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. There didn’t seem to be any freedom or flow. Everything looked rigid and tight. Do you ever find it difficult to try something... Continue reading
I’ve been soaking up all sorts of new inspirations on my artist residency these last few weeks. And one of the things I’ve realized is that I’d fallen into a comfort zone with my artwork. I was getting so comfortable adding fingerprints, dots and swirls to my backgrounds, that when I started to create areas with lots of solid color (inspired by the ocean and... Continue reading
My latest paintings represent freedom and femininity to me (like a creative spirit coming to life). They seem to be bringing out more and more of that in me too. Yet the other day I was painting and I started feeling super scared to make a mistake. I realized I’d uncovered a few new techniques and I was really loving my character (especially the eyes).... Continue reading
Before I can even begin to paint a face, I have to loosen up and play. That way I feel more free once I add my character. Here’s 5 Ways to Cover up the White Space + Create Luscious Layers: Fingerpaint – My favorite way to cover up a blank canvas is to fingerpaint. There can never be a wrong way and it’s so fun... Continue reading
A lot of you have been asking how I create the black lines in my paintings (and how to keep them from cracking or smearing). And, I have to say, I’ve tried a lot of different supplies to find the right black lines to go over all of my mixed media layers. I tried so many different pens and inks, but they either looked too... Continue reading
One of my secrets for letting go and painting more freely is to make it easy for myself to create, so I always have a few backgrounds going at once in my studio, I add layers whenever I have a few minutes – some acrylic inks. acrylic paints, paint pen and water-soluble oil pastels. Painting these first layers helps me stay loose and adds whimsy... Continue reading
The other day I was in my studio and I started to get super impatient, waiting for my painting to dry. I’d been working on a face that I really loved and didn’t want to ruin. So I forced myself to stop and take a step away. Luckily, I always have five or six paintings going on at once. I started adding layers to my... Continue reading
In this 19 minute video I share one of my favorite mixed media techniques for creating an abstract landscape that can be used as your background for any whimsical character. If you’re looking to add more whimsy and freedom to your artwork, don’t cover everything up in your painting. Instead, when you don’t like something, add a thin layer of watercolor or ink on top... Continue reading
Early registration is almost sold out for Serendipity – Develop Your Style (just use discount code SERENDIPITY for 30% off at checkout). I can’t wait to paint with everyone when class starts January 1st. 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... Continue reading
Lately I’ve been going back to painting more simply. For awhile I had been creating these very layered portraits of women with soft, realistic faces and incredible hair, using lots of art supplies and papers. I enjoyed that their story changed and their personalities evolved with each layer, but I found with every layer, especially on their faces, they looked older. While I still adore... Continue reading
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