30 Sep
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Evolving As An Artist

As an artist we seem to keep moving in different directions. I, for one, am never satisfied with remaining static.  A big part of developing as an artist  is experimenting with different genres, palettes, sizes, techniques, and tools.  I started with bright bold colors in more defined geometric shapes on textured canvas and have moved to more blending, with a variation of color.  Abstracts came first then I ventured into landscapes as well as a combination of the two. Recently, I’m using heavy texture again and exploring a more homogeneous look.  We’ll see where that lands. The journey is always interesting since it’s not just what you know but figuring out new ways to present it.

Some thoughts…

In the beginning, there’s reproducing.

Soaking up the works of the masters and of artists we admire and reflecting that back in a painting is a beginning.

Techniques and tools give more interest to where the painting  is going.

Learning composition and the posibilities of color mixing and value are at the top of the list.

There comes a time when replicating someone else’s work isn’t enough. At the very least it’s boring and you’re ready to fly on your own and discover the mystery of who you are as an artist and develop your own individualty and personality.

The enclosed examples of my paintings span  over 15 years and illustrate the  evolution and journey I have taken.

 

15+ years ago this is what I was doing- more textural elements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About 8 years ago

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About 4 years ago I headed in this direction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current work.

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4 thoughts on “Evolving As An Artist”

  1. Lily Smith says:
    September 30, 2019 at 11:15 am

    Good post. We all have our journeys and explorations. I enjoyed seeing the transition your artistic journey has taken through the years. They are all amazing, with the 8 & 4 year groups especially intriguing to me. You have figured out how to develop while still maintaining your original aesthetic.

    1. Karen Hale says:
      September 30, 2019 at 12:27 pm

      Thanks for the comment, Lily. I think it’s important, as an artist, to take a look back from time to time to remember what was and to keep it moving forward. It all has value just in a different form.

  2. Katherine Beak says:
    October 4, 2019 at 9:42 am

    Wonderful. And yes I’m on the journey!😊

    1. Karen Hale says:
      October 6, 2019 at 10:37 am

      Thanks for stopping by, Katherine. It is indeed quite a journey, one I wouldn’t have wanted to miss.

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