Happy New Year!
That’s about all I have right now as I’m still trying to wake up.. 
Enjoy the day and I hope everyone experiences a prosperous and healthy new year. I’ll be working on my resolutions (I mean goals) in the next couple of weeks. It’s an understatement to say that my life is in transition right now and once the dust settles I think I’ll be able to set some practical goals for what I want to accomplish (personally and artistically) by this time next year.
-Robin
It’s a Winter Wonderland out there today! I’m not used to snow, so I really enjoy the simplicity of watching it fall and the beauty of a world coated in white.
Around Thanksgiving I met an artist who got me thinking more about using oils instead of acrylics. I honestly haven’t thought about oils in a long time and I’m used to using acrylics because that’s all I have right now. I like that they are fast drying and easy to layer. The lack of any recognizable odor is another plus, and it’s one of those things where familiarity has prevented me from venturing out into using other mediums.
However, one thing that bothers me about acrylics is their lack of vibrancy. (I love definitions and this is exactly what I was looking for when trying to figure out what I felt was missing from acrylics: Vibrancy – pulsating with vigor and energy; stimulating; strong and vivid.) I want more of that energy in my paintings. Color is very important to me because of the emotions they incite.
Then yesterday, I was given a very special gift and it’s something I will treasure for the rest of my life. My step-father gave me an original painting by his late mother. It’s a landscape of Angel Fire, New Mexico and she used oils (exclusively from what I understand). The brilliancy of the blue sky and the bare aspen trees is breathtaking and the colors are extremely realistic.
So now I’m trying to figure out where to start and with what kind of oils. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to paint and what they prefer, so I’ll just have to jump in to find mine. As with anything new it’s a little intimidating, but I’ll get over it. After all, you don’t know until you try and I am definitely hands-on when it comes to learning. Who knows.. I may end up hating oils and run back to my user friendly acrylics. Familiarity can be detrimental to experimentation!
-Robin
Merry Christmas! I’ve had a great day and to top it all off, it’s snowing! I have so much to be thankful for this Christmas, and I can’t wait to see what 2011 brings.
-Robin
I hope everyone is enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend! I don’t know about you, but I’m still eating leftovers and I have another Thanksgiving soiree next weekend. This is my favorite time of year and I intend to enjoy every minute of it. My list of things to do includes watching old movies, baking cookies, decorating, and spending time with as much of my family and friends as possible.
I know I’ve been talking about how much things are about to change in my life, and I have to admit it is exciting to think that I don’t know what I’ll be doing this time next month. For one thing, Christmas will be over and I’ll be thinking about New Year’s and the things I want to accomplish. I’m sure my artwork will be at the top of my list for 2011. I’m not a huge fan of resolutions, but I do believe in goals.
I do have plans for tomorrow, but I hope to fit some painting in. I keep looking at the one I’ve been working on and seeing the places I need to touch up. It needs a name as well. As a matter of fact, I think I let one slide (meaning I have one that’s been done for awhile now – signature included – but it doesn’t have a name. Maybe that’s because I’ve been thinking of turning that one upside down and painting over the signature). Just thinking out loud.. Isn’t that what this blog is for?!
Well, enjoy the leftovers if you have them and remember that this isn’t the only time of year we should be thinking about all we have to be thankful for. However, it is one of the best times to think of others.
-Robin
My website has seen more changes than my paintings have this weekend. It’s definitely not done. It needs..
“Tweaking? A project that needs ‘tweaking’?”
“Yes.”
“T-w-e-a-k-i-n-g.”
“-i-n-g. That’s what he said.”
If you know me at all, then you know that’s from my favorite movie.
I’m also using a new app to write this, and I need to test out the ability to post pictures. Humor me here please. I’ll probably just choose a random picture from my phone.
More to come.
-Robin
