I finally got time to finish a very large (48 in x 32 in or 1 meter 22 cm x 81 cm) semi-abstract very textured autumn scene. It is Autumn silver and gold acrylic painting. I applied very visible textures at first and built layers of acrylic paint on top of textured background. This painting will be exhibited at my gallery entrance greeting all visitors and students.
Autumn silver and gold, a very large ( 48 in x 32 in or 1 meter 22 cm x 81 cm) acrylic painting with textured layersThe other texture-rich painting is smaller: 24 x 20 inches, but it also looks great on the wall. I kept colors quiet and subtle.
However, such painting technique is very time-consuming. I’d love to do many more acrylic paintings using rich texture since it adds to the impression tremendously, but it’;s a fairly slow process. The painting must be left to dry between each step until the final brushstrokes can be applied. The look is very three-dimensional. Colors shift and change also depending on the light source.
The smaller fall and maple leave paintings are sold.
Art is the most space enhancing feature which there only can be. Just removing a few paintings from the wall, makes it look virtually empty, and my personal experience shows that there simply cannot be too much art around us. Seasonal art is the best decoration.
Once I started to paint and draw birds, I found unexpectedly a new interesting set of subjects. There’s so much to explore! My first paintings of birds were very approximate. I tried to give them some character without getting too much into detail. I’m paying more attention now to arrangement of colors, on wings and other feathers and to their external anatomy.
I like most birds, and I really need to love or somehow like that stuff which I am going to draw or paint. That’s pretty much the reason I stopped painting human portraits.
Blue finch, 12 x 12 in or 30.5 x 30.5 in watercolor mounted on wood panelMostly blue background for lovely birdsThey look very attractive, and all paintings are ready to hang without extra frame or glass
Nature has the most wonderful variety of everything, from small to huge, from simple to complicated. I suppose, I will keep studying birds for a while. I do get tired of similar images, though, that’s why the next paintings are three-dimensional landscapes.
Talking about landscapes, my painting “Overlooking the Meadow” will be on the cover of Natural Awakenings Magazine.
Overlooking the meadow, is a large 18 x 24 in or 46 x 61 cm watercolor
Natural Awakenings is a free publication about healthy and natural living that is available in over 90 cities in the US and Puerto Rico, with a readership of over three million. I had my market scene on their cover in 2012, and immediately after that I sold some paintings. Well, if you happen to see this magazine, pick it up for free. They write about useful things there. I also find amazing that they contacted me already 2 times.
The learning season at my studio is getting close to the finish line. Paintings in 3 pictures are done by my students who started attending my art classes as beginners. They progressed very fast from not knowing how to mix paint to students who pretty much were sure what they wanted to achieve. We were exploring multiple techniques and subjects; we created quite many beautiful artworks. We feel enriched and inspired, and hopefully, the newly acquired skills will enable our students to capture their impressions during summer and their vacations.
Summer plans
I have been extremely busy recently, and I need a break, too. I’m going to spend some time in Europe, in my homeland Latvia this year. My art studio is getting reorganized, as well. We will start out again in September with new classes, seminars, practical learning in both, life skills school and art school.
Adjustments to online presence
I’m working on new updates of website which will contain all relevant information, and I might be very busy for a while yet. I intend to implement store pages and add new art products to these pages. It’s difficult to decide on art store format and what online options to use. There won’t be that many posts during this time.
Adult acrylic painting class: river scene. The river scene was finished a small while ago. Some students were not present at picture taking. This is painting by Diana. Well done!River paintings by my art students, this is Bev’s painting. It looked really good in reality, not every great detail is visible on photo.Gordon’s painting with river and rocks. It is amazing to see how beginners in art develop their skills and art becomes their passion. Good job, Gord!
My demo painting
Reflection of clouds, summer stream, acrylic, 24 x 20 in or 61 x 51 cm
My demo painting was waiting patiently for 7 years to be completed. I have a few paintings at different stages of completion, this was one of them. I wish photos captured colors better because my real painting has fresh summer green and good bright contrast. All my pictures with light green color have turned into some strange mustard-green color. I personally do not like and I do not use this color, not in summer or spring paintings. However, iPhone keeps damaging all my pictures. I should use only the big camera every time, but convenience sometimes comes first.
Waiting for something can be as exciting as the upcoming event itself.
Spring is late this year, and that makes us more impatient. Everyone is tired of storms, cold, snow and icy winds. However, why to wait when you can create sensation of spring and speed up its arrival on your own?
We’ve been busy with blossoming apple trees painting during the last 4 classes.
Unlikely many North American art schools, we are focusing not only on technical abilities, but also on the emotional impact of our creations. We pay attention to emotional aspect and the energetic potential of painting.. Great art creates fantastic energy.
When painting a certain subject, we are trying to capture not that much its photographic likeness, but rather to implement the idea and emotions, the emotional charge within and behind the painted image.
We are trying to paint our vision in the way others could experience it, too. That requires freedom in our approach, experimenting with colors and brush stroke, immediate decision-making, and high confidence level, as well.
The painting subject was very attractive this time, and we got really great results on our canvas.
It is important that we use the same basic image and the same medium (acrylic, watercolor or pastel) in a class since every medium requires different handling and specific techniques for bringing the painting subject to life.
Acrylic is actually very forgiving, and everything can be adjusted, changed and improved when necessary.
All artists were not present at the time of taking pictures, but all paintings looked fantastic. They are beginners! This is a great achievement.
We will just have to learn how to paint sky and water yet, and these students could surprise us with fantastic paintings which they have created without a guidance.
Don’t allow routine blocking your intentions and create
We have our routine duties, we have to make our living, but how about the soul? What are we doing to feed not only the body, but also our soul? Some people express themselves playing music or dancing, some are writing poetry or stories, and some love to create. Most people never forget to devote time, money and huge efforts in order the physical body stayed young and healthy. When it comes to mind, it is a completely different picture.
Art is special
I don’t think anything compares with the wonderful feeling when I have a white blank canvas or sheet of watercolor paper in front of me, and I’m about to put down the first lines or brush strokes. Creation is straight the opposite to consumption, and I really have deep respect for people who love to create and give something to others instead of just taking and using. Create art: it is a rewarding way of self-expression. It takes away from our daily troubles and routines, and this time is never wasted.
Need for self-care and relaxation
Adults need relaxing self-care time even more than teens and kids. My art classes always bring together people of all ages and all walks of life who create something for themselves. We are experiencing the miracle of creative makeover every time when we have an art class. Participants come with all kinds of mental and physical conditions sometimes, but all of them report feeling better after an artistic workout.
Art classes and painting workshops for adults
We had busy October and November. I met many interesting people, who definitely were amazed by my art and wanted to learn doing something artistic for themselves, they all love new things and create them. I gave many adult and teen art classes, and my November workshop was also successful.
Article about me in women’s life style magazine
We were discussing the magazine article which will be published in Laura’s online site devoted to making lives of women richer and more satisfying. This article will describe my personal and art concepts, I will also share my experience living in Europe and in Canada. It is very important to provide women with their personal space and breathing space because women are frequently the ones who have never a moment specifically for themselves.
Participants of art classes report life improvements
I had extremely talented and diligent students. They created fairly large paintings to decorate their living and dining rooms along with small nature scenes. All participants told they gained a great experience regards painting and especially acrylic painting and also became better people who had no more signs of depression and troubled mind. Some recovered from anxiety. Art classes always work as meditation with color and shape since creativity takes over our mind and cleans it.
Decorate with your own art
We spent approximately 6 hours doing large decorative floral paintings. No doubt, these paintings will make every space look more attractive and inviting.
I started Wednesday night acrylic painting class for adult beginners. The first painting came out very nice, even though nobody had too much experience painting with acrylics.
Art workshops: one time painting events
I am running workshops once or twice a month. This time, we decided to paint winter landscape, and we think the flower painting would be a great subject for the next workshop. Workshop takes 2 hours in average, and we got done the entire painting during these hours. I’m providing with template to speed up the drawing and planning part. We have more time for application of paint when using a template.
Diana with her winter creek painting. She had to leave early, so adding final touches during barn class.
Age doesn’t matter
We had one younger participant, but she left a bit earlier because she already had done two winter and spruce tree paintings with watercolor. Watercolor is a faster medium, especially when painting winter and snow, many areas can be left white. Winter creek is a fantastic subject for any beginning artist.
Thursday group paintings summer park. We are working on an old farmhouse painting with the other group, and I will post ready paintings next Wednesday.
Please, join us for live art classes and workshops: Sign up here
