Casey, Iowa9 x 12 soft pastels on Art Spectrum Colourfix
by Miki Willa
I am going through a major transition in my life. I have retired. I have become a grandmother for the first time, and have the privilege of taking care of my grandchild a couple of days per week. All of this has led to a disruption in my daily routine. A happy one, for the most part. On the downside, I have not been painting regularly, or blogging. That has led me to several questions. Where do I want my painting to go? Am I a hobby painter, or do I want to work at marketing my paintings? What direction do I want my blog to go in now that I am not posting daily paintings? This is an important question since I have found the blog art community very inspiring, and I know that I must be an active member to get the most out of it.
Casey Klahn has been exploring the traits he thinks are important to be a good artist. A recent post has called for traits other artists think are important. I suggested discipline, since this is one I really have to work on. He is calling for an essay on discipline. I hope I have the discipline to do that. I would say LOL, but that is not something I see in blogs very often.
Another thing I have done is reserve a space in a mentorship with Michael Chesley Johnson in Sedona, Arizona in February. I have been wondering where to focus my efforts during this time, and have pretty much narrowed it down to taking my paintings to the next level. I am looking for the wow factor. I am really excited about spending a week in Sedona.
In the meantime, I have my sights on painting the lower falls of the Yellowstone River. Groan all you like, but if you see it in person, you will want to paint it, no matter how many times it has been painted before. Some will resist because you think it is so cliche, but don't. It is far too wonderful to pass up.
This painting was done from a photo of a very small town in Iowa. We stopped for gas and lunch, all at the same place. I wandered down the road while Tom put gas in the truck. I couldn't resist the photo.
3 comments:
I love it! It's so our trip!! It's so AMERICA!
Oh, Miki, I envy you. Sue, my Michigan friend, and I started to go in February to Michael's and cancelled so she can come here a week and then to NM when we are there this summer. You will have a great time. I have been following along with Michael for several years and love what he is doing. Plese blog along so we can peek at your work. :) It is also so beautiful in Sedona. Sigh....
Wonderful painting. Your son will love it.
I JUST visited Sedona for the first time 2 weeks ago. My husband and I also visited Jerome,(which just happened to show up in Art Calendar's new edition. Fabulous painters there. I also visited the School and wish to take a workshop there in the future. Sedona Rocks, if you'll pardon the pun!
Check out our Sedona Hot Air balloon ride on my alternative blog Not Really A Cleaning Lady (marewheeee.blogspot.com).
I hope to revisit Sedona with one of my artist friends to take a class.
Best Holiday wishes to you and yours, Miki.
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