Picasso Figures Exhibit at the Frist Museum

April 25, 2021

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to see about 80 original Pablo Picasso figure works at an international traveling art exhibit here in Nashville, TN at the Frist Museum. It was a truly incredible collection dating from the late 1890s when Picasso was a teenager all the way up to 1970 just a few years before his death.

Combining this super special opportunity with even more knowledge I've picked up teaching my art history class made this an unusually inspiring and illuminating art show (that I actually couldn't help but visit twice!).

I hope you enjoy this visit, and my own personal anecdotal 'Favorite Picasso Ever' story! And I hope I can encourage you to go see original art in person whenever possible as well, whether by a big name like Picasso or by your own local artists:)

4.25.2021

In Heaven at the Picasso Exhibit

April 09, 2021 in Museums + Galleries, Inspiration

I got to do a few figure drawings from actual PICASSO’s todayyy!!! 🤩🤩🤩

This wonderful local museum, the Frist, has an exhibit currently featuring about 80 figures by Picasso. They’re all on loan from the Picasso museum in Paris and it’s truly an incredible collection; Nashville is the only city in the US that it’s even visiting!

I’ve actually seen just about this entire collection already from when I visited Paris and went to the Picasso museum, but visiting a beautiful masterwork is like seeing an old friend, some thing I try to do time and time again. I spent four hours in the museum today really sitting with many pieces. I had my headphones on playing some Chopin and later on some cello music, just vibing out with the paintings, taking in each and every brushstroke, and indulging on a few sketches before I left.

If you’re not someone who normally goes out to see local original art in person, much less masterworks like this when they come to your area, I would highly recommend you begin to make that a hobby. Seeing my favorite paintings in life makes me more of a fan girl than any celebrity ever could. Inspecting their strokes, admiring the luminosity, seeing every little nook and cranny purely the way your favorite artist created it... nothing in between you and their hand but the movement of paint they left behind. It’s such an ethereal experience....

I can honestly say I Learned so much from Picasso‘s brushstrokes today, even having seen a lot of these paintings before. Because I’m in a different place in my life I saw them in a different light and I actually got inspired for a few of my own works. Check out a few of these incredible works, more will be coming along with a few more sketches. I just got home a few minutes ago and I’m literally on an art high 💜🤤🎨

And, lucky me, I’m actually going back to visit these works again next week! My mom is coming to town for her first visit to my new spot (yay!) and I’ve already got us tickets to see Picasso together!

4.9.2021

‘Fern Tummy’ in Her Perfect New Home

May 20, 2020 in Acquire Art, Oil Paintings, 3D Paintings

Any of my fellow artists understand that when a client brings a piece of your work into their home it is a very meaningful transaction and a little piece of your heart goes with each piece you create.

So when another artist whom you love and respect so much decides to collect your work, feelings of gratitude and warmth abound, especially when you get sent a photo like this one of your work born on the ridges of the Ko’olau mountains on O’ahu, and now at home in the cozy woods of New Hampshire.

Ferns with ferns forever… :)

Seana is one of my fave muses and biggest supporters and becoming a closer friend every day. Check out her gorgeous self photography and one of my paintings of her, and then find Seana on Instagram @theillustratr and look at her beautiful artwork.

5.20.2020

Salvador Dali Museum Tour

January 24, 2019 in Art Vlog, Artist Diary, Adventure, YouTube Videos, Inspiration, Museums + Galleries

I just got back from the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, FL and the collection is as mind-blowing as one could wish! As the world's preeminent surrealist painter it's a real treat to study Dali's works in person. I spent over 4 hours melting into his paintings while learning a lot about his life and the reoccurring symbols in his artwork which I'm so happy to share with you today.

I highly recommend you put this museum on your bucket list and in the mean time you can see and read about the whole collection here.

One of the most important things we can do as artists is to experience other artwork in person and since we can’t all be everywhere at once I’ll be creating more art tour videos to share with you in the future. Enjoy!

And here are the works I feature in the video for you to get a closer look. Click thumbnails to enlarge!

And the photos of Dali and his wife/muse Gala:

originally published January 24, 2019

Mad Love to My Artist Cousin Jake

March 25, 2018 in Artist Features, Artist Diary, Inspiration

Ok friends, today I have to shout out to one of my closest family members who also happens to be a young artist overflowing with creativity, determination and potential. My Canadian cousin Jake Bowen is at his last year at the University of Guelph-Humber and he is KILLIN' IT already!!!

I think I've shared with you friends that I was actually born in Toronto to a Canadian dad and an American mom (I know... so exotic;) ) who then relocated back to Charleston SC where they initially met, when I was three. Jake is my dad's sister's son, and he and my aunt Missy are the relatives I'm closest with on my dad's side. Side note: my dad passed away a few years ago so they make me feel very connected with him....

Anyhoo, Jake was recently featured in a short film about his love and experimentation with photography, both digital and analog, as well as taking up painting. It is so exciting to watch a fresh artist just begin to take on the world - and he's already had some real successes! Not only was he hired by his university to be a sports photographer, but he has already had a very successful solo art show and is gaining recognition for his talent and abilities.

Jake is going to do great things with his life!! You saw him here first folks:

And here are just a few of the multi media paintings Jake's been experimenting with too. I seriously cannot imagine what he will play with next! (click to enlarge)

Personalities (16 x 20 in) acrylic & pencil on art-board — *Personalities* (16 x 20 in) acrylic & pencil on art-board

mess (16 x 20 in) acrylic, ink & oil on canvas — *mess* (16 x 20 in) acrylic, ink & oil on canvas

When I trust you we can do it with the lights on (16 x 20 in) acrylic on canvas — *When I trust you we can do it with the lights on* (16 x 20 in) acrylic on canvas

tHA[n]K U GOLF! (16 x 20 in) acrylic, pencil, pen, pastel, and sharpie on canvas — *tHA[n]K U GOLF!* (16 x 20 in) acrylic, pencil, pen, pastel, and sharpie on canvas

originally published March 18, 2018

My Photoshoot in the Forest

September 09, 2017 in Adventure, Artist Diary, Artist Features

Hello friends! I have something super special to share today, a marvelous photoshoot in the woods by the Edisto River in SC during a stay at my parents' treehouses! One of my dearest friends and artsy soul sisters, Stephanie Stein, took these fabulous photos of me the next morning after our campout escapades and I could not be more delighted with the results!

Stephanie is a super awesome artist who specializes in fashion photography, but not like the plain old hum-drum boring "perfectly thin" fashion models that we're all so used to and tired of. She loves to appreciate the underappreciated and feature everyday weirdos just like you and me, but in the most exceptional ways (just like me with my Bohemian Goddesses series!).

I feel so fortunate to be a muse for fellow artists and to help them realize their own artistic visions. Every part of the creative process is such a special experience. I've worked with a least 6-8 incredibly talented photographers over the last ten years so I'll have to share a few more of my art modelling collections on the blog.

See more of Stephanie Stein's fantastic photography here!

originally published September 9, 2017

artist blog interview with a glass artist

Inspo Saturdays :: Interview With An Art Glass Jewelry Creator

January 07, 2017 in Inspiration, Artist Features

Janelle Wilfong of Janetics Ink

Janelle is an extremely talented, multi-tasking artist and creator who I am so proud to call a close friend. She has been an glass art making, jewelry designing and creating, wife and mother of three for a number of years now and her dedication to crafting and expanding her knowledge all while taking care of her tribe and her small-town Vermont community is utterly impressive and heartwarming. Janelle wholesales as well as craft show vends her handmade jewelry and watercolors locally and all over the East Coast.

I'm not sure where she even gets a minute to think between all her obligations, yet Janelle is constantly coming out with new designs and metal-working skills, and always sharing pics of having a blast with her beautiful and well-rounded kids.

Website: www.JaneticsInk.com

Currently Residing In: Proctorsville, VT

Currently Working On: Memorial pendant jewelry that encases cremated remains inside of glass

Word That Describes You Well: Effervescent

What's your creative process like?

I rarely plan on paper. My work, no matter what the material, has a very organic and free-flowing process. I swim in my supplies grabbing at whatever may work for the task at hand.

Has your style changed over the years?

Absolutely. The more I work, the more defined my aesthetic becomes.

What’s been your greatest artistic success?

Being able to live several years as a legit full time artist, while being a mom and wife too.

[Janelle's colorful tribe]

Do you have any advice for less experienced artists?

Don't take yourself too seriously.

Success is not measured in dollars.

The hustle should never be ignored. There are many artists out there who feel that they could be the next best thing yet they do not know how to present their work, sell their work, take criticism of their work, nor do custom work that could potentially be uninspiring. Anyone can be an artist but not everyone can sell themselves and their work. Learn how to do both.

Beaming Janelle in front of her jewelry booth at a hula hoop festival [Photo by Red Light Photos]

Anything else you would like to share that I didn’t ask?

I'm a hooper. A mom. A wife. I'm a Trinidadian American who absolutely loves living in Vermont. I'm also a substitute teacher and I consider myself a Neverbored. Last but not least, I have pink dreadlocks and drive a hand-painted pimp van named ChurchVanBetty.

Right now Janelle is working on her latest endeavor of encasing cremated remains inside of one-of-a-kind wearable glass pendants. These are a truly thoughtful and special way to keep a lost loved one close in spirit. I'm sure plenty of folks, like myself with my late father, are always craving ways to keep fond memories alive so I could see these really taking off for Janelle. It only takes a small amount of ashes to create each cabochon, yet look at these cosmic designs that are the result of firing the ash within the glass at 1700 degrees for ten hours. Wow!

Janelle shares lots of progress and behind-the-scenes shots on her Instagram @janetiks_ink as well as hula hoop videos and daily life in her tiny town of 450 in beautiful sunny and snowy Vermont. Check out her work and let me know what you think in the comments :)

Here I am with Janelle and two other close friends, Ashleigh and Stephanie, at our favorite hula hoop festival Return 2 Roots in 2015. Sigh.... fond memories of summer shenanigans that you just wish could last forever.....

originally posted: January 7, 2017

Inspo Saturdays :: Mucha's Muses

December 10, 2016 in Inspiration

If there's one thing I absolutely adore, it is the opportunity to peek into another artist's studio and see a behind-the-scenes of their creative process. I almost hate to admit it, but I have definitely learned way more in my life from watching other successful artists than from direct instruction from any teachers. Not to put down any art professors in any way, it's just that since we all have different styles, the likelihood that your professors' style is going to be what you are going for can be pretty slim.

But I digress... I am thrilled this week to bring to my readers some sneak peeks into one of my absolute favorite artists of all time's studio and drawing technique.

Alphonse Mucha (1860 - 1939) was a Czech Art Nouveau illustrator and painter who created dreamy portraits of ethereal women that decorated posters and advertisements from rolling papers to biscuits, and eventually inspired jewelry, furniture and an entire art movement.

Mucha did a lot of four-panel series, like this one illustrating the different times of day.

But behind the scenes, Mucha was much like most modern-day realist artists who use photographs as drawing references for certain projects. I am sure that he, like most of us, work equally from photos and live models. However, seeing Mucha using photos, just like Vermeer allegedly using the camera obscura, brings these larger-than-life, wildly famous artists back down to earth for the rest of us to feel like we're not quite so far behind;)

I could swim in Mucha's linework all day.....

I was able to visit the Mucha Museum when I went to Prague in 2010 and it was truly incredible. His work is so delicate and precise and really makes you believe in magic and fairy tales and all sorts of otherworldly possibilities.

One big surprise I discovered in my research was Mucha's preparatory gridwork! I love it! So amazing to see this world-class, trailblazing, technically masterful artist using the same methods as many artists today. It is comforting and inspiring all at the same time.

Enjoy a slideshow of more muses and works!

1902-03c Mucha’s studio, Rue du Val de Grâce, Paris © Mucha Trust.jpg

03 c1900 Portrait of a Lady photographic study in Mucha’s studio, Rue du Val de Grâce, Paris © Mucha Trust.jpg

Let me know what you think of Mucha, his process, or the Art Nouveau movement in the comments! Thanks!

Sources and other great resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonse_Mucha

http://julioarizau.blogspot.com/2015/05/studio-models-and-staged-photography.html

https://www.redbubble.com/people/blythart/writing/2707929-did-famous-artists-use-photographs

http://www.muchafoundation.org/gallery/browse-works/page/2

originally posted: December 10, 2016

Visit to the National Gallery, Washington DC

June 24, 2015 in Adventure, Inspiration

I was fortunate enough to spend three and a half days at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. while visiting my boyfriend at his parents’ house recently. The collection is absolutely incredible; as good as any museum I’ve seen in Europe! I have always especially enjoyed visiting art museums by myself so I can spend as much time as I want mulling over whichever works tickle my fancy. Of course, I love the docent tours and headset tours and this time I even brought along a guidebook to the collection. I did a few master copy sketches in the galleries and really just soaked it all in.

A few of the highlights of my visit included the only Da Vinci painting in North America, a small room with four Vermeers, the four Raphaels, six Toulouse-Lautrec paintings, and a number of John Singer Sargent, Van Gogh, Renoir, Cezanne, Manet, and Matisse works, just to name a few. I was literally in constant awe! I will be posting many of my favorites on my Tumblr blog periodically.

I was really paying close attention to various artists’ brushstrokes and choice of light and color. I have been feeling so inspired lately and am thinking of doing a few master copies just for fun.

originally posted: June 24, 2015