I quit doing art after college. I never thought it’d be possible to be a full-time artist. But after I lost my job in 2009, I took the summer to renew my spirit and started painting again. I’d opened an Etsy shop because I’d had the dream of selling my art. Yet I didn’t feel brave enough to share my paintings with the world. For... Continue reading

Every painting has an ugly stage. So whenever I’m stuck with a face, I look back at my progress photos. I take photos of every painting as I create. That way, I’m reminded that each painting has this ugly stage. Otherwise it’s too easy to fool myself into thinking a painting should fall right into place. That never happens. It takes a lot of mistakes,... Continue reading

Do you ever find it hard to cover up your paintings? I do (all the time). Then sometimes a happy accident happens and it makes me stop and realize I just need to let go. The other day when this happened, I was working on this new painting (she’s called ‘Do More Of What Makes You Happy,’ 11” x 14” on canvas). I’d painted over... Continue reading

Do you find it difficult to be loose in your art? I do (a lot). A few weeks ago I was painting and I started to feel like all of my characters were looking too perfect. You know, like the woman’s eyes and face looked pasted on and she just didn’t flow. There was no freedom or whimsy. I’d been trying lots of new techniques... Continue reading

Whenever I’m stuck with my art, I don’t let myself look at any other artwork (not even my own). If I do, I start to feel like an imposter. I waste so much time “getting inspired” that I feel paralyzed. The other day when this happened, I was working on this new painting (she’s called ‘Finding Your Light’ 11” x 14”). You can find originals... Continue reading

When I’m struggling to be loose in my art, I get out new supplies and play. This makes me stop and look around, so I’m not so focused on painting something perfect. My entire process is all about play. But sometimes I still get super stuck. The other day I was painting and I tried all of these different supplies and colors, and just couldn’t... Continue reading

When a painting starts to get muddy, I take a step away and let it dry Then I cover up any parts I don’t like with a little (or a lot) of bright color. This helps me get back into my comfort zone so I like the painting again. But sometimes it takes covering up a painting again (and again). The other day, I was... Continue reading

Whenever I’m struggling to be loose in my art, I have to take a step away. I’ll look back at my past work and discover little things I love: a circle of turquoise ink on an owl’s belly, a splash of cobalt teal acrylic paint in the corner, or a rainbow of water soluble oil pastels. Then I keep those small elements in mind and... Continue reading

If I paint over something again and again, I know I’ve stopped having fun. I’m usually trying to paint an idea I’ve got in my head and wanting to make my painting perfect. It always takes trying, again and again, to get to a place where I can finally let go and allow a painting to come together ❤️ The other day, I was working... Continue reading