'The Sky's the Limit' 5x7 pastel ©Karen Margulis
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I was lucky. When I started painting I not only had great teachers, I also got wonderful advice. I was told that in order to become a better painter I would need to work hard and paint often...and I did. I still do because there is still so much to learn. I recently came across this excellent bit of advice by Ira Glass. It is such an uplifting and motivational thought for artists at any stage in their career. I hope it inspires you too.
Quote by Ira Glass
We all go through ups and downs on our art journey but it helps to know that we all struggle at some point. I try to remind myself that I shouldn't be discouraged when my paintings don't quite match my vision. I just need to keep on painting. In today's post I am sharing two quick paintings that I did this past week. The top painting is a quick pastel marsh study and the little one below is a mixed media aceo, an experimental piece I did just for fun. These are the kinds of small quick studies I like to do in between larger paintings. Doing these small quick paintings all count towards the work I need to do to help my work be as good as my ambitions!
'Believe in Yourself' 3.5 x 2.5 mixed media watercolor ink pastel
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Isn't it encouraging to know that we can become better artists as long as we keep working at it? In the coming weeks I will be posting some ideas on how to get in the painting time you need. I hope that you will be motivated and inspired to paint more often!
Read more about the best art advice I ever got HERE
Read more about the best art advice I ever got HERE
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13 comments:
thanks Karen you work hard to keep us all informed with sage advice, love your little skyscape!
after the day I had, I needed this. No matter what I've worked on all week is horrible. So frustrating. thanks.
Sharon L. Graves
As always, you got the fix for what ails me!
I'm so glad you all enjoyed this post. I plan on printing out the quote and hanging it in my studio!
"Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight / Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight."
Bruce Cockburn,
"Lovers in a Dangerous Time"
Hi Karen,
I really appreciate your blogs and look forward to hearing the pearls of wisdom that you give out so freely.
Thanks again for taking the time to inspire
Emilie Sykes
Thanks for this post and all your posts lately. I'm learning so much. And this post in particular is the BIG reminder that I need to get my arse in the studio and work. i have a studio now so no excuses except that I don't feel good but painting always fills my soul and lifts my spirit and makes me forget my ails! And I know that it takes "miles of canvas" isn't that what you have always said? Well, I don't even have a mile in and I've been painting since 2002!
I've been derailed too many times by illness and i just can't afford to be derailed anymore. I need to paint. And I know once in the groove I will get in the studio everyday even if for just a little study.
I've been trying to learn oils and have gotten discouraged and am going back to pastels now. But, I want to try thin oil washes for underpaintings so nothing will be lost. And it's all good. Learning and experimenting are all part of the process and part of the fun!
I'm not giving up on oils but I need some books(I have a couple) to explain some things to me.
thank-You Karen for all of your inspiration. I have been following you for years. I found you when i was reading lots of blogs a day and you were one of the first pastel artists I found when I was starting pastels and I have learned so much from you and hope to take at least one if not many more workshops from you sometime in the future. I'm so glad you are teaching and spreading your knowledge and love of the medium to more people.
Keep up the great work!
Take care,
Sara
Hi Nick,
I enjoyed reading your comments today! I appreciate you visiting my blog. Thanks!
Thanks Emilie,
It is my pleasure and it is so much fun to share! Glad you are enjoying my blog!
You're welcome, Karen.
Hi Sara,
Your words are so encouraging to me! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know you are learning from my posts! I enjoy sharing and I do hope that someday we get to meet and work together. I hope you do get into the studio if only for a quick study! Remember they all add to your mileage!
Thanks again!
Karen
so very well stated Karen. Great post.
Thank you Gary!
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