As a painter I am accustomed to seeing my artwork hanging on a wall. While this has kept me inspired for 25 years, recently I have been interested in how my paintings can inhabit interior spaces in more dynamic ways. I want to breathe new life into my paintings so I can watch them transform into functional objects that can grace a sofa or a dining table. It excites me that the price of functional art makes it available to a larger audience, and hence my research into Print on Demand (POD) services began. I’d like to share what I’ve learned so far about various POD services because it truly takes a lot of time and experimentation to figure out which company is the best for you. If you are keen on turning your art into products, then keep reading!

Sometimes you want to be in your studio or do something creative, but you don’t fee like painting.  So what should you do? It’s a good idea to do activities that support your painting process, without actually starting on a new canvas. I am going to give you several ideas for what to do when you want to support your creative process, but don’t feel like painting.

If you are looking for easy acrylic painting ideas for beginners, then you are in the right place! I am going to break down and provide videos for several abstract painting techniques that will be sure to inspire even the most novice artist. Acrylic abstract painting is fun, and with a few step-by-step instructions, you will be on your way to making beautiful abstracts for your home, office, or to give as gifts.

Are you an artist who feels the need to make the leap and go pro? I get it! I was there about ten years ago, and I am happy to say that since then I have had four different galleries represent my work, was in a show curated by Judy Chicago, have had my work in multiple group shows, and have a page dedicated to me in the book Contemporary Art of the Southwest (2014). I also have collectors around the country, some of whom have multiple pieces of mine. My advice below comes from my experience as a professional artist, and I recommend that you seek out advice from several different professional artists before making the move.

An artist retreat is a multi-day art class that allows attendees to restart their creative process and dive deep into an art medium, style, and/or technique.  Art retreats are usually multi-day classes offered consecutively so that students have concentrated focus on the topic at hand. Huge leaps in progress can be made in retreats: some students who have never picked up a paintbrush will leave the workshop knowing intermediate skills and the confidence to create sophisticated work, others leave knowing how to refine their work and pursue gallery and art showings, while others leave refreshed with new techniques that inspire innovative pathways of working.  Therefore, an artist retreat is extremely effective for any level of artist, and will surely result in learning a lot of new techniques, skills, confidence, and a connection with other artists who share a passion of painting.