Paris! An Artist's Dream!

Paris...a trip of a lifetime!  

My husband Ed and I recently guided an ART Vacation with 10 artist/students from Hidden Talent Art School. Where do artists dream of going? PARIS of course!

Most of us traveled together from Edmonton on Icelandic Air, a recent addition to carriers at our airport.

The trip was shorter ( different route of going over the North Pole) and we got off in Iceland only to pass through customs and return to the same plane, BUT different seats- an interesting way to do it!Some of our group were visiting Iceland on the way back- another fabulous opportunity.

We checked into our hotel- 2 blocks from the Louvre in the St. Germaine area. Not enough cam be said about our location- we walked almost everywhere, we ate at amazing cafes and restaurants, we had major shopping districts 5 minutes away. Our hotel was great-a bit of renovation not quite finished but a good continental breakfast and wonderful staff.

 So off we go, jet lagged but hungry, to have our first taste of French cuisine! The Petit Zinc, a famous Art Nouveau restaurant was ready for the 12 of us- of course we Canadians ate way to early (6:30) and that's probably why they could accommodate all of us without a reservation! No one eats before 8:00 at the earliest! Our new quest- to find the perfect Creme Brulee!

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF ART- where to start?

I have just watched an interview with Michael John Angel, a famous Master realist artist who has an atelier in Florence, Italy. His students have a 3-4 year program starting with 'drawing flat' (from other drawings), then 'drawing round' (casts), and finally putting color to canvas in the final year.
In his opinion, today's contemporary artists must do 1 1/2 days of art business to 3 1/2 days of art in order to be successful.

Wow! That sure takes the romance out of it, doesn't it? 

What does an artist do when she doesn't have a brush in her hand?
At the beginning there is the 'Get to know and Love me' stage- website, social media, going to opening, networking and getting opportunities to show your art. Updating a resume, website updates, and perhaps a store on etsy or tryuing  to sell through FaceBook....oh I forgot, you must also refine and develope your style and skill- this means lots of paiting at the same time.
No wonder the vast majority of talented almost professional artists get discouraged! That's a ton of work! Even more if you have another job to support you.
I think you can see where the passion of an artists comes from- all this and we still love to paint!

This week it has been 2-8 hour days sitting in front of the computer- fixing the website ( font glitches and updates) and deciding on a few new projects( paint parties, Pino and Speed Painting). Check it out-
www.hiddentalentartschool.com

It's really my own fault, I am not tech savvy enough to get this done fast. But, I want to be able to learn these skills to be able to change things as needed. Artists tend to be a bit impulsive and when the moment strikes them- off they go. Me, too.
After a long walk around the neighborhood, I plan to spent a few hours with a brush in my hand- a real reward for all the necessary things I must do!

For all of you that are just starting this journey here are a few tips...

1. Your Data
Record all your paintings.
Number them.
Write about your paintings- where you were, what you liked, what was the challenge.
Record where you show them.
Record who buys them.
Record workshops and opportunities.
Hard copy and save all press.
Take GOOD photos of your art, number them, save them.
Write your story or some one else might!
Know your costs of materials

Yikes! That's a bit of work isn't it? There's more, but that's for a later post!




  

WHEN A MASTER ARTIST GOOFS!

What do you do when your painting just doesn't work?? or even worse, when you are considered a Master Painter and you've created a 'dog'??? 

John Poon 'tells it like it is' in this candid video that we ALL can relate too! He has a really valuable formula for composing a painting and lets you in on a few of his secrets...ENJOY!

ps I have been a fan for a very long time-amazing colors, amazing landscapes!  TO SEE HIS ARTWORK CLICK HERE

10 Art School Secrets

Laura Watmough, Hidden Talent Art School Supplies

Here are 10 Time Savers for your art studio- and happy painting!
1. Place photo reference in plastic bag or page protector.

      2. Hold up brush with paint to area on reference photo to match value and colors. Paint on plastic to match colors.                                                                                                                             

      3. Turn works toward wall for dust free drying- no peeking!

      4. Sharpen end of brush in pencil sharpener- use this to sign paintings. Also skewers work well- just cut off end on an angle

      5.   Turn reference upside down- always a great way to see shapes and values and not 'things'

      6. Sand your canvas with brown paper bag instead of sandpaper to smooth out. This will stop scratches in gesso.          

     7. Pour linseed oil onto a new wooden palette and rub on both sides before using for the first time.Let the oiul soak in for 6-8 hours, then buff with a soft cloth. 

     8. Use daylight florescent bulbs in your home studio- and an Ott light if you need more 'easy on the eyelight. 

     9.The I PAD is the new tool in the studio- use an app called 'copy-it' to grid your photo and see detail close up.
10.Take a photo of you work in progress with your phone, IPAD or camera- this will reduce the image and you can see value and form issues right way. Do this before you declare a painting done! Also handy to post a painting in progress on your blog.

 

BON JOUR- PARIS DAY ONE!!

Here we are! Wow Paris!

ARE YOU READY PARIS? HERE WE COME!!

Well. We are not going to waste anytime.....even with 8+hours of traveling!
After settling in at our fab hotel 'l'Hotel Acadamie' St. Germain we wandered the streets to get our bearings. The Saint Germain district is vibrant, historical, clean, safe and has great shops and cafes...perfect for our group!! First evening group supper was at the most wonderful restaurant Le Petite Zinc. It was our first taste of real creme broule!! It was across from St. Germain des Press Church, and around the corner was the famous Deux Maggots and Cafe de Flore!!   All a short walking distance!!

A PAINTING CHALLENGE!

"Downstream" Laura Watmough

A client approached me this summer and asked if I could turn my 36x48 oil painting' Downstream' into a triptych - a painting that was in three separate canvases.

Add caption

The tricky part was that I didn't have reference for either side of my canvas and the painting was a few years old- could I even paint with the same kind of brushstrokes and colors?? Could I make the addition look like part of the original scene? would it be believable?

So off I go and get 2 12x48 canvases. After a consult with hubby Ed about how water flows, out comes the paintbrushes!!!

I matched the colors with the same brand as I had previously used. I also changed brushes too-fairly rigid synthetic flats. Then the fun begins.....

I was very inspired and the more I painted the more I remembered painting the large original panel. It was almost like muscle memory !
'Downstream' is now finished, framed and ready for pick up. It's been a great summer. ;0)

6 HOUR PAINTINGS THIS SUMMER!!!

There were 4 hugely successful workshops this summer- "6 hour paintings" that developed the painting skills and brushstroke development in the students...and these were FUN!!

Because these paintings were practice we all had the same photograph to paint. The first time you saw what you were painting was when you came to class! Floral, still life, animal, scenery....who knew??? Laura would critique and if necessary paint on the canvas so each student progressed at a faster speed. It might be hard to believe but there was very little talking !!!

First 3 hours was doing a monochromatic drawing, blocking in with color,adjusting color values.
Second lesson was completing the color/value and proceeding with only necessary detail.
Paintings were kept at the HT so that there were fresh eyes when the second part started.

Come join the fun!!!
Stay tuned for the dates of the next 6 hour workshops this fall!!!

CHEETAH- GUY COMBES #2

This July HT hosted the wonderful Guy Combes, international Wild Life Artist!
We all had a great time learning fur techniques and being amazed at what Guy can do with a brush! Each day ( 10:00-4:00, Mon- Thurs) was an adventure- fur!!! and more fur!!!

Day1 Guy and a very excited class!

Guy's color mixing and DOLLY PARTONS proved to be a challenge! We learned about ACID GREENS and creating a realistic background, how important keeping up on Facebook can be, and how to make swords with our round brushes. I expect to see many cheetahs in various stages as classes resume this September. Remember you can bring the unfinished workshop paintings into class!

Our lunch breaks were memorable!Thanks to the generosity of the participants we had TONS of healthy food- everything from quinoa to bacon and dates! Our volunteers always make a happening like this something special! Thanks to all of you!!!

ORCHID Winners AND TRADESHOW FUN!!

April is a crazy month- the Orchid Society plant and art show was held in ST. Albert for the very first time. Over 3000 enthusiasts photographed and purchased these rare and unique plants. Accredited judges from across Canada came to award  Ribbons and prizes.There were lots of art entries as well and Hidden Talent took away a ton of ribbons!! I'm not even sure who won what! I'm thinking of having an art show of just Orchids entered in to display! I think we had 8 adult winners as well!

Trade show demo!

There were 12,000 strong that visited our booth at the Lifestyle Show ( trade show). We set up with the help of our famous ( so many, so great!) volunteers and had demos and info for kids and adults alike. There were many show stopping artworks- again, the biggest thrill is to see unsuspecting people round the corner and catch a glimpse of all the artwork in our booth-jaws hitting the floor, speechless and pretty much overwhelmed! Hidden Talent artists should be very proud!
This year was wear your own or a well paint speckled apron. Sylvie Fergusson was beside our booth. She had 4 paintings up and had a wonderful display of her business making garden statues ( among other things) with a product called paverpol.
Thanks to everyone who made this trade show such a success!!!

LOVE THOSE LITTLE RED DOTS!

Four original painting sold during the Steppin' Out Show!!

Pearl Der- Sturgeon Dragon

 Congrats to Pearl Der ( Sold 2!) and Laura Watmough sold 2 as well! It was a great experience for the artists to have their art on the walls with a price tag attached. Congrats again to those of you that brought your 'collectors' to the show!

Laura Watmough Forgotten Stream

Pearl Der

Laura Watmough Old Growth 

And Giclees! Wow- we are having a lot of demand for scanning and printing! And they are selling too!

Our "first" Art Show!

The opening is over! Let's catch our breath!
Congrats to all the artists in the Steppin' Out  Emerging Artists Debut!
Pearl Der, Jeannette Sommers, Lucille Friend, Sylvie Topilko, Joanne Lewis, Betty Dupuis, Wendy Pfeifer and Joan Stang!
The art work amazed our visitors and they enjoyed talking to the artists that created their favorites.