Space for improvement

Bullfinch and cardinal paintings

Space for improvement and skills

I wish the New Year brought back the importance and significance of real, high quality art. When we say: state-of-the-art, we mean something exclusive, outstanding, novel and unique. When we look at all entries on different internet sites which are labeled “art”, there is frequently mediocrity, lots of attempts which do not present skill or mastery, and numerous repeated concepts, e. g., eyes, lips and hands. I see lots of space for improvement there. Subjects, such as back-lit trees, sunsets, starry night skies and silhouettes are also in abundance. However, even a repeating concept is not that bad as long as the execution is skillful and shows some unique artistic touches.

Make it unique and unforgettable

Therefore, I’d love to see hand-made art as something exclusive, outstanding and unique. Just like in any other area, we are witnessing unnecessary self-criticism when a very good artist asks social media visitors how to improve an already great painting (unless, it’s an attempt to get more publicity) and complete lack of any self-criticism. Art should be seen more as something which cannot be repeated or copied by anybody for that matter. Also, designs and wall-filler pieces are also referred to as art. While it is a decorative piece like sign or poster, or framed wallpaper, etc., it isn’t really art.

Quantity versus quality

We have become a society which values quantitative results more, for instance, number of followers, likes, comments, sales, profit, number of created items, and so on. Chasing quantitative outcome, as in an article a day, painting a day, poem or song a day decreases quality because such creativity becomes obligation. Creation itself is directly the opposite. It is a summary of efforts, inspiration, trials, errors, discoveries and sometimes futile efforts. Eventually, such attempts result in what we call art. If you have ever created something, you know that creation also includes doubts and corrections of wrong assumptions.

Creation is not always a smooth ride

Good painting is not created within a few hours. Well, maybe a tiny one could be done that fast. Large paintings can take not only weeks, but months returning to painting every single day. We need to prime canvas, work out the concept, do sketches, color matches, transfer complex drawing and so forth. That can be a smooth or not at all smooth process. Some idea looks great as a sketch, and then I turn it into painting, and it plain and simple does not work. So, I start over. 

Creation takes talent and skills

It’s a lot of work, a lot of skill, and I dare say, talent, as well. For some unknown reason, talent is greatly denied its importance. While everybody can learn everything, not everybody can achieve the top of artistic expression. We mostly hear that creating art is just work and practice. That is not true. I do not want to say that all my art is top-notch. It is normal that some pieces come out very well and some not that much. I also have many paintings which I haven’t been able to photograph in a presentable way, so I don’t publish them anywhere. The difference probably is that I am trying to become better and better with every brush stroke and never stop improving.

New paintings of small birds for bird lovers

I am attaching images of acrylic paintings which picture small birds. They were started as demos for art classes. I certainly added many more layers after class. It is very beneficial for an acrylic painting to apply many layers of paint. These pictures show a background with Christmas ornaments, however, I intended these paintings so that they can be used during any season, not only around this time. I used the ornaments to make colors match more my actual original paintings. Enjoy!

Learning, teaching, promoting

My current focus in art is to promote my own art and to give private classes to interested students. Group classes are great, and through these art classes I have met numerous wonderful people. However, it is an extreme pleasure to help shaping a talent and genuine devotion. Students, who attend private art classes, have certain goals and they are interested in a particular medium, subject or skill. That makes painting and teaching process fun.

Private classes: One on one classes

Apply for art classes: Sign up for an art class

Unlimited path for improvement

Since I give very many classes and do very many demo paintings, I also need to bring the painting I started as a demo to finished stage. That’s why some subjects are not my preferred subjects, yet, it is a space for improvement. I am still trying to do my best and not pollute the internet with inadequate quality art. And, certainly, our tastes might be distinctive, yet, good quality is recognized everywhere.

European bullfinch or redbreast is seen more in Europe. It is the favorite winter bird. My painting displays early spring, and I believe it turned out as good painting.

This is the new version of cardinal couple since there are at least 6 more cardinal and cardinal couple paintings. It is a favorite subject of many students in winter.

Happy New Year and thank you

As the year is almost over, I’d like to thank all blogging friends, everybody, who took their time commenting and liking my articles, as well as people, who bought my art and attended my art classes and workshops. Your friendship and interest in my art means a lot to me, and I am grateful there are so many of you. Happy New Year! Happy artistic journey and lots of new discoveries in 2020!

Art prints and paintings:

Art collections by Inese Poga

Still life: essence of art

Still life with fruit and flowers, watercolor

Subject I love: still life

I have painted numerous still life paintings over years. It was not my most favorite subject when I was young, but I fall in love with this subject as time passed by. This genre usually works well for me: set up some things which can be found in the garden or fridge, find some cups, bowls and add a few flowers or leaves in absence of flowers. As you know, whenever possible I do not use photos because camera always distorts the image to some extent and the image is never what human eye can see.

Still life tells a story

Still life always tells a story, and this story can be read quite easily if and when the viewer wants to. It is by far not only shapes and color; it is much more than contrast between live and organic shapes and handmade items. Still life reflects my current opinions and my current emotions. It can express everything we are willing to disclose.

I started this particular still life 5 years ago. I had everything I need to set up something quite attractive. I did a rough value sketch in the actual size which is 22 x 30 inches or full sheet of Arches watercolor paper. I transferred the drawing onto watercolor paper and moved to first washes, just like always working from the back to the front.

This is how far I got in 2015, drawing from a setup in my studio.

I only created a few washes and left the painting alone for practically 5 years

Restarting the process

I suppose, I got busy afterwards and the items of my still life simply went bad. I did not have time for about 5 years until recently.

After I moved into my new Ajax place, I had to sort out all numerous art folders. I found a few started paintings, all on large size Arches watercolor paper, and I decided to do something about at least a few of them. It took me about 3 days to bring the painting to its final stages.

Lack of reference should not stop us

The sad thing is that I could only reference the rough sketch. I obviously used my memory and imagination, otherwise it did not work. Working from life results in more vivid and lifelike painting. However, if there is huge interruption in the process, completing such painting can be challenging. It is not only because I do not have the same setup, but also because we change over time. Our perception changes, our color preferences change and, finally, the way we work changes. Therefore, it can be tricky to pick up the process where it was left so many years ago.

I took the risk, and I think the result is great. It is a very large painting. It took the entire table length to somehow accommodate it. I also had quite hard time taking pictures with iPhone because of the size.

Masterclass: new way to learn art this fall

This fall I am starting master-classes which will take place once a month. These will be classes for people with experience and they will be designed to elaborate a particular subject and master-class will also include extensive demo and explanations.

I would like to give art classes that genuinely teach somebody, so, that they have artistic freedom creating their own art. I find that most art classes teach students nothing. It is mostly just some design which is executed with paints. Learning is a great way to stay young and keep our brain flexible.

Sign up for FALL SEMESTER art classes

See more of my still life and other paintings on FAA:

Art collections by Inese Poga

The vertical impact

Vertical paintings

Vertical painting format

Should you paint your current subject using vertical or horizontal format? Anybody who paints and draws, will most likely say: it depends. It really depends, and especially on the subject of a painting. If it is a commission, it will depend on client’s choice and placement of art.

Attractive vertical compositions

I think, when it comes to not that large paintings, I mean, sizes 16 x 20 in up to 20 x 24 in, I really love using the vertical format. I have sometimes adjusted whatever I see or imagine for the use of vertically shaped canvas. Long vertical images are compositionally attractive. It is possible to implement tall trees or abstract background, or separate parts of an abstracted image on a long vertical canvas. I’d love that. I haven’t been to art store recently, but I will purchase a few very long canvases just for images I have on my mind.

Summer meadow, vertical painting

Summer meadow, acrylic on canvas

Summer paintings in acrylic, vertical impact

Bluebell forest, acrylic painting, original sold

Distance at dusk, vertical painting

Distant shores at dusk, acrylic on canvas, original sold

Vertical painting, White trillium blooms

Trillium forest, acrylic painting on canvas

Barn reflection, acrylic painting

Barn reflection, acrylic on canvas

Trying to arrange the new studio space

Studio move is complete. It took me more than a month, and I obviously could not paint anything new during this time. For the most part, art supplies and painting tools have been sorted out. I am able to find most things what I am looking for. Watercolor paintings and drawings are still packed in huge folders, I mean, large size folders and folders containing numerous paintings and drawings. I have no access to these at the moment. Acrylic paintings are mostly packed up still, too, but it is easier to sort through them.

Arranging art supplies

We haven’t managed to hang any paintings on walls yet, but I have also to arrange and organize 5 rooms of our personal living space, as well as 3 classrooms for my studio, my large office and a beautiful outdoor space. I planted, replanted and took care of numerous plants before and after moving, not everything is done yet, but it certainly takes time and lots and lots of work.

New intensive summer art classes

I am preparing materials for the new intensive summer classes, and I hope they will be very successful. I intend to present easy and very attractive subjects to students: they are all new subjects. That is why I need to work out painting steps and techniques for easy steps for every project. We have good light here, large spaces, both, indoors and outdoors.

You can view and shop art here: Inese Poga’s art for sale

Apply for group classes and teen art campsGroup classes for teens and adults

Private art classes: Individual painting classes

My art products on FAA:

Flowers and paintings

Flowers and paintings, acrylic flower painting

Flowers and paintings enhance each other

Flowers and paintings are a natural fit. Don’t you think? I started to take some pictures, and there were flowers which I had used for watercolor class as a reference material nearby. Colors came out more balanced, and the ambient impact was flawless.

I decided to sell both: flowers and plants as we move ahead. I think it is a great idea because I have numerous plants and numerous paintings. In fact, I have many hundreds of paintings.

Enjoy the recent paintings

This time, you can enjoy my recent flower paintings surrounded by more beauty of live plants and blossoms.

The beautiful contrast between daffodils from the garden and spring magnolia painting, or maybe it is a compliment?

Acrylic paintings of roses with hyacinths, the large one is 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm and the pink rose is 12 x 12 in or 30.5 x 30.5 cm. It is the same subject, but different look

Lovely colors, lovely paintings: bright white calla lilies and the pink rose

Drawing for the 3-hour rose workshop is visible behind the painting. I painted this pink rose as a demo for flower painting workshop. Colors of painting and live daffodils look gorgeous together.

New priorities in art instruction

I also rescheduled and regrouped my priorities in art instruction. When it comes to art instruction and teaching, I enjoy students, who have genuine interest in learning something new and in developing their skills as opposed to those who just hope that painting paints itself. Everything requires work and efforts. The result of flower painting is very pleasing.

Small groups: big attention

My space can accept quite a lot of students, but I decided to have rather individual and private classes or small size groups. That gives me the opportunity to review all important aspects of getting somebody started in drawing, watercolor and acrylic painting. Large groups suit more the art entertainment, like painting in bars and restaurants. They don’t care about quality or skills one develops, but I certainly do.

Experience helps

Also, individual or private art classes require very high level of art instructor’s skills, and not everybody has them. Well, I do. I have huge experience and I have definitely explored practically everything when it comes to creation of a drawing or painting. I am extremely good at drawing, as well as I have worked out my personal watercolor and acrylic painting style. It sure takes many years, not hours.

Preparation of an art class

I  know how people use to think that art class does not require much preparation time. It is straight the opposite. I frequently adjust not only the painting subject, but also level of difficulty, and pay attention to availability of materials and  reference materials. That can take sometimes 4-6 hours. The follow up classes on the same painting subject take less preparation time, but it is never less than a few hours. I have to review what every student has achieved so far, what and why they need to work more at. I switch from one painting subject to another if student or group cannot handle it.

Advantages of private or individual art classes

I believe, private or individual art class is the best solution for people who want to seriously engage in art or feel uncomfortable with other people around them. It will definitely lead to faster achievements and results. More ideas about painting flowers with acrylic: Create beauty

Please, review schedule and let me know if you are  interested in any art classesSign up for classes

I am always happy selling a painting to people, who love art. You are welcome to contact me via Contact page and visit the studio at any time which suits my and your schedule.

Fine art prints: Art collections by Inese Poga

Meditate with color and line and treat yourself with an extremely wonderful experience!

Copyright notice: Copyright of displayed paintings, drawings, images of work in progress and images of finished paintings belong to artist Inese Poga. The use of painting and drawing images is prohibited without a written permission. That includes no pinning on Pinterest.

Spring in heart and in my art

Watercolor painting, robins, nest and eggs

The wonderful time when nature awakens

This is the time I live for: spring is in the air and so much beauty will wake up just a few weeks from now. The awakening of nature feels like a renewed energy raining from the sky, shining through the window and reflecting from the mirror-like puddles. Birds cannot stop their chirping and I, too, go with all this hectic spring rush.

My art is happy art

I have been painting all seasons, however, the biggest portion of my paintings shows greens, bright and soft colors of spring flowers and the blue tones of transparent spring sky. Clouds come and go, and one can be very sure that the sun won’t be hiding for long. The sun will open buds, grow grasses and bring many flowers to blooms. My pencil, brush and pastel stick are unable to stay in paint boxes, they beg to be put to use. Whatever I have decided to create, I know it will turn out to be something happy and inviting for eyes, soul and heart.

Simple subjects: messengers of spring

I do intend to start some more serious painting, but quite frequently I am interrupted by very simple and routine things around me. I love watching birds and the moment when a bloom opens. I can observe the sky colors and moods for hours. The same goes for mystic ways how trees grow their twigs and branches. When the heart is so full with spring emotions, I have to become part of this awakening mystery in the nature.

Peaceful, large watercolor, 20 x 16 in or 51 x 41 cm. The original is simply stunning.

This is an Easter nest, pen and watercolor on paper. Robins and their nest

Spring watercolor painting of chickadees and apple blossoms

Easter lilies, large watercolor painting, 24 x 18 in or 61 x 46 cm

Large watercolor painting of yellow spring daffodils, 24 x 18 in or 61 x 46 cm

So much art, get some

I will publish more uplifting and happy watercolor and acrylic paintings soon: I am very pleased to share some of many paintings which are forgotten while preserved in boxes and folders. They have been created over the course of quite many years. Art takes time, but I don’t think any other experience comes even close when one feels the painting is done and what was a white sheet of paper, is now a live story and delight for eyes.

Apple blossoms, the messengers of spring and hope

It’s spring  and new beginnings. Enjoy spring paintings and get ready for Easter which is not far either. I usually sell some art around this time, hopefully, this year won’t be different. However, since I’m not back in Ontario yet and I am posting this from Europe, it will take a moment. Most medium size size watercolor paintings. Just contact me and I will let you know:

Contact Inese Poga

For original watercolor paintings, please check out this page:

Shop original watercolor paintings

My art on Fine Art America:

Art collections by Inese Poga

Registration for spring art classes: Sign up here