I hope all is well in your world. I've been enjoying the lovely September weather, painting up a storm...and teaching! Northern Michigan is so beautiful any time of year, but we're headed into my favorite season. You just can't beat the beauty of our Michigan fall. Hoping you're able to get out and enjoy your neighborhood, wherever that might be.

Hot Off The Easel

"Layers Bouquet #1" 11x15 Acrylic on paper

I've started a series of 100 bouquet paintings. I'm on #15...If you'd like to follow along, you can on my blog or on my Facebook page. This painting, along with a few others, will be shown at Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, MI until early January. The opening is Saturday the 26th of September from 2 until 4.

"Too Much Information" 36x30 acrylic on canvas

This new painting is at the Oliver Art Center's All Media Show this month. (In Frankfort Michigan) The show will be up until October 9th, and I recommend seeing it if you're in the area.

This is a bit of a new direction that I'm taking with my abstract work. It's all about implied movement....Stay tuned!

Tips and Tricks

Giving yourself limitations...

I've spoken before about challenging yourself with limitations...I'm walking that road right now with my "100 bouquet" series of paintings. I'm at the early stages (painting #15) but I can already feel the series taking on a life of its own. That's what happens when I force myself to stay within boundaries; it makes me work more creatively and deeply. As you go from painting to painting, a subject like bouquets will morph into something much deeper and more personal than just a flower picture.

If you want to push yourself and stretch your creative muscles, I highly
recommend painting in a series.