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Candace, age 15
Four Seasons
Young artists don't have many opportunities to show their artwork so I decided to host an online show. I received creative and inspiring entries from around the world!
I'm thrilled to invite you all to check out the Youth Art Show on my website by clicking on the image above or by going to http://charlenecollinsfreeman.com/young-artists-show/.
I love this celebration of art, young artists, and our amazing world and I think you will too! Kudos to all the artists who participated!
Enjoy!
There is a great feeling that goes along with completely cleaning out a palette and filling it up with a new line up of fresh watercolor paint.
Favorites are always evolving. Some colors make it into my palette for a particular painting I'm working on but then they become favorites and stick around. Or some colors we just outgrow as we discover new colors. And oh the joy of a fresh palette filled with new juicy paints!
So here is a list of my new line up and, zoowie, I'm so excited to start painting with them! These are all Daniel Smith professional grade paints (unless otherwise noted). Gorgeousness in a tube!
Aureole Yellow
New Gamboge
Quinacridone Gold *
Pyrrol Orange
Quinacridone Sienna
Transparent Pyrrol Orange
Red Hot Mamma (American Journey paint)
Alizarin Crimson *
Mayan Red
Quinacridone Rose *
Opera Pink
Ultramarine Violet
Quinacridone Purple
Cobalt Blue Violet
French Ultramarine *
Prussian Blue
Phthalo Blue *
Cobalt Teal Blue *
Phthalo Turquoise *
Hooker's Green
Sap Green *
Green Gold *
Undersea Green
Buff Titanium *
Payne's Gray *
Yellow Ochre *
Burnt Sienna *
Sepia
Van Dyck Brown
Neutral Tint
* These are my must haves. The rest are just wonderful additions.
What are your favorite brands and hues? Do share!
This is the story of a nine year old boy named Caine who built an elaborate cardboard arcade inside his father’s used auto part store during his summer vacation. The entire summer went by and Caine had not had a single customer. On the last day of summer, a filmmaker saved Nirvan Mullick stopped by to buy a door handle for his car. Nirvan became Caine's first customer.
Here's a little video about what happened next.
And if you feel as weepy and joyous as I did, watch this next short video to learn how Caine's Arcade inspired a movement!
And kudos to Caine's amazing dad who supported, encouraged, and allowed his son to pretty much overtake his storefront for the sake of fun and creativity.
There are a lot of great stories out there. Go find some. And then share them! We are all interconnected.
Here's another little video of another one of my sketchbooks. This is from a trip to Verona, Venice, Paris, London, and Ipswich that I took in 2014.
I will post more of my sketchbooks as I create the Flipagrams.
To view the sketchbook, click on any of the images above or click on https://flipagram.com/f/lowk42yN2u.
I hope you enjoy it!
One of my favorite sources of inspiration is the treasure trove of children's books. The stories and the illustrations both can be magical. I just discovered a new favorite. The latest addition to my children's books collection is You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey with artwork by Soyeon Kim.
You are Stardust introduces the idea that every tiny atom in our bodies came from a star that exploded long before we were born. It goes on to explain how we are each intimately connected to the natural world in gorgeous, uplifting, amazing ways. It will reignite your connection to the natural world and your intimate relationship to the world all around you.
In addition to the pure joy of its message and artwork, the information presented is grounded in current science! Such a simple book about some big ideas.
Love this book.
Recently I taught a class on watercolor glazing and details. I chose an image of a traditional still life to demonstrate various techniques. When it was all said and done though I was quite bored with my finished watercolor (image above).
At 22 x 30 inches, (a full size watercolor sheet), that was a lot of meh. It's important to not be too precious about one's artwork. That preciousness will hold you back. We think about all the time and effort that went into it. We worry that going one step further may "ruin everything." But the truth is, the hours spent painting and learning were hours spent painting and learning. That is never wasted time, regardless of the outcome. And it is in the pushing ahead that I've made my biggest strides. Risking mistakes, reaching for mastery, there is magic outside of our comfort zone.
So I pushed on with my still life, trying to create a je ne sais quoi. And I'm thrilled with the transformation (image below). Crazy background and all. It's a triumph for pushing on.
I wish us all some healthy risk taking today!
If you are an artist between 5 and 17 years old, you should participate!
You wouldn't think that it would be so difficult to commit to something that is supposed to be fun and inspiring but for me, like for so many others, it's so ingrained that I can't play until I've finished my work. And when is all the work ever done?
I need to get better about this and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Not just because, well, having fun! But also because playing is energizing, increases intelligence, is inspiring, is healthy, and, it brings joy to our life.
The idea of a habit of weekly Artist Dates is to make time for yourself at least once a week, to do something on your own, something that makes you happy, something that expands your world or that nourishes you.
So what better way to start than to put together a list of things I would enjoy doing on my artist dates. Please steal any you like and share your ideas for these self love dates!
1 Go for a walk with my camera.
2 Give myself a few hours unplugged from everything to just read a book.
3 Go to the movies.
4 Go to a museum with my sketchbook.
5 Garden.
6 Take myself our for a manicure and pedicure, a massage, and or a new hair cut.
7 Lay in the grass and watch the clouds.
8 Study great artists.
9 Try a new recipe.
10 Spend time browsing around Pinterest and create inspiration boards for recipes, projects, fashion, home decorating... anything that is joyful to me!
11 Take a cooking class.
12 Try something new: a new restaurant, a food I've never eaten, a class in something I know nothing about.
13 Yoga.
14 Plan a trip.
15 Write a letter to the person you plan to be in ten years.
16 Write a letter to your parents. Tell them what you are grateful to them for. Send it.
17 Start a 30 day project, like taking a self-portrait everyday for a month (maybe playing dress up for them) or writing down something I am grateful for every day.
18 Go to antique and junk shops..
19 Make a list of my best qualities.
20 Make a list of people I admire and why.
21 Make a playlist of songs that inspire me and then hang out listening to it all, maybe with some singing and dancing thrown in.
22 Go to a farmers market.
23 Create a vision board of my biggest dreams.
24 Make a bucket list.
25 Organize my house and donate what I no longer use or love.
26 Blare my favorite music while baking something delicious.
27 Walk the historical part of your town and make architectural sketches.
28 Collect fall leaves.
29 Watch a documentary.
30 Color in an adult coloring book.
31 Explore an old graveyard.
32 Play tourist in my own town.
33 Go to a cafe and read, write or sketch.
34 Carve out an hour and write notes, letters and cards to those you love. Mail them.
35 Spend time making lists of perfect presents for those you love.
36 Wine and dine myself.
37 Spend an afternoon working on that loose idea I have for a book.
38 Visit a church, temple, mosque or synagogue of a religion I don't follow. Try to understand more about and respect their beliefs and customs.
39 Try something outside of my comfort zone.
40 Make a gift basket for someone I care about for no reason at all and surprise them with it.
41 Try meditation (check out http://www.fragrantheart.com for free audio guided meditations)
Yes, do it.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ~ Mark Twain
Contact me to reserve your spot for the sketchbook workshop cruise to Alaska. There are just a few spots left!
Just for fun, I have begun a blog on behalf of Amelia, the beautifully crafted mouse made by a dear friend, Jann. I am not one for stuffed animals or dolls or miniatures, but when Amelia showed up, she definitely brought me joy. And I realized that maybe, this is Amelia's mission.
"The more joy we have the more nearly perfect we are." -Benedict De Spinoza
So.... Meet my friend Amelia!
She is an artist, a sketchbooker, a photographer, a foodie, and a traveler. Is there any wonder I'm so taken with her?
Amelia has recently launched a blog about her adventures in pursuing a joyful life. You can see her blog by clicking here.
You can also follow Amelia's amazing adventures on Facebook by clicking here and Instagram by clicking here. Amelia also has a card shop on Zazzle. She's a busy mouse.
Here's another little video of another sketchbook I completed a few years ago. I will post more of my sketchbooks as I create the Flipagrams.
To view the sketchbook, click on the image above or click on https://flipagram.com/f/aeyJhl35AI.
I hope you enjoy it!
My kindred spirit, sketchbook addict, and travel companion, Lynnea, gave me this gem of an art toolkit. Thank you Firecracker!
This kit was created by Maria Coryell-Martin of Expeditionary Art. On her website, Maria writes:
I believe in art as a tool for exploration, observation, and scientific inquiry.
I work in the tradition of traveling artists as naturalists and educators. Since 2005, I have focused on painting polar and glaciated regions where I have often collaborated with scientific teams. In the field, I sketch with ink and watercolor, and collect multimedia recordings to build my palette of place, a record of experience, climate, and color. I develop this work into studio paintings for exhibit as well as presentations and workshops for audiences of all ages to cultivate observation, scientific inquiry, and environmental awareness.
Which... well... wow! On her website's Shop page you will find this kit and several others.
Rock on Maria! You are an inspiration!
Here's a little video of a sketchbook I completed a few years ago. I will post more of my sketchbooks as my assistant (my awesome daughter, Cassi) gets my sketchbooks organized for me. And thank you Annie for all the scanning!
To view the sketchbook, click on the image above or click on https://flipagram.com/f/Fnv5LvKPVD.
I hope you enjoy it!
It's a cozy, rainy Friday - a perfect day to read. I have spent the last few hours listening to two of my favorite sounds, the rain on our skylights and our two Great Danes snoring, while reading Jeanne Carbonetti's The Tao of Watercolor, A Revolutionary Approach to the Practice of Painting.
More than a "how to," this book is an esoteric read on the philosophy of watercolors. Applying the principles presented in the Tao Te Ching, Jeanne writes about how to unite spirit, mind and body to achieve inspiration and craftsmanship in watercolors. The chapter headings include: Introduction: Beginner's Mind, Centering, Balance, Deliberateness, Playfulness, Flow, The Tao of Tools, Effortless Effort, and Conclusion: The Practice of Painting.
It was not exactly an easy read although I found it really enjoyable. Meditative in tone, central themes include not being self-critical, the joy of discovery, trusting one's creative journey, and mindfulness. All great themes for life!
Jeanne's painting style is very different than my own but I am drawn to learning from all corners of the world. Here is a painting I did following her book's suggestions.
When we create from the unity of body, mind, and spirit, we are one with our muse, and our work is always original, always powerful. ~ Jeanne Carbonetti
Happy Love Day!
Love yourself.
Love your dog.
Love your dessert.
Love the people you love!
I'm always excited to pull together my line up of classes and workshops for the next season and it's that time again! Here is the list of classes I will be teaching at Arts Umbrella this Spring. To see classes I will be offering at other locations in addition to Arts Umbrella, click on my Workshops page. You can register there too. Come get inspired!
And now for something completely different.... I made a little accordion style book.
Let me introduce "The Amazing Apple Seed" (watercolor on Arches watercolor paper).
Just click on the photo of the cover to see a little video of my handmade book.
I hope you enjoy!
I am a sketchbook addict and teach a few classes a year on ways to make sketch booking a part of every day life, whether our sketchbooks are focused on travels, nature, technique or just capturing our every day life. I absolutely love spreading the sketchbook magic.
Last Friday I was invited to give a two hour workshop at Silver Kite on the art of keeping a sketchbook. I showed my sketchbooks and favorite sketchbook supplies and waxed poetic on the joys of keeping a sketchbook. Then we launched into a drawing and watercolor exercises. Everyone was deeply engaged and enthusiastic. I had a great time and thank Silver Kite for the opportunity to spread the magic.
Silver Kite creates life changing intergenerational arts experiences, bridging generational gaps in families and communities. They use life stories as a basis for art-making, using creative play, storytelling, movement, and visual arts to share experiences, boost self-esteem, foster empathy and strengthen connections to self and community. Silver Kite is a resident partner at the George Center for Communitywhere they offer family arts workshops, arts happy hours, storytelling open mic events, and professional development workshops. Their Intergenerational Theatre Company is also based at George. Silver Kite develops arts programs in the community, partnering with K-12 schools, retirement communities, community centers, NGOs, and other organizations. A great organization!
I have spent the last week preparing for two new classes I will be teaching at a local community college this quarter. And as I put the final touches on tomorrow's lessons, I realized how happy I am. Teaching art really is the best gig ever.
A lifetime ago I had a corporate job, marketing for an architecture firm, and the idea of working full time as an artist and art teacher seemed like a pie in the sky dream. And it really is a dream of a job. I am so very, very lucky to absolutely love what I do for a living.
Thank you Universe!
The view from our hotel room. I took about an hour a day for three days to complete this ink and watercolor sketch in my 8 1/2 x 11 Stillman & Birn Zeta Sketchbook.
One week and eight sketches in Cozumel. Perfect vacation of sketching, reading, napping, and drinking mojitos. Gracias!
This impressive iguana showed up at the pool. I later heard that his name is Ferdinand. About 3 feet long, he was an impressive Marco to my Polo!
This is a sketch of one of our friends, Tiffany, who was on the trip with us. This little portrait turned out looking like a lot younger version of Tiffany. She was pleased with that.
I don't dive but Dave does, as do Joel and Drew. Diving was a big part of the trip for them and I wanted to include a sketch of this aspect of our vacation. I went through Dave's photographs and created this sketch from three different photos he had taken. Yes, that's a shark.
I sketched this beauty while I sat underneath it on the beach. No better way to spend an hour.
This page is the result of several five minute sketches done over about an hour sitting on the beach on our last full day in Cozumel.
This was Mandy's handsome cocktail, served in a pineapple. ¡Salud!