) about allowing ourselves 'to be surprised'!  Like life, when we are working in the studio it is the little surprises that tend to keep us there..they keep us exploring and experimenting as we work on finishing one painting in order to start all over again on another one!

So, today and every day I hope that you allow yourself to be surprised!

Here are some things that surprise me:
1.  The natural beauty all around me.
2.  The painting when it is finished.
3.  The 'process'.
4.  That I rode 15 miles on my bike today without complaining.
5.  My drive and passion for art and life.
6.  My organization skills...sometimes...sometimes maybe not!
7.  The ability to pick myself up some days and continue on.
8.  The ability to have hope and faith.
9.  The ability to see the good in the bad.
10. How I see color.

What surprises you?

"Distant Range" 24 x 24" available at Globe Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

"Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are." - Henry Van Dyke

You don't want to miss the moment.  That moment of happiness that flutters in your heart and soul. 

I probably have a 100 things that made me happy this week and 100 things that made me unhappy - I guess that is the balance of life.  Here are 5 things that made me happy this week.

What are 5 things that made you happy this week?

1. Having my daughter here at the gallery helping with some computer issues. Visiting with my sons and watching the band concert at SHS.

2. My morning walks along the water here in Door County.

3.  Re-connecting with my artist friends here in Door County before the season gets so crazy busy.

4.  Sipping a hot tea latte on these cold spring days.

5.  My online writing course with Suzi Banks Baum, this week we talked about talent vs. persistence...YES! and last week we talked about giving ourselves permission!  It is an amazing group!

Have a great weekend everyone!  I plan to spend next week painting and maybe a few horse rides in the mix too!