When you look at a work of art, you've got about three options 1. you like it 2. you don't like it 3. you are completely ambivalent, which for all effects and purposes is just the same as #2 [...]

Unless you're one of those elephants or chimpanzees trained to do artwork, you're human, and erring is part of all that. Give yourself a break when you make a mistake, give others a break when they make a mistake, and move on. [...]

The desire to be original is universal. We are unique individuals with unique personalities, likes, dislikes, etc. We want our art to reflect that individuality. But some are looking for individuality and originality in the wrong places. [...]

The problem is, if you only rely on the refilling that naturally occurs without your conscious effort, it may not always be enough to sustain you. Droughts will come. But they will be less severe and less frequent if you 1) realize that your well does needs refilling, 2) consciously do something to ensure it is getting refilled, and 3) do it regularly to stave off the dry spells. [...]

The artist trying to promote their work cannot rely on cuteness. They need content and it had better be interesting content. [...]

Will we paint better if we imagine ourselves as great? [...]

According to him, it is critical to develop a personal style, but it is equally critical that it isn’t forced. Experimentation and exploration of a variety of styles, media, motifs, etc. are important. In the process, a personal style will eventually emerge. Let it emerge, don’t resist it. [...]

My advice to you today? Find your own distinct balance point of gazing inward, and outward. Recognize the signs that you’ve explored far enough. Know just how much internet surfing you can handle, and set your personal limits. Afraid of being copied? Step outside of that little spiritual prison. [...]

For a long time, I have had a theory that highly creative people – such as artists – have a strong connection between both hemispheres. The ability to communicate between hemispheres and use both sides of the brain enables greater creativity. [...]

Artists look with new eyes. They frequently see interesting relationships in the most ordinary, everyday experiences. Colors, shapes, textures, effects of light, and sometimes the objects within which these characteristics are observed, can be the stimulus for artistic expression. Whereas the viewer might have overlooked the ordinary things, he or she will see through the artist’s eyes those very things that were unseen before. The “aha” moment is often a powerful one. [...]

You really do only have 2 options. You can have the discipline to pursue your art – which requires sacrifices, or you can look back years later and wish that you had. You will have regret or disappointment in the dream you never dared pursue. [...]

To me, influenced means “inspired by” while not being obsessed with copying or emulating the actual works of this great artistic giant. This is an important distinction. [...]

The biggest mistake is to fear failure so much that you do nothing. Remember, the tortoise only makes progress by sticking its neck out. Do the same and make more mistakes. Don’t think of them as failures. View them as results, as feedback, opportunities to learn and improve. [...]

Being a slave to your reference hinders creativity. Slavishly regurgitating what you see is not creating. It does not show me anything more than your ability to copy. I want to see your voice. I want to see your thoughts and ideas. I want to see your creativity. [...]

You have a unique perspective on the world. You see things others cannot. Part of your gift is sharing what you see. Share your perspective. Share your art. Share your gift. It enriches the lives of others. [...]

If you are an artist planning on exhibiting at an art fair this summer, I'm asking you to bring your art. Bring your best art. [...]

Would you be willing to dedicate five months to changing your life? [...]

Court your muse. The more time you give her, the more your muse will give you in return. Creativity begets creativity. Spend time creating. Have a regular date with your art. [...]

There comes a time where it just seems too hard to do another show, to face another windy rainstorm at an art festival. Too hard to master yet another social medium in order to promote our work; to approach yet another gallery that will probably say no; to apply for yet another exhibition. At some point, it just seems easier to settle for what we know will work; to stick with the techniques we’ve already mastered; to answer every challenge with a heart-heavy “I tried that once and it didn’t work.” What if all it took were twenty seconds of insane courage? [...]

10 Key Points to help any artist along the way... [...]

If you suffer from overcorrection, don’t worry, it is part of the growth cycle and you will eventually find the middle ground. As you move back and forth from the right to left of your ideal, you will find that your swings or overcorrections become less severe each time. You are moving ever closer to the middle ground that you are seeking. [...]

While you may take great pains to incorporate a message in your work, people will interpret what you’re saying in your visual art based upon their own world view. [...]

We are often in the habit of glancing very quickly back and forth between viewing the subject and looking at our canvas. This enables us to judge how closely we captured what we see, but it hinders our ability to strengthen our memory. It also hinders our ability to filter the unnecessary out. We become dependent and as a result are more apt to simply replicate the scene rather than create an interpretation of the scene. [...]

As artists, it is our privilege to convey a person or place based on our own unique experience. Let's really make that experience shine by working from life to the best of our aesthetic and technical abilities! [...]

I think one of the biggest reasons that some artists’ studio work fails is because they have not developed their memory skills. They are keen observers while on location. They have mastered the ability to capture the relationships of value, color, atmosphere, etc. while the subject is in front of them. However, once they are in the studio, they have nothing additional to say about the subject. They have no new insights. They aren’t searching for a better way of expression. They are merely trying to replicate their plein air success in the studio. What is the purpose, then, of painting it again? [...]

Be impatient. Don’t wait. Take your art and art marketing into your own hands. Build your own value. Produce art that others will gladly pay for. Enable yourself to dream. And take initiative to act on those dreams. Be an artist. Don’t settle for the status quo. [...]

One of the many benefits I've received from working with my core group of students for several years is that they demand new material, new lessons, and new challenges. They push me out of my comfort zone into painting new subjects in styles that differ from my norm. In order to challenge them to try something new, I have to become adept at the technique or medium in order to illustrate it to them. This stretches my boundaries and causes me to grow, perhaps much faster than I might on my own.  [...]

It has come to my attention that some artists are annoyed by Pinterest regarding copyright. [...]

Have you ever felt in a rut with your art? Maybe you feel that there is a certain “sameness” to all your work. It may be the same subject over and over. Maybe it’s the same time of day, or the same compositional ideas or the same color palette. But you are known for this style or subject and have sold well. Maybe you aren’t in a rut. Maybe you still find enjoyment with your subject, but you want to continue to explore and try new things to keep your creativity fresh and alive. [...]

Original art is special. There is something that emanates from an original work that doesn’t from a print. [...]

So, in short, find what your muse is telling you. Explore, experiment, try new things, but be honest with yourself. Create the works that give you the most fulfillment and satisfaction. Look at your work and see if you can identify your voice. Create the works that are you. Be you. [...]

Some people will never understand. For them, anybody’s work is simply something for them to copy and replicate. Their actions go far beyond merely being inspired by a use of colors or a design detail. Anything you do or make, is fair game for their own use...But there are many people who truly mean no insult or harm by their inquiries. Often, what they are hungry for, it turns out, is encouragement to find their own story, and follow their own path. [...]

As observer, I might question whether the artist was successful in his attempt – not so much in capturing the scene, for I have not actually seen that – but has the artist given me something interesting and affecting to observe. Am I moved by the painting as I observe it as the artist was probably moved by the scene as he painted it? It is the painting, not the scene, that is the point of connection. [...]

Perhaps the single most useful program I've ever used on my computer is Photoshop. Now, don't get me wrong. I've used some extremely high-end graphic packages - the stuff capable of making all those special effects in the movies, but for an artist there's almost nothing more useful than Photoshop. You can use it for developing all those digital images you take, preparing files for shows, creating website images and promotional materials, and for composing the next painting. That's the topic I want to cover here briefly. [...]

My best advice is stay focused until you master what you know. The fastest way to the top is being really good at something, rather than knowing a little about a lot. I see many, many websites where the work looks like ten different artists did the art. If you want to be successful, then find what you know the most about, then become an expert on that one voice. [...]

But do not underestimate the inestimable value of a well-meaning, supportive, geographically close person who not only cares about you, but cares about art – your art – and knows enough to speak reasonably intelligently about it. [...]

The consensus among the artists I communicated with appears to be that the use of art assistants is acceptable depending on the context in which said assistants are used -- and that assistants should not be used to make up for a lack of talent. [...]

I have found as an artist most people who you meet will either tell you they like your work or say nothing at all. It is rare when a stranger will tell you anything negative or offer some constructive advice. However, I have found an entire group of people that doesn't hold anything back. Children. [...]

If you create works that are authentic, you can find an audience. [...]

We are awash in mediocrity and we all need to raise the bar and the customers will follow us as opposed to us pandering to a market. This market is starved for something new and different and better than what we offer. We have to challenge ourselves and raise the level of the market. After all, the market is taking what we give it. If we give it better, innovative art, it will demand better innovative art [...]