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Without the Artist

Woman in pasture with cow

"Everybody has own gifts from God. You just need to seize the right time, right place, and right person to be found." -Hiroko Sakai

 
Did you know that even among artists there are differences?
 
Yes, there are different styles, color palettes, subject preferences, and other factors relating to the art itself, but the differences go beyond the art. There are differences in beliefs, character, hobbies, families, and locations.
 
I've found that often it's the differences in how they were raised, where they are located, and who they interact with on a daily basis that can make some of the most interesting distinctions in their artwork. It is who the artist truly is internally and externally that often crops up in the artwork.
 
Having the privilege to work with artists around the globe, there are subjects, ideas, and inspirations that they see and are touched by that may never even enter my mind other than seeing their paintings. Even if they are a world away, you can be right there with them for that moment in time.

For me,

I not only help students along their artistic journeys, but I share my life on the farm. I'm pretty open about the pros and cons, the activities, and the daily living on the farm because that's where my heart is. Failures and successes, changes and constants, building and renovating, my students know art is only a part of my life and not all-encompassing to who I am.

For my students,

some have seen what I can only imagine seeing on a safari. Others are assisting orphans and animal shelters. I've watched their hearts rejoice at the births of grandbabies, hurt at the loss of spouses, light up talking about hobbies OUTSIDE of art, and weather the literal and figurative storms of this life.

Inspiration

 

There is so much more to artists that makes us different than just our art alone. Our experiences, our environments, and our people help scaffold us into who we are not just as artists but as people. So don't be afraid to put yourself out there and let the two worlds collide. Art is nothing without the artist.

The painting below was hand-painted in Adobe Photoshop CC using the Wacom Intuos Pro and the Wacom Art Pen. My inspiration is on the left.

example picture number 2
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