Whenever I’m stuck with my art, I look back at the progress photos from a past painting. Most of the time, 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 as I create, my mind tells me... Continue reading

Do you find it difficult to be loose with your art? I do (a lot). A few days ago I was painting and I started to feel like I’d never get the face right. I just couldn’t loosen up and let go. It all looked too perfect and painted on. Everything felt like a struggle. That’s when I take a step away and start a... Continue reading

With all of my artwork, I follow an intuitive painting process. After a few background layers (and many attempts at the character’s eyes and face), something finally starts to come out of the paint that resonates with my soul. Then I add more and more layers to bring out that heart, using spray paint, oil paintsticks, acrylics, inks, paint pens, water soluble pencil and pastels.... Continue reading

In college, I only painted abstracts. I loved shapes and color, but I got stuck there and would just paint over everything (again and again). Each time I thought I’d intuitively know what to paint next. But I was never attached to the painting, so I’d just keep covering it up. When I started painting whimsical characters in 2009, I’d often struggle if I didn’t... Continue reading

When I’m stuck with my art, I go back to painting owls and using my favorite cobalt teal or florescent pink hues. The owl that’s featured in my Free Painting Workshop is one of my favorites to create, especially when I need to have fun and play (click HERE if you’d like to join my free painting class). But the other day I was struggling... 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, I felt like my painting had finally come together. I set it aside to dry. But then I went to put my floresent red ink away and... Continue reading

Do you find it difficult to be loose in your art? I do (a lot). A few days ago I was painting and I started to feel like all of my characters were looking too painted on. You know, like the girl looked like I’d cut her out and pasted her on top of an abstract background. I just couldn’t loosen up. There was no... Continue reading

Whenever I’m stuck with my art, I don’t let myself look at any other artwork. If I do, I start to compare myself to everyone else and waste so much time “getting inspired” that I don’t even get back into the studio. Instead I play with water-soluble oil pastels in one of my coloring books or paint backgrounds to let go. That way, when I... Continue reading

When I’m struggling to be loose in my art, I take a step away. This makes me stop and look around, so I’m not so focused on painting something perfect. Then I can get out of my head and paint from my heart, which always makes my artwork more appealing. My entire process is all about play. But the other day I was painting at... Continue reading

Whenever I get super critical of my paintings, I know it’s tme to take a step away. Then I can remember that I always go through these phases with my artwork. Sometimes, when I’m lucky, my creativity feels like it’s flowing and I can follow my intuition. But other times, I hate anything I create and just want to cover it up. Instead of letting... Continue reading