Last summer I made a trip to galleries in Jackson Hole, Bozeman, and Billings.  Those experiences are shaping my art today, as after seeing the more contemporary western painting there, I was emboldened to go bolder with color.  As an art instructor, I often suggested students try “non-local color”, making things not their natural or expected color.  Now, I am taking my own advice.

Being an instructor was good for me as an artist.  I was able to look at student work objectively, and give suggestions based on years of experience.  Now, I am trying to incorporate those same art techniques into my own work.  Being objective is difficult with your own work!  Taking my time with paintings is very helpful, as it gives me distance in order to see more clearly, and willingness to make changes.

Another skill I discovered as an art instructor, is that design and proportion flaws are more evident from different angles.  As a teacher, I walked around the classroom, and saw student work upside down and from an angle, and problems were more evident to me when my positioning was disoriented.  So, too, is the advantage I find in seeing my artwork in digital format.  As I typed this, I already observed 3 things I intend to change as I continue working on the piece!