Art and Life Lessons

Dear Friends,

As many of you know this last year has had its highs and lows. None of these experiences have been wasted on me. I am observant by nature and being an artist has taught me a lot. The lessons I've learned have extend far beyond a piece of watercolor paper or canvas. I’d like to share what I’ve learned…

COMPOSITION IN ART: A well composed painting places the focal point off center; otherwise it will appear predictable and boring.

IN LIFE: A well composed life means I don't put myself in the center of everything.

DESIGN IN ART: A harmonious arrangement of the parts of a work of art in relation to each other and to the whole.

IN LIFE: Design my life to be lived in a way that is harmonious in all parts: faith, family, health and work.

COLOR HARMONY IN ART: Limit strong colors, otherwise color will overpower the painting and distract from the overall picture.

IN LIFE: Don't overpower others with my opinions.  It distracts from my purpose.

COLOR TEMPERATURE IN ART: To make objects come forward in a painting use warm colors, and to make objects recede use cool colors.

IN LIFE: If I want people to feel close to me I need to be warm, if I am cool I will push people away.

VALUES IN ART: A term used to refer to lights and darks, which are the most important of all the visual elements. Without value variations we could not even see the subject—in pitch black or blinding light.

IN LIFE: Conduct my life in a way that my values are clear and understandable.

FRAMING IN ART: Framing is the artist’s final act before the painting goes out into the world. The way in which a painting is framed says a lot about how the artist feels about their work. The matting should enhance and support the art work. The glass and frame should be clean and presentable.

IN LIFE: Use care in the way I present myself to others.

ART SHOWS AND COMPETITIONS: Don't let successes go to my head or rejections go to my heart.

IN LIFE: Not everyone is going to like my artwork and that’s okay…they don't have to hang my paintings in their homes. Not everyone is going to like me and that's okay they don't have to live in my skin.

I promise to have a new post soon...with images and another lesson in watercolor.
Happy Sketching!
Brenda