Whenever I reach a creative block I need to take a step away, but that’s so often easier said than done. If I try and push to finish a painting or any creative project, I get so wrapped up in where I think it should go, so focused on the future and intense about the doing, that the painting just ends up in a big,... Continue reading

Do you struggle to be loose in your art? I do (all the time). I take photos of my process to remind myself there’s always an ugly stage. But recently I’ve also liked taking photos at stages of a painting where I’m happy with it, but still feel it’s not finished. That reminds me that it’s okay to let go and paint over something I... Continue reading

A few years ago I wrote a 300 page manuscript about enchanted fairytales. I wasn’t painting at the time. In fact, I hadn’t painted in years. All of my artwork from college had ended up in the basement. I didn’t see any point in painting anymore if I couldn’t do it full-time. I locked away that part of myself. Yet my creativity bubbled inside. So... Continue reading

I used to be afraid to cover up my art. I didn’t want to ruin a painting. I feared I wouldn’t be able to create anything better. Having photos of my art in progress helps me understand what works and what doesn’t, where I’ve gone too far and how I got to a finished painting I love. It reminds me there’s always an ugly stage.... Continue reading

Do you ever find it hard to paint eyes and faces? I do (all the time). One of the hardest things for me to learn as an artist was that I always get stuck. I got so frustrated with getting stuck, I began photographing my paintings at early stages in progress. That’s when it finally clicked. I realized every painting has an ugly stage. Every... Continue reading

My characters begin with the eyes, but they’re always the hardest thing to paint. Oftentimes my character looks nothing like it did when I started. It takes lots of beautiful mistakes and so many ugly stages before I can even begin to figure out the best posture, profile and facial gestures. Yet whenever I start a painting, my mind tells me I should get it... Continue reading

Whenever I get stuck with my art, I go back to painting whimsical animals. Sometimes I start to feel like I’m painting the same owls or bears that I did before. It feels like I’m not trying anything new. But this is part of my creative process. It’s a place to begin. The owl I create in my Free Painting Workshop has closed eyes, which... Continue reading

I’ve been getting so many questions about how to find ways to sell and share your artwork, so I’ve put together my online workshop Business For Creatives and early registration is open this weekend. In this self-study course I’m pulling back the curtain on how I’ve built my career as a professional artist, sharing all of the successes, mistakes and lessons learned to help you... Continue reading

Do you ever struggle to be loose in your art? I do (all the time). For so many years I wondered when I’d finally find my style. Then, little by little, people kept telling me how they recognized my art. I’ve painted nearly every day for over ten years and the one thing I always return to is playing with my favorite art supplies. This... Continue reading

When I’m at an ugly stage with a painting, I have to turn off my inner critic and let go. But that’s way easier said than done. A few days ago I was painting and I completely overworked the eyes and face of my character. My first thought was, “I’ve totally ruined my painting.” Then I thought, “There’s no way I can save this piece.... Continue reading