Sugar Creek at Turkey Run State Park

Sugar Creek at Turkey Run State Park
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

-Einstein 

Fishing in Brown County

Fishing in Brown County
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after."

-Thoreau

Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 33 Interview with Tori Weyers

Artist Tori Weyers
Find out more at:  www.drawriot.com

Also available on iTunes

Today's podcast features an interview with mixed media artist Tori Weyers and the true story of Mucha and Bernhardt.

Tori Weyers is a fine artist and designer specializing in mixed media, screen printing, and abstract painting. Weyers received her BFA from the Art Academy of Cincinnati and has a passion for creating work that engages and delights the viewer with rich visual narratives, strong composition and unique subject matter. Weyers has been a featured artist in Art Journaling Magazine and she teaches mixed media, painting and printmaking at the Indianapolis Art Center as well many different in person and online workshops and classes. Weyers creates and shows work from her downtown Indianapolis studio in The Circle City Industrial Artists Complex as well as her home studio in Broad Ripple. In addition she is currently doing a 366 day drawing challenge and you can follow her progress on Instagram.  Find out more at: www.DrawRiot.com

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Zinnias in a Brass Vase

Zinnias in a Brass Vase
Copyright Hirschten 2016
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

"With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy."

-Lope de Vega (17th Century)

The Birdhouse

The Birdhouse
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 12" x 24"

Join me this weekend at the Penrod Art Fair on the campus of the Indianapolis Museum of Art!  

Visit my booth (Y129) in the Yellow section both Friday evening and Saturday.

“One ought, every day at least, 

to hear a little song, 

read a good poem, 

 see a fine picture, 

and, if it were possible, 

to speak a few reasonable words.”
-Goethe

Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 32: Interview with Motion Graphic Artist Rebecca Berdel

Painting by Rebecca Berdel
Check out her animated work at: www.rebeccaberdel.com

Available on iTunes

Today's podcast features an interview with the motion graphic artist, Rebecca Berdel, and the true story of Isadora Duncan. 

Berdel describes herself as a recovering motion designer seeking to return to non-digital outlets.  In this episode we explore the need to switch mediums and working as a professional creative.  View Berdel's work at:  http://www.rebeccaberdel.com/ 

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at:  www.azhirfineart.com

Tree at the Indianapolis Art Center

Tree at the Indianapolis Art Center
Copyright 2016 Addie Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

When I taught a plein air class at the Art Center last week I created this painting of a tree on the north side of the building.  We were stationed near the crooked house... yellow flowers were in bloom.  It was beautiful. In the spring this is the spot where thousands of tulips are planted for a dramatic show.

Join us this Friday night at the Art Center for the Annual Faculty Show and Open House.  I have a couple of paintings in the show... one about the beginning of life and one about DEATH.  Should be fun!

Also this Sunday August 14th I will be participating in the Broad Ripple Bicennenial Celebration.  I will have a booth selling paintings of Indiana and the Broad Ripple area. 

This is a FREE event.  Hope to see you there.

Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 31: Interview with Art Teacher Laura Lohmann

Check out Laura Lohmann's amazing blog!
www.paintedpaperart.com

Also available on iTunes.

Today’s podcast features an interview with art teacher, Laura Lohmann of paintedpaperart.com and the true story of Vincent Van Gogh.  

Laura Lohmann has been teaching elementary art for 20 years in Ohio.  On her popular art blog paintedpaperart.com she share a wide variety of art project ideas.  Many of these ideas are inspired by literature and cultures from around the world. In addition she has lesson plans available on Teachers Pay Teachers and her work has been featured in Family Fun magazine and Arts and Activities magazine. 

 

 Find out more about Lohmann and her work at:  www.paintedpaperart.com!

 

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Bloom Where You are Planted

Bloom Where You are Planted Painting
Copyright 2016 Hirschten

"May you be like the lotus at home in the muddy water."

-Zen Proverb

Alchemy of Art Podcast Episode 30: Interview with Illustrator Sharon Vargo

Illustration by Sharon Vargo
Find out more at:  www.sharonvargo.com

Podcast also available on iTunes.
 
Today's podcast features an interview with the children's book illustrator, Sharon Vargo and the true story, "The $20 Bill."  

Vargo is a writer and illustrator who lives in Carmel Indiana.  She received a BFA from Pratt Institute.  Her paintings have appeared in children’s books, magazines, textbooks,murals, limited edition prints, and are in private and museum collections.  She wrote and illustrated the book, “Señor Felipe’s Alphabet Adventure.”  Sharon is currently an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. 

Thanks for the inspiration Sharon! 

Today's featured story is a true story, "The $20 Bill."  This story any many others are found in the book, "The Alchemy of Art: Stories for the Classroom."

On the Alchemy of Art Podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy. Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker. Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Mother Dreaming with Her Son

Mother Dreaming with Her Son Painting
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Acrylic on Canvas 18" x 24"
Original Painting Available on Etsy

"We are born of love, love is our mother."

-Rumi

This painting is part of a new series I am working on featuring parents with their children.  If you would like to potentially be part of this series email me inspiring photos.  You and your family might become part of this body of work!

Alchemy of Art Illustration Giveaway!

The Alchemy of Art: Stories for the Classroom

It is hard for me to believe but we are quickly approaching 

the one year anniversary of the publication of Alchemy of Art book! 

In celebration I will be giving away this original illustration from this book on August 11th:

"The Muses" Illustration by Hirschten
11" x 14" Watercolor on Paper

To enter to win this painting:

Write an amazon review for The Alchemy of Art book 

Then email me (ahirschten at gmail) to let me know your address. I will enter your name in the hat!

I have heard from many art teachers that their students love hearing the stories (most especially the two ghost stories.)  I gathered these tales to share in my own classroom and it is wonderful to hear that other teachers are finding it useful.  Thanks to everyone who has the heart to share classic stories with children.  We are fueling their hopes, dreams and imagination.

"Success is...

to laugh often and much,

to appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others,

to leave this world a bit better,

to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived."

-Emerson

Alchemy of Art Podcast, Episode 29: Interview with Clay and Fiber Artist Cara Moczygemba

Also available in iTunes

Cara Moczygemba's piece "The Dressmaker's Daughter

Today's episode features an interview with clay and fiber artist Cara Moczygemba and a personal art story from Addie about jealousy.

Typical knitting schnanigans by Cara Moczygemba

Cara Moczygemba is a clay and fiber artist who holds a MFA in Fine Art from California State University, Long Beach. She currently works for AMACO (the American Art Clay Company) where she specializes in marketing, making sample pieces for advertising and producing how-to videos for clay artists.

Not only does she create dynamic clay sculptures depicting people in a rather surreal symbolic fashion but she also constantly knits bringing here work with her wherever she goes. Find out more about Cara's work at: http://caramox.blogspot.com/

On the Alchemy of Art podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy. Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep yougoing. Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter,art teacher, author and public speaker. Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

Flowers in the Evening

Flowers in the Evening Painting
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"
Original Painting Available Now on Etsy

"Each morning sees some task begun, each evening sees it close; 

Something attempted, something done, has earned a night's repose."

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Alchemy of Art Podcast, Episode 28: Interview with Illustrator and Synesthete Bianca Dudeck-Mandity

Find out more about Bianca Dudeck-Mandity at:  www.biancandm.com

Today's episode of the Alchemy of Art Podcast features an interview with contemporary illustrator and synesthete, Bianca Dudeck-Mandity and the story of Wassily Kandinsky.   Listen here:

Podcast also available on iTunes.

Here is a sample of Bianca's recent digital work:

Bound by Bianca Dudeck-Mandity
Digital Art, 2015

As always on the Alchemy of Art Podcast we asked some tough questions and Bianca answered with stunning clarity...

We talked about synesthesia and how it affects her perception and artwork. And we discussed the role art plays in the artist's life.

Bianca is big on confronting fears with artwork.  She said that the "best work comes out of emotional truth and vulnerability, even though it is frightening that is where the best work comes from."

Enjoy the show!

Peonies in May

Peonies in May
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"
Painting available on Etsy

“And a bird overhead sang Follow,

And a bird to the right sang Here;

And the arch of the leaves was hollow,

And the meaning of May was clear.”

-Algernon Charles Swinburne

Irises in the Afternoon

Irises in the Afternoon
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"
Original painting available on Etsy

"Then we had the irises, 

rising beautiful and cool on their tall stalks, 

like blown glass, 

like pastel water momentarily frozen in a splash, 

light blue, 

light mauve, 

and the darker ones, 

velvet and purple,

 black cat's ears in the sun, 

indigo shadow, 

and the bleeding hearts, 

so female in shape it was a surprise they'd not long since been rooted out. 

There is something subversive about this garden of Serena's, a sense of buried things bursting upwards, wordlessly, into the light, as if to point, to say: 

Whatever is silenced will clamor to be heard, though silently.”

-Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale

I created this painting en plein air in my garden one sunny afternoon....

First I set up my easel with my circular rainbow of colors.

Next I mapped out the forms using the burnt sienna and ultramarine blue.  

The darkest shapes are in.

Now the fun start with mixing the vibrant colors in the shadow side of the objects.

And last but not least I added the bright sections that are highlighted by the sun.

I get asked so often by students how to break down paintings into steps that I created this free mini-course.  You are welcome to this detailed step-by-step guide for free...

Sign up for Addie's artist newsletter and receive a free "Steps to Painting" mini-course!

Alchemy of Art Podcast, Episode 27: Interview with the Painter Randall David Tipton

Randall David Tipton hard at work in his studio!
Find out more about his work at: www.randalldavidtipton.com

Podcast also available on iTunes.

Today's episode of the Alchemy of Art Podcast features an interview with the painter, Randall David Tipton and the folktale, "The Moon and the Dressmaker."  Find out more about Randall's work at: www.randalldavidtipton.com

Riverlight by Randall David Tipton

See!  Doesn't Randall's work remind you of Asian painting?  It has these open, uncomplicated expanses of spaces where the eye can rest with swift bold brushwork at the focal points.

On the Alchemy of Art Podcast we interview artists from a wide variety of mediums about their creative process and art philosophy.  Each episode includes folktales and true stories about artists to inspire you and keep you going.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author and public speaker.  Find out more at www.azhirfineart.com

The Wind through the Trees

The Wind through the Trees
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 18" x 24"
Available on Etsy

"There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open."

-Martha Graham

Alchemy of Art Podcast, Episode 26: Interview with Squam Retreats Founder, Elizabeth Duvivier

Elizabeth Duvivier in her element!
Find out more about Squam Art Retreats at:
www.squamartworkshops.com

Podcast also available on iTunes

Today's episode of the Alchemy of Art Podcast features an interview with the founder of Squam Art Retreats, Elizabeth Duvivier.  This is an interview about believing in yourself...

 It is about finding the strength to be successful.

 

And like all of the best chats our conversation wandered to include such questions as what we would grab from our houses if there was a fire.  

Elizabeth said she would grab her book, "The Adventures of Perrine" by Hector Malot.  

I would grab this cross stitch piece created by my mother the year before I was born...

What would you grab if there was a fire?  

Asking yourself this question can tell you a lot about yourself and what you value.

The Visible Lily

The Visible Lily
Copyright 2016 Hirschten
Oil on Canvas 11" x 14"

The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible. 

-Oscar Wilde