Category Archives: Uncategorized

Oct21

Three Ways to Paint from Your Photos with More Expression

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Photo #1

You’re standing there on the shores of Lake Michigan. The sun is setting, the sky is lighting up, and both — bold in subtle ways — are taking your breath away. All set to the soundtrack of crashing waves.

Now, how are you going to paint it? The simple answer is: You’re not. You’re going to use that moment, that feeling, and that photo you took that doesn’t quite measure up as a jumping-off point.

It’s your job to interpret that view in a way that’s entertaining first to yourself, and then the viewer. So yes, use that photo as an excuse to paint. But then, please, please, disregard it. Unless you happen to also be a rock star photographer with a gig at National Geographic, the photo isn’t measuring up to that moment anyway.

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Watercolor interpretation of Photo #1

So rearrange it and reinterpret it. The best way to do this is in a sketch or watercolor study. This is a practice I was really good at early in my career, which I later I abandoned. I’m getting back to it, because it is so much better to work out the details on a piece of paper than in the midst of a large painting. I’ve done it; I’ve painted all day, just to discover my composition needs to be changed. It’s something that’s completely avoidable when you do your studies in either pencil or paint in advance.

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Photo #2

Now that you’ve transferred your sketch or study onto the early phases of your painting, put your photo away. Yes, you can go back and reference it if need be, but now is the time for you to be an artist. It’s time for you to focus on the canvas and your interaction with it and what the paint is doing and how interesting that is to you. Now is the time to be an entertainer: Use your skills as an artist to make the piece entertaining to the viewer.

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Oil painting interpretation of Photo #2

This is why we create. We don’t paint to imitate nature; nature has already done a super big job of that. We paint to express our own feelings and interpretations. You have a permission slip to do that. And, frankly, I’m inviting you to. So go make art that is uniquely you, and all the better for it.

As always, I love to hear from you in the comments; it’s where the best discussions happen. Write down your thoughts, your ideas and your questions. And look for me on Facebook and Instagram, I’m there everyday!

Cheers!
Stephanie

Jul29

Why I Want You to Come to My House Aug. 10

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A piece from my Ethiopia series

I’m absolutely thrilled — my friend and fellow painter Aklilu is coming to the U.S.!
I met Aklilu nearly 10 years ago, when I attended an exhibition of his art in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I was blown away by his talent. I introduced myself, and asked if he’d be interested in volunteering with me, helping bring art education to early childhood learners in Ethiopia Reads schools. To my delight, he said yes. And through the years since, he has said yes every time I asked if he’d help Ethiopia Reads children learn art, or if I asked him to help fundraise, etc. He always says yes.
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Aklilu and me

 When I asked if he could join us for the second An Ethiopian Odyssey, which took place this past January, he has had to say no for the first time, because he was out of the country. He then encouraged two other awesome artists to come along with us: Yacob Bizuneh and Nahosenay Negussie. All three of these wildly talented Ethiopian artists have exhibited abroad and received international attention for their work.
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One of Aklilu’s stunning pieces

All of this leads up to an amazing event on Aug. 10, 6-9 p.m., at my studio in Ada: An Ethiopian Odyssey Art Exhibition.
This event is truly a very unique opportunity to see some really special art by all three artists — Aklilu, Yacob and Nahosenay — as well as my own Ethiopia Series and remaining Project 24 pieces, created on location in Leelanau, Mich.
It is a rare chance to see some exceptional African art and my own humble pieces. The event will, in a large part, be a fundraiser for Ethiopia Reads, the organization I have volunteered with for 10 years now. Half of the proceeds also will go to support our Ethiopian artist friends.
This is a more-the-merrier exhibition. If you know people who love art, Africa or both, please forward on this event. Click here to view the details. RSVP is kindly requested, but not required.
Hope to see you all then!
With gratitude,
SS