Have You Ghosted Your Art?

You've always wanted to create.

You felt you had an artistic side that was never allowed to see the light of day.

You had so many ideas you didn't know what to do with. You were bursting at the seams.

But you had to deal with the grind. You woke up, went to work or school, came home, slept, and did it all again. And again. 

Was there time to be an artist?

You weren't sure, but you had to try.

You found a little time here and there. Sometimes on the weekend, sometimes after work. Or maybe before work. It wasn't about money--you just wanted to do it for the love of painting or drawing or writing.

Maybe you set up a corner in your house with your supplies; easel, paints, pastels, drawing table, or writing desk. When you went out, your bag was full because you carried your sketchbook everywhere you went.

You got into a groove. 

You looked forward to that special time with your muse. Maybe you made some tea or coffee. Turned on your favorite music. You connected to the spirits of creativity and couldn't believe it was 4 am when you finally, covered in paint and exhilarated, put down your paint brush.

Sometimes your went to school or work exhausted, but it was worth it.

You found some "real" artists on social media. Their work was admirable. They had opinions about how to do art the right way. You must:

   • Fill a sketchbook every month.
   • Draw at least two hours a day.
   • Take a class. Or two. Or three.
   • Sign up for social groups with other artists.
   • Write 2,000 words a day.
   • Join Instagram, Facebook, and the social media site formerly known as Twitter
   • Start a blog and record everything you do for YouTube.
   • Have a gallery show within a year or else...

...you're not really an artist.

These suggestions can be important and helpful individually, but the world wide web dumps everything on us at once. Sometimes it's hard to know where to start and with what. 

So you followed and felt inspired...kinda.

By default you made some friends in the art world. 

You shared manuscripts or critiqued one another's art.

You started a few projects.

And then your friend got a publishing deal. Or a gallery show.

And you were over it.

Well--maybe not completely over it, but dread crept into the scenario. You felt a tap, tap, tap on your shoulder and the little voices began to ask...is this what you really what you really want to do with your time?

Suddenly you don't want to be an artist at all.

The magic vanished, and it was replaced with anxiety. 

So you ghosted your practice.

And it felt great.

You didn't feel guilty about not meeting the important art milestones social media had imposed. You got more sleep. And you were happy to see the friends and family that you had been neglecting because of your hobby.

You didn't want to even look at the painting you started. Or read your partially completed manuscript. You worked so hard on them! But it felt rebellious to ignore them...like homework you got away without doing.

You had brunch at the cafe, talked on the phone until your battery died, and admired your neat(ish) house.

A few weeks later you found yourself watching Seinfeld reruns and shopping on Amazon. Your artist's voice spoke to you again and asked why watching television was better than your art. Leave me alone! you thought. I'm calm.I'm relaxing! But as you walked past your art supplies or laptop, you felt a little tug at your creative heart.

But it was a tiny little yank--and it was easily ignored.

You didn't get an agent. Or a gallery show. Your friend did. 

(Even though she'd been practicing her craft for the past 20 years, you disregarded that logic for the time being.)

And you continued to ignore your calling for a few more weeks--or maybe months. You also ignored the gurus.

And you felt renewed...

...except for the fact that you desperately missed drawing. Or painting, writing, or sculpting.

So you started again--but this time you ignored the voices that made you feel less...they didn't do it on purpose after all. 

This time you take it slow.

You take your time and you get better at your art at your pace. You get better because you can't help but improve if you keep going.

One day you finish your first portrait or manuscript or drawing. 

It's not perfect, but it's yours, and it's done. 

And you can't wait to start the next one.

Just know that you'll probably hit a wall somewhere along the line in your art journey--and it's fine. In fact--you'll hit many. It's okay to stop and start again. You're not a failure. Take your time and enjoy every minute...even the imperfect moments. 

Listen to your muse...she's talking to you.

XO

(That voice that pulls you away from your destiny, according to Steven Pressfield, is called resistance. 

Read more about this amazing and terrible force in THE WAR OF ART.

And get creating.)

 

Why Coloring and Art Can Be Therapeutic

Can drawing, painting, crafting, coloring, and even doodling be GOOD for us?

Well, I always thought so, but turns out I am not the only one.

Shutterstock photo from Africa Studio

It seems that creating art is a type of meditation...calming, centering, and "an active training of the mind that increases awareness and emphasizes acceptance of feeling and thoughts without judgement and relaxation of the body and mind." (The Washington Post)

Most will also agree that art seems to take us elsewhere, a place of peace and healing, where we can escape from the stress of everyday life. Turns out this escape is actually good for us, too. Art helps us connect to our inner selves, the true beings we were meant to be. When we listen to our own, very often negative thought loops, we can create self-doubt, insecurity, and fear. Hobbies like drawing, crafting, and coloring allow us to break free from this mind-chatter and get into a free-flowing, alpha wave inducing flow, something we very much need. Alpha wave biofeedback has been used to treat depression and anxiety. (Psychology Today)

Speaking of brain waves, "alpha waves are produced when you are awake but relaxed and not processing too much information, such as first thing in the morning, just before you go to sleep, when you're daydreaming, or practicing meditation. Alpha activity has been linked to a reduction in stress, anxiety, discomfort, and pain. It may also boost memory." (Caba) 

Meditation is not for everyone. Sitting cross-legged on the floor and focusing on a tone or trying to have no thoughts seems counter-intuitive to calmness to some. Yes expert after expert claim the benefits of the inner stillness and mind-emptying that meditation creates. How wonderful to know that when we create art, we are creating the same type of benefits for ourselves, along with an outward expression of this work that we can look at, share and enjoy. Eckhart Tolle writes, "All artists , whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness," which is just the state--or non-state--that meditation is trying to create.

Not every artist or colorist is on social media, but Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms are the perfect place to find others who have the same hobbies as you do. Studies have shown that loneliness is a very stressful state. Coloring groups, art pages, and drawing communities are a great place to find like minded people, and possibly some new friends. Some say being an artist can be a lonely endeavor, but now there are ways to connect even if we have to stay home.

One final word, you do NOT have to be Leonardo da Vinci to experience the joy and benefits of art, coloring, or crafting. Find your thing and do it with gusto...and do not seek approval from anyone.

Here's your homework...get two blank sheets of paper, or coloring pages, and, with NO attempt at GOOD RESULTS, draw or color something just because you want to. Maybe use colors you have never thought to use, or a different medium, color outside the lines if you want...JUST GO FOR IT. See where you end up. Take your time or hurry up--just don't be attached to the outcome. See what happens...you might be surprised.

XO

P.S. I'd love to see what you end up doing. You can find me in my coloring gallery on Facebook, or in my studio. dealenihan@gmail.com Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

CLICK HERE to see my ETSY Shop, ArtbyDea.

Follow me on Instagram.

My New Coloring Book EVERYDAY MAGIC Is Coming Soon!

Finally!

My newest coloring book, EVERYDAY MAGIC, is at the printer.

Preorder NOW

It's been way too long, so thank you for your patience.

Everyday Magic is about the wonder of the ordinary, and the amazing things that happen to all of us in our day-to-day lives.

It all started as I was taking photos of the super moon in Watchung, New Jersey. As a giant tangerine orb rose over the skyline of NYC, I thought to myself that it would be hard to imagine something more amazing. My mind wandered, and I realized that little things happen all the time that we so often overlook. 

Not long after, I was thinking of a friend I hadn't spoken to for a bit, and the phone rang...who do you think it was? Yup. Another example of Everyday Magic.

I started to look for magic...and you know what? The more I looked the more I found.

I thought of a blue feather...on purpose...and a gray/blue feather ended up on my porch the next day.

I had a conversation with a friend about the possibility of UFOs and life on other planets...five minutes later my husband called my out to the deck to see two very strange sets of lights in the night sky. Aliens? No...but it was amazing thinking they could have been until they were close enough for us to realize they were planes.

Some of these magical things that happened were so uncanny it seemed that something otherworldly was intervening, so in the book I represented those moments in the book with images of fairies or elves, or sometimes animals and plants that are part of out everyday lives.

EVERYDAY MAGIC Artist's Edition is available on Etsy for PRESALE AT THIS LINK right now. It has 30 single sided images printed on thick, lovely artist's grade paper. The binding is removable, so each sheet can be colored on a clipboard or desk. No need to cut or rip. The pages can them be replaced inside the binding for safe keeping.

The Amazon Edition will follow a few weeks later, with two copies of each image for double the coloring fun. Both books are 8.5 x 11.

I am currently conducting a COLORING CONTEST. The winner will be featured on the back of the Amazon version of EVERYDAY MAGIC...I hope you enter. Click here to be directed to the DEA LENIHAN Coloring Gallery to enter:  CLICK TO ENTER

Here are some images...hope you like them! With a little hocus pocus, I'm sure you will do your OWN magic and make these images come to life. Coloring isn't as "cool" as Kylie Jenner, but I wouldn't want my magic any other way.

Thank you for reading! 💗xo Dea

Accidental Coloring Discovery with Tombow Pens and Faber Castell Pencils

I love happy accidents.

Today I discovered that working with Tombow watercolor markers and colored pencils, Faber-Castell Poychromos pencils to be specific, is a match made in heaven.

If you put down a layer of color with the Tombow pens and wait about a minute for it to dry, you can color over the top with colored pencils. This allows for subtle shading and detailing which can be a problem when using markers alone.

I also went over the top of the whole thing with a Uni-ball Signo white pen. This also worked well.

Here is a quick video with a demo. Stay tuned--I'll be doing a whole picture soon.

Have a great weekend!

xo

The Top FIVE Coloring Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

From COLORING DREAMS Coloring Book

We are still riding the adult coloring wave, and it does not look like it will crash anytime soon.

From cute fairies to exotic fantasies and explicit curse books, we can't get enough of our favorite new past time.

But are there certain things to avoid in the relaxing coloring world?

*DISCLAIMER* Coloring is just plain old fun. If you are doing it, having a ball, and do not want to change a thing--keep on coloring! Read on, what I write might surprise you.

Do you:

1.  Use the same pressure on every area when using colored pencils?

 Some color with a light touch and some are heavy handed. If you want an artistic look to your pictures, vary the pressure you use. Pressing very hard gives a very bright, opaque finish to the area you are coloring. If you press very hard you will burnish the area which means there will be a shine or gloss to the area you are coloring, and any tooth on the paper will be flattened. This technique is great for some areas, not for others. Don't be afraid to experiment. Pressing lightly gives the area a more translucent feel, and layering with color and even texture is possible.

2.  Color in every single space on every single picture?

Occasionally you will be stuck to figure what color to use. This might mean that you don't need any color at all, and the space should be left white. Some pictures look gorgeous with every area filled in with bright and vibrant colors--but some do not. Sometimes the negative space around the subject of the picture helps the focus to remain on the subject. Other times the negative space may be an interesting design itself. 

3.  Only color what you already like?

When we are kids, we are fearless and we learn what we like from trying practically everything, at least once. As we get older, we fall into patterns and feel we already know what we like, and do not like. I spoke to some colorists recently, and many said they didn't think they would like to draw people, or houses, or any number of things, and when they tried, they loved it! So give it a whirl. Throw yourself at some new coloring themes and see where you stick.

4.  Have the feeling that more is better?
How would it feel to have an endless supply of colored pencils or markers? Or enough gel pens to cover an entire wall? Sounds divine. Sure having a choice is nice, but having a smaller amount can be wonderful, too. When I illustrated a children's book many years ago, the only thing I used to color it was a set of 24 Conte charcoal pencils. It got published, and spent one lovely weekend featured at The Eric Carle Museum of Storybook Art. Practice blending colors. Using a blending stick or turpenoid helps too. You may surprise yourself. Also, having less pencils is a great study in color theory. You are forced to make new shades out of necessity, and the skill translates when you have even more pencils. Oh, the colors you will create! (Now that being said--I think almost everyone agrees the seemingly endless choices we have in coloring books styles is GOOD.) You can try this too: choose three or four colors and finish the entire picture using only the colors chosen. You may be in for a treat if you have not done this before. (BTW--my coloring book COLORING DREAMS is based on the children's book I illustrated.)

5.  Try to make every image perfect?
Yes, there is beauty in photo realism--to have that wonderful ability to recreate what already exists. But there is another kind of awe in creating something that has never existed before. Use your imagination--no one is stopping you. If you color, you are an artist, and you can use your creativity in any way you like. Unlike a job or a duty, coloring is YOUR thing, and you can create any world you like. If it makes YOU happy, DO IT. No one gets hurt here, and in my humble opinion, putting a smile on your own face helps you spread the joy. Even if you are not the best colorist on the earth,(there is only one and no one knows who that is) do what thrills you. Everything has cracks--that is how the sun gets in. (Leonard Cohen)

Even though I named this article The Top Five Coloring Mistakes, in reality, I truly do not think we can make mistakes when we color. We may learn what we like to color, or what pencils are our favorites, and even new techniques, but one of the truly beautiful things about coloring is that there aren't really any terrible mistakes, just things we might learn. 

Now go grab your pencils, I have wasted enough of your coloring time.

xo

You can buy COLORING DREAMS HERE.

Click HERE for my website and see my additional coloring books.

Join my newsletter HERE for coloring tips, once a month free pages, giveaways, and educational and product videos.

Join my Facebook COLORING GALLERY to post your coloring pages and receive motivation, tips, and a great coloring family HERE.

Congratulations to the Penelope's Garden Coloring Book Giveaway

Congratulations to the three winner of Penelope's Coloring Book Giveaway!

Each winner will receive a copy of Penelope's Garden Coloring and a glow in the dark marker to light up the coloring book in the dark.

Thank you for entering!

Coloring Dreams SALE for ONE WEEK

COLORING DREAMS is on sale for one week at a discounted back to school price.

Save $4 and make your Coloring Dreams come true!

BUY from WEBSITE

 CLICK HERE for smaller framed 8 x 10 version

CLICK HERE for larger full page 81/2 x 11 version

Coloring for Your Inner Artist

Hello coloring friends!

There is nothing like opening a beautiful coloring book, picking up one of the many pencils or pens available, and settling in to start a picture.

It is relaxing, and even doctors are recommending it for calming the mind and creating focus.

There are many types of people in the world, but I do believe that we are all born creative. When we are small we fiercely search out things to keep our mind stimulated. We looked for and found beauty everywhere. Give us two sticks, a few crayons, and a couple of leaves and we would create a masterpiece.

Some of us were sadly talked out of our relentless search for creativity for more "realistic" pursuits.

I believe this is where coloring comes in.

It is a way to free our inner artist without intimidation. We don't have to be Picasso to create a beautiful image.

We have a reason to go to the art store and search through the Polychromos pencils, the Copic or Tombow markers, and the Conti pastels.

From the soon to be released coloring book COLORING DREAMS

Don't be afraid to try things that feel odd or different. Leaves do not have to be green!

Be brave with your art, and with every stroke you will become more of an artist.

Sign up below to receive monthly artistic coloring tips and art motivation from Coloring Club Press Newsletter.

Click HERE to sign up now! 

Have a great week!

xo Dea

Congratulations CORRINA LORRAINE! Winner of the Coloring Dreams Giveaway!

I am happy to announce the winner of the Coloring Dreams giveaway is CORRINA LORRAINE!

She will receive the first copy of Coloring Dreams, and a 24 set of Prismacolor pencils.

Please stay tuned! Coloring Dreams is the first book in The Coloring Club, where members receive a beautiful coloring book by artist Dea Lenihan delivered right to the front door, along with an art supply that is suited to the book of the month. 

So once again--CONGRATULATIONS CORRINA!

P.S. Please keep on eye on your email--everyone that entered is getting a small gift from me. 

xo Dea

Colorful April Giveaway ~ Five More Days!

Happy April!

I am happy to announce that the April giveaway is a kickoff to the new venture, Coloring Book of the Month Club. 

This first book is called Coloring Dreams and will be given with a set of 24 Prismacolor pencils.

Cover!

Prismacolor pencils are known for their vibrant and long lasting colors, and they are a favorite of many.

The details of the Coloring Book of the Month Club will be released in the near future. 

In the meantime enter the contest. The book will be released in early May. If you would like to be on the alert list please leave your name and email address below. 

Good luck!

xo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Artists, Watermark Your Work

As artists we realize the importance of sharing our work, and we also realize the danger.

We create original pieces, and are always at risk of someone taking advantage and using them without our permission.

I found several watermark companies today, and after trying them, I found that for the work I am doing now, Visual Watermark is the easiest to use, and the trial period is free. After that, there are three levels to purchase, ranging from a one-time payment of $19.95 for one computer to $39.95 for up to ten computers.

Visual Watermark walked me through every step, from download to watermark image storage. 

I chose to use my name and a relatively transparent watermark. You will be able to choose the transparency, font, color, and design for your watermark.

You can also create a watermark in Photoshop or Illustrator if you have them, although you would not be able to do a large amount at one time.

We should also share our work on social media on low resolution, so a reproduction would be very difficult, if not impossible.

Our work is valuable, and we should do all we can to keep it safe.

Find Visual Watermark HERE.

Here is a link to a post of Nine Best Software To Ad Watermarks. I tried them all. CLICK HERE. 

Tell me what you think!

xo 

Congratulations to our February Giveaway Winner!

Our February Six Shades of Grey Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens winner is RUY MORRIS!

Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Our new giveaway will be listed tomorrow ~ I have a feeling it will be a favorite to those who like art and to be pampered a bit.

Congrats again Ruy!!

xo

Art and Meditation

I have a friend who always tells me that I should meditate. She tells me it does many wondrous things.

I don't disbelieve her, but whenever I try it sometimes feels like overkill.

Most people can meditate, and I wondered why I had such an issue, and why I felt so antsy.

I think I have an answer.

When I am drawing I have to focus. I do not like having conversations, or even recording myself when I am doing serious work. Music is OK, but that is about it for input. 

I think art is my meditation.

Big Sister Goes to School

I do not think of problems, solutions, people, money, or any other worldly problems--I just draw. It is rhythmic, peaceful, and time stands still.

It is a separateness from reality and a bit of a delve into magic.

This week I looked at a deck of tarot cards drawn by artist James Eads. I was shuffling and the High Priestess card fell out. The High Priestess is the card of the subconscious, where ideas and creativity are first conceived.

We need to listen to our intuition and meditate in our own way. Some go outside and say nature is their church. Some meditate. I do art. Maybe you do too.

Stay tuned. I am in the process of creating a book just for artists. We are a special breed. We should not forget that.

xo 

Rule Your Own Life

Change can be hard when you are used to living your life a certain way. Not only hard for you, but others also.

If you are used to doing everything for everyone and putting yourself on the back burner, it may come as a shock to them when they have to start putting away their own socks. Many times when we find ourselves angry and exhausted it is because we are doing things we no longer need to do. 

Yep, your 15 year old can do his own laundry.

So get used to it! 

The same goes for your art. It is your own world and you can make it any awesome way you like.

Little Ruby

 If you like black and white and red all over, go for it. Glorious colors are your thing? Don't hold back.

You do not have to try and follow someone else's style because they are popular. Make your own style, then find the people who like it. There are Facebook groups, Google hangouts, Meetups, and endless social media forms where you can find your people.

Ruby, grown up.

So stop conforming! 

Be like a comet and blaze your own trail. 

xo

Oh! Don't forget to enter the February Art Giveaway RIGHT HERE. Good luck!

(This blog was inspired by awesome art agent Lilla Rogers and her Monday Moments. You can find her HERE.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sending some love your way this Valentine's Day!

I have a downloadable card for you.

Hugs, kisses, and a big virtual Valentine box of chocolates.

xo

Click HERE to download Tweetheart

February Art Giveaway HERE! 

An Artistic Plan ~ How to Enhance Your Creativity Even as a Beginner + Downloadable Journal Page

Pablo Picasso said "the chief enemy of creativity is good sense."

This is probably true, but as you can tell there are some inherent issues with this statement. I am certainly not trying to argue with the master of creativity who would surely say that his art came before anything else.

But many of you out there live in a home, possibly have a car, have some type of job, and eat on a regular basis. Most would say their family comes before anything. Having good sense allows us to keep our homes and jobs, eat decent meals, and stay out of jail. That being said I cannot be a complete proponent of throwing good sense to the wind.

But if we can laser focus our good sense to our artistic endeavors, I think the advice is perfect.

Rejected

A few years ago I was chosen to illustrate a children's book. The text was lovely and I instantly had an idea of what the pictures should look like. I quickly put together several images and sent them over--and they were just as quickly rejected. 

So I tried again, and again, and again--no luck.

All my great ideas were gone. 

At this point I had nothing to lose. I drew a far more grown up image, but the made me happy. I loved the colors and the whirling dreamy background. I figured what the hell! At least I could go out with a bang.

Accepted

 Those were the pictures that were chosen for the book. 

I had nothing attached to them--no fear, no worries, no preconceived notions. I figured it was already too late, and a tiny voice in the back of my head said the images would never work. So I sent them.

My roundabout point is this: sometimes the thing that gets in our way the most is our own negative thinking. 

So when it comes to art, do what they say in Frozen: LET IT GO!

If any of you are true beginners here is my advice:

* Go out and get whatever you like to create with--markers, paints, yarn, fabric--whatever! (Even if you are scared and you never tried, all the more reason to go for it.)

* Find a magazine or Google article about whatever medium you chose. 

*  Choose a project--a picture, a painting, anything--and copy it. (That's right--copy. You can trace, copy, recreate, or do your own version of anything you see. Some people need this little kick start for their creativity--especially if they have not used it since they were little. Plus copying or tracing actually helps you learn very quickly. Before you know it you'll be itching to create your own stuff.)

*Start right away and DO NOT worry about being perfect.

* Finish it!

* Start another.

* On the same day you start this project, get a notebook or journal--even a piece of paper will do, and write about your artistic dreams each morning. Feel free to tear out the page and rip it up after you write if you are afraid someone will read it. (Great idea from a friend). The point isn't to have a book to read when you are done, but to get your mind on creativity and what it means to you. Just do one page, and try and include one positive thing you are feeling about your creative process. Also, follow Picasso for this too--just write with abandon, write from your soul. This could be something you have waited to do for years. (I have included a downloadable journal page to hopefully inspire you HERE. It is free, and you can rip it up when you are done if you like.)

* Last but not least, do art with kids. Watch how free they are, they are not worried, just happy to be in the creative moment.

I'd love to see your work--especially if you are just starting. I feel art is so important and can be a wonderful way to express yourself.

Here are some words of wisdom that every. single. creative needs to hear. Only two minutes and super worth it. Click HERE

Video Cat

Today's video is How to Draw a Cute Cartoon Cat. If you like it I hope you share it with a young person who likes art too.

Don't forget to enter the Six Shades of Grey Faber-Castell Giveaway HERE for a chance to win SIX Faber-Castell PITT artist pens. Good luck!


xo

February Art Giveaway ~ Six Shades of Grey PITT MARKERS by Faber-Castell

Happy February! The groundhog says we are to expect an early spring!! XO

Although it is the shortest month of the year, there is still plenty going on.

This month we are a set of Faber-Castell PITT artist pens in SIX Shades of GREY. These are terrific for cartoons, manga, architectural design and any kind of sketching you can think of! 

Grey is interesting, and most think of grey as one color. But all my art friends will know that grey can be cool, warm, or even neutral. The PITT Faber-Castell pens are permanent and water resistant.

\

I love black and white and grey--and I hope you do too. 

Good luck! 

Enter below.

xo


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Creepy Honeymoon Drive and How to Draw a Big-Eyed Frog

My parents celebrated their 55th anniversary this week. When asked about their most fond memories, the first thing they talked about was their drive from New Jersey to Florida. 

They were going to stay at a friend's hotel for their honeymoon, and they decided to drive the whole way. 

First of all, the bridge going through Savannah was covered in ice, and they were one of the last vehicles allowed through. The policeman directing traffic saw their Jersey plates and assumed they could handle it. 

As it got darker, they entered the Okefenokee swamp. They told me they were surrounded by moss covered trees, swamp grass, and the roads were covered with over a foot of water in some places. By the time it was completely dark they were so into the swamp that there were no street lights. 

They kept going anyway. 

After driving for what seemed to be forever, and listening to unusual night noises including what sounded like a very large frog, they saw a light in the distance. 

When they got close enough they could see it was one light bulb hanging from a wire, illuminating a toll booth.

They paid their dime, found out they were indeed going in the right direction, and found the next creepy little roadside inn. They spend the night, woke to see a giant swamp behind the motel, and continued on their journey.

Happily, when they finally got to their honeymoon destination the lodging was lovely and they had a wonderful time.

So in honor of their great adventure I decided this week to draw the Okefenokee frog.

Hope you have fun drawing him.

Don't forget to enter the JETPENS brush pen giveaway! It ends this Sunday. You can sign up HERE to win. Frogs were drawn with the TOMBOW brush pen from the set.

xo

This week learn to draw a Big Eyed Frog. Have fun!

Here is another image from The Open Pillow.

Be Yourself ~ Not As Easy As It Sounds in the ART World (And How to Draw a Grumpy Bunny)

The internet has made what Disney called a small world even smaller. We get information in the blink of an eye, and we are exposed to far more than any other time in history.

We can get news from the other side of the globe faster than if your neighbor ran over from next door. What was once underground and very hard to see can now be considered mainstream. 

The web has leveled the art playing field somewhat--what was once relegated to a very select group can now be viewed by millions with the right amount of retweets or shares.

We see hundreds if not thousands of images a day as visual artists. We are lucky enough to look at the work of our peers, and in a matter of seconds we can find millions of images to help as reference points for our work.

Looking at other beautiful artwork can certainly elevate our practice, but I feel it can't help but influence our style, too. When we see a color combination we love we get excited and want to try and incorporate it into our work too. A new medium can have us running to the store so we can try it at home.

It is hard enough to develop a style that is recognizable yet unique, and now we have to contend with the daily hyper-viewing of images.

I am not complaining! I love the web and I love that I can see all the lovely art I could I ever dream of. But I am just a tad more aware of the fact that I need to stay true to me and my style, and not get seduced by something bright and shiny.

Every Friday I will be sharing a video that is geared towards helping kids learn to draw. I will be demonstrating in a way I liked to learn as a child--with fun and fancy images that are easily repeated and not too complicated. This week it is the grumpy bunny from the image above.

Please feel free to share this post or video with any artistic little ones you may know.

This is an image from a book I illustrated a few years ago for author David Rowinski called The Open Pillow. Another style for PPF.

So get going! Draw draw draw with abandon--and help your kids do the same. Before you know it you will have your own amazing style.

xo

Drawn with the Kuretake brush pen.

Yes! You CAN Make Money as an ARTIST and Be Happy

We all want our children to be happy and successful. We want to give them every opportunity and help them find the "thing" that they were made to do.

Many are especially happy if their children decide to become something professional, like a doctor or a lawyer. Getting into finances is smiled upon by many because it is assumed a good living will be made. 

Then there are the careers that parents are not thrilled about. There are plenty I do not have to mention, but sadly some of them are in the field of the arts. 

The term starving artist certainly came from somewhere, but happily a passion for the arts does not mean your child will be destitute and destined to live in your house until they get a real job.

Here are some jobs in the art field that make a very good living:

Graphic Artist - The average yearly income for a graphic artist is over $46,000. 

Fine Artist - All told, illustrators, sculptors, photographers, and painters made an average of $53,200 per year. (According to Google, if you live in Delaware you will hit the jackpot in this field, earning over $133,000.) Not bad.

Video Game Designer - Many hate that their kids are fascinated by video games. They should not feel too bad if their child decides they want to design these games for a living because the average salary for someone designing these attention-grabbers is almost $87,000 a year. 

Book Illustrators - Do your kids doodle all over everything? GOOD. If they decide they want to illustrate books for a living they can earn $53,000 a year or more. Medical illustrators make even more, starting at $61,000, and some making upwards of $250,000. 

Courtroom Illustrator - For those interesting in law AND art, earning $42,000 to be a courtroom illustrator is the perfect answer.

Storyboarding - Almost all films are made using a storyboard artist to plan the shots before filming. Film storyboarders can expect to earn over $84,000 a year, those in advertising around $64,000.

And there are more. Fashion illustrators, comic book artists, forensic artists, architect, tech designer, car designer, special effects expert, potter, jeweler, playground or golf course designer, landscape architect, art directors, and clothing designers can all make wonderful livings, and the list goes on.

So have no fear if your son or daughter decides on the arts, have no fear. Help them out by showing them websites dedicated to the arts, taking them to museums, or local shows. Even if you are not an artist yourself you can ask about their interests and find out about what they love.

Following a dream to a career is one of the most fulfilling things that can happen to a person. According to Maslow it is a peak experience. The ones that support and assist and help these dreams come true are real life angels.

So let them be artists--in fact help them become artists. Because we all know the EARTH without ART is just...eh.

xo