Setting and writing down goals for ourselves is an important practice if we are serious about success. I have found that writing down goals helps me be more accountable, thus increasing my chances of success. As your trusted painting teacher, I would like to suggest that you make 1-3 goals that relate to you as an ARTIST. Being a teacher for over 20 years, I can confidently say that making SPECIFIC goals is important and yields to better results. Below are a few methods to write specific goals for yourself.

Acrylic painting is a popular medium for artists of all levels because it is versatile, quick-drying, and easy to clean up. Further, acrylic is a forgiving medium that can easily be covered over. Here are some acrylic painting techniques to experiment with.

Learn to Use Color Better by Studying Van Gogh Not many people could deny the fact that Van Gogh was an amazing colorist. He was a master of creating contrast with color and texture, and also used color symbolically, which we know from his letters to his brother Theo. My background in Art History has […]

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.