Friends and Family Day

One of the highlights of my art life is the monthly Friends and Family Day I get to host at Rogue Gallery and Art Center.

Although I’ve only been facilitating this art event for about a year and a half, the gallery has been hosting it for years. I have had parents tell me that they use to come with their parents when they were little.

We do an art activity together, then the gallery provides a scavenger hunt in the main gallery, so that the attendees can interact with the current exhibit.

It’s just wonderful in every way. It’s art and people colliding in new, and refreshing ways. Each time someone attends and says, “I’ve never been to this gallery,” my heart leaps. I love the idea of a community that thinks heading down to the local gallery is a completely normal part of life.

Come down and join me some (second) Saturday and let’s make some art.

For more information visit www.roguegallery.org

'Fierce'

I've spent my whole life begging God to make me more gentle.

It's not a bad request. Jesus calls himself gentle, and I'm made in his image.

What I didn't understand was that I can be more than just gentle. That my entire worth as a woman isn't in being gentle, meek, 'nice'.

It's true that many times I have fallen into the other ditch- angry, unkind, harmful. But that doesn't define me either.

What I'm learning these days is that women are allowed to be multi-faceted- like God. In fact, that controversial word 'helpmate', has very little to do with chores and meals. It looks a lot more like a military warrior who comes opposite a needy person to fight with and for them.

So, I named this gorgeous Tiger Lily, 'Fierce'. Because she is all at once beautiful, delicate, and fiery. She's a bright, glowing flame of bold beauty.

Beauty can be fierce.

"I'm Not Very Business-y"

That's what I told Bruce when we first met to discuss my art business.

Bruce is a volunteer with SCORE, an amazing (free) mentorship program for people with small businesses. I won the jackpot because Bruce is a wealth of business information...and his wife is an artist!

Slowly over the last few years, Bruce has taught me about business plans, marketing, that the word 'goal' isn't evil, and all kinds of other business-related insights.

But the most impactful thing I've gained from Bruce and his wife, Susan, is friendship. Yes, they are helping me with my art business, but they also cheer me on, show up for my events, and make time for coffee.

You can imagine all of our surprise when this 'not -very-business-y' girl got hired this year as a part-time business manager at a local gallery! And the best part...I love it. I love all the organizing, planning, and working with the other artist.

I'm learning the business side and loving the people side. Just like Bruce and Susan have modeled for me.

Getting Mushy

I just finished my first 5-week Adult Intro to Drawing Course and I absolutely adore this first batch of students. As a newbie to the teaching scene, I wasn't sure what to expect. Boy was I pleasantly surprised.
All of these students shared some qualities that I am going to take with me into my own art journey:
1. Humility. They were nervous about learning a new skill, but willing to try anyway.
2. Learner-Attitude. Whatever I taught, they were willing to learn. The fact that they even signed up for the class at all shows a hunger to learn.
3. Friendly. Their willingness to get to know each other and share a bit of their story with the group made each class a delight.
4. Courage. I made art in secret for years before I worked up the courage to share it. Not this group. By the second class they were willingly sharing their drawings with each other and encouraging one another.

Brave as Bears

There’s an Ogden Nash poem about Custard the Dragon. Custard lives with a cat, a dog, a mouse, and a girl named Belinda. As it turns out, Custard was a cowardly dragon, but “Belinda was as brave as a barrel full of bears!”

I’ve made that a new theme in my life.

Take risks, try new things, fail, succeed, be brave as bears.

One of my acts of bravery was saying yes to teaching. I’ve painted, exhibited, joined galleries, done vendor events, but I hadn’t taught an art class. Until recently.

I started out my teaching journey ‘gently’. I facilitated the Life Drawing classes at a local gallery. ‘Facilitated’ is just a fancy way of saying I ran the timer. Then, I took over hosting their monthly family art activity event.

Now, I’m teaching a weekly Adult Drawing Class and a Black and White Oil Painting class.

The thing I’m learning about bravery is that you only need one spurt. The first time you do something is the only time you need that spurt of courage. After that, the thing isn’t new or scary anymore. It’s just regular life.

So here’s to cowardly dragons…and brave Belindas!

Hey, I know her!

A few years ago, I started painting my neighborhood. Well, the people in my neighborhood. Extending from my house to the shops up the street and down to the downtown corridor, anyone was fair game. If you happened to be standing on the corner looking particularly interesting, there was a good chance I was going to ask to snap your photo and paint you!

I’ve continued to paint the locals. This year, focusing on a local coffee shop and their clientele. But the same rules apply, if you happen to be sipping your coffee and catch my eye, you might just get painted.

This way of painting has introduced me to so many people in our city. Kids, moms, entrepreneurs, first responders, volunteers, and pastors. It’s expanded my heart and my love for this area. But it’s also done something else. It’s included you!

I exhibited some of my portraits at a local artisan event downtown a few weekends ago. For the first time, I mainly included paintings of locals. The number one comment I heard was, ‘Hey, I know that girl/guy/person/mailman!’ There’s real beauty in connection. Even if it’s between a person on the canvas and the one outside of the canvas.

How lovely to be seen and recognized and known!

Feeling Seen, Through Art

One of my heart’s desires as an artist is to make people feel seen.

Life is busy and mundane, unique and boring, exciting and tedious, and in the middle of all that life, we can sometimes disappear. Between work, relationships, cleaning, car maintenance, birthday parties, church and doctor’s appointments we can at times feel like we’ve simply vanished into the swirling lines and shapes that make up the pattern of our life.

But art pauses the chaos. Just for a moment.

While you’re standing in front of that painting, or sculpture, or beautifully stitched quilt you can reappear for a minute. See a part of you reflected in the creation before you. Corners of your heart that have been buried under activity can resurface and remind you of who you are.

That’s my aim with every portrait I paint. I want you to know that I see you. You are beautiful. You are known. You are loved.

Art did that for me a few months ago.

I went to visit a precious friend in North Carolina, and because she shows her love by seeing and knowing, she took me to the Biltmore House. If beauty is high value to you, this place will make your head explode and your heart melt.

But it wasn’t the gorgeous rooms, majestic chandeliers, or perfectly manicured grounds that made me feel seen and known.

It was Claude.

I was walking in front of my friend, listening to the self-guided tour on the little hand-held speaker, when the voice said, ‘And in this room we have original Monet paintings.’

Right in front of me. I was standing right in front of Monet’s beautiful work. I had no idea they were part of this home’s art collection! I was amazed, delighted, speechless.

But that wasn’t the best part.

The best part was turning around, with tears of joy and surprise, to see my friend watching me and smiling- knowing all along that this room contained those treasures. Treasures that I would delight in. Treasures that would touch my heart. She knew.

And in that moment, art gave the give of being known. The gift of being seen.

It's a Small, Funny World

We spent 14 years in the Philippines. In an attempt to immerse ourselves in the culture, we learned the languages of the places we lived. One of those languages was the national language, Bisaya, spoken on the island of Mindanao- the place we called home. It’s a complicated, beautiful, flexible, fun language to speak.

Much of the population of the Philippines speaks English. Because of that, oftentimes foreigners don’t learn the local language. We knew we were going to be there a long time and we wanted to be able to connect with lots of different kinds of people, so we tried to stick to the local language as much as possible. However, when we would run into other foreigners, we would switch to English (and everyone expected a group of westerners to be speaking English).

In one of the places we lived, Davao, God had given me some fantastic art friends. One of them was Kuya Alex, who owned an art gallery. In fact, his gallery was the first place I every exhibited a painting!

From time to time my husband and I would stop in to browse the paintings or attend an art reception.

One of those times we met a guy from Germany.

However, we don’t speak German, and he didn’t speak English, but all three of us of spoke Bisaya. So, much to the confusion and delight of the Filipino community attending the art reception, there we stood in the middle of the gallery- three white people speaking broken Bisaya to each other.

I’ve always hated drawing attention to myself in public, but even I had to admit it was a funny moment that had our Filipino friends laughing and had passersby scratching their heads!

It All Matters

Today I'm weary and wondering...

'What am I doing? Does any of it matter?'

The simple answer is yes.

But life isn't simple, it's complex and complicated and confusing.
Sure, it's also fulfilling and beautiful, but it's certainly not simple.

That's why I love this series of paintings of people in the coffee shop. This particular painting is of Amber. She's a real estate agent. In this painting, she's probably working on the everyday mundane tasks that her job requires. Nothing too glamorous- a cup of coffee, a purse of daily necessities, a computer full of tasks. And yet, it all matters. She matters. the big, important moments matter, and the little tedious moments matter.

Why? Because we matter. People are precious. Every part of our story is being woven together to create a beautiful tapestry of a valuable, meaningful existence.

So today, I'm catching up on bookkeeping, making a to-do list and loading my car for a street fair tomorrow. It's not glamorous, but it matters. And if I forget that, I'll glance back at Amber on my easel and remember that every task has worth, because every life is intrinsically valuable.

Playing

I’m not playful. I love work and I take it way too seriously. But, I’m learning that an art practice without play becomes lean and anemic. So, I’ve been experimenting with lightening up.

My art business is made up of two mediums; block printing (logos, stickers, cards, etc) and oil portrait painting. They stay in their own lanes at all times, and I really want the two to learn to work together. Which is why I’m playing.

My goal is to combine the two mediums. I imagine a realistic oil portrait set against a block printed background. Simple graphics contrasted with believable skin tones.

As it turns out- that takes a lot of thinking, and planning, and discussing with other artist, and carving, and experimenting. Which they tell me is called ‘play’.

And I like it.

I’m not going to tell you to ‘go out and play’ because nobody likes to be bossed around. But, if you’re like me and have been considering taking off the ‘serious work hat’ for a bit and trying on the ‘lighten up and play hat’ for a while- I’d highly recommend it!

My Favorite Brushes

I love coffee. But, I’m not a coffee snob.

Same goes for paintbrushes. I love them, but I’m not a snob. However, I could easily become one (if I won the lottery). So, here are my favorite brushes from ‘Somewhat Snobby’ (I mean, they’re not made out of unicorn hair or anything) to ‘Always Affordable’.

My all-time favorite brushes?

Trekell! I love, love, love the Trekell Opal 4000 kf series. I use the filberts in 8, 4, 2, 0. (But I’m finding myself using flats more and more…). Why do I love them? They are the perfect balance for oil painting of flexibility and firmness. They also NEVER lose their bristles. And, if you treat them with love and kindness, they keep their shape for a very long time.

Ok, hand in hand with Trekell brushes are my second favorite - Rosemary Brushes. The only reason I didn’t name them as number one is because I use them for blending (which is important to a portrait artist!). The series I use is Rosemary Filbert 278 in 4, 2, and 1. But I just end up using the 4 all the time. I have never met a blending brush like this beauty. Truly my portrait-painting ride-or-die.

Now, those brushes are more of an investment (for me personally, I know fancier artists have even fancier brushes, but I like to keep a little money left over for things like the mortgage and groceries!). I also have some favorite brushes that are a bit more accessible to every budget!

Amazon cheap-o Bomega brushes. Although, I think the brand name changes from time to time (I still can’t figure Amazon brands out). They’re cheap and I like ‘em!. The last time I purchased them they were ‘Bomega 803’ and they come in a pack with all the sizes. They are very soft, and great for subtle detail and some blending. Also, when the bristles splay, they create great texture!

And last but not least, good ol Princeton Snap! brushes. These cheapies are available at your local art store and will cost you a whopping $2-$5 dollars. I love them because they do a decent job and you don’t have to have a proper funeral if one loses a bristle or two…you can just buy another one! I tend to buy the smaller ones and use them for details in eyes, lips, and noses.

So there you have it- these are a few of my favorite things! Hope this was helpful. Happy painting!

Unique?

Obviously creative types care about being, well, creative. Unique. One-of-a-kind.

And we are. Every maker and artist has a style all their own.

But then again, are we that unique? After all, Ecclesiastes says ‘There’s nothing new under the sun’ and even the most cutting edge technique still springs from historic, time-tested methods.

So what DOES make us unique?

I think time is an important factor. We have to make a lot of art, and have a lot of life experiences, and fail a lot. All of that nudges us closer to our distinct voice in the world.

Lately though, I’ve been thinking that our uniqueness is a mash-up, a mixed tape, a cake baked with all the ingredients that make us…US.

So, I sit in my studio each day (not that unique), and I paint portraits (been happening for thousands of years), in Medford (ok, we’re narrowing things down, but there are a LOT of artists here).

I also get to know the story behind each subject, I pray for them as I paint, I display/exhibit their art in ways that elevates their worth.

And that is my uniqueness. It’s a cocktail of ME. I love to paint. I love people. I love to heap dignity on humans. I live in Oregon. I’m female. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Nothing about me is that original (and I don’t mind!). But my unique combination of mind, heart, ability, experiences, and beliefs give me something to offer the world.

You are the same as me. You are also unique. (ha!) You are the you-est you there is. And we need you. I need you. The world is better with you in it.

32 Faces... and a Bouquet of Flowers

I painted 32 portraits in 2023. Even I was surprised when I did the the math last week. Earlier in the year I had told an artist friend that the 17 paintings she had completed seemed like so many, and I would never finish that many in a year. Oh, the things we say.

I loved painting all those faces. Each person a valuable, beautiful human being. It’s such an honor to capture someone’s essence on canvas.

Then, I painted a bouquet of flowers. I am a creature of habit. If I say I’m a portrait artist. I paint portraits. The end.

But my sister had sent me a photo of a fall bouquet she had picked from her garden. I loved it, I painted it, I loved painting it.

I think I will paint more flowers. Why? Because I can. Because I need to remind myself from time to time that most of the laws I live by are self-induced. Some are great. Some are prisons.

A portrait artist can also paint flowers. Or food. Or landscapes.

We are free!

Happy New Year. I hope you walk in freedom this 2023.

An Extroverted Introvert

Do you ever let other people, personality tests, and past experiences define you? Do you ever feel like “I guess that’s just the way I am!”?

I do.

One of the ways I have let external influences define me is in the area of introversion and extroversion. We love to make it black and white- some people are introverts, some are extroverts. Full stop.

And so, I agree each time I’m told I’m an introvert. I believe each time I tell myself that people wear me out. I believe that sore ears in a loud room mean I want to be alone.

But, I think we’re a little bit more complex than that. We aren’t simple machines. We are alive, we are human, we are growing, changing. We are different depending on the context, our mood, our stage of life, and who we’re around. We are dynamic. We are people!

And sometimes I’m introverted.

And sometimes I’m not.

I know this is true because of something 2022 has taught me.

I have taken my art outside this year. I’ve taken it to galleries, and events, and shows. I’ve shared it in emails, and displayed it on social media. I’ve talked about it and celebrated it, and put it in front of eyeballs.

And I’ve loved it.

I’ve loved the people-y part of sharing my art.

I’ve loved each person who has laughed or cried or hugged me because a piece of art made them feel honored and seen.

I’ve loved the stories people have entrusted to me about the precious life I’m coaxing out of the canvas.

I’ve loved the buzz of a full gallery and the hush of art conversations in the corners of the room.

I’ve loved kids who want to paint with me and have no shame in embracing the fact that they are artists!

I’ve loved the generous spirit of other artists in the community who invite me, include me, encourage me.

Thank you art, for teaching me that I am a people-loving introvert who needs all the beautiful connections with other humans that you offer.

'Home'?

‘Home’ has been an awkward term for me for a long time. I’ve moved over 20 times in my lifetime, 17 of them in my 24 years of marriage. So, ‘home’ feels elusive and hard to grasp. But now and then there are moments when my hearts whispers to me ‘this is home’.

When I’m walking down the street and someone calls my name and says hello. That feels like home.

When I’m talking to someone and realize we’ve lived in or visited the same places. That feels like home.

When I share a memory or have history with someone. That feels like home.

When I pull into the driveway of my current home, number 20-something, and the first one we’ve ever owned. This is starting to feel like home.

The city we’ve put roots into over the last four years, Medford. It’s starting to feel like home.

We have neighbors and are neighbors.

We have family down the road.

We’ve made friends.

We have meaningful work in meaningful communities.

And the art part of my heart is flourishing. I’m inspired everyday by the beautiful people that make up the city of Medford. Especially those in my own neighborhood. And that is why I’ve created 18 paintings this year of my neighbors. My beautiful, hard-working, inspiring, West Medford neighbors.

They make this place feel like home.

Come celebrate this place I call home with me and my neighbors next month at Central Art Gallery here in downtown Medford. During Medford’s Third Friday Art Walk from 5:00-8:00 on November 18th I will be exhibiting my West Medford paintings. All are welcome! All are wanted. I hope all of you feel….at home.

Some of my Favorite Southern Oregon Painters

I am constantly amazed at the wealth of talent that we have here in Southern Oregon and the Rogue Valley specifically. There are galleries full of breathtaking work, a plethora of classes and workshops available, and studios sprinkled everywhere! So, I thought I’d share some of my favorite local painters:

1. Charlotte Peterson

   A talented watercolor painter who combines the whimsical with super solid skill. Her flowers and frogs are my favorite! You can see more of her work at the Art & Soul Gallery website.

2. Desmond Serratore

   Each time I see one of his paintings in a gallery I think ‘Who IS this artist!?’ and each time I see that it’s Desmond Serratore again! He is a brushstroke rock star and I love his landscapes and urban scenes. You can visit his website here.

3. Jay Gordon

   Jay is multi-talented. Both her floral pieces and her portraits are stunning. She uses techniques that draw you into the painting and leave you wondering how ‘did she do that?’. You can see her beautiful work at Jay Gordon Art.

4. Mera Oliveria

   She’s a fantastic figurative artist. And she does chalk art. And murals. And leads discussions on art and theology. Amazingly talented and passionate about the meaning and purpose of art in the world. You can see more of her work on her Instagram page.

Drawing and Drinking...Coffee

I want to be like those painters who paint directly onto the canvas without sketching first. But I’m not.

My method is slower, more methodical.

I always start with a drawing, then transfer it to the canvas, then paint.

And if it’s a morning drawing session, I always, always have a coffee!

I Love It When They Cry

Do you ever watch Devon Rodriguez, the trending Tiktoker who draws people on the NYC subway? My favorite part of his videos is when he hands the drawing to the person. Often they cry. Why is that?

I have a few theories…

Surprise. I think we go through our days expecting little in the way of attention and affirmation. To see yourself created in a piece of art is ninja level validation, and it triggers the tear ducts.

Depth is another theory. Words only express so much. At some point we have to sing, or jump, or write poetry, or cry. When something hits us in those tender places in our hearts, tears appear.

And lastly, beauty. Beauty gets us every time. It’s visceral, emotional, overwhelming.

That’s why I love a teary response when I hand over a commissioned piece of art. It tells me that my small efforts of capturing on the canvas the worth of a person has possibly paid off. My prayer is that beauty and affirmation will always be part of the portrait painting process.

So Many Supplies

Have you ever gone on a vacation where you bring your own food, but when you arrive you’ve forgotten some of the basics, like oil and ketchup? The reason we forget them, is that they’re just always there. Kitchens always have oil, ketchup, a salt shaker, etc.

Art supplies are the same. Sure, from time to time we need to buy canvases and some new brushes. But the majority of the supplies we use we take for granted. Our easel, drawers full of paints, 200 old brushes, mediums, paper towels, even our apron and stool. Most of us don’t go out and buy all of those things at once, they are slowly accumulated and become part of the background of our space and work.

Which is why I hate figuring out how to price my work. Most pricing advice is something like, ‘Factor in your hours, the cost of your supplies, the size of the painting, and current rates from other artists.’ The truth is, I don’t know what percentage of my painting apron gets factored in to my prices. Do I factor in the cost of my wheely stool? Painter’s tape? The nails I rest my canvases on? What about the new light bulbs in my studio, or my favorite 5 year old palette knife? Do I factor all those things into the price?

From a math perspective, adding up the cost of the supplies, makes my head spin.

But from a personal perspective, I really love that my life, work, and studio are combinations of new and old. Used, worn, and also fresh and shiny. I love a new paintbrush, but I also love my old mini-blinds adjusting rod that I use as a mahl.

I like that I’m settled in. I have a space. And in that space, I can create beauty and send it off into the world!