While I have fallen in love with painting- no questions asked, no regrets, and no fears for the future, I regularly encounter challenges.  Mainly, these are around finding the time and energy to devote to painting.  After several days or even, sometimes, a week or two of not painting, it is difficult to decide to paint again.  I work a full-time job;  have teen daughters, a husband, family and friends; I am in two monthly book clubs; I volunteer with several organizations; and sometimes I just need to do nothing (which could involve tv or games on the iPad).  But then, there are days that have been spent running in many directions, yet I am still drawn to the canvas and suddenly I am engulfed with color and texture and emotion and am creating something new.   

 

How do I find that inspiration?  There are a couple of things that help:  

 

- I use the downtime to get inspired.  I look at the work of some excellent photographers on Instagram and reach out for permission to paint when I really want to try to capture someone else's work on a canvas.  

- I have the space ready for me.  I am fortunate enough to have a finished 3rd floor at my house that serves as my studio.  I have dedicated space that invites me to visit and comfortable furniture when I need to step away from it for a minute or two.  

- I travel.  One of the things that motivate me most to paint is to capture somewhere that I have been.  My family has committed to travelling, which may mean putting other things off, while we are all together as a unit.  I know that my daughters are growing up fast and I want them to have memories of our time together in amazing places.  Yes, that means that my kitchen is outdated and my deck is still ridiculously tiny, but we have these moments that are magic.

- I continually learn from other artists.  I take classes, I keep my mind open, and I ask for feedback.  I am amazed at how much I have learned from others over the last few years.  

 

One great example of that last bullet involves a weekend away at Shenandoah Art Destination a few weeks ago.  I learned from the excellent Jan-Willem Boer.  It was a beautiful autumn weekend and when Jan offered the opportunity to do a little plein aire painting, I jumped at it.  Did I mentioned that I have painted in plein aire maybe twice, ever, and that it was right outside my door?  Well, I was dropped off... ALONE... to paint... in the most amazing settings ever.  And I painted and painted and painted, loving every moment of it.   The Shenandoah Valley in autumn is a sight to behold.  I also met some wonderful people, enjoyed eating and drinking and laughing with new friends and feeling like a little more majic had just happened.  

 

I hope you enjoy these photos of my weekend and a few of my finished works. 

Ronda

 

So, I guess blogging hasn't really been my thing. I was so proud of starting my website, and so engaged in working and painting, that I have neglected to take a moment and reflect on things. So here we go.

Right now, I am conscientiously working to complain less, be grateful more and in turn, allowing that gratitude to be a positive influence on those around me- my family, my friends, my coworkers and even casual acquaintances. One of the things that I am extremely grateful for is that I am painting and that I have the ability to create work that others like. But I know that even with some ability I, I must continue to learn and improve my painting technique, speed, and refinement. I do this by attending classes and learning from other artists. A year ago, I attended a workshop by Mary Gilkerson on palette knife painting and have continued to stay in touch with her art community. In January, Mary issued a challenge to complete five paintings in five day and I thought “no problem”. What I didn't realize was that she wanted us to paint quickly....very quickly. I tend to paint fast anyway, but completing a painting in 20 minutes was challenging even for me. I resented it a little actually. I wanted to give my paintings 45-60 minutes to feel finished, but it wasn't about that.

It was about so many other things than time. For me, it was about making the time during my busy day to paint; it was about planning in advance and mixing color; it was about committing to a subject; it was about big picture and freeing myself for extraneous detail. I started off at 40 minutes and at day 5, I still wasn't quite at 20 minutes. But actually I was okay with that. I am including the paintings here- they were small, most just 8x10. I like 4 of the 5- maybe you can guess which ones they are.

This exercise set me up for a new adventure. I am working for a commission (hopefully more on that later). In order to prepare, I spent the weekend creating three construct paintings do guess what. Yes, they were small. Yes, they were fast. But most importantly, they focused on the big picture. My goal is to give a flavor of the content and configuration while being free from the details. I have Mary to thank for making this part of the process so smooth!

This is my first ever blog post. I am excited to share my art journey with you. It was rather unexpected, full of so many wonderful encounters and much learning, and very satisfying as a result. I will take you back to how it started.

I was in my office talking to a co-worker, who has since become friend and painting partner throughout this time. On that day, she told me she was going to painting camp over the summer. I was intrigued and a bit jealous, but this friend is always one to share so she told me about Nimrod Hall and encouraged me to attend. I found an oil painting beginners weekend that fit my schedule and then I told very few people. What if I was unsuccessful? What if painting wasn't the hobby for me? I wasn't ready to share this endeavor with others just yet.

So, instead I quietly I spent a small fortune on supplies, packed up my belongings for a weekend in the mountains and readied myself for an adventure. From the moment I touched brush to canvas, I just knew. I knew that I was supposed to be painting. I knew that this would change my life. I knew that I loved Prussian Blue and Sap Green and Alizarin Crimson. The painting was effortless, while very imperfect. I soaked up the instructions and learned all I could in those three days. Then I went home.

Soon after, a small space emerged on our third floor and I grandiosely began referring to it as my studio. I found local art centers where I could take more classes and I have learned from some incredible artists. The result of one of these classes was a 30x30 painting of a koi pond that I entitled, "Shimmer". The same friend who introduced me to Nimrod Hall, asked me to enter this painting into an art gala for a wonderful non-profit, Art for the Journey. "Shimmer" sold at that event and I also walked away with an art show opportunity! I followed up on the opportunity and had a show scheduled for two months later. There was however one slight problem,- I had no work for the show! Seriously, I had maybe five pieces and not all of those were ones I felt I could show. So, I got to work. I gave myself production goals and deadlines. I scheduled my painting time, even taking time off work. My family graciously picked up the slack around the house and encouraged me to keep painting. Friends found me frames, sent me interesting things to paint and spread the word about my show. The opening night was so special to me- a moment in time set forever in my memory. I was nervous and excited and proud as so many friends showed me their love and support.

 

Since then, I have continued to paint, continued to learn, and continued to feel extremely blessed by painting. It has been the most satisfying and enriching secondary career I could ask imagine. I am truly blessed to be supported and encouraged by my wonderful husband, my two daughters, my whole family and my friends. You have all helped to bring more joy to my life and to my art. Thank you!