First Official Post of the #FridayArtWithJ9 Series!
Hello everyone! I'm so happy and proud to say that I've got my Portfolio website up and running, and I am officially moving the #FridayArtwithJ9 series to its final home!
You can view all the previous posts on my Facebook page, or view them below right here!
Enjoy creating!
August 25, 2017
For this week’s episode of #FridayArtwithJ9, I want to step back a little and talk about finding your art style. For me, finding my art style is a constant challenge - part of it being interested in so many kinds of art forms and techniques...possibly part of it being a Gemini ;)
But I recently learned from one of my favorite artists, Robin Clonts, is that the only way to find your style is to make a “shizz-ton of art”. What resonated with me is when she says:
The only way you are going to start to grasp a concept of what you’re drawn to and enjoy in art is to make a ton of stuff, and a ton of different stuff … You have to start somewhere, and if you don’t allow yourself to try new things, you’ll likely miss opportunities for self-discovery…
And I want to add to this too - as you experiment with different mediums and techniques, don’t be afraid to make bad art and fail. Failure is the only way you can understand what you want to change. And there’s no such thing as “bad art.” I see art as this endless journey of self-discovery, and it is ever-evolving, as you are ever-evolving. There’s no right or wrong way to express yourself. Whatever you are feeling or grasping at that moment and are able to translate onto the medium of your choice - THAT’s your style. So the only way you’ll know how that translates is to create it. Do it when it calls to you. And don’t be discouraged that at the first few passes, it’s not fully capturing what you want or feel (a.k.a. seeing it as a failure). It’s just an indication that you have to keep doing it. Experimentation and practice go hand in hand here.
Robin’s video (and channel) is incredibly inspiring - you can watch her full video on this, and get other helpful tips too here.
Enjoy creating!
August 18, 2017
For this week's episode of #FridayArtWithJ9, I'd like to put focus on drawing! I absolutely LOVE to draw on everything - in my journal, in my various notebooks and sketchbooks, on those scratch pads in hotel rooms...you name it. And it doesn't really matter the subject - it could be something in my head that I want to doodle, or a subject physically in front of me, or referenced on my phone or something. When the Muses strike, I usually have a sudden urge to find some form of media immediately, and the most accessible is a pen/pencil and paper.
There are artists and critics out there who will say that sketching or doodling is informal and less constructed. By the eye, sure...one could say that. But it's ALL art. Some of my best work of which I'm very proud are sketches. I find sketching and drawing to be one of those foundations you need as an artist; kinda like how most musicians learn to be musicians by learning how to play the piano. A lot of great artists learn the craft by sketching and doodling.
I read an amazing article from the Artist Network, titled "3 Things You Need To Become An Accomplished Artist", where watercolor artist Mary Whyne says:
When beginning artists come to me and tell me that they want to learn to paint, I tell them the very first thing they must do is learn how to draw. Drawing is absolutely essential to becoming a successful artist. So draw as much as you can, especially from life! ... Drawing from life will hone your eye for proportion, perspective, composition, shape, line and value, and give you a greater understanding how form is described by light.
So DRAW ALL THE THINGS! And don't be scared to showcase it, whether it's just a doodle, a work in progress, or the foundation of a bigger, more complex and constructed piece. The bottom line is that it IS part of your portfolio, and you should be proud of it :)
Enjoy creating!
August 11, 2017
I don't think I can wait til next Friday for #FridayArtWithJ9 to share this. Fellow artists who are struggling to "get started" or find their footing in their careers, like me - watch Robin Clonts's video on "5 Bad Artist Habits to Avoid". This video is what inspired me finally to make big decisions today about the path I want to take as an artist, turning my dreams into actual actions.
A particularly resounding quote from Robin:
Bad Artist Habit #5: Waiting. Waiting for the perfect moment to try. The perfect set of life's circumstances to surround you. The moment of inspiration to hit. Waiting for enough free time or money or motivation ... If you never try to sell your work, you will never make money from it. If you never start painting, your skills will never improve. If you never put yourself out there, you will never find your audience or community. And lastly, if you never try new things, you will never be able to reap the reward.
I do want to give a special shout out to Joseph because, as always, he's pushing me to my limit and making me the best ME possible - for myself, my family, and my friends. He has always inspired me at work and personal life, challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and take action in the things I want to do. I wouldn't have gotten here and with enough guts to add this as part of my career.
Enjoy creating!
August 11, 2017
In my attempt to cultivate the art side of my career (making some big exciting changes), I will dedicate every Friday as #FridayArtWithJ9, where I'll post an art tip or interesting resource for my fellow artists.
To kick off this series, I'm going to focus on calligraphy. This is a growing field of art that has recently gained interest in the popular scene. You can find all sorts of inspiration online (especially Pinterest), as many more media and applications use calligraphy - from fine art pieces to signage used for birthdays, weddings, or home decor.
In addition, calligraphy can be executed in multiple ways, from the classical ink-and-nib method to watercolor brushes.
Interested in getting started with calligraphy? Here's an article I found with some beginner resources, which include the supplies you need, some basic techniques, and methods for perfecting your new skill. These resources are primarily for the ink-and-nib method, but the techniques for execution can also be carried over into watercolor or other pen methods.
Enjoy creating!