New Work

I haven't been blogging much, but I have been painting quite a bit lately (yay!) Here is some of my recent work -

 "A Summer Day on Lake Pepin" - Watercolor and PanPastel (9 by 12)

 "Butterfly in Spring" - Watercolor (8 by 10)

"Sunset Petals" - Watercolor (5 by 7)

 "Fly II" - Watercolor (5 by 7)

"Mr. Kitty" - Watercolor (5 by 7) (My first animal/pet in watercolor!)

Untitled - Watercolor and PanPastel (5 by 7)

Some of these paintings are available in my Etsy shop and the others are just practice. If you'd like to keep up with my work, please follow me on Instagram - @angelasexpressions

Hope you all had a great weekend! xoxo

Remembrance V

For the past five years I have been painting an American flag in honor of the anniversary of September 11th. This is appropriately called "Remembrance V," done in watercolor. I hope you will keep those affected by the tragedy in your thoughts and prayers today. 

Inspiration

Recently, I was reminded by Patience Brewster, the artist behind these adorable Christmas ornaments, that August is Artist Appreciation Month! I thought I would do a post about who/what inspires my work to celebrate. I have given it a lot of thought over the past several days and come to the conclusion that color is probably my biggest inspiration. I get so excited when I squeeze new paint onto my palette and working with fun colors is almost like a therapeutic experience. 

I not only like to create art, but I love admiring others work as well. I seem to be particularly drawn to loose, colorful watercolors. I have always thought of color, especially in paintings, to be healing in some way. I have been known to soak up the beauty in paintings in galleries and in nature that invoke a positive emotion in me. What I hope to achieve is create works of art that cause others to feel something, like I do when I'm admiring a really beautiful painting or taking in a breathtaking scene. And, in a way, this extends to my quilts and other handmade items as well. I love the way handmade quilts, decorative items, and artwork make a home feel. 

So, in general, I am inspired by color and the beauty around me. If I can put that love into my work in a way that extends to the person admiring it, I have done my job. :)

New Painting!

If you can believe it, I just finished a new watercolor painting! It's called "Almost There." This is my first watercolor painting in over a year, which is completely ridiculous. School keeps me so busy that there isn't much time for anything else but I've been trying to paint for at least an hour a day. I also recently finished a new miniature watercolor. It was a fun challenge. :)

I've been posting quite a bit to my Instagram page (@angelasexpressions) if you want to see more. :) Hope you all are well!!

Instagram

Hi all!! It's been about 9 months since my last blog post! Eeek!! I have been incredibly busy with school but I'm trying to find more time for my art because I miss it terribly! A huge part of my heart feels like it's missing when I'm not working on something creative. I created an Instagram account for my art/quilts/creative pursuits and I'd love for you to follow me if you wish! My username is @angelasexpressions 

Hope you all are well!

New Sewing Room/Studio

I've been very busy over the past week changing some rooms around. Considering that I haven't used my art studio in some time, I decided it would be best to turn it into my study. Therefore I had to move my painting stuff up to my sewing room.

 

 My new painting space. It's not much compared to what it used to be, but considering how little I've been painting, it will do for now. Besides, it's very cozy upstairs this time of year.

 

If you remember what my sewing room looked like before, it hasn't changed all that much. Somehow it looks and feels more spacious.

 

I hope you've enjoyed this little look around my sewing room/studio! Have a great weekend!

Another Maggie

This is Maggie, a cute Yorkie I've been painting over the past week. This is actually the 2nd Maggie I've painted in a row. I painted her in pastel (sticks and pencils) on Ampersand Pastelbord.

 

This painting was a challenge for me because my wrist has been bothering me a lot. After the last 2 pet portraits I did I was experiencing a lot of pain. I fear that it's carpal tunnel. I've been trying to rest it as best I can, and have been wearing a support. Hopefully I can avoid any kind of surgery, but ultimately I'll do what I need to. I have to be able to paint! :)

 

I hope you all have a great week!

New iPad

When I saw what the new iPad could do, I was sold! I have an iPhone and never thought I'd have a reason to get an iPad too. However, when I saw how crystal clear the screen was and how you can zoom in while still maintaining the clarity I knew it would be perfect for using for painting. I can put all my reference photos for painting on it and use it instead of printing photographs. It will save me money in paper and ink, plus photos never look the same once you print them.

While at the Apple store I discovered the Square. It's a little card reader that you can use with an iPhone or an iPad. It's awesome! I can take it with me to the gallery or art fairs as a way to receive payments with credit cards. The fee is very reasonable and the money is deposited directly into your bank account.

As hard as I try I just can't keep up with technology. :)

Item of the Week

"A New England Lighthouse" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

This week is painting week, so I've chosen a pastel painting as my item-of-the-week on Etsy. It's on sale for $45 and will ship for free! I have to say that I just love this little painting. I've even entertained the thought of keeping it for myself, but I don't have a place for it at the moment. I think it would look adorable in a kitchen or bathroom.

For a bit of good news, I just sold "Contentment" at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery! It's a recent pug painting that I did. Hopefully it's a sign of many more sales to come!

Have a wonderful week!

No Apologies

I made a decision recently to stop feeling guilty and to stop apologizing for my art. Perhaps you're wondering why I would feel guilty or need to apologize for it. Well, I have gotten grief over the years from people who think that I shouldn't sell different types of items in my Etsy shop (I sell original fine art, prints, quilts, hand painted boxes and other decorative painted items). I've also gotten grief for supposedly not finding my "voice" as an artist yet.

To tell you the truth I'm just tired of it all. I shouldn't have to feel guilty because I have many interests. And I sell some of everything on Etsy, which tells me that people enjoy my different crafts as well as my fine artwork. And regarding my "voice" as an artist, I don't know why I have to paint in one medium and in one particular style. That just doesn't match my personality. I like to experiment. Some subjects I like to do a little looser and others I like to do more realistic. I appreciate the opinion of other artists, but I think it's time that I just follow my own path. Art is subjective and there should not be any rules. Giving into the harsh opinions of others has put a damper in my creativity.

I'm choosing to pursue what I choose and that's that. :)

Tulip in White

"Tulip in White" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

Available Here SOLD

I actually completed a new painting! It's been 2 months, I can't even believe it. If I hadn't gotten married I would say that going 2 months without painting is unacceptable. :) At least I had a good reason.

Anyway, I'll admit I felt a little rusty with this piece, but I enjoyed it. Getting the shade of those shadows was a challenge. I also used a piece of 140lb watercolor paper that had been stretched on a piece of gatorboard for several weeks and I had some issues with it. I used Winsor & Newton paints on this piece and the size is 5 x 7.

If anyone is interested, this painting is available in my Etsy shop for $50 plus free shipping.

It's good to be back! I've missed you all! :)

Interview With Artist Nancy Medina

Continuing with my "Artists I Admire" series, I recently interviewed artist Nancy Medina. I have been an admirer of her work ever since I first set eyes on one of her large flower pot paintings.

Please read the interview below and take a look at a few of Nancy's beautiful paintings.

"Summer Wish Sunflowers"

Can you share a little bit about your art background?

I began drawing and sketching in the first grade, and I used to get in trouble for doodling in the margins of my homework. I remember drawing the Frito Bandito on a blank page in the back of my first grade reader. I just couldn't let that entire white page go to waste! When I turned 30, I made a new year's resolution to begin painting. I studied art in College, and then took some workshops but mostly I am self taught.

"Sapphire Iris"

I know you mostly paint in oil but do you ever, or have you ever painted in other mediums?

I began painting in watercolor, mostly large botanical works on heavy 300 lb paper. I was single and poor and living in Santa Barbara so I would trade paintings for furniture.

"Pas de deux Poppies"

How would you describe your painting style?

My painting style is impressionistic, with an emphasis on bold color. I like my work to feel as if it is moving, as if the color is vibrating, in the tradition of the old impressionist masters.

"Fleurs dans Blue Hydrangeas"

Can you tell me a little bit about your painting process?

Now I work mostly in oils, starting with transparent underpaintings and building up to opaque, brighter colors in the final stages.

Your florals are beautiful. Can you tell me why you enjoy painting them so much?

I love painting florals because color makes me happy. Mother nature gives me free material to work from every day. How can anyone look at a rich red geranium and not want to paint it?

"Silent Serenity White Poppies"

Did you set any art goals for this year?

My art goals are lofty, I want to be able to make enough money with my art so that I can quit my full time job and become a full time artist someday. For now, that pesky mortgage is in the way.

How has blogging and the internet changed your life as an artist?

Blogging and the internet has really helped my art career, especially after I was juried into the original Daily Painters group, http://www.dailypainters.com/. Micah Condon and a small group of talented artists created this online gallery, which has thousands of viewers each day.

"Hearts Ablaze Sunflowers"

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

For artists getting started, I would encourage them not to get discouraged, but to work hard. Put that energy into your canvas and spend time in the studio. Look to the masters and the great teachers when you feel lost. My art has grown over the past four years, you can see my style has changed drastically if you look back in time on my blog. I still have a long way to go, but I am enjoying the journey.

Thank you Nancy for a great interview!

You can check out Nancy's blog by clicking here, and you can visit her website by clicking here.

New Website

"Blue Bells" 12 by 16, Watercolor Painting

Private Collection

I finally got my website set up! I have been working on it for a couple days and I'm quite happy with the way that it has turned out. There are a few things that I'd still like to add, but it's pretty much done. If you'd like to see a portfolio of my work I suggest you check out my website. My website address is: http://www.angelabishopart.com

Thanks!

Interview With Artist Paula Ford

I recently interviewed an artist who I greatly admire, Paula Ford. Please take a moment to read about Paula and to view some of her beautiful paintings.

"Blue Boat" - Pastel

Can you share a little bit about your art background?

My first exposure to art was when I was a kid. My mother was an artist. She painted abstracts in oils. She would paint at the kitchen table during the day before my father got home from work. She would enter shows, and win too! She was really good! My brother also liked to draw and he was really good at it. It really didn’t interest me in the least, though I loved to watch while they created.

I remember taking Art History in college and found it to be boring. I was a business major with a very left brain.

It’s funny, when I was about 12, one day I got the urge to draw so I got out a piece of paper and a pencil and was sitting at the other end of the couch from my father, who was taking a nap. I drew his profile and it looked exactly like him!! I was shocked! I never picked up another pencil for 30 years.

"Wenatchee River" - Pastel

Which mediums do you work in and why?

I work mainly in soft pastels and am re-learning oils.

Years ago my husband and I lived in Abilene, TX. For a kid from the northeast (Upstate NY), Texas was quite different. It was really hot and flat and there weren’t many trees. I missed the northeast so bad that one day I decided if I couldn’t find anything beautiful to look at, I was going to learn to paint something beautiful.

Fortunately Kay Walton was teaching at the local Hobby Lobby. She is a famous bluebonnet/landscape artist and is represented by many galleries around the country. I attended her classes for almost 2 years. Then I found Wetcanvas.com. I went to many of the forums and ended up in the pastel forum. I didn’t even know what pastels were. That began my journey with pastels. Again, as luck would have it, Paul Friske, PSA, lived in Abilene (was this all meant to be?? I think so!!) and taught pastels. I studied under him until we moved away from Abilene about 5 years ago.

Pastels are much quicker to use than oils. You don’t have to wait for them to dry and if you make a mistake, brush it off and reapply pastel over the top. Clean up is a breeze too. Just wash your hands and you’re done!

Now that I’m more experienced, I’ve gone back to oils again and am loving the challenge and it’s so much fun to do something different.

"Dandelion Dance" - Pastel

How often do you paint?

I paint almost every day. Once in a while if I don’t paint, I’m still puttering in my studio.

How would you describe your painting style?

I would say, besides representational, soft, romantic, and happy.

"Aspen Valley" - Pastel

Can you tell me a little bit about your painting process?

I always start out by doing thumbnail sketches. That shows me if the composition is good and if the painting is going to work. I may take it one step beyond that and do a value sketch to show me where my darkest darks, and lightest lights will go. I believe in being prepared before painting. Can’t remember who said this, but in my head I can hear the words, “An unprepared painting is a failed painting.”

I then make a quick sketch onto my surface, making sure I accurately follow my chosen thumbnail sketch.
Most of the time I work on either Ampersand Pastelbord or Uart and almost always do a wet underpainting by using pastels for the first layer and then washing it in with rubbing alcohol and a ½” flat synthetic brush to set in the colors and unclog the tooth. It’s just a matter of putting in my darks first, then mid tones, and then a few highlights to finish the painting. I work all over the painting all at once, going back and forth, back and forth throughout the painting until it’s done. Layer, layer, layer.

"House of the Rising Sun" - Pastel

Did you set any art goals for this year?

Not really. I just always try to paint and study as much as possible, exercise every day, eat right, and stay healthy.

How has blogging and the internet changed your life as an artist?

Oh my gosh, I am such a hermit and recluse and hardly ever go out. Most of my social interaction is online, except when I teach workshops, that is. I have a huge blog, a website, belong to tons of art groups online, am on FaceBook, use Twitter and several other social networking sites, and sell my paintings online. The internet has changed all of us! I wouldn’t be able to live without it!

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

Do something artistic every day. Try to paint and sketch every day too. Go out into nature and study everything you see. Study everything you can get your hands on about composition and color. Learn to draw accurately. Study other artists’ work every day. Start a blog with your real name (that’s a pet peeve with me! How do you think you will ever be known if you don’t use your real name?) and blog all the time about your paintings, your thoughts about the painting process, and about other artists. Join a local art group, join FaceBook, join Wetcanvas.com. Think art, breathe art, live art, and share art, all the time.

Thank you for the interview Paula!

Click here to visit Paula's website.

Click here to visit Paula's blog.

Gallery Website

Just a little announcement, I am now up on the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery website! Click here to see my profile. If you didn't see my post yesterday there are a few things going on at the gallery this week. The holiday trunk show begins tomorrow, and runs the entire month of December. Stop by the show to see a variety of marked down art of all kinds. Also, this weekend is the Art on Main event. The Meet the Artist reception is Friday from 4 until 9, and the event is also Saturday 11-5.

I am so busy this week getting everything ready for these events at the gallery that I haven't had any time to paint. I hope to be painting again by the weekend. Oh, I almost forgot... I'm moving to a bigger wall in the gallery tomorrow, and I've been spending my morning framing some new paintings. I've had to take a couple more off Etsy, and now I feel like I don't have anything on there (as far as paintings go).

Just a little side note - If you've been following my blog you may recall a post a did called "Operation New Printer." Ha-ha... A couple months ago I discovered this swanky printer that I really wanted to get, but couldn't afford at the time. Well... I bought it today! It's time for an upgrade. I'm so excited to be able to make my own giclee prints. I'll let you know how they turn out. :)

Have a nice afternoon!

Red Apple

"Red Apple" 5 by 7, Acrylic Painting

My 150th post! Wow! I've been blogging a lot more the past 6 months than ever before, and I'm loving it! :)

I know what you're thinking, "Acrylic, really?" I was in the mood for painting with a brush this morning, so I brought out a set of acrylics that I've never used before. I've never painted in acrylic before, other than on cigar boxes. It was a lot of fun to be expressive through my brushstrokes and not have to worry about it being perfect. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. :)

I've been a little disappointed by what I've been hearing from other artist's lately. The most common thing I hear from them is, "You need to stick to 1 medium only." I've heard this from a few artists that I greatly admire, and for the most part I have done just that. But you know what... there are no rules when it comes to creativity. In fact it's somewhat limiting to stick to one medium if you want to experiment in others. So, that's what I'm going to do.

"Red Apple" is about 5 by 7 with a 3/4 inch white border all the way around. It was completed with acrylic paint on 195lb paper.

Have a nice day!

My Best Friend

"My Best Friend" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

This Golden Retriever was so much fun to paint. I have never painted a dog before so I was scared to even attempt it. But I think it turned out pretty well. It's really pretty silly that I'm afraid to paint animals because I'm a big animal lover. I have two dogs who I treat like they were my children. I love, love, love animals. So, I think I might start painting more of them.

This dog is painted on pastelbord, with pastel pencils and pastel sticks.

Gallery

The time has come and my paintings are up in the gallery! I still can't quite believe it! My Fiance went with me yesterday morning and we got it all set up (he's much better with a ladder and tape measure than I am).

I have just a small wall, about 10 feet by 2 feet, but it fits my little paintings perfectly. I have been offered something quite a bit larger, but for now, I'm going to keep this little space. I also have a little basket of my quilted table runners besides my wall.

My paintings, "Boat Reflection," "Full Bodied," "Heavymetal," and "Tabby Cat."

Here is "Summer Cherries" and "Shell on the Shore." I also have several prints available. I was unable to fit my last painting on the wall, so it ended up on my print rack. It is "Multilayered." Also, my painting "An Apple a Day" will soon be displayed in the front window of the gallery.

For those of you who don't know, the gallery is the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery located in historical downtown Stillwater, Minnesota. There are many galleries downtown and they attract art collectors from all over the world.

Since I moved out here, Stillwater and this gallery, have been my favorite places to visit. To now be a part of it myself is a dream come true. :)

I hope you all had a great weekend!

An Apple a Day

"An Apple a Day" 8 by 10, Pastel Painting

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away," right? I guess I wouldn't know because I don't eat too many apples :). This painting is a little larger than the ones I normally do, it's an 8 by 10. My representation at the gallery begins next Monday and they want to put a painting of mine in the front window. I thought I should have something a little larger than 5 by 7, so here it is. I think this will be perfect.

This painting was completed with a combination of soft pastels and pastel pencils and the surface is Pastelbord.

I hope you all had a relaxing weekend! :)

Tabby Cat

"Tabby Cat" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

I started painting this little kitty yesterday and I couldn't wait to finish it this morning. I completed the painting with pastel pencils and the surface is Pastelbord. Even though finding frames that will hold the pastelbord, is difficult, I love the surface, so I think I'll continue to use it.

I was a little nervous to even attempt this painting, because I've never really painted an animal before, besides a little bird. I kept my expectations low, because I didn't want to be disappointed if it didn't turn out. But I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised by the way it came together, and I had a lot of fun doing it. I'm a big animal lover so I can now see myself painting more of them.

Well I'm off to the pumpkin patch! I hope you have a great Sunday! :)