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Hot Off the Easel!
Idea Spark-lers
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Hey there!

Wow... from summer to fall in 24 hours... What a difference in the weather. Have to say... I much prefer the cooler temps than that hot and humid stuff we had too much of lately.

I'm spinning my wheels a bit after the big push to get my paintings finished for the show at Flint Street Gallery (inside Little Monsters in Lake Orion).

Always a bit of a let down, when you're finished.... and then there's all the stuff around the house that was neglected while I was frantically getting ready. Feast or famine... that's me....not much moderation in my nature! :)
Hot Off the Easel!
Lotz of Dotz
Lotz of Dotz
5 x 7
acrylic collage


Inspired by some dotty paper that I had on hand...

This is one of the paintings at my show at
Flint St. Gallery in Little Monsters toy store in Lake Orion, MI.

The show runs from August 30 through October 2... With a reception tomorrow! (Friday, September 10, from 7 to 9 pm.)


Hope I'll see you there!
Idea Spark-lers
  Are you needing some painting ideas to get you going? Well, you've come to the right place!

When something is bothering you with a painting and you just can't put your finger on what it is......

What do you do?
Well, these are some of the things I do...

1.  Look at the painting in a mirror. It's amazing how all of a sudden the 'errors of your ways' becomes apparent.

2.  Look at your painting upside down... and if you are working with a reference image, turn that upside down too. BINGO!  Your inaccuracy's are somehow easier to spot in the "inverted position". (nod to Top Gun)

3.  Take a digital photo and look at it on the computer... I don't know why this works... but I can't tell you the number of times I go to post an image, and whoa... I can spot an error or area of a painting that needs a bit more work before posting.

4.  Once you have the image on the computer... If you have any photo editing software... play around with your wacky ideas on the virtual painting... This method is especially helpful for me if I have a lot of hours into a piece...You can be very bold and try all those "what if's" without actually touching the painting. Some very creative solutions can happen this way.

5.  Start a critique group.... This is a group of artists (not necessarily all painters) that schedule meetings to do a sort of "show and tell." If you're stuck... Your critique group friends will help you sort out what's wrong. They also cheer you on, and motivate you with their efforts.  I really miss my critique buddies since we've moved.  sniff sniff. But this is such a valuable group (both personally and professionally) that I'll be sure to find like minded peeps here in northern MI.  It's a goal.

6.  There are many online art forums that can help you with your work. www.wetcanvas.com is an excellent one. There is an open critique forum... as well as forums for all the different media. (watercolor, acrylic, oil, mixed) as well as forums for subject matter (landscape, animal, portrait)  You do need to join in order to participate... but it's well worth it. TONS of valuable information there.
If you do decide to join, I'm leverettfinn there... Look me up and say "hi!" :)




If you think any of your friends might be interested, please feel free to forward this email.

Have a Great Week!
Lauren