In a recent interview where I asked 5 artists how they make a living from their creativity, one of the interviewees, Jonathan Hardesty (who is also an art teacher) happened to mention that one of the saddest things he sees is “someone who is 65 years old that comes to me saying. . . read more
Painting is a solitary activity. You can’t paint to your fullest potential while you’re “connected” to the internet and social media, or surrounded by people. You’ve got to unplug from that bombardment, at least for a while. . . read more
Somewhere in our subconscious, most of us keep a list of items we would like to buy for ourselves. As artists, these are often things that would further our creativity, or our artistic career. . . read more
Most artists take great care of their art making tools. . . that’s a given. But whether you are naturally creative, or have developed your talents through training, it’s just as vital to care for and nurture your creativity. . . read more
Some paintings have a story. . . this one sure does. It was my first in a series of paintings that I did en plein air just before the wheat harvest. I was in the fields along the Yumuna river in Noida, a city in Northern India. . . read more
It’s not the devil or poor lighting that kills the motivation to create. It’s LIFE. Life wears us down and we use it as an excuse. I have a history of talking to myself, explaining why today isn’t a good day to make art.. . . read more
When I was a kid living in New Jersey with my 3 brothers, it was a boy-dominated neighborhood. We had 2 older boys living on one side and 2 boys on the other. Thankfully, there was one other girl for me to play with, but it was a pretty rough and tumble, sports-oriented backyard. . . read more
Sitting on the school floor at the age of 5, I was momentarily distracted from the drawing I had just started. Turning back to my drawing, I immediately saw that the girl sitting next to me had switched my drawing for hers. . . read more
When I heard that my art group was making plans to hold a yearly awards ceremony for members, I was excited. I started to daydream, picturing the event - the room, the tables, the music, lighting, the applause. . . read more
When Picasso said, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” I think he was referring to the special permissions granted to children, to make skies magically purple, or give Mommy very big hands because she is always doing things with them.. . . read more
Clichés and myths about the life of an artist persist because they contain at least a kernel of truth. But beyond every myth, or cliché, there is a much larger reality - and you can find it by looking at the facts. . . read more
I’m not the type of person who makes resolutions for the new year. Instead, I try to set some goals. Why? Well, one reason is that resolutions, by nature, are extremely difficult. There’s usually no endpoint. . . read more
Let me ask you a question. What put you on the path of creating? I’d bet that once upon a time you created something of significance. It might have been a drawing, painting, a photograph or some handmade jewelry. Whatever it was, it was good!. . . read more
I believe that there are seven habits, or traits, which artists need in order to become highly effective and successful. Let's start with the most important one: being passionate about your art. . . read more