Down The Forest Path

I have always felt slightly self conscious about my artistic process.  I often paint over sections and start over covering up flaws and mistakes under layers and layers of paint. For awhile the thought of showing a work in progress (WIP) sent me into an anxiety ridden panic attack but I eventually decided that I was ready for the challenge.

 

I had this particular painting well thought out before I started so I felt reasonably confident that I could get through it without any massive mistakes. I was also experimenting with different coloured under painting as I really wanted to bring out the depth and richness of the forest foliage.

 

In the end I managed to capture the light shinning through the leaves onto the path. This painting gives me a sense of peace and tranquility and reminds me of adventurous days in my childhood.

This painting is for sale on Etsy

Sketchbook Project (Limited Edition)

For the past six months I have been working on my contribution to the Art House co-op Limited Edition Sketchbook project. I chose the theme "the Secret and how to tell it" and dove into the project without a game plan, colour scheme or chosen style.

 I expected it to turn out really random but through the process of haphazardly creating I found similar tangents and styles were developing in my work and how I approached my topic. Some of the more meaningful pages are rudely interrupted by random birds and what not but that is part of what I like about it so much. It's a sketchbook and therefore random! I have also honed my skills concerning water colour pencils and a slightly more illustrative style that developed during this endeavor.

 The journey has been fulfilling and I honestly cant wait to get started on a new one. It has been a great side project to keep my creativity flowing and I will be joining the sketchbook project for 2013 for sure!

I have now mailed my sketchbook to the Brooklyn Art Library where it will be exhibited along with roughly 5,000 other sketchbooks in the storefront reading room. In the fall it will be published online and reach an even greater audience. 

I enjoy this project because it gives my art the chance to reach a wider audience and if my sketchbook is appreciated by just one person then it was all worthwhile. 

Thanks for stopping by, leave me a comment if you have anything to say about my work! 

Making Sense

Not everything has to make sense. In life we are always looking for a reason, for the cause and effect but unfortunately it doesn't always exist. I recently painted a portrait of a girl with Spaghetti hair. When my family saw it they started asking questions: "Why is there spaghetti on her head? Is she angry? Why did you paint her? How did this happen?" The truth is I don't know. The image appeared in my head and after a few weeks I felt the need to get it out and onto a canvas. Maybe I was hungry and craving spaghetti but the point is that there isn't always an answer to life's questions and occasionally you have to accept that some things just exist.

Visit Betty on Etsy

Dance in the Rain

"Don't wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain"