Out with the Old and In with the New!

It's that time when we bid farewell to the past year and look forward to the future. Looking back on 2010, I must say it was my best year yet! All goals that were set at this time last year have all been met and it is time to turn my thoughts to what I hope to accomplish in 2011.

I would like to share something I heard Leslie Saeta say on Blog Talk Radio yesterday. For those who may not know, she and Dreama Tolle Perry are the authors of the blog, Artists Helping Artists, http://artistshelpingartistsblog.blogspot.com. It's a great blog designed to do just that help their fellow artists! These are two gals with the true Art Spirit!   Do check it out.

The program was on setting goals. Leslie suggested keeping the acronym S.M.A.R.T. in mind and make sure that your goals are:

S-specific
M-measurable
A-attainable
R-realistic
T-timely

It is a wonderful and wise way to set and accomplish your goals. Write them out and review them periodically throughout the year to keep yourself on track. Being able to check them off your list will create even more momentum. 

May 2011 be YOUR best year so far!

Gaye

What Color to Paint A Studio?

A conversation that comes up quite often between artists is what color to paint our studio. We love light and we love color and so are tempted to express our artistic sides on our studio walls as well. NOT A GOOD IDEA! Ok, so then what IS a good idea? I think my new friend, Judy Crowe, just may have an answer complete with visual aids! Please check out her post dated December 22, where you will see her newly painted studio. In her December 26 post, she shows four paintings; two of which were done when her studio was yellow and two in her newly painted grey-green studio. While all four paintings are very beautiful, you can clearly see the influence of both the mood and the color of the studio in each painting. I leave it to you to decide which you prefer. After all, it is YOUR studio but I'm leaning strongly towards the grey green for my own. 

How about you? What color is your studio? How do you feel it has effected your paintings? Whatever color, I am convinced it affected your mood even before you set your canvas on the easel  as well as the color choices that went into your painting. I'd love to hear your opinion.

Thanks, Judy! Lesson learned!

Gaye 

A Visit to the McNay Art Museum

This is my favorite painting from the current exhibit "Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism", being held at the McNay Art Museum. The artist is Charles Courtney Curran. It is simply lovely!

A Visit to the Blanton

This was my favorite painting in the Turner to Monet: Masterpieces from The Walters Art Museum Exhibit, which is being held in Austin, Texas, at the Blanton Museum of Art. It is a small painting, only about 6"x 8", painted by Mariano Jose Maria Bernardo Fortuny and is entitled An Ecclesiastic. It is a much more vivid and detailed painting than is depicted here. The exhibit runs until January 2, 2011.