The owl that’s featured in my Free Painting Workshop is one of my favorites to create, especially whenever I’m stuck and need to paint a character with it’s eyes closed (this makes painting eyes so much easier). But lately I’ve been painting more characters with their eyes open. One of my favorite ways to begin these big eyes is to start with two fingerprints on... Continue reading

In every painting I use acrylic paints, acrylic inks, oil paintsticks, liquid watercolors, paint pens and water-soluble pencil. Then when I hit an ugly stage or when I’ve been painting over a face again and again, I dig deep into my art supplies and get something I haven’t used in a while for new inspiration. Here’s some of my favorite supplies: *Stabilo Marks All Coloring... Continue reading

Lately I’ve been taking some time to really slow down and indulge in being creative. But a few days ago I was painting and I got really frustrated. For a while I’d been creating these very layered portraits of women with realistic faces and wild hair, using lots of art supplies and papers. I enjoyed that they evolved with every mark and layer, but I... Continue reading

The question I’m asked most often is how I developed my style. I paint a lot (usually every day). And I try to balance staying in my comfort zone with pushing myself, so I can keep developing my style. As I paint, I stay really conscious of how I’m feeling and when I get frustrated. I take photos of my work in progress, so I... Continue reading

Being loose and free in my art is something I’ve learned to do. Having fun and playing as I paint allows me to capture the soul of my characters. But sometimes I need to get out of my own way and start playing, so I can stop thinking so much and really uncover the beauty. That’s when I go back to painting whimsical animals. Animals... Continue reading

When I first started painting it was a healing process for me (and still is). I’d just lost my job in 2009 and had no idea what my next step should be. So I went back to what I loved as a child – making art. But I kept getting stuck at the ugly stage… basically any time I tried painting something out of my... Continue reading

Whenever I need to loosen up, I grab my sketchbook and paint outside. This helps me let go and feel free. Lately I’ve been getting stuck with eyes and faces. They either look too perfect or have no life. Getting outside turns off my inner-critic. The weather has been so beautiful here these last few days in Wisconsin, so I’ve been able to paint in... Continue reading

When I first started painting, I felt like I didn’t have my own recognizable style. I didn’t know how to loosen up… I didn’t know what inspirations to follow… I didn’t know how to find my artistic voice… And I was convinced that all I could do was copy someone else’s art or get stuck. It seemed like everyone else was special and I didn’t... Continue reading

I’m always working on many paintings at once, adding to a background or character for a few days (sometimes a few weeks). The time it takes to finish a painting completely depends on my mood and inspirations. Oftentimes I’m surrounded by unfinished pieces in my studio, especially when I’m pushing myself to do something new or painting something large. As one painting dries, I start... Continue reading

Whenever I start a painting, I grab my favorite art supplies and play until I cover up the white space. Then I add my character. Lately I always seem to cut out my character from the background using oil paintsticks or acrylic inks. But first, I add lots and lots of layers. I’ve found I return again and again to using oil paintsticks, heavy body... Continue reading