Watching an Artist Explain His Painting Process

One of the things I like best about belonging to art and writing groups is the excellent programs they

Artist Christopher Wynn discusses paints ©Mary Montague Sikes

offer for members almost every month. The Virginia Romance Writers has an outstanding hands-on-event the second Saturday, and the Metropolitan Richmond Artists Association has a program on the second Saturday of each month as well. I belong to both groups, and, unfortunately,  the meetings are at the same time and usually on opposite sides of the city of Richmond. On a couple of occasions, I've talked my husband into attending the meeting of the artist group for me while I attended the writers event. However, in 2013 my personal pendulum has swung in the direction of art, so last Saturday I chose to attend the demonstration by watercolor artist Christopher Wynn at the MRAA meeting.

Drawing of a rusty truck on 300# Arches paper

Although I am not a big fan of watercolor paintings of old trucks and cars, I am a fan of the ones that Wynn creates. They are striking works of art that stand out in shows in a very poetic way. For his demo, Wynn brought in a photograph he took of a rusty old truck. This is a subject that fascinates him so much that he travels around looking for old vehicles to photograph and use for subjects of his future work. To save time on Saturday, Wynn had already sketched the truck on 300# Arches cold pressed paper and taped it on foam board. He also had masked a portion of the drawing.

As he worked, Wynn talked about the limited palette of colors he uses and his preference for Daniel Smith watercolors because of their more intense pigments. He also demonstrated how he creates black by mixing yellow ochre and cobalt blue, then adding "a touch" of alizarin crimson.
For Wynn, "the essence of watercolor is the fewest brushstrokes you can use."

For the audience of artists, it was a joy to watch Wynn work and explain his process.

Christopher Wynn working ©Mary Montague Sikes

Fill Your Lives with Winners and Doers

"Twin Angels in the Prism of Life" ©MMSikes

Creative people, perhaps more than others, need to accomplish something of importance along their journeys through life. I think of the artists and the writers in 19th Century Paris who met together and inspired one another in their creative lives.

We all need inspiration. Who provides it?

The winners, not the losers; the doers, not the talkers.

Being inspired and pushed on by others explains the popularity of NaNoWriMo. Although I don't think I've ever really participated, I believe it's a wonderful idea. Everyone who's involved is a winner and a doer. Great for the creative people of the world who might take away from the experience a published book or a new work of art.

Winners enrich your lives with inspiration and determination. Doers encourage you to reach ever higher. These are the people we want to know.

What About the New York Publishers?

For years I sought publication with some of the big publishers in New York. I submitted manuscripts to agents as well, and I got represented by several "well-respected" agents in the field. However, those agents turned out to be not what I expected. One went to jail for a couple of years; another was banished from the industry; yet another decided to start a children's book company and gave up being an agent. What a disappointment, and what a waste of time--a few years in fact.

After realizing the waiting period for manuscripts to be considered for acceptance or rejection was too long, I gave up on the New York Publishers. Looking back now, I wonder if I was wrong to give up after putting so much time into the process. Others who began at the same time I did have met with considerable success. Now I wonder.

What about you? What do you think about the importance now of being with a New York publisher? Can authors gain enough success with small publishers or by self-publishing?

From A to Z Blog Challenge to Art Exhibition

Last April when I began the A to Z Blog Challenge, I had no idea it would become an art project and an exhibition. Since I already had developed an interest in creating wild animal canvases to go with my novel, Jungle Jeopardy, I found myself painting mostly creatures from the wild for this project. Only one of the 26 Animal Alphabet paintings is not the original from the Challenge. That one is the "D" painting for "Dragonfly and Daffodils". It was the only pastel painting in the project, so I decided to use it as a reference for an acrylic painting on canvas that would better fit in with the other acrylics in the show.

Gallery owner Fred Miller did an outstanding job hanging the show which also features the two paintings I made for Jungle Jeopardy. The exhibition will be on view at Prince George Art and Frame in Williamsburg, Virginia through November 30.

"Dragonfly and Daffodils" pastel ©MMSikes

"Dragonfly and Daffodils" acrylic ©MMSikes

Viewing Animal Alphabet Show ©Mary Montague Sikes

Climbing to the Top of the Mountain

Glacier National Park Mountains ©Mary Montague Sikes

An artist whose newsletter I recently signed up to receive has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Today, Robert Genn commented, "I may not always have climbed to the top, but I'm so thankful to have been on the mountain."

I thought about us--the writers and artists who stand in the valley and look up to the top of the mountain. The climb is a struggle for most. We want so very much to reach the top, the pinnacle for which we strive. Few of us will get to that coveted high point, but those who do might discover the glory was in the journey.

Writers write because they have to. They have a gnawing need to put pen to paper, fingers to the keyboard. Inside them, the words fight to get out. Often it is a terrifying struggle to meet a deadline or to produce a product others might enjoy and wish to buy. We might or might not make a living with this continuous effort. Manuscripts pile high, rewritten again and again. Publication comes--an article, a book. The top of the mountain looms closer.

Artists paint because they must. They covet the feel of luscious thick and juicy paint beneath their brushes. They enjoy experimenting with images and materials. Sales do not come easily. They visit galleries and glory in the work of others. Their inventories build and burgeon. A big sale happens. The top is within reach, or is it?

Years later, they all look back. Writers have stories and articles hidden among their archives. Artists have paintings long forgotten. They smile. The journey was long and treacherous, but it was satisfying along the way. The mountain was tall, but being on the mountain was the important thing after all.

What about your journey up the mountain? Do you appreciate your voyage? Is the trip through creativity enough to feed happiness into your life?

"Flowers Along the Way" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Is the joy in the journey along the way?

I think it might be.