Art Inspiration: Impressionist Color

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Color was my day-long obsession.... Eventually, my eyes were opened, and I really understood nature. I learned to love at the same time." -Claude Monet  Monet, Gardens of Argenteuil 1873 Monet and his fellow Impressionist painters were OBSESSED with capturing color.  He went back to his favorite spots over and over to paint at different times of day.  Like his 1904 paintings of the London Houses of Parliament....    His color harmony techniques were inspired by the ideas of Chevreul.  He believed that certain colors LOOK brighter when they are next to each other.... our perception of color changes according to what is around it.   Want to learn how to mix and match colors like the Impressionists?  Join us for Impressionist Painting Thursday mornings starting April 6th. And if you want to learn the basics of creating a painting from start to finish join us for Learn to Paint Step by Step Wednesday evenings starting April 5th.   Wine Country Commission, Sold Peonies, Sold In both of these classes we will be learning to create classic landscape and floral paintings.   "I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it."  -Monet Me too!!!!  I want to do it all.  Morning Mist, Available

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 98: How to Speak to Your Muse

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a chat about how we can use our creative energy to speak to those we love, connect, and communicate.  When we speak to one person through our artwork what we create will resonate with other people with more passion and honesty than if we create for no one.When we create for others our work is infused with a powerful energy- an energy that is full of yearning, desire, and a need to connect.  When we create for others our passion infuses the work with emotion.  

We can use our creative energy to speak to those we love.

I yearn for understanding! And I bet you do too.


Samuel Woodforde, Apollo and the Muses, 1804

In the old myth the Muses were characters that inspired people to create.  I feel that I am inspired by the people I love.  They are my muses.


When I created this piece, "The Birth of Venus," I was celebrating love.  In this ancient myth the Goddess of Love emerged from ocean foam fully formed and ready to embrace us.   When I create a piece like this it isn't for me.  It is for you.  It is for anyone who needs to hear this message: Love is always ready to embrace you.

Brenda Ueland said that art is, "an impulse to share with other people a feeling or truth.  Not to preach to them, but to give it to them if they cared to listen."

Other times my artwork is more splashy and says what I want to say, not with story, but with emotional color.

Can you guess what I was feeling with this piece?

Or this one?


When we create for others our work is infused with a powerful energy- an energy that is full of yearning, desire, and a need to connect.  

This is one of the many reasons I am thankful for our Studio Alchemy art community.  Together we create...


And listen to one another.  We share what we are yearning to say with our work.



We are inspired by each other.  We are muses to each other in community.

And we get silly together too.  Our mascot Doogie inspires that!

Art Inspiration: The Art of Improvisation

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  Forget theories! Just dive into whatever you are doing and DO IT.  This is what my friend comedy improv artist, Jason Adams, says we should do.  He went so far as to say, "Don't use your brain." Ha!   Highlights 2023 I love planning.  It gives my brain something to chew on.  But sometimes it is better to just get in the groove and start creating.  Unexpected, spontaneous, wild things can happen. When we are in the process of creating something, anything, we are living it.  We are participating in the dance of life.    Like this guy!  He is so ready to dive in and participate. Snowy Egret 2023  "We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers,     And sitting by desolate streams; — World-losers and world-forsakers,     On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers     Of the world for ever, it seems." -Arthur O'Shaugnessy AND if you want to be a "mover and shaker" you've got to have guts.... On the latest episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast I talked about "The Art of Improvisation."  Listen here or on any podcast platform. Join us at the studio for upcoming classes.... Learn to Paint Step by Step- Wednesday evenings for 7 Weeks starting April 5th Impressionist Painting- Thursday mornings for 7 weeks starting April 6th Painting Club- Thursday afternoons and evenings See the full list of upcoming classes on Eventbrite May you grow toward the light and as always...

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 97 The Art of Improvisation

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a discussion about how you can incorporate improvisation in comedy improv, painting, music and dance.

On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and self-help techniques.  Each episode includes stories and reflections to inspire you to transform your life.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a.k.a. Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/.

Art Inspiration: Embracing Change

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.
Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow.
Let reality be reality.
Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."
-Lao Tzu

What would you like to change, to recreate?

This week I created this painting....
 Along the Picket Fence 2023

A few years ago I painted the same scene.  It looked like this...
 Along the Picket Fence 2017

Rarely in life can we really redo something because everything is constantly changing.... our bodies, our brains, the materials around us.  I didn't look at the first painting as I made the second.  It is interesting to me how different they are.

"It is not possible to step twice into the same river."
-Heraclitus

Picasso was constantly changing and updating his style.  Look at how his self portrait evolved over the years... from age 15 to age 25 to age 83

  

We can recreate, redo, redecorate and revamp- yes.  But with each new round it comes out just a little bit different.  Experiment and notice what those changes say about yourself.

If you'd like to experiment with new painting techniques with us at the studio here are a few of our upcoming classes....

Painting Club- Thursday Afternoons 1-4pm or Evenings 6-9pm starting March 2nd


Learn to Paint Step by Step- Wednesday evenings for 7 Weeks starting April 5th


Impressionist Painting- Thursday mornings for 7 weeks starting April 6th

See the full list of upcoming classes on Eventbrite

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 96 The Psychology of Symbols

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a discussion about the Psychology of Symbols and how we can look to the symbols we surround ourselves with to better understand our subconscious minds.

On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and self-help techniques.  Each episode includes stories and reflections to inspire you to transform your life.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a.k.a. Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/. Take online creativity classes at:  https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses

Studio Alchemy Podcast Episode 95 Art is a Language

 

Today’s episode of the Studio Alchemy Podcast features a chat about how art can help us express ourselves in a healthy way and one of Addie's favorite techniques for bringing clarity to your work.

On the Studio Alchemy Podcast we explore creative ways to transform our lives using visualization, art making, and new age self-help techniques.  Each episode includes stories and reflections to inspire you to transform your life.  Hosted by Addie Hirschten, a.k.a. Vita, a contemporary impressionist painter, art teacher, author, and public speaker.  Find out more at https://studioalchemy.art/. Take online creativity classes at:  https://the-alchemy-of-painting.teachable.com/courses

Art Inspiration: How to Know when to Quit!

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"All ballplayers should quit when it starts to feel as if all the baselines run uphill."
-Babe Ruth

Last week I created a painting that just didn't work.  I have decided to paint over it. 
This is what it looks like...
 Title: Bad Painting!

Sometimes I fight for the life of a painting.  I keep tinkering with it until it shines.  But sometimes I reach a point where I just have to give up, paint over it, and start something new.

This happens with my inner life too.  I can beat myself up for not being perfect. (As if there are any perfect people!) 

When speaking of happiness Krishnamurti said... "My secret?  I don't mind what happens."

I'd also like to accept what is and let go of the things that aren't working.

"The problem with self-improvement is knowing when to quit."
-David Lee Roth
 
I'm more proud of this painting. It came together easily....


So we start again.  We keep building and creating the world we want to see.  We learn from our mistakes rather than dwelling on them.

May you also "know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em!"


Last chance to join us! 
I have one spot left in our Painting People: Abstract to Realism class. 
It starts Saturday February 11th at 1pm

See the full list of upcoming classes on Eventbrite


May you grow toward the light and as always...

Art Inspiration: How to Express Yourself

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

This month in Painting Club we will be reading Brenda Ueland.  She said...

"Everybody is talented because everybody who is human has something to express. Everybody is original, if he tells the truth, if he speaks from himself. But it must be from his *true* self and not from the self he thinks he *should* be." 

  Roses on the Table

I believe that if we express the nitty gritty truth we will be closer to understanding ourselves.  This is how we use art to flourish.  This is how we live life to the fullest with no regrets for things unsaid.  

What truth do you need to express? 

At the end of the year I was in a rut and not painting.  But I have the itchiness that comes when things are left unsaid.  Perhaps there is always more to be said so I committed to creating one new artwork each week in 2023. 

Here are a few I created so far...
    Sukkot Gathering and Lilies

Some of my artwork this year won't be that great.  But we have to slug through the practice pieces to get to the nitty gritty, to get to the simple truth. 

 Peony Practice!
Like a piano player we must pound out the notes over and over until they are smooth like a river stone.  

To express your truth you just have to keep creating... keep painting, keep writing, keep gardening, keep playing music.  To express yourself you must participate.  You must find your voice.  You must do.



No one says on their deathbed that they wish they had been more time wallowing in the cowardly act of silence.  Silence is death.  So make some noise!  Participate and get up off the couch.