Friday's art themed article of interest: LEARN HOW TO PAINT YOUR FIRST EVER PAINTING

So all this looking at art has you inspired to try your own hand at painting? So what's stopping you! Today's art themed article of interest in Learn to Paint Your First Ever Painting. This article covers everything from selecting the paints, canvas and subject to covering technique and how to fix your mistakes.

A conversation with Julia Swartz: Part 10

What advice to you have for aspiring painters?

Don't worry about your style. I hear young artist say I've got to find my style. I would recommend that you just keep painting and painting and try different things and eventually your style will emerge. Never throw a painting away. As an artist you tend to be very critical of your own work. You may not like something very much when your done, but just put it in a drawer or put it away somewhere. Months or years later you may get it out and say "Oh, that's not so bad." I really treasure some of my first paintings and am glad I never threw them out.

Picture credit: "Moo Cow", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this cow art oil painting

A conversation with Julia Swartz: Part 1

Why do you paint?

Because I love to. It's fulfilling to me. I have to paint. It is who I am. I have to be creating one way or another. Right now it is painting on canvas.

Picture credit: Julia Swartz painting in her studio in Pennsylvania.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: AMERICAN ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION

For those who are new to following the Cow Art and More blog, I feature a different art-focused website on Fridays.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts is the American Art Therapy Association. My career in veterinary medicine does not allow for much creativity, so I love that I can express my artistic side by making jewelry. It's good for the brain! I chose to feature this website today because this group focuses on helping people heal mentally by learning and making art.

The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in art making is healing and life enhancing. Its mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy. The AATA represents approximately 5,000 members and 36 AATA State and Regional Chapters that conduct meetings and activities to promote art therapy on the local level.

A conversation with Jerry Gadamus: Part 10

What advice would you give aspiring painters?

Take classes in school in disciplines you may not like or are interested in. It allows you to experience things in school instead of having to buy a bunch of equipment later. I took my 4 to 5 years of college like most normal people, but a friend and I would continue to take 1 credit classes to be able to use the facilities. We were there in the evening enjoying it. I learned you’ll never make a living at it if you don’t enjoy it. Even if you’re good at it, but consider it a job, you’ll never make a living at it.

Linda Blondheim shares advice

What advice to you have for aspiring painters?

There is no substitute for easel time. Work hard, study hard. Do many practice paintings, Study areas of painting like values, color mixing,composition in small studies. That will improve your painting.

Picture credit: "Wacahoota Cattle Ranch", oil on canvas, 18 inches by 24 inches

Click here to read more about this painting