Growing or Flowing

As I was talking with a friend of mine this week the topic of being stretched as an artist came up. There are times in art when the creative juices just flow and other times when we feel dry, crusty and barren. Those are the moments you would give anything for a spark of creativity.Our conversation turned to the idea that we are either growing or flowing as an artist.

I am currently studying a course in drawing and using graphite as my medium. It stretches me and doesn’t always come easy or natural and I would much rather pick up a brush with some color. I know though as I press through and finish what I started that it will benefit my art skills. It might not flow now but who knows, I might discover a style or technique that I love through the process. Growing does not usually feel good at first but as you preserve and see it through you never know what will be birthed.

So whether you are learning something new and growing or just flowing with the familiar I encourage you to enjoy your art journey.

Happy Creating!!

Sheila Hibbert

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Yesterday, a friend and I went to the members preview of Girl with a Pearl Earring at the High Museum in Atlanta. This painting along with thirty-four other Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis are on display from The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis located in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The exhibit also has four of Rembrandt's paintings and a painting titled The Goldfinch by one of his students Carel Fabritius. After Girl with a Pearl Earring this painting by Fabritius was one of my favorites.

It is so amazing to see art work that was created almost four hundred years ago. The detail, design, and colors are mesmerizing to me. I often wonder if these artists had any idea of the impact their work would have, and that centuries later people would still be viewing them with awe.

This is an excellent exhibit and I highly recommend it to all art lovers able to visit it in Atlanta between now and September 29th, 2013.

Happy Creating!

Sheila Hibbert

The Goldfinch  Carel Fabritius

Girl with a Pearl Earring Johannes Vermeer

What Makes You Happy??

After a google chat with my mentor and a group of artists, I came away with one idea resounding

over and over in my mind.  "Find what makes you happy and become an expert at it." This statement struck a chord within me. Mastering something requires a large investment of your time. You will only do that on things you truly enjoy.

I love art and enjoy trying new mediums and different techniques.  As an artist I am always

looking for new ideas, reading material, and following other artists longing to stretch myself and become better. It is great to have others in your world to draw knowledge from, to guide and even push you at times.This applies to many areas in our lives. This in itself is good, but what is it that I love to do and find fulfilling in the process? 

The bottom line is that you are the only one who knows what truly brings you joy.  For me it is painting in oils with my palette knife.  I love the smell of oils, their creamy butter like consistency, the rich colors, and of course the wonderful textures created with the knife. When I'm working with these, time seems to fly by and I feel more energized than when I began.

I encourage you to find what makes you happy and become an expert at it!

Happy Creating !

Sheila Hibbert

Your Vote Counts

First I would like to thank everyone who voted for my painting in  Daniel Smith's weekly contest. Because of your votes my painting is now in Daniel Smith's monthly contest. The monthly winners will advance to the final round where they will be judged by professional artists.

So I need your help! Everyone can vote for my artwork once every 24 hours from now until June 3rd.  

If you click the link below it will take you directly to my painting "Peacock".

 

Click here to vote!

Thanks so much for your support.

Sheila Hibbert

Never Say Never

How many times have your words come back to haunt you?

Several years ago I attended a palette knife workshop. I absolutely hated it. I did not like the picture we painted, and using the palette knife was very awkward for me. The words "I will never paint with a knife again" came out of my mouth.

A few years later a teacher introduced our class to Holbein series 1066 painting knives. These palette knives have hand forged steel blades. They are very light, flexible and a bit pricey but well worth it. I challenged myself to try painting with the knife again. So for a whole year I put down the brushes and used my knives exclusively. It actually became a running joke with some of my painting buddies that were in the original workshop.

Now I enjoy painting with my knives, it helps to loosen me up and I absolutely love the texture. So what have you said I will never to? Maybe trying oils, acrylics, pastels, a brand of brushes, a certain color of paint. My challenge to you is give it another chance. You never know, you might fall in love with it the second time around!

Happy Creating!

Sheila Hibbert

Holbein- Series 1066 can be found at Black Horse Fine Art Supply http://www.black-horse.com I recommend using these with oil paints.