A Year in Review

I look back on my year of development as an artist and can't help but feel I have made some strides. I have had a lot of people tell me what a gift I have and I like to remind them that your gifts stay hidden until you and those around you believe enough to work hard to develop them. I am still reminded that I have a long way to go as an artist (the reminders don't always feel too good). But I am still learning, discovering, working and exploring. Somewhere along the way I hope to find that niche. I hope go from being a pretty good artist to an artist that stands out.

For now I will celebrate my growth and look back at my year in paintings. Below are some of my paintings for 2011:

The Growing Continues

Recently I was thinking about how far my painting has come in the last couple of years. I still give a lot of that credit to the encouragement I received from Paul Jackson and many other amazing watercolorists I've met on Facebook. But I also know that in order to benefit from their tutelage it is up to me to keep painting and exploring and growing.

When most people think about art there is a certain artist or image that pops into their head. A style that instantly says whose art you are looking at. I am still trying to find that style. Still figuring out my identity. Below are two images from my most recent exploration. They were inspired by something someone introduced me too called veil paintings. I call these soul paintings. I just let whatever is inside come out and onto the paper. At some point during the process a direction seems to form. I just go with it! I would love your opinion. Is this a style I should keep exploring?

Lance

 

My Most Recent Portrait

I am finding I love doing portraits. Actually I find I love paint almost anything that allows me to learn. Here is the portrait I did of my daughter Taylor.
I have a number of paintings that I want to do but just can't find the time. I have had a couple of competitions that I wanted to enter something but for the most part I don't have any of my originals of anything I feel worthy of entering. On the one hand that is good I guess that they have sold.

This past year I feel I have learned so much from my workshops with Paul Jackson, yet I feel I have so much to learn. But what I need to learn will take practice. Practice takes time. Time is what I seem to struggle to find.

But my passion for watercolor burns deep. I find that what I am passionate about I can take my time and stay committed to, knowing it that it will take a long time to get where I want to be and the journey to get there is its own reward.
If anyone actually reads this stuff let me know. I am not sure if I am writing this for my own therapy or if anyone is actually interested in where I am headed with my art.

Take Care,
Tisch

Working vacation

We are about to head up to Pelican Lake Wisconsin for our annual week at the cottage. I sure wish we could get more time in up there. We go this week because it falls after the Cascade Fireman's Picnic. My wife is very involved as a Cascade First Responder and we all help in the Fried food tent. This year I was asked to donate a print of my Painting Titled "Believe". The raffled it off and did quite well and a few people asked to to see more of my work. That is always very gratifying.

So one way to show more of my work was to link the to my blog site. That is when I realized I haven't updated it recently and I hadn't posted my finished Ryan Braun painting so here it is.

Custom Portraits Now available

At left you will see the portrait of my Dad that I completed at the Paul Jackson Portrait workshop. I am pretty happy with it. It is the most personal painting I have ever done. I learned a lot in the workshop.
A Paul Jackson workshop is a great experience. This was my second on and while very different, just as rewarding. You get to learn from an absolute master of watercolor with Paul Jackson. But you also get the hospitality of his lovely wife Marla. While Marla works behind the scenes she is always making sure everyone is doing well.
I have found that there are a few different people who I have met at these workshops. All of them great to meet and know but with different reasons and goals for taking the course. For some it is a relaxing chance to try something new. In fact one of the ladies in our class was trying watercolor for the first time at 83. Some art teachers trying to sharpen skills they will use in their classrooms. Lucky students!!!
For me the purpose is to learn a new technique, learn to see a little differently and just absorb whatever I can for a master. I also am lucky enough to count Paul and Marla among my friends and get to enjoy their company and some laughs while learning a great deal.


I have to do a bit of a commercial because Paul is doing his first ever workshop in Wisconsin in Door County the first week of August. If you have a chance you really should consider it.

Try to see a little different today. There is a whole world out there waiting to be painted and I can't get it all done on my own.

Watch me Work June 18th at Country Crafts Barn

The Ryan Braun painting is is one of the paintings I will be working on while I am doing a watercolor demonstration that the Country Crafts Barn outside Plymouth.Come on out and watch it develop. I also will be playing with a very fluid background technique show on the geese painting below.

If you are interested in art, watercolor painting or maybe you are just an old friend who wants to say Hi; I will be at the Country Crafts Barn from 11-3pm and would love to fill the place up and be worthy of the opportunity they have given me.

Hope to see you Saturday!!

Watercolor Demonstration at Country Crafts Barn

This will be something new for me. I have been asked to do an artist demonstration at Country Crafts Barn outside of Plymouth, WI. The date is Saturday, June 18th. I don't have the exact time yet.
I think I will work on a couple of paintings I have in the works. I may also do some simple demonstrations of some of the cool effects you can do with watercolor. This will be a real "make it up as I go along" time.
I have been very blessed to have some great artists inspire me and help me get to this point. If I can provide one tenth of that inspiration and guidance to someone thinking about trying watercolor I will be happy. Of course if you just like watercolor painting and want to watch one develop; you should also come out and see me. Or if you just like me and want to drop off some Leinenkugel's beer for me; you just may be the most welcomed of all!!

Thanks to Teresa and everyone at Country Crafts Barn for the opportunity to share what I love with others.

Meet the Hendricksons

This is Sandy and Jerry Hendrickson. They have been my biggest fans since I started selling my art at the Madison Avenue Inn Coffee Haus. I recently stopped over to there house and they showed me that I have my own wall!!!! How cool is that? Personally I feel very honored when someone compliments my art. When they buy a piece I feel even more honored, but a whole wall? The best part is that this wall doesn't even hold all of my paintings that they own.
As an artist I love to paint whatever I feel like. I love to let my mind define what will capture my interest for the day. At the same time I love when people ask me to put my artist spin on a photo or an idea of their own. They share their special images, thoughts, dreams or memories and ask me to create a piece for them. I recently had the chance to do this for my cousins. The painting below was for my Aunt and Uncle for their anniversary It was great to talk with my cousin and toss around ideas and then have final say over what I paint. I call this painting Marvel & Bill's Blue Jay Cafe.

 
Well, While my love of painting and creating keeps me going, my real job pays the bills. I better get to it. Check in soon I think I will have a fun announcement comings in the next week or so.

It's really hanging in a gallery!!!!

That is George "Papa" Tut standing next to my painting at the Watercolor Missouri National Exhibit at Churchill National Museum.

When I learned I got in the show I was amazed. Last year I set the goal to enter a national show. I had prepared myself for the rejection, so getting in was a thrill. But I wasn't really prepared for the feeling when I saw this picture. I think I always thought they could change their mind and not hang it. So to see it hanging in the gallery brought me a lot of joy.

The second thrill for me was that man who has mentored me and encouraged me, the master painter Paul Jackson, actually took the time to get MOWS President George Tut to pose with my painting. I can not tell you how blessed I feel to count Paul and Marla among my friends.

All of this reminds me how much I love to paint and create. I always feel like God has bless me with the ability to feel on such a small scale the feeling of creation. It is this feeling that drives me to want to learn more and get better.

Right now I have a laundry list of paintings I want to get started on. I would also like to enter more shows. Something in Wisconsin. There are a lot of wonderful people who have given me opportunities and I believe there are more around the corner.

I am truly thankful for family, friends and fellow artists who have encouraged me and gotten me to this skill level. I promise I will keep working to get better.

An Inspirational Spring Break

The Church of the Holy Cross

This year we were very fortunate for "Spring Break". First of all because UW-M where my daughter Taylor attends was off at the same time as Kaylene and McKenzie and the Plymouth School district. Next we were fortunate because we were able to swing a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona.
On the agenda was a trip to Sedona and Brewers Spring Training. The trip provided plenty of inspiration for paintings. The painting to the left I started in the wee hours of the Arizona mornings with my coffee, while I waited for the sun to rise. The Church of the Holy Cross is a beautiful place and the views were amazing. I was truly looking forward to photographing the natural beauty with the intent of painting it. But I think I found the most inspiration at a Mexican Market named Tlaquepaque. While our expectation was Mexican goods being sold, the reality was some very nice art from all over. But most inspiring was the "Village" itself.
I hope to paint 4 or 5 paintings from this area alone. Including a portrait of my daughter.
The other big part of our trip was Brewers Training camp. I have had a painting in mind featuring Brewers for a long time, so this provided a lot of opportunity to get some shot for that.
Most importantly we had some nice family time. It was very nice to relax and explore a new area. We hope to get back again we definitely have things we still want to see and do in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area. We also want to see more of the nature in the Sedona area. 
Now comes the tough part. Finding time to get all of the paintings I want to do done!
  

Finished and Working

My Paul Jackson Workshop Painting -Finished!

I finished my painting from the Paul Jackson Glass and Shiny things workshop a little while ago but hadn't posted it here on my blog. So there you go. I have had a couple people ask if it was available for sale, yes it is!

When I go to a workshop I really work hard to take in everything I can.I get very serious about learning and paying attention. A couple of things my high school teachers probably thought I wasn't capable of doing!

I actually start to work on a painting for a long time before I ever start drawing or getting a paint brush wet. Right now because I have so much to learn I really think about what I am trying to learn from each painting, or how I am going to use the painting to apply what I learned differently.   I have started drawing a still life I set up and photographed. It's of some of my Dad's fishing reels and lures. It has a lot going on in it. We've got lots of little pieces, shiny stuff, reflections, contrast, interesting shapes. I think it will be a challenge and hopefully will turn out nice. The more I worked on the drawing the more it reinforces something of been told been many artist friends; Art is more about learning to see than learning to draw.

If you are at all interested in art I encourage you to look for something new in something you've seen a million times. A shadow, a reflection, a color shift. It is amazing how the simplest can take on such interest if you really see it.

Finish out the week strong!

Back from The Workshop

I set out for my workshop journey Thursday morning. As I mapped out my trip I realized (with the help of a friend) that I would be going right past Antique Archeology of the American Pickers TV show. That was a little disappointing. The place is really small and none of the show personalities were there. But Abigale seen on the left with me was very nice and I got to see a few of the items picked on the show. I tried to sell by brother-in-laws match box cars, Tonka trucks and a Johnny West Action figure. They offered $35 for Johnny West but had no interest in the rest. 

The workshop started on Friday and the piece we would be painting was very intimidating. Paul uses a technique that forces you to really see what is there instead of relying on what you know (or think you know). You do a lot of masking and an unbelievable number of washes. At times I think everyone there was thinking; "Can't I just paint it darker and avoid some of these washes?" But the results speak for themselves. 

I was also fortunate enough to be able to stay with a friend of the Jacksons. She was the most gracious host I could ever have asked for. This was more like visiting with a long lost friend than staying with someone I never met. Both Paul and Marla are so kind and attentive to everyone at the workshop. I think everyone there was pushed to work hard on their painting but nurtured and encouraged all along the way. 

If you ever have the opportunity or desire to learn watercolor. I can not say enough good things about Paul's workshop. There is no doubt that it is challenging but very, very rewarding. Paul and Marla travel the United States and do occasional international painting trips too. If you are one of my Wisconsin friends, they will be doing a workshop in Door county this year. (Kaylene has already told me to get selling so I can pay for another workshop) If you would like to learn more about Paul's workshops visit: Paul Jackson's website

Woo Hoo!!! I'm In

A while back I entered the Watercolor Missouri National Exhibition sponsored by the Missouri Watercolor Society. A juried show at The Winston Churchill Museum. Only 80 paintings were accepted and my painting "Grandma's Lamp" was among them!! I can't tell you how excited I am. I know I have a lot to learn and now my goal is to prove I deserve the honor by producing more work that meets this type of standard. I have to thank Paul Jackson once again for his continued encouragement and his urging me to enter. I also appreciate him preparing me in case I didn't get a painting in.
This has been an incredible week for me artistically. Now I can't wait for the workshop and more painting time!! 

An Overwhelming Weekend

I am doing my best to try to keep something coming on this blog. It has been viewed over 900 times. I am pretty happy with that.

This past weekend was quite overwhelming. I delivered the original of my painting "Believe" to Dan Brandenburg. He is a huge Packer fan and has been very supportive of my work. I am happy for him to be the new owner. But I also delivered a number of prints of the painting. It is a great feeling to get this kind of reaction over a painting. I knew with the Packer win it would get some attention. But I added the bible verse because I wanted it to mean more than just a picture of a Packer.

This weekend I also found inspiration in some other places. Kaylene was helping her Dad and they came across some old toys. Some of which I used to have too! They brought back some great memories. I am thinking some sort of toys of my past still life would be fun. I think their is a lot of potential.

As I talked about often, I am attending a Paul Jackson Watercolor workshop this coming weekend. The workshop will focus on painting glass and reflections and shiny stuff. I was up at my Dad's place and looking for cool glass stuff that I could paint when I get back. I found some but I will be on the look out for cool glass pieces yet. But while I was on my hunt I came across a box with my Dad's fishing reels. I am thinking old fishing reels and lures could offer a lot of different options and be a lot of fun.

So needless to say I am anxious for the workshop and then putting it all to work. I am also excited to just hang out and have some beers with Paul and Marla.

I hope you all have a great week.

Lance

Time to Buckle Down

This week has had a lot of ups for me personally. Painting successes for me don't seem to come one after another. What I mean by that is, when I have a painting that I feel good about and others seem to like, the next painting isn't always better. In fact I think the painting after a really successful one could be the toughest one yet.

Right now I have two things on my mind painting related. What do I start on next? And my workshop with Paul Jackson. I have a list of paintings I would like to do. I will be going back and looking at the list and deciding where to go next.

My painting "Believe" has been a great experience. I have never felt so honored by the number of comments and people who want one of them It is really a neat feeling. But when I reflect on that painting, and a couple of others I have done recently, I also recognize a couple of things I need to work on. I love to create my own scenes. Building from visions in my head as opposed to looking at a reference photo and recreating or putting my own little spin on it. But when I create from complete scratch, I am missing with reflections, shadow placement or giving animals and objects and natural and interesting look.

One of my next goals is to really see and understand how shadows, reflections, contrast and texture are impacted by the light sources. How do I really envision that accurately that and convey it. I am looking forward to gaining some understanding of this at the Paul Jackson workshop. The tough part is taking what you learn in a demo and applying it to paintings of things that are nothing like the demo.

It's been a great week and I sure have enjoyed and appreciated all of the attention that "Believe" has gotten from family and friends. Thank you all very much. Stay tuned and I will post my workshop results.

Believe

Two Blog post in one day!! I am a little overwhelmed right now from the comments my painting has gotten from Facebook friends. But I guess I hit a cord with all Packer fans right now. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. As a Packer fan I know how excited I am about the Super Bowl.

I have had a number of people ask me about prints or buying the original. I love the idea of it but have big time fears. The last time I had prints made it took me almost 2 years to break even. I have a huge fear that everyone is excited today, the day before the Super Bowl. Tomorrow it fads and I have a big investment and no buyers. For me the fun was seeing if I could paint something like this. Last year I wanted to take one of my pictures of Prince Fielder and paint it but I was afraid to try. Honestly I think our snowstorm was my friend. It gave me the time to paint continuously. I loved it and I think that being able to devote that kind of time in one stretched help my flow.

I sure I am flattered by the number of compliments I have gotten. Comments and compliments mean a lot more than people realize. I have so much to learn so when my progress is recognized it motivates me to keeping working. Thank you all.

Lance

Super Bowl

As I have been working on my painting of Aaron Rodgers, I have also been reading stories and more so watching all of the Super Bowl hype around all of the players. There is something I want people to know about my painting; why I chose Aaron Rodgers; and my general thoughts on celebrities.

I wanted to do a painting of a Packer. I have followed the Packers through the days of Scott Hunter and John Hadl; dog gone it we deserve to enjoy these occasional great teams after those years. But even before I learned more about Aaron, I was impressed at his composure during the whole Brett Favre thing. I want to be very clear, he is not my idol. But I am impressed by his skill and respect him for the way he has handled himself.

I believe everyone has special gifts from God. It's up to each of us to use those gifts to their fullest and multiply what God has given them (The Parable of the Bags of Gold). For some people using those gifts thrusts them into the spotlight. But it is how they conduct themselves and use that spotlight that makes a difference.

I don't seek out autographs normally. I did when I was a kid hanging out at Goodland Field watching the Appleton Foxes play. But that was a long time ago. But I have met a few famous people who I felt honored to meet and I did get their autographs. I met Bob Hope when I was hired to photograph him during the Greater Milwaukee Open. He was an incredibly nice man. I was given a ride from the airport to my hotel in Phoenix by Brewer hitting coach Dale Svuem. It was like talking to an old friend about baseball and life. And of course I have talked a number of times about how gracious Paul Jackson, one of the most amazing artists you'll ever see, has been.

These men and many others (including Aaron Rodgers) have used their gifts to their fullest and I admire that. But what has impressed me most is their ability to know, that in the big picture of things, they are no different than anyone else, regardless of how many people try to tell them differently.

Why did I feel the need to "blog" about this? I am not a starstruck fan who is running out to snap up Aaron Rodgers items. For me it is a painting that celebrates a snapshot in Packer history and also honors what Aaron Rodgers seems to be about, more than Aaron Rodgers the man.

One final thought. Does anyone actually read this?

Lance

Snow Day!

Yesterday was a Snow Day for most of Southeastern Wisconsin.I spent my day painting; with the exception of the time I spent blowing snow. I mentioned in my previous post the was going to work on an Aaron Rodgers painting. It is well under way now. When I finish I will post it. I may post the progress paintings along with it.

Today I am looking forward and hoping the we have been dealt all the winter we will need to deal with for a while. 2 weeks from now I head down to MO for a Paul Jackson workshop. I am hoping the weather cooperates.
I may need to look at making some adjustments to my blog. So far I'm not really sure it's being read or looked at. If you are reading it I sure hope you are able to stay warm today.

Lance

Feeling Inspired- Go Pack Go!

As an artist you can find inspiration in all different places. I have looked at tree trunks that have inspired me to paint birds. I often have to stop and look at reflections and the way the light bends and changes an image as seen on a shiny surface.
But today I am inspired by the Green Bay Packers. I have been thinking about it for a long time and honestly have been trying to fight off the urge to paint a Packer picture. But what to heck. I started it. I am working on a painting of Aaron Rodgers. I had a hard time deciding who to paint once I decided to do it. But it came down to the fact that I like the way he has conducted business the last 3 years.
He pretty much let everyone else do the talking about the controversy and he just went to work. He let his actions do his talking, learned from his mistakes and learned to play within himself.
So as all of Wisconsin (with the exception of a few anti-social radicals) is cheering for a Super Bowl win, I am celebrating the Packer season in my way.

Getting Ready

The past two weeks I have been trying to prepare enough of my art to sit by a table and sell it at the Kohler Winterfest. Visit here to learn more: http://www.americanclubresort.com/village/outdoor_activities/winterfest.html
I will be in the Kohler Design Center. I've never really done a sale before because it takes a lot of inventory, which means a lot of expense, which means a lot of risk. Over the past couple of years I have built up a little bit, I'll be taking some original paintings, and some note cards of my paintings. I also have some fused glass pieces I'll bring a long. Still quite nervous about the sale. There is no greater rejection then having people walk by your stuff without even stopping for a look. This is my biggest fear.

Of course just in case someone does like my work I have also been working on creating a web presence. This blog, and my Zazzle Store. I thought if I could get some things out there at least people could order prints or things if they wanted. I also am loading some paintings that are probably not THE best I have done but have a lot of personal meaning for family members.
Well, Saturday is fast approaching. I am still trying to figure out how to display my things and make it look nice. Wish me luck and if you get near Kohler on Saturday please stop by and say HI.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. I intend for this to be a place to view my art, my gallery, I guess. You will also see who is inspiring me and some of the awesome artists who have so graciously helped me along the way. It is also possible I may throw in a personal comment or tidbit along the way if I think someone might be interested.

In the past I have had people who are not on Facebook or just no t interested in being my friend (:-() want to see me art or share it with someone they know. My hope is that this blog is a way for them to do that. If you like what you see please feel free to comment. I am by no means a professional artist but hope I continue to improve and maybe create something along the way that makes someone smile.