For years I’ve told my students that the most important thing in the studio is light. Not color, not fresh flowers, not fancy vases, not high quality paint. The number one ingredient for a successful painting, when painting from life, was light. That’s what I said. But yesterday I realized I was wrong.
The most important thing in the studio is not lighting or equipment or high quality tools or even decades of painting experience. The most important thing in the studio is you. The time you spend in the studio is measured in more than minutes, it’s an investment in building something real, creating something using your own vision. The more time you spend painting, the more you will learn and grow. The more time alone, putting those hours in front of the canvas, the more you’ll see progression in what you understand, and what you create.
So many of my students are women in my own demographic, mature gals who are finally finding they have time for a pursuit for their own enjoyment, after spending most of their lives giving. Giving to their families, to their friends, to their jobs, to everything society expects of them, as they (we) are, in fact, paramount multitaskers. But giving constantly comes at a cost. Painting and creating is more than cathartic, it recharges your batteries, so you can give more, and you can give better, to those you love. Carving out your sacred studio space involves setting boundaries for your time, your attention, and even the physical square footage dedicated to your easel and supplies. Setting boundaries like this means, once in a great while, you have to say No. You know that old song that goes, Sorry seems to be the hardest word? I think for many of us, “No” is much more difficult to say. Setting boundaries means holding onto boundaries. That inner, playful, creative side is depending on you to stand your ground – even if it’s just an hour a day, give yourself a chance to relax, and heal, and recharge. Now pull up the drawbridge, intrepid artist, don your painting apron, and slay those dragons!
Every flower has a meaning, every petal speaks a word, but unless you speak their language, something special goes unheard. ~ Sheila Roberts
Monthly online classes are blooming…
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New Aprons Are Here!
I’m so excited to announce a whole crop of colorful aprons is now blooming in Flower Mound Studio. Add a bold statement to your studio wardrobe with flowers! These are beautiful gifts, and are perfect for crafting, kitchen work, and – of course – painting time. In bright, fun colors, with front pockets and machine washable, gather a bouquet of them for yourself! Choose your favorite colors from six designs.
Click here to indulge in an apron
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A Painting Prize Giveaway!
As a bonus especially for you, spring is the perfect time to give away a new $100 gift certificate for art supplies! Tubes of joy, boxes from Dickblick.com on the doorstep, brushes in pristine clear wrappers, all the things that make an artists’ heart to go pitty pat! To be entered to win, leave a comment on this blog, easy as pie. And please, if you’re already signed up for my upcoming Fredericksburg workshop, don’t bring the artist pie. She has already converted all her jeans to stretchy! I’ll announce the gift certificate winner on July 12, just in time for the Birds and the Bees in the studio!
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Italy 2018 – Catch the Earlybird Pricing!
Join me for a VIP painting dream getaway to Italy during the National Truffle Festival in Le Marche region in October 2018. Earlybird pricing is here, so take a peek at all the fun!
Get all the delicious Italy details here
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