Blog Hop

Hello Everyone! A couple of weeks ago, a friend and fellow artist of mine, Sue Martin, asked me to be part of an "Art Blog Hop". It sounded like fun! So, here is how it works. She posted on her blog links to my blog and two other artists, introducing us to her readers and followers. She also had to answer some questions about her own art work. I in turn am supposed to do the same, answering the hard questions and introducing you all to 3 other artists of my choice. Linking you to their blogs. This is a way for all of us to meet new artists and expand our art world. So, here it goes:

1. How does my creative process work?
My ideal place to paint for maximum inspiration is on site, en plein air. When I get the chance to grab my stuff and go, I get to the location and take a few minutes to just walk around and observe. I take anywhere from 10-20 minutes studying my surrounding finding something that interests me. I then take out my sketchbook, my number one tool! I make thumbnail value sketches until I am happy with a composition and value plan. Then, I lightly draw my composition on my watercolor paper. Next is the funnest step, my first wash. Here I get to be completely loose and free! I cover most of the paper, leaving only a few white places. As my first wash is drying, I am planning out the rest of the painting in my mind and studying my surrounding for more inspiration in the form of figures. As I continue working on my painting adding the middle and dark values, I am focused less and less on the subject in front of me and more on my painting. I ask myself what the painting needs to be stronger, not how I can make it look more like the subject. I like to capture more of a feeling and mood of the day than an exact representation of the place I am at. For me there is nothing more inspiring than painting on-site. When I get home and look at my painting, I am reminded of not only the place I was at, but the sights, sounds, smells, and the people I met. I am painting an experience, not just a place!


I wish I could paint en plein air all the time, but with two small kids I don't always have the time. So, my creative process in my studio is slightly different. I still paint in similar steps, but I have to adapt. For example, sometimes while I am with the kids and can't paint, I am sketching in my sketchbook from photos, memory, or my own imagination. I plan out paintings. When I am ready to work in the studio I work from my sketches and/or photos. I still draw it out lightly on my watercolor paper, paint a first wash and then finish with adding the middle and dark values. I also shift my focus away from the sketches or photo to my evolving painting. I try hard to get the same spontaneous expression and energy in my studio work as I get on site, but I don't always succeed. However, this is good! Because if it was easy, I wouldn't do it! Enjoy the process!


2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
This is a difficult question... I suppose my work differs from other watercolor paintings in the way I work. I leave very few white areas, basically "toning" my paper like an oil painter would "tone" their canvas. This helps me to have a unified painting and softer light areas. I also am not afraid of going dark! I love darks! I use watercolor paint with thin and thick consistency creating more depth. I like to use some thick paint, basically right out of the tube.

Also, I am a landscape painter, but I differ from other landscape painters in that my paintings are not just about location, but about "life". I like capturing the lives ordinary people lead. A location is important to me, but more important are the people connected to that location, whether it is a solitary figure walking on his farm or multiple people bustling around a busy street corner. Like I said previously, I am trying to capture and experience with energy and feeling...

3. What am I working on?
At the moment, I am working on a couple of series. First is a New York City series, paintings from my one day trip to New York spring of 2013. It was a very important trip for me and I was just fascinated and amazed by New York City. So, I have been working on a number of paintings attempting to recreate the energy that I remember from that trip. Also, I am working on a Bellefonte Street series. Bellefonte, PA is near where I live and I am just in love with the streets of this town. It is an historic town with many beautiful old homes. These homes are built on many steep streets that just intrigue me. I have many sketches just waiting to be painted...


4. Why do I create what I do?
Painting brings me joy and peace that I don't get with any other activity. I consider myself a full-time mom and part-time artist. I will always be a full-time mom and I consider it my most important job. However, my art is just as important so that my kids and husband have a happy mom and wife. As, my boys grow older I am hoping to make more time to be a full-time artist as well... But, that will come in its own time. However, this doesn't totally answer the question. I create what I do because I like to experience life. I like visiting new places and painting the experiences I have.

Now for the fun part... I get to introduce you to 3 great artist friends of mine:

1. Susan N. Jarvis: Susan is a fantastic oil painter who lives in Utah, my home state. She paints pretty much anything; landscape, still life, and figures. I know that she is a great art teacher and holds classes through her own studio. She writes a great blog about her paintings, painting experiences, and workshops or classes she has taught. Check out her website: http://susannjarvis.com/. I really think you will like her work!

2. Colleen Reynolds: Colleen is a good friend and fellow watercolor artist. She is the current Utah Watercolor Society Vice President. Besides being a great artist, she is a great art teacher who also teaches out of her studio in Salt Lake City, UT. She not only teaches herself, but also hosts workshops with instructors from all over the USA through her studio. Lately, she has been doing some great paintings with Brusho which I am sure she will tell you more about because I don't know much, but that her paintings look great! Colleen's Website: http://colleenreynolds.com/

3. Sherry Schmidt: I have never physically met Sherry, but we are Facebook friends. So, we virtually met and I hope to someday meet her in person. However, I really enjoy her watercolors and I think you will too. She is an emerging artist will real talent. Her paintings are fresh and honest. She paints en plein air very well and her blog is fun to read. Sherry's blog: http://sherryschmidt.blogspot.com/

Well, there you go... three new artists for you to enjoy! This age of the internet is great!

Happy Painting to you all and hoping you will find wonderful inspiration where ever you are!...

Brienne M Brown

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