Blog

The Good Art Company Gallery will celebrate its 15 Anniversary with a Gallery Opening in Fredricksburg on Saturday, February 3, from 5:00 to 7:00. I will display many of my Texas Landscapes inspired by the ranches surrounding the Hill Country. The newest painting above was painted from a plein air I did one Fall evening at Broken Arrow Ranch in Ingram. I have been painting there for about 40 years and still find the light that plays over the land mesmerizing! However; "The Gallery" has a large inventory featuring many artists so there will be something for every taste. Their address is 218 W Main St, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624. I do hope to see you there!

Many of my students paint their children or Grandchildren at the beach or on a family vacation. Although I don't paint many studio paintings with a figure I have tips on integrating a figure into your composition. It's just a matter of scale and the same lighting. If you have often thought you would like to learn how to paint your family It is not "Rocket Science" and any time is the right time to learn. Drawing uses lines, but painting uses shapes. The lines must be accurate while shapes can be approximate. Therefore teaching painting doesn't take as long to get a nice result while drawing takes years of practice. Maybe this is the year to give yourself Painting Lessons. If so, I would be honored to help you accomplish your goals. Classes start this week Monday and Wednesday, 9:30-12:30 and 2:00 to 5:00. Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-5:00. You may contact me here.

2024 looks to be a year fraught with anxiety and dread. Wars all over the globe, Climate Change, Political polarization, a Presidential election, and border pressures from displaced people desperate to leave hunger and violence. It's so much stress to deal with! Therefore; I spent New Year's Day reading a book, about how to handle all this anxiety. "Your Brain on Art" by Magsamen and Ross is described as a journey through the science of Neuroaesthetics and how our brains and bodies transform when we participate in the Arts. Stress and trauma are part of life, but The Arts trigger the release of neurochemicals, hormones, and endorphins that offer you an emotional release. That's very good News! They went on to say you don't have to be good to get positive effects. Doodling, singing, dancing, or even just going to a concert, play, or museum twice a week biologically changes you. There is a neurochemical exchange that can lead to what Aristotle called Catharsis, or the release of emotion that leaves you feeling more connected to yourself and others afterward. It goes on to quote a lot of scientific research to back up their claims but having participated in the arts my whole life this all rings true to my experience. So even if 2024 does not turn out to be a Good Year at least we have some tools to handle it with Hope and Good Health. Happy New Year!