Learn From Failure and Inspiration from Van Gogh

'September Tapestry'         9x12         pastel      ©Karen Margulis  
available $150

"If you hear a voice within you saying 'You are not a painter', then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced"   Vincent Van Gogh

I love this quote by Van Gogh. If you paint or create art ...you are an artist.  You may be new at painting or you may be at a cross roads in your journey but as long as you continue to make art I believe you must consider yourself an artist.

I often see hesitation in my students to refer to themselves as artists. Perhaps they believe that they aren't good enough to be able call themselves artists. But this hesitation can prevent growth.  In order to grow as an artist you must work hard at your art. Being afraid of failure or of not doing it right or not being good enough can be paralyzing. This fear stops many from painting.

I am going to give a copy of this quote to my students. I want them to believe in themselves and know that if they paint they are artists. The more they paint the faster their skills will grow.  Thanks Vincent for the inspiration!


About today's painting: Sometimes it takes a lot to pull off a painting.  It began as a failed  painting. I couldn't make it work and I was ready to give up. But I persevered and decided to start over by going over it with a thin coat of clear gesso. I had a fresh start.  

Applying clear gesso to an unfinished demo

The first remake of the painting still wasn't working. I was really tempted to give up and throw it into the trash. But I persevered and brushed out the painting.

The first remake of the demo. Meh.....not quite happy with this one.

I had another fresh start and a lot of texture. The third remake was the charm. I liked it much better than the previous paintings. I am glad I did not give up. From a failure to something that pleased me equals success.