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. 

Art Inspiration: How to Paint People

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers- 

"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people." 
- Vincent Van Gogh

 The Hourglass

I consider painting people to be one of the most challenging subjects! 

Yet it can also be the most emotionally rewarding. 

    

If painting people is new to you I recommend starting with basic simple silhouette forms.

  The Immaculate Heart

Focusing on the outside shape and leaving the center of the body solid is a great way to start painting accurate proportions. 



Then work your way to incorporating body parts like hands and eyes.

In our upcoming class Painting People: Abstract to Realism we will do a variety of techniques that will build our drawing skills as we gain confidence painting people.

 Open

New Classes Added:
I had requests to add Painting People to the calendar.  We will be meeting Saturday afternoons in February!

Also added are...
Botanical Painting Workshop (Learn how to make environmentally friendly paints!) this Saturday,
Intuitive Abstract Painting in March,
Learn to Paint Step by Step in April
and Impressionist Painting in April 
 

Painting Club is now Thursday Afternoons AND Thursday Evenings.  

You can find our entire list of upcoming classes on Eventbrite.

Andy Warhol said, "Art is anything you can get away with."
  

So like Warhol we experiment with the form.  We morph it until it expresses what we are trying to say.

  Madonna and Child

Art Inspiration: Diving into a New Year

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "Diving is a leap of faith, plus gravity."  - Gabrielle Zevin     Saturday I created this Vision Board to articulate what I'd like to do this year.  I was surprised that I was drawn to the image of the diver.  (I have always been afraid of diving into water!)  The diver symbolizes how I want to dive into the next stage of life with confidence. .   I want move forward into the future with confidence! I want to be prepared and to make a plan. One thing that I am planning to do is to find ways for my art making to be better for the environment.  That is why I am super excited about our upcoming class at the studio, Botanical Painting.  It will be taught by my friend Maria Schechter.  In it we will learn how to create inks from plants. Each of us will receive a jar of natural treasures then we will create mixed media pieces from it!  Maria will also be teaching a kids botanical printing workshop!  Sign up for any of our upcoming workshops on Eventbrite.  Painting People, Impressionist Painting and more!  We are adding evening Painting Club too!!! What are your plans for the year?  In what new way do you want to grow?   If you are a planner I invite you to create your own Visionary Life Plan in this online class  It is on sale 70% off until Friday.  Use promocode NEWYEAR2023 at checkout. May you grow toward the light and as always...  Choose Peace, Prints available here

Art Inspiration: Before and After

 

Hello My Fellow Art Lovers-  "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."  - Reinhold Niebuhr, The Serenity Prayer     There are few things in life that I find as satisfying as good before and after pictures.   They show how powerful we humans can be.  We can transform our spaces!  We can make the change that we want to see. BUT there are of course many things in life that we have no control over.        Before and After of a Painting I recently reworked I realized recently that part of my love of cleaning, redecorating, organizing and yes even painting stems from a desire to control things.  It just feels so good to make things prettier. I'd like to embrace the "courage to change the things I can."  And come to peace with what I can't. There will be many aspects of the coming year that we will not have control over.  We can however control how we react to things.  We can control what we will learn, how we will grow.   I recently created a free online mini class called the Magic of Visualization.  I hope it brings you inspiration and helps you feel empowered. May you grow toward the light and have a Happy New Year  And as always...  Choose Peace, Prints available here I am working on my upcoming book on SYMBOLISM!  Stay tuned for the more juicy symbols and art philosophy as I swim through this material.  Would someone you love be inspired by this message?  Feel free to share