APRIL RE-DIRECT & THE JOY OF ART

Ever since I was a little girl, i always wanted to an artist. To see this world thru the lens of beauty and color has been  GIFT.

life has taken A  is taken a turn Drs. say I have a deep brain tumor. So to consolidate I'll just be WRITING on my one privateBLOG, just me my life so I'm redirecting any interest TO other blog so have WRITE it once it's been so much fun being AN being an artist. I ALWAYS FELT LIKE IT WAS MY ONE LITTLE GIFT TO GIVE TO OTHERS TO ADD A LITTLE SUNSHINE TO THEIR LIVES…

Seeing color and patterns the Swirls in hidden images THAT ARE more real then We think we see on the surface the inner beauty OF hearts animals gorgeous nature and sharing that with each otheR.

 I I never did dark art I guess I just wanted TO  promote the goodNESS…GOD is a good God and I feel he wants to add BEAUTY AND LOVE to OUR LIVES

here's a blog link because you want to see what's up lately

https://lorettasjourney.blogspot.com/

by way using A CLUNKY Little dictation app so please forgive formatting and typos oh and I don't think IT likes me….. IT KEEPS SIGNING  me PIRANHA      HAHAHA

One Simple Way to Stand Out from the Crowd

Experts tell us that to be successful at anything we need to stand out from the crowd. 

But... how??

The short answer: BE DIFFERENT

Umpteen years ago I taught a class on illustration to high schoolers. On the first day of class I put up a huge poster with just one image smack in the middle of it: an ugly hairy fly! 

At the bottom in tiny print: First rule of advertising: Get their attention!

That's the memory that was triggered as I listened to an interview by Antrese Wood on the  Savvy Painter Podcast. She was talking with Errol Gerson, long time teacher of entrepreneurship, business and leadership skills for artists and designers. (Link to that Podcast Here)

He was sharing ideas on how to succeed by standing out from the crowd. 

One topic I found riveting was his ideas on how to answer the question: And what do YOU do? 

Mr Gerson tells the story of once meeting a lady and asking her "And what do you do?".

She replied: "I'm a Photographer."

He yawned in her face.

She was insulted and became very angry!

He explained to her his ideas about getting peoples attention. She calmed down, and he went on to teach her how to capture imagination and interest with a more intriguing answer, one that would help her stand out from the crowd.

He teaches that we each need our own unique answer to "What do you do?".

Such as:

I reveal the invisible.

I capture the invisible in paint.

I use color to transform people.

I create smiles.

I write dreams.

I spin straw into gold.

I point to mysteries.

I take people to other worlds.

I time travel.

After listening to this fascinating interview with Teacher Gerson, I'll never again just say "I'm a painter", or "I'm an artist."

(Detail from Time Our Companion.

Cards, prints & more HERE)

The Errol Gerson Challenge

1. Imagine you have just met someone and they ask: "What do you do?"

2. This is not an elevator pitch. Think about why you create and what effect it gives your audience. 

3. Use your imagination and power to connect. How can you answer that question in such a way that the person you are talking to wants to know more?

This idea is applicable to ALL expressions of creativity: painters, writers, dancers, photographers, crafters, quilters, singers, etc etc.

My new answer: I reveal the invisible (and hope they want to know more, ha ha).

 So... how would YOU answer that question: What do you do??

Living A Beautiful Life At Any Age

Over the years I've received a variety of interesting responses to both me and my art. I've been called naive, credulous or Pollyanna. I used to think that was a bad thing. Now... I'm not so sure 'bout that!

I've been told I'm not cutting edge, and that my art was not edgy enough to be relevant today. Hmmmm...

It's taken me a long to time know what it is I want to "say".

And that is, in a nutshell: 

Carpe Diem! 

Seize the day. Life is short. 

Live it to the fullest each day, with Love and Joy.

Living Flamboyantly

by Retta Stephenson

There is a special essay written 92 years ago by Samuel Ullman that says it better than I ever could. I'll tell more about him another time. Suffice to say, he is special to me. 

Below is his essay. After you read it, you'll know why it's special to me, and why I want my art to be UPlifting. 

It may not be cutting edge or "cool", but it's what is in my heart: A zest to live a beautiful life, and to Love the best I know how.

"YOUTH"

by Samuel Ullman

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what's next and the joy of the game of living.  

In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.

When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80.

In our hearts, we are Forever Young,

Retta

Hey ya'll, it's Artists Appreciation Month!

Did you know that August is "Artists Appreciation Month"?? Me neither!

Well, alrighty then, I'm one of those... so count me in!

But I wouldn't BE one of those if I hadn't been influenced in my life by other creatives. This post will honor some that influenced me most.

(Long post, but like a comic book... mostly pictures, mwa ha ha ha!!)

My Artist Appreciation Month 

Thank-You-for-Influencing-My-Life List:

(Difficult to narrow down!! )

(Can click any images to enlarge)

For incredible skill and beauty both in painting and sculpture:

Michelangelo

Moses

marble c.1513-1515

For color, design, and more color:

Wassily Kandinsky

Henri Matisse

My Dining Room 1909

Vincent Van Gogh

Almond Blossom 1890

The Fauves, such as Derain and Braque

For storytelling ability and beautiful illustrations:

Maxfield Parrish

Ecstasy 1929

Howard Pyle

 The Mermaid 1910

James Gurney, Imaginative Realism (I own these 3books!)

For imagination, whimsy and, of course, color:

Robert Burridge

Juggling Clown

Stilts & His Magic Rabbit

Jane Filer

For bold and colorful art; he paints "the color of emotions":

Jeffrey Hessing

But from a young age there was one that influenced me first and the most. 

The Master.

He captured my imagination...

He had an amazing ability to tell a visual story... 

He could touch hearts...

He portrayed goodness in life...

He used gentle humor or tenderness...

But most of all, his undeniable and under-appreciated skill in painting: 

Norman Rockwell

I want to thank Patience Brewster for inviting me to join in posting about Artists Appreciation Month! I've thoroughly enjoyed revisiting old "friends" and seeing their paintings once again.

When I checked out Patience's art, oh my... talk about ADORABLE! And since I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd pass on the link for you. 

It's wonderful stuff, so here be ye the link to Patience Brewster.  Be sure to see their ornaments and check out my favorites, the Zebras named Zeke and Zelda! Too cute!

Happy Artist Appreciation Month!

Retta

How To Instantly Feel VERY Encouraged!

The answer: shock yourself by winning a contest for your art!!! :-D

I am sooo excited to announce that a painting of mine won first prize in a contest. Wowzer! That's a first for me, and I could get used to it, ha ha!

The backstory: Recently I created my own website for my paintings at RettaStephenson.com  

This is in affiliation with Fine Art America,  a print-on-demand publisher of quality photographs and art prints. 

Before I chose them as my publisher, I ordered some products myself, to check out the quality. I didn't want my name going out on something I wasn't proud of, ya know?

I was impressed with the quality. The colors are true to my originals, and the finish on the papers, cards and prints is outstanding. So... I signed up.

One of the things I enjoy at FAA (Fine Art America) is the community. There are forums, discussions, groups, and.... contests!

That brings me back to my exciting news. I entered "Shoot for the Moon" in a contest called Spring Churches. There were tons of beautiful photographs and paintings entered. So imagine my joy when mine WON! 

Really, it was my friends on Facebook that supported me by taking their time to go and vote. I am truly humbled by that. I know how busy everyone is these days. So I thank you so much.

Whenever I get discouraged, and feel like a tiny drop of water in a huge ocean of art, I will look at this and remember the kindness and support given to me, and to never forget to shoot for the moon!

Happy painting,

Retta

How to be MORE Productive at... Whatever!

I met author Mary Pax  several years ago on the internet. She made me feel welcome, and I consider her my friend. I've watched her career blossom, and have been amazed at her level of productivity... rain or shine, illness, sick kitties, weather, you name it.

I was listening to a podcast the other day (forget the name of it) about advice for artists. And I was struck with something they mentioned in passing: Leave your STUFF at the studio door.

I always thought my art was intricately tied to how I felt. I was convinced I couldn't work - with joy - if I was upset or having a tough time in my life. Obviously, my production level was insconsistent. Life has too many ups n' downs!

But that suggestion - Leave your Stuff at the studio door - wouldn't go away. 

And I thought back to a waitress Jim and I were impressed with YEARS and years ago. She went to church with us, so we knew her backstory. Her life was NOT a bed of roses. Lots of struggle and pain. Yet she made amazing tips! She took care of her kids very well on what she earned as a waitress. She made her customers feel like they were king or queen for the day, and was cheerful and happy. So one day we asked her what her secret was?? 

She said: she left her troubles at the restaurant door.  

!!

Why didn't I get it back then???!!! The memory of what that amazing waitress told us collided with the advice on that podcast, and a NEW BELIEF was birthed in my heart: that I could do that, too.

Well, I HOPED I could. And I soon had my chance to see if the idea had, indeed, taken root deep enough inside me to actually change me. I signed up to do a post for Mary Pax's new book series, The Rifters.  Not only a post, but I got this idea to make a whole sketchbook based on the imaginary Oregon town of Settler, where her series is based. A huge project, with a looming deadline!! You can see that completed post here; yep, I made my deadline, and the drawing is still open there for a set of FREE e-books! 

No time to wait til I "felt" like it. Time to sketch, NOW.

And lo and behold... it works. It really does.

I leave my "stuff" at the studio door... crank up My music, and enjoy myself.

Who knew?!!

So, if YOU, too, want to increase your productivity: Leave your Stuff at the studio door!

I'd love to hear if you already to this... and if you have any tips for me. Thanks!

Feel free to download a copy of my Cowgirl Up poster if you think it would be a good reminder for you. I have mine hanging in my studio where I can see it every day! :-)

(Be sure to click it open before you download, so you get the full sized file to print).

Happy productivity!

Retta

Just Make Art

Happy painting,

Retta

I Finally Did It!

So, I've finally gone-an-dun-it! I finished writing up the requisite "Artist Statement" HERE.

Vevie (rhymes with Stevie) is quite indignant that SHE was not featured in it, since she has been my muse for the latest series of paintings I've been working on.

Oh well, a little nap and she will be all purrs and meows again!

Happy painting,

Retta

Meet My Studio Assistant!

It's been awhile since I shared some of Jim's photos. I've filled in the gaps with pics from my little Canon Powershot to introduce to you, in photo journalism style, my official Studio Assistant. 

Her name is Joey. She is energetic, mischievous, innocent, always in a good mood, and far too intelligent for her own good.

Did you say... she must be a Mini-Schnauzer?? Why yes, you are correct!! Her nickname when she was a baby was Greased Lightening. :-D

Without further ado, here is this little Mini-Schnauzer's story in picture form.

 

(You can click on any to enlarge)

I hope you enjoyed meeting my Studio Assistant, Joey!

Retta

PS: Why does Joey make such a good Studio Assistant??

• She is ALWAYS in a good mood, and it's contagious.
• I MUST pick up after myself, or she will steal stuff to use as Toys.
• She can tell time; always tells me when it's time for Jim to get home, so I can wrap up what I'm doing.
• She will always get excited when the Kitties show up, so I know to cover any open paint.
• She is high energy and needs my attention often; keeps me from sitting too long in one position and letting rigor mortis set it :-D
• Did I mention she is always in a good mood?? That is partly how she got her name, because she is so full of JOY. :-)

Overcoming The Ugly Stage

I can't speak for any other artist, but one thing in common that almost every art project that I've done has had is: a phase during the process when it just looks ugly.

That's where what I see on the canvas doesn't match what's in my imagination. Not by a long shot. In fact, I've long given it an official name: The Ugly Stage. 

Don't believe me? Here are some examples from my archives... I'll give one shot of The Ugly Stage, and then the finished painting: (can click pics to enlarge)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

What's the antidote for getting past The Ugly Stage without dumping all your paints in the trash in frustration??

Self-belief 

That's it, really. No magic, no big deep esoteric formula. 

Just believe in yourself. 

Believe in the process. 

Believe that if you don't give up, you'll see progress. 

Trust in your process. 

It's so easy to doubt yourself during The Ugly Stage. Don't Listen!! 

Believe in yourself, in your potential.

Oh sure, there are times I DO say "oops, that was a learning experience!" That's part of the fun of learning and trying new things, new ideas and techniques.  But most of the time, for me I find it's simply The Ugly Stage.

So... I stubbornly refuse to give up, and keep going with my initial concept in my mind, believing that it will appear. 

I don't usually totally meet the expectations of my Imagination... but I keep trying. The payoff is when once in a great while, something actually exceeds my expectations, and I almost have tears of joy.

Such is the case with my current project. I'm not at liberty yet to share it... it's a commission. I know, I know! In my last post I said I didn't enjoy commission work! What can I say? When along comes a project that calls to your heart... the only answer to give is... Yes. :-}

Happy painting, even through the Ugly Stages,

Retta