“I thought abstraction was no rules, but in fact there are so many guidelines.” That’s a direct quote from one of my students, from a focus group I ran with a group of abstract painters not long ago. I asked them to be honest about where they get stuck, and this belief came up again […]

The most compelling paintings don’t always start at the art supply store. Some of the richest surfaces in abstract work come from materials most artists walk right past — desert sand, torn newspaper, spent coffee grounds. In this post, I’m sharing three of my favorite unexpected textures, how I use them in my own work, and why bringing unexpected materials into your painting practice is one of the most powerful ways to make your art genuinely, irreproducibly yours.

There’s something profoundly human about picking up a brush and letting color and form pour out into space. Beyond beautiful paintings, art has a transformative effect on our minds, emotions, and well-being, and that impact is backed by science. Whether you’re facing stress, creative block, or just craving connection with yourself, making art heals in […]

I’ve been teaching artists for years, and one of the most common concerns I hear is: “How do I keep creating when I’m away from my studio?” Whether you’re visiting family for the holidays, taking a vacation, or traveling for work, maintaining your artistic practice doesn’t have to be complicated or messy. After decades of […]

If you’ve ever shown your art at a gallery, an open studio, or even to friends, you’ve probably noticed a pattern in the questions people ask. Sure, sometimes someone might wonder what kind of paint you used, or whether you stretched your own canvas. But more often than not, the questions that linger, the ones […]