The more I paint, the more I realize how much of my process relies on slow movements and details that often arise from the abstractions of color. But my process also relies on surprise. Sometimes, these surprises occur spontaneously, like when I’m not liking a painting and I just have to cover it up. Sometimes, it’s a feeling I have to follow, and it’s so... Continue reading
As you may have seen on my Instagram, I’ve been painting lots of small studies inspired by sketches on paper. Oftentimes my sketches become stepping stones for my more layered paintings. In my sketchbook, I try to capture the mood, posture, color layers, and most importantly, the expression on a face. It can feel like a quick snapshot of a feeling or thought. Then I... Continue reading
Owls have always been my favorite thing to paint. I wasn’t planning to paint any owls for my new collection, but, as it happens, my creativity has its own ideas. I hear and see owls everywhere I go. So, of course, while I’ve been on my artist’s residency these last few weeks, I’ve heard two great horned owls. When I first started painting owls in... Continue reading
The other day, I felt super overwhelmed with my paintings. I thought, “I am a professional artist. I’m painting all of these things, but I don’t like any of them!” I didn’t know what to do. Then I remembered to go back to my small steps: Think of one thing that I can do. Do one thing that makes me feel better. I know that... Continue reading
I’m writing to you from my artist’s residency, where I’ll be for the next few weeks, gathering new inspirations as I work on my latest painting collection along with a new writing project. It all reminds me that I’ve always been a writer and artist. In high school, my favorite subjects were art and English. In 8th grade, we moved, and I changed schools. I... Continue reading
I’ve always been an artist. That’s what I told the gallery owner when I went in to inquire about a job. He laughed, looked at me, and said, “Of course, you’ve always been an artist.” I was in a serious slump in my early 20s. I’d graduated from college with degrees in fine arts and journalism, landing a ‘dream’ job at an arts newspaper in... Continue reading
Happy New Year! I hope you’ve enjoyed a beautiful start to the new year. Currently, I am on an artist’s residency, working on my latest painting collection. I have a deep love for travel. New locations, much like new mediums and colors, inspire my creativity in unique directions. My creativity flows best when I can transition from one creative endeavor to the next—whether it’s writing... Continue reading
Mistakes always happen while I’m painting. I’ve dumped my water bucket accidentally on a face, ruining my perfect eyes, and had my neighbor’s dog run into my yard and spill black india ink all over a painting (these things happen to me all the time). It can be SO frustrating to make a mistake or to not be able to paint the idea just as... Continue reading
Every painting has an ugly stage (especially the faces). 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. Now every painting I create... Continue reading
Develop your style, loosen up, and confidently share your art with the world… I’m so excited to share this membership with you! I am thrilled to introduce THE SCHOOL OF HAPPY PAINTING MEMBERSHIP, the most comprehensive class offering I have ever shared, providing access to seven of my online courses. It’s perfect if you’ve been wanting to develop your style, loosen up in your art,... Continue reading
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