Posts Tagged ‘abstract expressionist art’
Being Your Best
Today I received my twice monthly newsletter from Gwen Fox, a Taos, New Mexico, abstract expressionist artist. She has paintings hanging in some pretty heady places, but teaches workshops and paints in Taos. These are her thoughts.
In order to be “our best,” first and foremost we need curiosity – in all areas of life. Always be eager to learn. Read a wide variety of books – books that tell how all sorts of people broke through barriers to reach their goals. Go to workshops and take classes. Talk to other artists about how they achieved their special technique. Set aside an area to create even if it is a closet with the chair outside and the table inside the closet. Go to museums and absorb. And the biggest problem of all – set aside time to create. Write it on your calendar in ink! That is your time to paint, paint, paint! Lastly, reward yourself when you reach a goal. Be good to yourself!
Trees
I love trees! Could you have guessed? And the more odd and gnarly, the better! These are the old soldiers with personalities! In my neighborhood on the Eastern shore of Maryland, there are very many “Christmas tree” pines as well as the tall loblolly and slash pines and deciduous trees, and I love them all! Unfortunately, my neighbor has lost 5 pines due to the pine borer. I’ve lost 2.
On my trip west, along I 70, the highway is often lined with dense forests of tall beautiful green pine trees, giving me a luxurious feeling. Further west along I 68, are mountains, ski resorts and a variety of deciduous trees.
Ohio and Indiana have mostly farm land with trees here and there, but north of Chicago there are many lakes and the trees are often pine, but many others as well. I drove past one stretch, about ¼ mile in length with one beautiful large weeping willow after another!
As one who does abstract expressionist art and loves trees, all these trees are truly a feast for the eyes!