Top 5 Artist Tips for Painting Large

Painting large can be a little intimidating at first, but adopting even one of these tips may help you overcome the fear.

1.  You need to start somewhere, so a technique I once used was to first draw out your painting in small. Plan out the painting, figure out colors and then enlarge it. Use a grid if needed!  Using a grid is the best way to ensure the proper proportions of your piece. Split your sketch into grid squares in proportion to the canvas. Then you should replicate the squares from your drawing into corresponding squares on the canvas. After your drawing is set you can erase the lines.

2.  When painting large, you will need a lot of space in your room or studio to create a large painting.  You will not see any mistakes if you only observe the painting up close, so you need to continuously step at least a few feet back to see anything that needs to be touched up.

3.  Have enough paint on hand for the task; Remember, this is a large painting, and it will take more paint than you’re used to using. And if you’re mixing colors, make sure you have enough before you start. Trust me, you won’t be able to match it perfectly later.

4. Be ready to switch up a few things: depending on the size, you may need to use a step or ladder, larger brushes to be able to cover the canvas more efficiently, and time! Painting large may take more time than you're accustomed to.

5. Relax and have fun! You're bravely tackling something new! Be gracious with yourself - with a little practice and time, painting large may quickly become your favorite form of expression, as it very much is mine.

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Painting: 'Breakthrough’ - The Ties That Bind', acrylic paint on canvas, 60 x 60 inches

Artist and Mother?

So the kids are at home again today - they haven't had a school day since last Monday! With all of our extra time together this past week it's got me thinking about this whole mother and artist thing.

Honestly, I love being a Mom. But it's taken me time to get to this place. Motherhood is the single most difficult thing I've ever decided to do. My days are humbling, challenging and refining on every level! I POUR IT ALL OUT, and then when there's nothing left, pour out more with no guarantee that any of it will amount to anything! (Anyone else?!)

In contrast, a painting day FILLS ME like nothing else! Thinking takes a back seat, my imagination takes over and by the end of a day I'm filled with wonder and awe! I spend my time contemplating beautiful, ethereal things and let my heart lead my hand with grace and truth. . .

Recently, Marissa Huber and Heather Kirtland, founders of the ‘Carve Out Time For Art’ community, were having an awesome and honest chat about limitations on our artistic practice; whether explicitly or implicitly imposed. Yes, Motherhood has minimized the time I have to pursue my artistic career. But I do not see it as a limitation. That perspective is dangerous and could lead to resentment. I wouldn't be the artist I am without the journey of becoming a Mom! One informs the other. I chose motherhood, and for now, other than being a wife, its my most important priority. And I'm in it for the long game. There's no need to hustle here - it'll be what it'll be. It's important to remember; you can have it all, just not all at the same time. .

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Painting: 'More' - In your light, we see light' *SOLD* , www.gibsonfineart.ca

'More': Solo Show at Gibson Fine Art

Artistically, I have always been drawn to beauty; mesmerized by it - whether it's light dancing on water, a bubble dangling in the air or a big shiny chandelier. And my work has largely been focused on capturing and honoring these ethereal moments. But for the last while I have found myself desiring more than just 'seeing' and 'capturing' it. C.S. Lewis said it best - We want 'To be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves to bath in it, to become part of it.' Having this mindset has been a wonderfully motivating and satisfying journey in the studio.

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Over the course of this summer and fall, my kids and I so enjoyed exploring a smattering of Seattle's hiking trails. Each one has its own magic. Recently we hiked ‘Poo Poo Point Trail’; a trail that has a space for paragliders to take off at the top! (Sidenote: I now have a new item on my bucket list!) Seattle is jam-packed with beauty. And each new trail gets us excited about the next. Each hike leaves us wanting more. And that's just the thing about beauty, right? Have you ever snapped a photo of a sunset and thought, 'That’s it. I'm satisfied. I don't ever need to capture another sunset photo again.' Of course not! We can't help it. Each sunset, each moment of beauty is unique and triggers our hearts cry for more. This perspective helps to explain why many artists will paint the same thing such as a portrait or a sunset, in different ways over and over again - it's why I can't wait to paint the next #chandelier. I want more!

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As well, getting outside and into nature is just one way I fill my creative bucket.  Nature's truth and beauty is an endless source of inspiration for me. So I'm curious, what activities add into your routine that fill your creative bucket? I'd love to hear from you!

I Have This Thing With Circles

One of the most frequently asked questions I get asked is, 'Do you paint all those circles by hand?'. The answer is YES! So let's chat about the circle for a hot minute. It's shape and symbolism and meaning have a looooong history, spanning many ancient cultures. It can represent infinity, being complete, and being whole. It represents cycles, being inclusive, and unity. It is a symbol of revolution, of being centered. For all of these reasons and more, I've been painting circles for over 15 yrs and I'm still not over it! The repetition is meditative, poetic and brings me such joy.

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I must have painted at least a million circles in my career. But do you wanna know a secret? Not one of them circles is perfect - (Here’s where I geek out for a bit 🤓) - So, you may be asking, why do we ‘see’ them as perfect? Perception is not fixed: it is flexible. Our conscious perception of the world, though relatively stable, is not static. Your eye will make assumptions and ‘corrections’ all the time! So even though not one of the circles is perfect, your eye ‘wants’ to see them that way and so they are! Isn’t that wild?!

CONFESSION: I Hate Hustle

CONFESSION: I hate the word hustle. I say this, all while admitting that I used to live by it. I've come to strongly detest that word and everything it represents; more ✔️'s on my checklist, more accomplishments, more, more, more!

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I don't think it's coincidence that all of my best work has been born out of periods of rest. Every aspect of my painting process requires careful thought and patience. Rest allows for reflection. Working out of rest helps me to listen, stop, take pause and observe. My painting practice is deeply meditative. Hustling, on the other hand, gave me permission to let 'my' needs supersede anyone elses - not exactly the best recipe for a marriage or motherhood, am I right?! Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against hard work (just ask any of my peeps!). But I think most of us hustling eventually start asking, 'isn't there more than this?'. I certainly did.

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I found that if you really want more, the answer is 'less'. I'd rather paint less paintings, but have kids that feel loved and known. I'd rather make less money, (did she just say that?) but be rich in friends and invest the time needed to build a strong marriage. I want more beauty, more sunsets, more time spent staring at then ocean..: this is the more that I crave. So I'm curious, do you love the hustle? Do you hate it? Are you needing to carve out more time for rest in order to sustain your creativity? If so, do you have ideas or suggestions for us? Let me know your thoughts! I'd love to hear from you!