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.