Well, you asked for it. And I do what you tell me. This is the painting I started on Valentine's day. And as an ode to Valentine's day I decided to paint with red. A lot of red.

But by the time my Large Canvas Workshop came around on Saturday, I knew that the red painting was not going to make it. _

I had forced myself to paint with red for another two days. But the truth of the matter is, I just wasn't feeling it. "Should I continue on with my original thought and make myself finish the painting using the colour red?" That felt like work. And painting shouldn't feel like work. So, I gave myself permission to change gears. 

So, during Saturday's workshop, I poured white paint all over my red canvas and it felt delicious. I decided not to do away with the red completely though. As I thought about Vday I stratched the words "Live, Laugh, Celebrate" on the bottom left of the canvas. And that's that.

For a better look at "Live, Laugh, Celebrate" go to my 2012 Gallery.

"Meditate on your novel instead of finishing it."

How To Avoid Making Art (Or Anything Else You Enjoy)
Julia Cameron

"Concentrate on how you want your "big break" and ignore all smaller ones."

How To Avoid Making Art (Or Anything Else You Enjoy)
Julia Cameron

Our second to last class tonight. I can't believe how fast time went by. I'm gonna miss this group! Thankfully 80% of the class is continuing on to SURFACING. So really it's just a break!

Go outside. There's no better way to clear the mind, soak in some much needed vitamin D and feel inspired.

“How do we recognize inspiration? How do we know it’s not just a wobbly thought? Inspiration comes from the realm of pure potential, from stillness, just as the call to make art does. It darts between our thoughts. Concerned thought is hard; inspiration is easy. Inspiration seems to come out of nowhere and takes us to a new place. We recognize it as true, even if only for an instant. We feel excited, humbled and happy. We want to take action.”

“Thinking is a logical progression of ideas; inspiration skips the steps. If we’re locked into analytical left brain we may not remember to open up to other ways of perceiving. We might feel anxious or certain of our “rightness”. Inspiration is soft and without doubt. It feels like a gift, but not one to which we need to cling. Inspiration comes when we assess. We must use our rational, thinking minds for taking stock of where we are and what we intend to do. When we ask good questions, we receive good inspiration.”

The Confident Creative: Drawing to Free the Hand and Mind
Cat Bennett

My favorite things about the Calgary Farmer's Market:

Bob's accordion music, gooseberries, getting your portrait professionally sketched in 10 minutes, Simple Simon Pies, fresh cut flowers and the general "Granville Island" feel of the place. It's not by the ocean but let's face it, it's as close as we're gonna get!

What started out as a great thing just became so much better...

I have just confirmed that Calgary duo: producer DJ Cones & hip hop artist It's Lazy will be performing a four song set on the night of our student art show SURFACING FIVE on March 1, 2012. 

Come join us for a night of art, music & celebration!

For an official invitation please see the sidebar.

A success! Thank you for your support and enthusiasm.

Painting BIG is fun! (trust me)

BIG paintings have a certain kind of “energy” and “personality” that small paintings simply just don’t have. A BIG painting is bold, strong, and it commands attention. Painting BIG requires courage, trust and intuition.

There is no hiding when you paint BIG.

As I paint BIG I find myself feeling empowered. It gives me the kind of freedom and wild abandon that painting small just can’t impart.

It’s as if I am exclaiming to the world: I am here! I will not hide. I will not excuse myself. Look at me! I am important enough to be here.

The process of painting BIG doesn’t have to be intimidating but it does means you have to keep your eye on the BIG picture.

Practically speaking, this means you will have to paint faster (keep your water bottle handy to constantly spray the canvas to keep the paint wet and workable) and it means you will need a lot more paint and medium. (student acrylics and Home Depot here I come!)

Lastly, I paint BIG on the floor. Always on the floor! I find that it’s easier for me to maneuver around my painting and see it from all angles. Besides, it’s a lot more fun. And ultimately, isn’t that what this is supposed to be about in the first place?

Join me tomorrow for my Oversized Canvas Workshop at the Calgary School of Art.