Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAINTING FOR YOUR LIVING ROOM

The living room is generally the place people use the most. It makes a great area for family to congregate or to entertain guests when they visit. Choosing artwork to beautify the space can be an overwhelming decision. Today's article, "How to choose the right painting for your living room, " helps to simplify the points people need to consider when making such a decision.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 8

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Yes. One advantage of making art is that it is usually a solitary environment, so the less favorable pieces can go unseen, covered up, tossed or used as a teaching tool.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: DAILY ART FIXX

Friday's website of interest about art is Daily Art Fixx, a website dedicated to focusing on a particular art or style daily. The author is Wendy Campbell, a Canadian artist who has devoted time to learning more about other artists and their work. Says Campbell, "This blog is a way for me to immerse myself in art - to learn more about the masters and discover what’s going on in the art world right now. Each day there will be something new - it might be an artist profile, a product, book, or event review, or just a nifty tip that I come across."

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: ARTY FACTORY

Today's art website of interest is ArtyFactory. This website teaches any beginner the basics of art appreciation. Art Appreciation is the knowledge and understanding of the universal and timeless qualities that characterize all great art. The more one appreciates and understands art from different eras, movements, styles and techniques, the better one can evaluate any art work. Even only if an interest in art is simply for personal enjoyment, a greater knowledge of art history and an understanding of pictorial elements, such as composition and technique, should increase appreciation of art and enhance the pleasure derived from looking at it.

A conversation with Jerry Gadamus: Part 1

Why do you paint?

I enjoy it and find I need to do it to maintain sanity.

Picture credit: "Got Beef", airbrush on canvas

Click here to go to Cow Art and More to see more information about this airbrush painting

A conversation with Lynn Bishop: Part 11

What advice do you have for aspiring painters?

Learn to draw. Learning facility with drawing materials is the fundamental skill in painting, regardless of whether you want to do realistic or impressionistic or abstract painting - take a look at Picasso's magnificent early drawings. By learning to manipulate the fundamentals of form - line, edges, and values - in gray scale, without having to deal with color, makes the whole process of learning to draw not easy, but a bit easier.

Linda Blondheim gives insight into her work

What else would you like people to know about your work that they may not know already?

My work is thematic in approach. I will explore themes and subjects for long periods, because intense study of a subject reveals its soul. I also base many of my paintings on particular studies of technique. This is the way we grow as a painter.

I love the land, animals, people, cooking and culture of my beloved South. I am particularly indebted to the farmers, ranchers and land conservationists who allow me to paint on their private lands.

Picture credit: "Wood Farm", 18 inches by 24 inches, oil on canvas

Click here to see more information about this painting

Linda Blondheim's conversation begins

Why do you paint?

It's in my soul. I started painting at eight years old and never stopped.

More Agriculture and Art in the Pacific Northwest

Today's website of interest to agriculture and art enthusiasts is from Oregon State University.

Art About Agriculture encourages artists to investigate the visual resources of the science of agriculture. It strives to develop an understanding and appreciation of food and fiber production. The program was established in 1983 as the first annual arts competition and tour exhibit with an agricultural theme. It recognizes professional and emerging Pacific Northwest artists, while creating a permanent collection of fine art based on and portraying agriculture. The collection is exhibited throughout Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest.

Valerie's advice for other artists

What advice do you have for wanna-be artists?

If I—a little ol’ lady school teacher--can do it, you can do it! I taught college English or served as a college administrator my entire career, never having picked up a paintbrush until I was 58 years young. You, too, have something to express, whether it’s joy or pain, hope or despair. Paint is a great place to start. Don’t restrict yourself with “I can’t draw” (neither can I, my friend); or “What will people think?” (who cares?) or “I’m too old” (as long as your fingers or toes or mouth can hold a brush to dip into paint, you’re plenty young enough).

Picture credit: "Mint chip moos", acrylic on canvas

Valerie in action

A picture of Valerie at the easel putting her thoughts on paper!

Valerie's technique

What is your technique?

I usually use acrylic paint, although sometimes I have used watercolor. I’ve never tried to oil paint. I notice that red, black, white, and yellow usually turn up. Although I started out painting on paper, now I seem to prefer stretched canvas or canvas board.

Picture credit: "Bovine Ballerinas", 16" x 20", acrylic

Valerie at class!

Valerie has included a picture of herself taking one of Linda Blondheim's classes!