Have you ever been inspired by a work of art and wanted to create something like it? Noticing what you are drawn to in an another artist’s work and putting your own spin on it is the first step in finding your own style. Copying another artist’s works is a major no-no.  But studying the […]

Not sure what painting supplies and tools to grab from your studio when heading out on a trip?   OK, obviously you can’t take large canvases. But you don’t even need to take all the paint tubes you usually use in the studio.  Even though I primarily paint with acrylics I don’t bring more than a few tubes […]

You can pick up new ideas for your paintings just by watching other artists as they paint. In this first of two videos in which I create a 36×36″ abstract painting from scratch, I explain my process step-by-step, from the background I apply at the beginning to some surprising tools I use to create special […]

I see a lot of people on social media asking others who follow them, “Do you think this is finished?” But that’s not a decision for others to make. Only you can ultimately make that decision. So trust yourself. To make your painting successful it’s important to have enough variety in all the different areas, […]

Color charts, value guides, paper palettes, books on artists’ processes — in this video I offer my collection of essential painting resources, references and painting aids to make it easy for you to achieve the results you want in your abstract painting. Please click here or on the video below to watch. One of my […]

Sometimes a painting isn’t “working” and you’re not sure why. Is the composition unbalanced? Isthere too much yellow? Is there not enough contrast? Much of the work an artist does involves creative problem solving and becoming adept at problemsolving will lower your frustration and help you develop your painting skills more quickly. Click here to […]

Would you ever think of using a CD rack as a tool for painting? It’s not just traditional paint brushes that you can use to paint with. Sponges, bamboo skewers, pipe cleaners and, yes, CD racks. There are lots of different tools that can be used for applying paint to a canvas and each tool […]

Yes, a great artist can do a lot with a simple No. 2 pencil.  But even the great ones find that some styles and media suit them better than others.  And one’s preferences may change.  When health issues afflicted Henri Matisse in the 1930s and he could no longer paint he turned to collage and […]

Imagine your task is to fill a 20×40-foot space with art and collectibles that are fresh and different from what you offered at the previous show.  That’s a challenge I’m currently dealing with — and greatly enjoying — in getting ready for the upcoming antiques and collectibles show at Round Top, Texas. In this video, […]

Every artist desires inspiration to generate ideas for the things they create. But how or where does one get inspired? Inspiration can be found in a variety of unexpected places. You simply need to know how to seek out ideas that stimulate and spark vision into your future creations. The good news is that inspiration […]