Coming Back To Art Full Time

My process and path:  My return to creating again.

The end of August marked the end of my part time job of nannying.  It was part time in that I was working full time about 6 months out of the year.  From March to August, my art making was not in full swing but I painted in the pockets of available free time.  I enjoyed that job very much yet missed this pursuit even more.  The Carpenter family continues to be close to my heart and we'll be friends that are more like family for many more years to come.

With other things that were happening in my personal life and family needs being our top priority, I didn't jump right into art creating right away.  In fact, I felt rusty and awkward about the painting sessions in September.  As frustrated as I felt with the results, I knew it was important to keep showing up to paint.  The easy thing would be to not show up because it might not end with a masterpiece.  Instead, I chose to push forward and give myself permission to be unhappy with whatever my brush and I made that day.  Sometimes the time spent painting is just for my own self care, not because I need to have a painting to sell.  I don't ever want to be driven by the goal of selling.  That creates so much pressure that intimidates and stifles me creatively.  When the painting time feels like nothing came of it from an bystander's perspective, I face that head on.  Brush it off and come back tomorrow.  And with time, it all started to come back to me.  I continue picking up my brush.

I have been painting on a regular basis but before August I was not always rested and able to spend several hours painting in one sitting.  Some paintings I love and others have brought me frustration.  That's just how this goes.  Many of my paintings have been 5" x 7" sizes because they are more manageable in short spurts of time.  They can easily be finished in one or two sittings.  I don't lose my momentum and vision when working in pockets of time.  And so for that reason, it's much harder when the paper is larger.  I have two large paintings in process right now that are not pleasing me, not what I want, and I don't know what to do next.  I keep telling myself to relax and not let that define me.

So, my beginning stages of getting comfortable in the art room again took a round about path.  With work projects in the garden and back yard to be completed before winter makes its arrival, I brought in quite a few potted plants.  There are green onions and a variety of herbs.  My spinach and lettuce are not doing well and I believe that is lack of sufficient lighting.  Our days are shorter now and my lights need replacing most likely.  Long winters in Montana are easier to handle when there's some plants growing here in my space.

I moved my main painting location back to a previous work table.  It's closer to the center of the room which will be warmer during the winter months.  Funny how this feels more comfortable for me and I am glad I made the change.  I am sensitive about what clutter is bothering me and tackle those areas a little at a time.  I am structuring this space so it is primed for creative atmosphere, like I can come to this space that has a spa like atmosphere.  I am making decisions for designing a sanctuary for creativity.

I have so much space for storage and it seems to be overflowing with stuff.  I felt so overwhelmed and anxious in the room that it was very obvious this needed to be overhauled in a big way.  I went through under table shelves and boxes.  I emptied out cupboards and chose what to get rid of to make room for what supplies are a higher priority to my art creating process.  There are still a few piles to go through but it's much more manageable now.

In reality, I would just rather keep showing up and doing nothing else but paint more art.  The stacks of new artwork need to be given time and focus though.  I am getting more organized with my planning so that projects are being tackled in the most effective way.  Paintings are getting pressed under weight of heavy books to remove the paper's buckling.  Inventory spreadsheets are being readied for titles to come soon.  I am looking at the weather for best sunshine to help with photographing artwork for the website.  Large sheets of watercolor paper is soon to be cut into dimensions I enjoy most.  Those smaller sheets of watercolor paper will be taped to boards so they are ready to grab for new paintings.

I have been aware in the past that my best time for painting is mid morning.  I might do a bit of light housework before but I need to be cautious not to come to my paint sessions already worn out.  That only brings frustration much sooner.  If there is vacuuming to be done, it should be done late afternoon because that activity is so hard on my arms and wrists.  I am becoming so much more aware of bringing my freshest self to painting time.

As I move into fall and winter months, I am focusing on creating a routine of good habits for pursuit of art.  I am being gentle and patient with myself.  I fight the feeling that I should be catching up to where fulltime artists are at this time of year with their promoting and selling.  A frustrated and anxious artist will not be happy in the creating and the art will reflect this as well.  So, I take each day with its goals and tasks and remind myself to be patient.  I am choosing to enjoy the journey and love that I have the time available to be here.  I am hopeful and excited.

Yesterday, I sat down to write here not knowing what I would have to say.  It happens like this so often.  And yet somehow I find the words for what I want to say.  I do love sharing what happens here in the art room and along the scenic drives to finding art reference photograph.  I look forward to living this way, being my everyday experience and soaking up owning my identity as an artist.  It was difficult to be away from this so much though I didn't express it as often as I felt it.  My mind loves the thought of creating my interpretation of what I have seen and felt as it relates to nature.  I have a feeling that more change is coming my way with how I hold the brush and fill the page and I am in love with that more than I can say.  In fact, we have plans in motion for making weekend getaways to the mountains a regular habit.  Spring of 2022, I will be able to share more about that exciting development.  I am dreaming of plein air painting and travel art supplies getting much more use!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to join me here.  This is my creative journey as an artist.  I have more to bring and share here.  I won't make a promise to be here each week.  I hope that happens but life has a way of bringing detours.  As it is possible, I do have a goal of posting on Thursdays for whatever reason.  I have been organizing my photos into online albums and that has helped me realize there is plenty of material for new blog posts.  More progressive posts to come, meaning I will share the completed artwork with photos taken along its journey and a few photos of the place that inspired me to paint it in the first place.  If that excites you, stay tuned!  

-Christy

She must make art.

Watercolor Landscape & Sky: Scotch Tape and Magic Eraser

Easy Watercolor Techniques For Landscapes

Have you been itching to try watercolor painting yourself?  Are you just a little excited to get your hands on a brush?  Today, I'm going to show two techniques that anyone can use.  

When painting a landscape that has more complex details, keeping the sky color separate from the land portion is a challenge.  It's easy for watercolor to spread over where you don't want it to be.  Keeping a paper towel ready makes a quick blot possible.  Sometimes, we just need a few fluffy white clouds in the sky so we'll add those, too.

Materials:

Watercolor paper

Scotch tape

Box knife or razor blade

1" flat brush, synthetic is durable for watercolors

Watercolor pigment in blue hue of your choice

(ultramarine or cobalt, add a little cerulean for variety)

Eraser cleaning pad

Scissors

Container of water

Scotch Tape with Watercolor

1.  Here, I've drawn a few basic lines to imitate the planes of a landscape.  The top line separates land from sky.  This is where we have possibility of paint spreading from sky area.  With this simple line, I would just turn the painting around with sky area closest to me.  This trick is key for landscapes with more varied or complicated shapes.  If the paper is clipped to a support board, then it can be tipped at an angle so paint runs toward the highest point of sky.  You can rest the board on a roll of masking tape to keep the back edge higher.

Labor Day in Glacier National Park

Chasing the Sun: Glacier National Park

Labor Day 2015

Montana's landscape holds beauty that any attempt to describe can't possibly do it justice.  The mountains are breathtaking but the prairies can be just as awe inspiring.  The way the light plays off the wide range of colors and textures captures my full attention.  Logan Pass had been closed in the days before taking this day trip.  There had been rain on the plains and snow in the mountains and the clouds still hung low.  With camera bags, water bottles, and snacks packed up, we took to the road.  We dressed for autumn but probably should have added another layer or two.  A winter coat would have been a great idea once we hit the top of the pass.  We were in and out of the car quickly, not intending to hike, so we were only a little chilled along the way.

On the road between Browning and East Glacier, I was so taken with the changing landscape and sky.  There's a bit of blue sky but the clouds are heavy yet.  This just cries out, "paint me!"  I probably will.  Our two kids (teens) were not very excited about spending the day on the road but they had their electronics along.  At this point, I'm hoping for the least complaining possible.  The bad attitudes seemed to be held off that day.  I always pack more stuff than necessary even on days like this.  I had very little leg room but it was my own fault.  I really didn't care; camera in hand, I was distracted with the landscape around us.

As we cross the bridge high above the river, this is the view to the north.  Just wow!   As I saw the train moving along the tracks, I had to try an attempt even with the vehicle in motion.  It's always a gamble with the end result.  I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out so well.  

[Happy purring kitten crawling on my lap, nibbling at my hands on the keyboard.  I think she's saying she'd rather have playtime or cuddle time.  She's doing her best to distract me.  She doesn't comprehend blog post deadlines.  Funny Lucy Lu!]

The first stop was Apgar Village on Lake McDonald.  The cloudy skies made it a challenge to capture very well.  I'm always seeking more reference photos here.  It's my favorite place in this national park.  I have more favorite views from the west side of the lake.

On our second stop inside Glacier National Park, I was noticing the lighting still wasn't ideal.  This view would be so much better with blue sky.  For an art reference photo, it will work nicely to a point.  There really isn't a strong light source.  It's pretty flat.  It give information about the parts of the composition but a light source and more defined shadows would be a huge improvement.

While taking these photos, I was looking up at the sky around us, studying the "holes" in the cloud cover.  I was trying to decide if it would be worth waiting longer to have a chance at more sunlight.  Do I wait?  Should we move on?  Will there be more sunlight for other photos up ahead?

Before moving on, I zoomed in on a these five views.  The first shows the blue of the water caused by algae.  Then I zoomed in closer for several more shots in the area.  I did alter these some to adjust them because of the overcast sky.

This is a view I am planning to paint at some point.  I've been gathering reference photos over the years.  It's such a tranquil perspective.  While here, I would guess I took at least 15 photos of this and the surrounding area.  I zoom in on specific areas to help with added details while painting.  As we were pulling away, there was a photographer waiting in the parking area.  He was patiently waiting for the sun to come through the clouds.  We joked with him that he was "getting" the sun.  I wanted to wait as well, but I knew we needed to keep moving.

This would be so much more dynamic with some blue sky, sunlight, and more distinct shadows.  But here we are, it's what it is.  I still enjoy it and could use it for an art reference.  

We are driving on the Going-To-The-Sun Road toward Logan Pass and there are few chances to pull off for a better view.  My camera was being put to work now!  Judging the roadside and trees, I click away hoping to not have a tree in the middle of the viewfinder.  The sun is beginning to show signs of breaking through the clouds.  I can see bits of blue sky appearing.

About this time, as my husband driver is slowing for me, I'm shooting away like crazy to get as many shots as possible.  Without realizing it, we've slowed down another driver behind us.  That driver used his horn to communicate his annoyance.  "Really?  These views and you're in a hurry?"  That was my thought.  The sun is breaking through and lighting up the tree tops on the mountainsides.  The sunlight's rays so defined.  My husband drives quite fast all the time, EXCEPT in national parks.  He wants to enjoy the views and he's not rushed at all.  We are a great combination.  

Ooh! Ooh!  It's the sun!  We found the sun!  I know I sound ridiculous but that's exactly what it felt like.  The sky was changing constantly as we traveled the road.  I couldn't take my eyes off the views.  The sunlight brings out the vivid greens in ribbons that bend with the curve of the slope. 

These are just spectacular views and I'm taken with the fact that I get to see them.  This happens every day.  I try to imagine what it would be like to see this everyday.  The clouds move and the sun comes through to spotlight creation.  The light brings out details that captivate those who will pause.

We approach Logan Pass Visitor Center and I observe other people dressed for winter.  Oh.  We didn't dress for winter.  We brave the cold and the snow anyway.  We can do this.

Inside the visitor center, this quote is posted on the wall.  I relate with these words.  I cannot begin to do justice to these views with words or photographs or paintings.  The views are just too amazing.

As we continued along the road toward St. Mary's, it occurred to me that we seemed to be chasing the sun.  We were excitedly pursuing sunlit views and glimpses of blue sky.  I am still in awe of the sun and clouds effects on the view of the valleys.  The varying pattern of dark next to light green is just yummy!  I know it's not food but yeah, it's food for the eyes.

The sunlight makes the difference.  Without the sun lighting up the landscape, it's flat and lifeless.  It's a beautiful view, sunlight or not, but just not the same.  It's really hard to add that in as I paint, second guessing how to plan the shadows.  I just know seeing the shadows makes painting a better experience.

Here is how the wildfires have changed the landscape this year.  This is the area drawing nearer to St. Mary's.  It's sad but intriguing all at once.  It's not ruined.  It's different.  Though it may not be ideal, it's still alive.  What we see may not appear to be alive but time will show its recovery.  The process is slow but so incredible to follow...this is one area I'll continue to photograph to show it's regrowth.

As we drove from St. Mary's toward East Glacier at the day's end, this traveler's Winnebago gave us interesting food for thought.  My own sentimental mind thought this suited our day and lives perfectly.  Off in the distance there are areas previously burnt in years past.  The regrowth is bright green and lush...like something good is on its way.

Our final stop in this day's journey before the drive home...Serrano's.  East Glacier has this little gem, Mexican cuisine so delicious that you'll need to get your name on the waiting list.  We waited about 30 minutes for a table and ate on the back patio.  It was a little cool but temporary walls were up on the patio aided by a patio heater.  We caved on letting the kids have technology at the table.  We seldom do this.  It almost felt like a date for just the two of us.  A little quieter and we could visit while we just enjoyed the end of the day.

During one of our first stops of the day, my loving guy shot these photos of me.  You can probably see how I was eating up every moment, sunshine or not.  It was a day full of taking in as much as possible because the seasons are changing.  The weather is changing quickly and soon all this will be like a different world.  The days grow shorter, the leaves change and fall, and the landscape is all new again.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to record these views and share them with the world.  It's all too good to keep to myself.  I'm sure there's somebody that would relish it all as well or better.  

This has been quite the wild ride, I'm telling you!  I'm not just talking about my own adventures in art and taking care of my family at the same time.  That has been a most exciting undertaking to be sure.  We had a rhythm that worked for us and felt pretty comfortable.  My decision to explore art as a possible career venture has thrown us all for a bit of a loop.  Now that we are starting our back-to-school rhythm, my work days in the studio are struggling to be productive.  There are appointments and interruptions that take me from art goals.  Though my progress continues, the amount of multi-tasking is tiring.

I'm learning so many new things at one time;
that only adds to feeling like I'm moving forward at the pace of a snail on Benadryl!

There are so many other unrelated commitments that I don't really want to give up.  I think my biggest weakness is that I can feel overwhelmed and not reach the goals I've set.  Do I expect a lot of myself?  Oh, yes.  Taking life too seriously can be my downfall.  

In the beginning, much research of online advice recommends longer posts for better search engine optimization (SEO).  I'm learning so much daily.  It seemed really hard to build longer posts at first.  Now, I'm trying to keep the post lengths from being too long.  I'm not sure what to share or how to say it...I guess that comes with experience and time.  I'll be trying to give a few short posts both for reader convenience and mine, too.  Now that the school year has begun, I'm finding I have to choose to write a post or paint.  Managing it all is a learning process.  We'll see where it goes!

_________________________________________________________________________

In the meantime, here's a teaser on what I'm putting together for a post in the near future.  My sister is very curious about the magic eraser method I mentioned on Facebook.  I'm just learning how this can be effective so don't mean to sound like a pro here.  It's an experiment that I tried on a painting recently.

So for now, I'm heading back to get going on paintings for the remainder of my morning.  That river's not going to paint itself!  If there's a technique you'd heard about but never tried...let me know, maybe it could turn into another blog post.  Maybe creative little videos will be added eventually.



Until next time,

-Christy

because she must make art.

Fresh Cherries Watercolor Painting on Etsy

These fresh, juicy cherries are a new addition to my Etsy shop ChristySheelerArtist today.
My neighbor has several fruit trees and this is one of them.  While we visit in the yard, she takes me around on a tour of her plants and trees.  We talk all the details of when they were planted and how much they've grown since last year.  Some plants and trees come from local nurseries, but many come from family members and friends.  She takes the dogs (ours included) out into the country to run and sometimes she digs up plants on those days.

It doesn't surprise my neighbors to see me out with my camera on a regular basis.  I observe the lilacs and coerce my husband to get the ladder out to see the tallest sunflowers.  I think it must be a complement that someone else admires what's growing enough to be excitedly snapping photographs.  I hope it is, but if not, I'm grateful they tolerate me and my obsession for more great photo references.

After reviewing the many photos I took that fall, this one just seemed to beg for the paintbrush.  This watercolor painting is my way of describing the way the cherries hang from the branch on delicate stems.  I enjoyed mixing the colors of paint for textures on the branch and the leaves reaching out to be seen.  The light and shadow are contrasted to make it all pop off the paper.  There are blues and violets in the shadow areas.  I used some controlled scrubbing to accent the highlights on the cherries.  The background is loose and soft.

This painting would be a lovely accent or focal point to display in a kitchen or dining room.  I package it with an ivory double mat and cellophane sleeve.  It would easily be placed in a purchased frame and a black or brown frame would set it off nicely.

My regular weekly post will be added on Thursday,
so stop back and see me again!



-Christy


Because she must make art.

Nature's Water Therapy

Have you ever needed to get away for few days?

At the end of July, our two teens were gone for a week.  We had a weekend to get away by ourselves.  We went camping.  I know, you're saying, "really, again?"  It's what summer in Montana is made for...there's no other way to explain it.  The beautiful blue skies and the landscape is just too irresistible.  We packed up the basics we would need and headed for the mountains.  It's under an hour's drive and we have our little home-away-from-home parked and settled.  We had a great time sharing one another's undivided attention.  There wasn't a set schedule and we ate when we were hungry.  It was so freeing to not be thinking about a regular mealtime schedule.  We ate our favorite junk food.  We didn't have to be a good example of healthy eating!  It was a nice vacation from the typical camping trip for our family of four.  We missed our kids while they were gone for that ten days but the break relaxed us a great amount.  The weather that weekend brought high temperatures and I noticed that many flowers were done blooming.  The vegetation was changing, preparing for late summer turning to become autumn.  There were signs that the local area was dry, which would in turn result in a great number of wildfires.  

While we were out taking the dog for a walk, I had my camera but it late morning which meant the sun was high.  The lighting was not best for photography.  Everything had a tendency to be washed out and had less contrast.  The longer shadows of morning and evening really add to composition.  I ought to make myself get out earlier and sacrifice sleep for my art.  I wished that I'd been out early in the morning but sleeping in late was such a welcome option.  I didn't really view this weekend outing the same as others.  I had been pushing so hard at home in the studio and felt the need for some time off.  My main focus was on enjoying a relaxing time with my husband.  Photography for art references wasn't the main goal that it had been on previous camping trips.  

This area runs along the road and is a series of beaver dams.  The colors were a little washed out, especially in the sky but I used a few Picasa filters for improvement.  When I have a photo I'm not

Mount Oberlin, a Waterfall, and a Sketch

It's time to be realistic here.  

I feel like I chickened out...in more than one way.  

Have you ever felt that way?  Gosh, that's how I have been feeling and I'm needing to re-train my brain.

I've had the best experience over these summer months.

It felt completely different than before, like I could make some real progress.  Sometime during the second week of August, the Indian Paintbrush paintings were complete.  Those three paintings brought my summer total to nine paintings in less than three months.  It wasn't easy but nothing worth doing ever is, right?  The time had come to clean up and start again.

The great amount of progress I had made during the summer months must have gone to my head.  Or the heat or both?

I say this because I was really feeling ambitious.  Maybe too ambitious?  Okay, my point is this...there's this breath taking view in Glacier National Park that I have wanted to paint for many years.  Each time we drive over the road, known as Going To The Sun, which leads to Logan Pass Visitor's Center, it draws me to take it in the great expanses and massive peaks.  From what I can gather, I believe the peak in this favorite view is Mount Oberlin.  Correct me in the comments if I'm wrong, please.

Off to the right is a small parking area with boardwalk and the mountain goats often graze here.  There are very few parking areas on the Going To The Sun Road and during the peak season, it's really hard to score a parking space.  I took these photos quite a few years ago and it's been on my list of someday paintings.  If it was possible,

I would park myself at the base of this waterfall 

and just soak it up for the whole day.  

Etsy Adventure Begins!

I took the leap and ChristySheelerArtist Etsy shop is Live!

Yeah, so this is the scared, excited, giddy, oh-my-goodness, I'm really doing this face.

Well, no.  I took this last week while taking more attractive selfies for artist bio purposes.  This does reflect my emotional state today though.  It's a little bit unnerving to go through all the set up steps knowing I'm probably just getting started.  I'm a bit of a perfectionist and hate making mistakes.  I overthink things way too much.  (My dear husband would nod his head now.)  It was time to quit talking and do it already!  That's the kind of self-talk going on in my head lately.  

At this point, I've got nine listings posted but will continue adding more,

including the shooting stars paintings and the Indian paintbrush paintings as well.  

In the studio, I am working on several sketches on tracing paper.  I am working from photographs both printed and on the tablet.   It's my goal to complete about five or six sketches to be transferred to watercolor paper by the end of the week.  These are all separate subjects, mainly related in that they were all taken locally.  Local views is the theme.  I've been taking photos as I work to share in next two weeks' posts.  This week I plan to share about another sketch I've completed and the story that goes with it.

The art studio is changing daily and it's a joy to be here during the day.  A little instrumental music on Pandora going on in the back ground now.  After many days of smoke filled skies with the terrible fire season...and a few days just not myself with concern for people I know in the areas evacuated...the sun is shining today.

We continue to pray for rain, the safety of firefighters, those evacuated, livestock and structures.  

I am so excited to share the news about the Etsy shop finally being a reality.

Here's the LINK, go take a look!

I'm so glad you wandered over my way today!  Thanks for stopping in

and feel free to leave me a greeting/comment below.

Take care and I'll be back Thursday.

-Christy

Painting with a Gift Card...Art Workshop in the Studio

"I'd like to paint watercolors with you sometime."

A few weeks ago, I was visiting with a few ladies and they asked about getting together to paint watercolors sometime.  To be honest, it happens that way often.  It's a compliment that I appreciate so much.  We do really mean well.  Life is busy, schedules are crazy...we're frantic trying to keep up with it all.  The day-to-day gets out of control and we don't really enjoy very much of it like we should.  So I am used to kind sentiment and wishful thinking on painting together.

Well, this time, these gals meant it.  

Here I am visiting with several ladies, while being so appreciative of all the encouragement for my recent art pursuits.  My family is patiently waiting for me in the car.  We're going to be one of the last to leave... And before I know it we're arranging to have an art workshop get-together on Thursday.  Oh.  Hmm.  Four days away.  Let's do this thing!  My mind is scrambling, I'm trying to picture how we'll set up and work in my studio with five or more of us here.  How much house cleaning needs to be done?!  In my heart, I absolutely love getting together like this and know it will be a terrific day.   It was a little bit of a shocker because plenty of people say, "let's get together" but it never pans out that way.

In the end, you just accept those God appointments and know 

He's going to bless it big time.  Ooh, this is exciting now!

First and foremost, I was making a strategy to clean up my studio (again) and arrange it in a way that works better.  This was already in the works...I have been using about half the space available.  My husband kids me that I no longer use the drafting table now that I have the drop-leaf table.  Then we resurrected the old cabinet which gave me more storage and more flat work surface.

So I sorted, packed up, got rid of and organized stuff.  With the addition of folding tables and chairs, it was all coming together.  I dug out the supplies I keep for teaching classes the night before.  At times it seemed like the mess got worse before it got better.  Whew!  I was a little worn out but I knew that when it was all over, this would be a great day.  I just love time spent with other women, so add art to that and it's a bonus.  

I still felt a little bit crazy for agreeing to this

but deep inside knew it was a great idea.  Here were other women, wanting to spend time doing something I really love.  I know it's therapeutic...that's part of why I do it.  While teaching workshops, I have seen participants get lost in the process.  There's just one problem:  It's not easy to make time for creative ambitions.  I know this for a fact.  I'm the one who kept letting it get further from me.  We have these huge plans for a jaw-dropping finished project and then face disappointment when we can't complete it to our standards.  It's hard to re-examine and set different expectations instead of labeling self as a failure.  We are not failing.  We are still pursuing and that's not failure.  Failure is admitting defeat and not trying again.  We can't do that to ourselves anymore.  What could we paint without trying something too ambitious?

I remembered the trees painted with gift cards.

Gifts cards...those little plastic pre-paid cards that are all used up.  Have you seen this before?  This is not my original idea.  I first saw this on Susie Short's Learning Watercolor site.  Wow!  What a treasure trove of wonderful information.  At the time, I was looking for ideas for workshops and it looked so fun.  To see the actual tutorial click here and then click the tutorial link under its photograph.  It is so quick, simple, and fun...try it with your kids.  They'll love it!