I look at an incredible amount of art…

I am inspired by so much of the work I see every day. Just check out some art websites like FASO (Fine Art Studio Online), NOAPS (National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society), as well as what artists are posting on Facebook & Twitter…and you will see really phenomenal work being created in oils, watercolor, acrylic, and colored pencil.

So…the challenges with my own paintings

have become about how to give whoever is viewing them, the feeling that they are actually there, in that moment, with that subject…or in other words, a way for me to be able to convey a ‘more real than a photograph’ impressionism, which possesses the color and light values, along with enough detail to satisfy my need to express the technical abilities that I have been working so hard and so long to perfect. There is also the challenge of making sure that my paintings do not look as if they appear to be exactly like the photo I’m using as a reference, or worse…like another artist’s work!  Speaking of that,  I do spend a great deal of time either thinking about or looking for ways to create a niche for my own work, in order to set it apart from other artists…both, because of how I want to feel fulfilled as an artist with my own individual style, and also so that I will be able to feel comfortable offering it for sale as something that is a unique piece of art. I am sure that if you asked most artists they would without a doubt say, that this is the least favorite part of being an artist.

My new philosophy…well, actually it’s not that new.

I am simply re-visiting something that I have always believed, but haven’t focused on its true importance…until recently. I have been finding that it can be applied to any subject I decide to paint…and what it comes down to for me, is how; by only using the subject’s form in the photo as the blueprint, that it can be the catalyst for what it can become as a painting.  In a photo, the space within in the subject’s (or subjects’), borders; is merely a starting point. That space becomes the place to create my own version of what I see, a place where the clues are found which will dictate the colors, highlights, shadows, and values, of hopefully of something completely unique…something that is based on that form, but having its own, new, character and soul. If I pay attention to what I have learned, by ‘studying’ all of this art that I see…together with that and with using the skills I have accumulated, I will get closer to what I envision as my best work.

It turns out…that there are no guarantees.

Even when I think I’ve found the most perfect photo…once I get started painting from it, I find that can’t always make what drew me to it, become the focal point for the painting that I had in my head. Sometimes I have found that the answer I’ve been seeking for what I want to be able to do, as well as to become as an artist, already exists in my experience. I may not have embraced its importance until now…I just needed to be open to it.

If you want to see a wide-variety of different types of artwork, as well as to view prints, serigraphs, lithographs, Giclee, etc. that you like & might want to purchase to hang on your walls… you can do so by finding a website that lists artists by name & category & that also sells their work. Prints of oil paintings by famous artist masters to contemporary artists can be found at many places online.

For example… you can learn a lot about the type of art you prefer & the artist who created it, by simply having a resource that provides you a way to see examples of oil paintings and other work by many different artists.  By perusing different artist gallery websites, or visiting online stores that sell prints of their work; (unless of course you are fortunate enough to be able to afford the high-priced originals);  you can view available work by current,  as well as more well-known artists.

Visiting websites that sell art can also help you to facilitate learning about oil paintings…

as well as; art, artists, and their work; as well as the to explore the many different categories of art that exist…  from the earliest to the most contemporary. You can also visit Art History sites, where you can find many resources to help you learn about artists, art movements, different art cultures, as well as the chronology of art through time.

Visiting art museums & art galleries is also an excellent way to learn about artists, & their work , as well as  the many categories of art.  Some museums offer classes in Oil Painting, Art History, & even offer opportunities to participate in classes online.

Oil paintings and other forms of art were all around me…

My own experience with learning about art, artists, & their work, started when I was very young. I became captivated by the prints of  oil paintings  of ballerinas, that hung on my bedroom wall… and I remember thinking that they appeared to have movement. They were prints of original works painted by a famous painter who was to become one of my favorite artists;  Edward Degas.  I remember asking my mother to take me to see more of his oil paintings, which were hanging in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston; where I also participated  in the “Young People’s” art classes for several years when they were being offered in the 1960’s.

Going to classes at the M.F.A. opened up a whole new world for me…

While attending the class, the instructor would often take myself and the other students upstairs to one of the many different rooms where the museum’s art was exhibited.  I saw oil paintings, as well as many examples of other types of mediums.  I remember wanting to try them all!

Besides oil painting,  I was able to try & to gain hands-on experience using pastels, pottery, sculpture, & charcoal; and I was also very fortunate to be able to learn about composition, perspective, color theory, & art history.

You can click on the following  names to view oil paintings of some of my other favorite artists:  including  Mary Cassatt ,  Edward Henry Potthast   as well as Edward Degas.

Now that you’ve finished some  ‘successful’  pieces of artwork,  (in other words… when you look at what you’ve painted you really like what you see); you might have reached the point when you are considering the possibility that you’re ready to submit them for consideration, & maybe even for sale; to people other than your friends & family…

You truly are at a crossroads!

Some artists never get past the fear of having their technique, style, & impression of a composition critiqued by other artists or art professionals…in fact, some never even try, for fear of that type of rejection.  This is a BIG step for most artists… and once you’ve made the decision to proceed, you need to know how to present your work  as well as yourself as an artist;  in a professional manner.  You can do so with a professional, attractive, artist portfolio.

Building an Artist Portfolio :  Introducing Your Artwork… Getting started

First, you’ll need some photographs of your work… that will show your work in an artist portfolio  accurately & in a flattering manner, unless you are physically bringing examples of them with you to a place where they are to be ‘juried’;  (i.e. submitted for consideration for entrance into an art show, association, gallery, guild, etc.)  to be accepted or rejected by their panel of judges.  Many artists find that they can take decent photos with a digital camera, however; if you’ve never done so, once you have the finished product; compare how they look to others you see online.

Building an Artist Portfolio :  Introducing Your Artwork… Choosing Images

Are the images sharp? Do they represent the colors as close to what they really are when you see them in person?  Do they have any defects that could detract… such as showing the camera’s flash, etc.?  If so, and by changing a few things; such as lighting or the settings on your camera, (you may want to have them taken by a professional photographer or by someone you know, who has the ability to make them look professional).  Having an artist portfolio of printed & digital photographs of your artwork are a good way to show others what your work consists of, as well as for submitting them to galleries, or displaying them online.  Online galleries & artist websites are a new way that artists are now exhibiting their artwork, and there are also sites that promote the work of many artists by providing them various ways to do so.

Building an Artist Portfolio :  Introducing Your Artwork… Resources

Some of these all-inclusive art/artist websites, provide artists with a free customized website, with an … “Ecommerce” shopping cart, (click on this link to visit an eCommerce Web Developer) which makes it possible for visitors to purchase your artwork… tools for converting your artwork into print media, (limited-edition prints, posters, greeting cards, etc.); as well as exposure on the internet that allows you to ‘get your feet wet’, so you can tell how well your artwork is received before venturing to create a website that will be showcasing your work alone.

Your artist portfolio  should contain a variety of subjects and styles, and should not be limited to only one type of media if you engage in several.  Choose the most colorful, interesting ones that demonstrate your ability as an artist.  One tool that artists use to promote themselves & their work,  is a biography or ‘bio’; which describes how they got started in art or other venues.  An artist bio gives a description of their background in art, & will often explain how they arrived at choosing the subjects and the techniques they used to achieve their results in their finished work.

Building an Artist Portfolio : Creating An Effective ‘Bio’

Other elements that you can include in your artist portfolio  ‘bio,’ to let people know about you as an artist, include things  such as:  the types of art classes you’ve taken & the names of the places where you attended them; as well as awards you may have received as a student or in artist shows and exhibitions.  Finally, it can be a good idea to also include a section in your artist portfolio bio, about your impression of your artistic experiences… past,  present & future.