Being an Artist: A Pep Talk!

Are you one of those people that claims to have 0% artistic talent? When people find out that I’m an artist, most of the time that’s what they tell me. “I can’t even draw a stick person!” Well, you might be shocked to hear this, but it isn’t easy to draw a stick person that looks good. I’ll give you a tip on stick people, though: adding details makes them so much better.

AKA, put some effort into making them look good and they will!

Bob Ross said it countless times and I’m proud to carry on his tradition of telling everyone – every single person – that they, me, you, everyone can be artists. Anyone can be an artist if they want. It’s not some exclusive club you need a membership for! You don’t even need to be born with amazing artistic talent! But you do need the drive to create, otherwise you won’t put in the effort. I have a recent blog post where I talk about whether artistic talent is hereditary or not.

There’s a really great Ansel Adams quote where he said, “Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” That’s just one a month, people! What does that really mean? Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t turn out the way you want it to on your first try, or even your tenth. In the last twenty years, if I had to guess I’d say 2% of things turn out like the picture I saw in my head to begin with (not just in art, but also just generally in life.) I’m getting better when it comes to my art though, with my finished results coming out closer now, but they still aren’t exactly like the amazing image in my mind. But that’s all right because it’s just more proof that practice makes perfect! Here’s an excellent example:

Riding that umbrella with confidence!

I recently shared this picture of a page in my sketchbook on social media. I worked for two days on it, using 3 gray markers, 2 black ink pens, and 1 white gel pen for the highlights. I’m extremely pleased with how it turned out, despite it not being any sort of style I normally draw in. But here’s the kicker – it’s a redraw of a digital piece I was working on and never finished over ten years ago. AND when I was working on it in my sketchbook this time I had to restart it three times. That means I have redrawn this piece FOUR times already – and if I ever turn it into a finished piece that I would sell, that would be five times (or more) that I redid it.

Sure, taking art classes can give you a boost, give you helpful tips and direction, etc. They do force you to practice regularly, and can expose you to new mediums, but they aren’t necessary for creating great art. In fact, one of my favorite things about art is the variety! Not very good at realism? Try abstract! Frustrated with the potter’s wheel? Try your hand at photography or fashion design! Visual art just not doing it for you? Try music, writing, or theater! Don’t want to be a professional artist, selling at art fairs? There are plenty of creative jobs in the art field out there with a steady paycheck! You could be an art teacher, encouraging people of all ages to create. I really loved my job as Gallery Director, where I worked in the business side of art – networking with fellow artists, hosting art events, planning public art projects, and selling art. Which, for the record, it’s SO MUCH EASIER to sell someone else’s artwork than my own!

You don’t have to strive for being the best artist in the world. That’s not the point of making art. Making art is an expression, it’s not about getting every line mechanically perfect. Every artist has their own strengths and weaknesses. Just like with life in general, everyone is on their own journey and other people are struggling with things that come easily to you. I personally struggle with realism and portraits. Because honestly, the human body and drawing correct proportions is difficult, especially when you are trying to draw a specific portrait of a specific person, or animal, or building, etc. But there are many artists who can paint pictures so realistic they can be confused with photographs!

Let’s all take a moment to recall this gem.

In the end, I believe in you and loads of other people do too! I know you can be an artist if you want to. All it takes is time and practice, and being willing. Nobody ever said art was easy (except the jerks who take art classes for an “easy A”) because it’s not. The trick to being good at art is practice! Practice makes perfect, as the saying goes. Just like with anything else in life, if you put in the time and effort to keep drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, playing music, or whatever, I guarantee you will get better. Baby steps are still steps forward!

12 Gift Ideas for Artists!

I have included affiliate links to products in this post to direct people to the art supplies I regularly use. If a purchase is made using the links I will get a commission (at no extra cost to you!) Here is a link to my Disclaimer.

Do you have an artist on your list for the holidays coming up? Are you struggling to come up with gift ideas for their birthday? Are you an artist yourself, struggling to come up with gift ideas for your artist friends? Maybe you just want to get yourself something to make the other artists go "Oooooh!" Well, friend, you're in luck because I'm about to make your life easier with this list of 12 gift ideas for the artist in your life! 

Canvases of all shapes and sizes!

12. Canvases, papers, boards, etc. Basically, surfaces to make art on! You may be unsure what size your artist might prefer - I recommend getting something unique! Maybe a shape other than rectangle or square (triangle, circle, hexagon, etc.) that your artist might not have considered. Or maybe a color other than the standard white, like a black stretched canvas or a pad of colored papers! This would be an inexpensive option, too, since you wouldn't have to buy a lot of them. Even just one or two unique surfaces to art on would be a cool gift!

11. A sketchbook or notebook. I'm not sure of any type of artist that couldn't make use of a good sketchbook. Even musicians and writers could jot notes in a lined notebook. I personally prefer a hardcover, bound sketchbook (my wire-bound sketchbooks in the past would get bent and out of sorts after a few years.) My last sketchbook lasted me ten years, and was given to me by one of my artist friends! I always thought of her when I used it, and I had it so long it was an emotional event when I finally filled it up. Here's a link to the sketchbook I chose to replace it, which I was extra excited about because it has lay-flat pages!

10. Graphite/charcoal/colored pencils or pens. There's a huge variety of sets available - as well as individual pens/pencils/etc. You can ask your artist if they have a favorite brand, or get something new that your artist wouldn't necessarily buy for themselves! Prismacolor brand is used by many professional artists and while some of their larger sets can get spendy, I found this Prismacolor Mixed Media set that includes colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and half a dozen markers!

9. Paint or marker sets. Similar to #10 above, there's a wide variety of paint and marker sets available for purchase. I wouldn't worry about giving your artist a duplicate set that they already have, because the more we use our supplies, the sooner we run out and need more! Even inexpensive paints and markers are great for using in sketchbooks or in the planning stages of a piece of art.

Stained bristles are a sign of my favorites!

8. Brush set. This one might require some input from your artist, as there are many different brush types out there. Your artist could have a preference between long or short handles, stiff bristles or soft, and so on. Just like the last two gift ideas, though, brushes become worn out and do need to be replaced!

7. Brush holder. A PSA to all the non-painters reading this: you can't leave your brushes sitting bristle-end down in your paint water, or it will ruin them faster than you can say "happy little trees!" A holder helps to protect your treasured tools from becoming destroyed prematurely. The holder doesn't need to be anything fancy; in fact, I interviewed an artist who uses a modified pool noodle to hold her brushes!

6. Gift card to an art supply store! Have you noticed a trend with the suggestions so far? Artists always need more supplies for making art! That's right, there's no such thing as having too many art supplies. There are a number of art supply chain stores where you could pick up a gift card, but I recommend buying a gift certificate to a local art shop because supporting local artists, galleries, and art businesses directly supports your community. But... if your artist has run out of room and their studio looks like a hoarder's paradise, then maaaaybe you should skip the supplies for something in the top five gift ideas below. 

5. Art class or studio time. Remember those local art businesses I was just talking about? A lot of galleries, shops, and even local artists have studio time and teach classes that you can sign up for! Personally speaking, I would be hesitant to go to an art class by myself. But if a friend said they wanted to go to one with me, I'd clear my schedule in a heartbeat!

4. An artsy shirt. Help your artist show off their love for art! I have a Batman shirt in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night. Come to think of it, I also have a Starry Night-style Storm Trooper shirt too! I love them both, and wear them often as they wonderfully blend my love of art with my love of pop culture, and in 100% cotton!

3. Famous artist themed stuff! Okay, now that I'm really thinking about it, I have another shirt similar to my Starry Night ones, but it's Bob Ross painting a beautiful swirling galaxy. I also have a stuffed Bob Ross plush that lives in my studio... aaaand a Bob Ross Chia Pet on my desk at work. Whether it's my good buddy Bob, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali, or another well-known artist, we all have our favorites that we draw inspiration from! 

Yes, this is a picture of my actual socks on my actual bed.

2. Art masterpiece socks. I was gifted a set of socks that have famous art masterpieces on them some years ago and I have never before loved socks like I love these socks. I especially adore them because the design is at the top, making it easy to hide under your very professional slacks while you are at your day job!

1. Art by another artist! This one deserves to be listed as the #1 grand finale! As artists, we love other artists' art just as much, if not more, than our own! While original art can be expensive, there are often inexpensive options like prints, magnets, or greeting cards that you can purchase and give to your artist as a gift. Plus, if you buy it from a local gallery or shop, you are supporting multiple art businesses at the same time!

There you have it! Twelve fantastic gift ideas for the artist in your life - great for holidays, birthdays, or any other reason you want to give your favorite artist a gift! I know I'd love anything off this list *cough,cough,Jon*. 😉

Artist Interview: Liz Joy, Inspired to Taste

If I’d known how truly amazing Liz Joy of Inspired to Taste is when I asked to interview her for my blog, I would have been far too starstruck to ever send the first message! She’s been featured by Forbes, People Magazine, BuzzFeed Tasty, and more. Her clients have included Warner Bros., Sephora, and HBO Max. According to her website, Joy is “an award-winning dessert designer” who “specializes in helping brands think outside the box with uniquely-crafted ‘edible’ content for ads, social media, and events.” Yes, you read that correctly: it’s food.

Look at those details!

While Joy has incredible skills in a variety of creative aspects like design and branding, her baked artworks are captivating in a way I’ve not seen before – which, can we all take a moment to thank the invention of the internet? Because with it we have access to an entire world of artists, at our fingertips! That might need to be its own blog post topic.

Joy’s current favorite medium is, you guessed it, pastry! “Getting into edible mediums has been such a fun discovery,” she said. “It provides firm parameters (‘must be tasty and edible’) along with an incredible amount of creative freedom… I accidentally fell into baking about six years ago when I was looking for a creative outlet I could easily practice at home.”

It’s almost too beautiful to eat!

I asked Joy what her favorite subject is, and she replied, “I tend to gravitate towards fashion, beauty, and pop culture for inspiration (probably because I used to work as an art director within those categories and have always been drawn to them.) Recently, though, I’ve been delving more into the storytelling possibilities of edible art, and am immensely inspired by fairytales as a jumping off point for those concepts.”

“I’m currently working on a Cinderella-inspired multi-piece bake that’s turning out to be much more complicated and time-consuming than I’d originally anticipated,” she said. “After that, I’ll be working on a pie design for my dad’s birthday.”

A nest like that is a big ol’ nope for me!

“My personal favorite pieces are the annual pies I design for my dad’s birthday. He was born and raised in Honduras in the middle of the last century, and I grew up mesmerized by the stories he’d tell my brother and me about running wild in the mountains and jungles of Central America. Every year, I select a favorite story and ‘pie-ify’ it for him, and then share the process and story online.” In addition to sharing photos and videos of her process, Joy teaches classes sometimes on cookie decorating, with a focus on mixed-media edible designs with many layers and textures.

And I always ask, because the answers are so very, very different from artist to artist: what’s your favorite art tool? “Penblades are an awesome tool for getting precise cuts on custom designs, from dough to fondant,” Joy said. “I use a kitchen knife sharpener to keep mine nice and sharp, and they last a really long time.”

Good for lots of things! Well, cutting lots of things.

Her advice to artists just beginning their journey is excellent: “Plan to create stuff you hate.”

“We creative people tend to hold ourselves to high standards and also have a habit of constantly comparing ourselves to other artists. You can’t expect to start out at level 100 (or even 10). Most of us have to slog through the experimentation and trial-and-error process for a while before we even begin to understand our own skills and style and potential… I’ve been creating professionally for several decades and still have issues with this (it’s at the heart of any procrastination incident). You HAVE to be okay with screwing up, making messes and figuring things out as you go. Don’t be a perfectionist and don’t be too hard on yourself.”

She says her general rule for each new project is simply to improve on her last one, even if it’s just a tiny bit. “Keep moving forward just focusing on improving and eventually you’ll be astonished by what you can do.”

“Until recently, I was entirely self-taught in the baking department. Last year I began getting frustrated with my limitations, so decided to attend Pastry Academy. I’m so happy with the decision and investment because it’s opened up a wide new world of possibilities to me.”

What an incredible wonderland she’s created here!

“Never stop trying new things,” Joy advises. “If an idea pops into your head and makes your heart race, try it out, even if you don’t feel ready yet. Learn to develop your creativity, watch tutorials, read, try various mediums and techniques, study a variety of subjects. Stay curious.”

“Be WEIRD. We're lucky to work in a profession where that’s more widely accepted. Lean into it and see where it takes you.”

If you’d like to see more of Liz Joy’s amazing artwork (she’s talented with illustration and design outside the kitchen, too) you can check out her website at https://www.InspiredtoTaste.com/, and her social media accounts (@inspiredtotaste) on Facebook and Instagram. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed by what she creates!

Why Am I Obsessed with Trees?

I started painting trees in 2011, at age 25. I am STILL painting trees, although I’ve also expanded my work to include cities, monsters, and toasters. I have a number of art pieces in my home that I’ve purchased from other artists that feature a tree (or multiple trees) as the subject. I even have a tattoo, on my left forearm, of a tree with two blue flowers in the branches and a modified Celtic knot band for roots.

More birds! More trees!

So what is it about trees? Why do I want to surround myself with them on a daily basis?

I remember sitting with my second husband in an empty park in his hometown (population in the double-digits) and I was looking up at the trees there imagining my future with him (spoiler alert, it didn’t work out.) The trees were MASSIVE! So tall they were impossible to climb, and so thick at the base you couldn’t get your arms around them. They were old, so much older than I will ever be. And they will probably remain long after I’m gone. They were just there, living. You could smell it in the air – not traffic, just nature and life. I can’t explain why my connection with nature is the way it is, I’ve never known a time when I didn’t love being outside.

Even when it’s winter and it’s snowing!

Many people know that I grew up in a military family. My parents met overseas in the Air Force. We moved across the country three times while I was growing up (once in the middle of the school year.) When my dad retired, we landed in my mom’s hometown (less than 2,000 people.) There were new students occasionally, but the majority would graduate with the same 100 kids they started Kindergarten with. I was a shy outsider, and I stayed an outsider by never joining any extracurriculars. It wasn’t until I got my first job that I learned how to be outgoing (I was quite literally told I’d be fired if I didn’t start talking to the customers) and started making friends with my coworkers.

When I got into my mid-twenties, I was ready to settle down and get married, buy a home, have a family of my own (although I wasn’t ready for kids until I hit 30.) With the urge to put down roots came the first paintings of trees. I loved the idea of permanence. The trees stayed exactly where they were. They had a history in one place, which was a foreign concept for me. As a young adult, I was also concerned with growing up into the person I wanted to be. Trees grow upright (literally growing up ‘right’ as I wanted to.)

“Orange Tree”, 12”x24” acrylic and collage on canvas board

An interesting tangent related to my tree paintings – one of my early and most popular tree paintings, titled “Orange Tree”, was created early on in my relationship with my second husband. It was full of bright colors, showing two figures holding hands at the base of a tall tree. It was so full of hope and love, the embodiment of a new relationship that could fulfill my dreams of family, and a place to call my own.

Less than a year later in what turned out to be a destructive and abusive marriage, I painted a second painting, called “Hazy Sunlight.”

“Hazy Sunlight”, 12”x24” acrylic and collage on canvas board

In this painting, you see a lone figure at the base of the tree, looking off at a city in the distance. The colors are muted, nearly missing when compared to “Orange Tree.” It was shocking to me, the first time I saw them next to each other. I knew something was wrong in my life because the colors were gone! My art has long been an expression of myself and my emotions. Here’s a post I wrote specifically about my art as therapy throughout the years.

It's surprisingly difficult to take a picture of this tattoo!

I’m happy to report today that there are plenty of bright colors in my artwork, and that my lone tree tattoo has added a family portrait of six of my monsters, representing myself and my husband, my two stepsons, and my two daughters. Now when I paint trees, they are retaking urban environments. In another ten years, maybe I’ll be able to look back and understand what it is going on in my life that makes me paint them this way now. 😉