The Ups and Downs in the Life of an Artist

'Among the Poppies'     8x10        oil on canvas     ©Karen Margulis purchase here $150

Being an artist is sometimes like riding a roller coaster.  One day you are up with a successful painting or perhaps a sale or some recognition for your work. The next day you are down....painting a dud, struggling with self doubt or rejection of some kind. I try not to let these ups and downs effect my attitude. I remind myself to look at the big picture and I keep plugging away at being the best artist I can be.

 This week was a typical week full of art related up and downs. I started the week on a high. I had sold an oil painting at the Anderson Creek Paintout and I was shipping 40 pastels to my agent for scanning. I was excited about the opening reception for the Southeastern Pastel Society's International show. I had a painting in the show and was very proud to have been accepted. I never go to an opening expecting to win anything. I remind myself that getting into the show is the reward. But I admit it that it is always nice to win a little something. Last night wasn't my time. It was a low but it was also a high since my good friend Barbara Jaenicke won Best in Show! I also was approached by several other artists who gave me great feedback on my blog and others interested in my classes. And today while feeling a bit low, I just got a wonderful email from a collector who just received one of my oil paintings and was thrilled with it. Ups and downs!

I'll let myself feel down for a few hours today but then I know I need to turn that energy into positive energy. I know that I will have to work even harder to become a better artist. I will start a new painting with the excitement of all that is possible. I won't allow a disappointment to slow me down. If negative thoughts try to creep in I will remind myself that I am doing what I love and I will continue to enjoy the ride!

Today's painting is an 8x10 oil on canvas. Photo courtesy of Renee Lammers. She does wonderful daily paintings on copper. Visit her blog HERE

What Van Gogh Had to Say about Complementary Colors

'Share the Love' 8x8 pastel

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I have rediscovered the power of complementary colors. In pastel class this week we are revisiting basic color theory and working with complements. I came across this wonderful quote by Vincent Van Gogh on Complementary Colors.

There are colors which cause others to shine brilliantly, which form a couple which complete each other like man and woman.
Vincent Van Gogh

Underpainting in complementary colors done in gouache

What is it about complementary colors that Vincent found so intriguing?

• For one thing compliments do just that....they make one other look better...more vibrant and more exciting. When compliments are placed next to one another in a painting, they seem to vibrate. They excite the eye and please us.
  
• Compliments provide contrast in a painting which is a good thing. Not only a contrast in color but also in temperature. Colors that are opposite of one another on the color wheel are also opposite in temperature.
  
• The trick is learning how to balance this contrast...you want to avoid having equal amounts. One color/temperature should be dominate.
• When you mix compliments you get grey and sometimes you need these nice grey mixtures. Be careful in pastel that you don't blend compliments or you will get grey muddy color (unless that is what you want) Have a lighter touch and layer the compliments to let the colors peek through and vibrate.

For today's poppy painting I did an underpainting in the compliment of my final colors. I also used gouache for a bright vibrant underpainting. I will be doing a gouache demo in a future post.

To read more about using complimentary colors in an underpainting you might like this post.

More Poppies! aceo SOLD

'Little Poppies' 3.5x2.5 pastel

Sometimes when I am working on a larger painting, before putting away my pastels I will do a mini painting using the same pastels. This little one was done after I worked on a couple of larger poppy painting. I am busy getting the studio ready for the sale next Saturday. It's amazing how things get piled up and out of order but I am back on track now!

Summer Poppy Field

'Summer Poppy Field' 8x10 pastel

I have painted close-ups of these poppies and I always enjoy painting them. it's hard to believe this 'field' is really just the median strip along Highway 64 in North Carolina! I think I would like to try something similar in a larger size.

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Price: $145 USD
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Orange Poppy

'Poppy Explosion' 9x12 pastel

Be sure to check out the Daily Painter's site on Wednesday where we have a theme day.(link on sidebar) The theme for the day is the color Orange. I wanted to think of something unusual for the color orange but when I saw this poppy photo I knew I wanted to try to paint it. This is painted on a sheet of black unison paper which is quite rough. Very different from the uart paper I have been using!

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Price: $95 USD
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