New Painting: Ancestors, and a Great New Artist

1. New Painting - "Ancestors" is a new painting I just finished. I only had 2 days to complete the piece as I had traveled there with my mom (pictured with me in the painting) and my partner Kira. In case you're wondering... Kira actually modeled for me... wearing my clothes etc, so I could get the light just right.

This new piece reminds me that it doesn't always take months to make a good painting. Sometimes spontaneity and lively bold brushstrokes can capture the feeling and visual impression of a scene just as well. I'm hoping to explore this way of working more in the moths to come as I liberate myself from the need for everything to be perfect, before I can appreciate it. Here's to learning and evolving as a person and an artist! 

2. New Artist (And a GREAT podcast conversation) - I just discovered Karl Martens. An American Watercolor artist living in Sweden who paints incredible zen style watercolors of birds. And he does it all from memory, or should I say, from YEARS of studying and painting birds over and over again. All that time and study seeped into the subconscious mind and now explodes out onto his paintings in broad energetic strokes combined with exquisite detail. I hope to own one of his pieces one day. They are superb examples of the balance between energy, form, emotion, and craft. Check out the inspiring conversation with him in the link below.

https://yourcreativepush.com/2016/01/interview-with-karl-martens/