In our community, “art season” is in full swing! I know a lot of artists (including you know who) are working hard to frame that last print, paint those last brushstrokes, get those hidden corners of their studios ready, taking vitamins to ward off fatigue and colds...in preparation for Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours.

Be patient with your artist friends!

Artists, take a moment just for YOU. Appreciate your God-given talents. The world will love your art (at least those who count!)

B-R-E-A-T-H-E!

This morning I spent time reading and reflecting.  “Be still and know that I am God,” is a favorite scripture that reminds me - that it is not all about what I am doing that counts.  I need to stop, relax, and be open to the gifts that flow through me. 
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The song “Let It Go” from the film Frozen tells part of it. Many philosophies echo these sentiments…because they hold truth.
               When you let go, you create space for something better.
               When you let go something magical happen, you give God room to work.
               Sometimes letting go is an act of far greater power than the act of hanging on. ~Eckhart Tolle
               You only lose what you cling to. ~Buddha
​               Let go and let God.

If you are stressing out over your creative pursuits, it may be time to step back. I often forget that my creativity is a gift, a time to enjoy the dance and to let things happen on the canvas or paper.

Spontaneity is when the most magical things happen in art. You will remember the “rules” you learned about color harmony or perspective, but allow yourself freedom to break creative rules or play with them as you like.

Most inventors tell you it is when they were in a relaxed state-the invention came to them. 

An excellent film about the powerful and delightful spontaneity of creativity is the 1968 (yes it’s a bit blurry on You-tube, but worth the viewing) Why Man Creates. I remember seeing this film in school in elementary school.  In fact, Saul Bass’ Why Man Creates won the Academy Award for Documentary Film Short Subject.

often​As I enter the BUSY fall season, I am reminded that it is crucial to slow down, to make wise decisions and, as they say, to smell the roses. I need to ponder, meditate and create.

Each year, I vow I will make my life a bit easier and more peaceful. I know we have commitments to a family or work responsibilities (and a combination of these). Let me encourage you to review your calendar and carve out some creative time for you. I truly believe this time spent enriching this right side of the brain and imaginative part of you will benefit other areas of your life.
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Although I love solo painting, I find I often create best during scheduled activities. My theory is if you plan creative time, it is certainly much more likely to happen! You do not have to dream up a massive project.

You can:

• Watch a YouTube video.
• Set aside a special regularly scheduled time and space (weekly, monthly) to create.
• Visit to a site you’d like to sketch or attend a class or workshop.
• Join an art association.
• Meet with a group of other painters.

This year, I ended up doing more than I planned and thankfully these activities resulted in new art!

My schedule included teaching classes, attending workshops and art retreats and vacations.  Each of these provided opportunities to sketch, photograph, paint, dream and paint upon return.     
    
I have learned to carry a small travel art kit. When traveling, I pack my necessary supplies into a 9” x 12” nylon mesh zipped bag. Inside: a small watercolor set with 12 colors, 2 brushes, 6 Inktense watercolor pencils, 2 sharpies, 2 mechanical pencils with erasers, and a spiral 7” x 10” 140 lb. watercolor pad. The mesh bag allows supplies to dry out. This can easily fit in a carry-on suit case.  Add a bottle of water and clean paper towels as you travel. Be brave! Take that art kit with you and sit down and paint or sketch your surroundings or a creative idea that pops into you head.

When my car is available, of course, I tend to pack more. 

Another trick: put art supplies in a special place or container.  It can be a small zippered bag (which I found in the travel section of Marshalls!) as I used to travel, a small table or basket. Many people creatively journal their scrapbooks.

My wish for you is to re-evaluate the amount of time and energy you have—in combination with a busy family or demanding job.  Before the holiday season begins, grab a bit of time and space for creativity.  Reward your art spirit!

I am happy to be teaching a new class for the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park this fall on Saturday, October 6th for beginning to intermediate painters. If you have never painted and would like to learn more, this may be for you. If you want to sketch and paint in the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park, this is a great opportunity. There are a few more spots open!  Capturing Joshua Tree Landscapes with Acrylics Fall 2018
by Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park
$60 – $70

DESCRIPTION
Few destinations offer a landscape as unique as Joshua Tree National Park. Spend a day painting in beautiful Joshua Tree National Park. In this one-day class, you will focus on observation, setting an intention for the day, landscape details and painting brushstrokes full of color! Learn to create thumbnail sketches to develop a successful composition. Janis Commentz is known for her color-intense palette and loose brush strokes. You will learn to condense vistas into simple elements to paint and to record in shadow and light. Learn to mix believable landscape colors. Develop tools to sketch and paint on canvas. The morning will be spent outdoors observing, sketching, learning what to look for in a potential landscape and blocking out a sketch on canvas. The afternoon will be spent developing your painting, using acrylic paints. For Beginning through Intermediate skill levels.

I am grateful for a wonderful, adventurous year, and the most exciting event has been my recent trip to France: Paris and the Dordogne River region.
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As many, I know much about individual French artists, but really have never studied French culture and history. I was determined to seek out some lesser known destinations and was rewarded! What a symphony of color and harmony!  A mix of contemporary, traditional and ancient art.

First thing: the French simply do not do ugly.  Every water faucet, stairwell, door, lunch menu is created with beauty in mind.  The more I learn about the French, the more I realize their way of life embraces taking more time to enjoy beauty. Almost French, by Sarah Turnbull, sensitively and humorously describes her experiences with her Parisian husband. She has experiences and grown to appreciate the philosophical differences between the French and her native Australians. One anecdote explains much: her husband was shocked that she slipped out to the patisserie in her “pantalones de jogging.”  It was not respectful to the baker!
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On my third morning in Paris, I took an early morning walk. Having an (unnatural) difficulty with directions (north, south, east, west) in the deep canyonlike streets, I headed east toward the Pink Parisian sunrise.  Map and phone in hand, I set out toward Raspail Boulevard.  Le Bon Marché, elegant historic department store, was not open, but through the large windows, I saw employees scurrying to prepare artful counters. Donned in bright green neon vests, the green cleaners were sweeping after water had spurted from ducts in the curbs to clean the gutters. Here’s a link to an informative article about this phenomenon: https://parisianfields.com/2012/03/11/a-most-unusual-water-system/

So many delights: shop windows, markets, a Fabriano paper/calligraphy shop above), all before 7 am!
 
I barely scratched the surface of Paris and Dordogne region art, and yet, I took in so much! 
     Paris highlights included:
Post-Impressionists at the Musée d'Orsay
Mary Cassatt at the Jacquemart-Andre
Musée Rodin
Musée Picasso-of course, not French.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent, designer
     Contemporary galleries at
The Orangerie Jardin du Luxembourg
Galleries on Rue de Seine
Galleries at the Place des Vosges

Various art galleries near Sarlat-la-Canéda and Domme
And OLD art –talking caves….and the oldest known paintings.

Below:  Art Nouveau door on closed shop, chamber concert at Saint-Chapelle, "After the Bath" by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, paintings by Hans Bouman at the Orangerie at the Jardin du Luxembourg, Musee Rodin, Seine from the Île de la Cité, (3 from Sarlat) painter sculptor Véronique Guinard, painter Yan Samson, and painter Anna Doumler.

What is my take away?

Impressionism
In my youth, I almost overdosed on the Impressionism.  Since then, I purposely studied many other art forms.  However, I am incredibly drawn to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. I saw more paintings at the Musée d'Orsay than I have ever seen in one spot by of two of my favorites, Pierre Bonnard and Toulouse Lautrec, and much more.

​Blue
Blue is a powerful color—and the blue skies, teal rivers, dark cool gray stone buildings, and white limestone canyons definitely suggest a color scheme.

More appreciation for certain artists artists 
We know there is always more to learn.  My background knowledge of sculptor, August Rodin, is scant and I was mesmerized by the extensive collection at his home-now Musée Rodin. I have had a yearning to take a sculpture class (took only one semester in college) or experiment with 3d projects.
I knew more about American born Mary Cassatt, but the extensive exhibit at the elegant Musée Jacquemart-André awakened new desires to paint people and skin tones.
 
New contemporary artists
Painters in various regions have different approaches and outlooks.  The cross-pollination of ideas is healthy! I enjoyed talking to both urban and rural artists about their work and inspirations. (see photos above)

Time alone
I traveled for over 3 weeks alone to a land where I do not speak the language. A bit crazy, and most wonderful.  I made every attempt to greet people in French and to say thank you and goodbye.  I was aided by many, many willing, friendly, gracious English speakers, thank goodness! Texting, social media and email offer a lifeline to family and friends, but I most of the time, I rarely heard spoken English. Museums provided taped tours in English, thankfully! There were a few lonely moments, but, frankly, I know God is with me wherever I go, and I was granted many travel blessings.

​As a people person at heart, today I relish my time alone. Artists need time to view art, allow it to seep into you, to imagine the directions for your own art-making and just to be still. Travel alone provides opportunity for this important personal tranquility in the midst of the busiest surroundings. 

Culture
And don’t get me started about food! Fresh, delicious, artfully created, unique and basically not terribly expensive. Yet, I cooked about half of the time with fresh ingredients.
Time to slow down.  The average wait time for a server at a café in France (so says one report) is 17 minutes. Just relax, get out your sketchpad or diary! Oh yes, I was sketching endlessly.  Enjoy.

As I posted recently: Travel Note:
I am very grateful I was able to travel this summer, and in sharing, I hope to encourage others. Sometimes – it’s not how grand the trip is, but in pursuing a dream or short vision. The planning and studying are almost - almost - as fun. I learned so much: confirmation that people are people everywhere and most I met were wonderful! 
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I know my art will be affected. Just watch. 

Sometimes painting is more about looking and enjoying.  I love to visit art museums, galleries and sights that inspire me.  Our busy schedules hinder rather than foster creativity. I remind myself that life is not a race. I want to slow down, enjoy and take time to be grateful.

​A happily unexpected situation is sending me to France.  Yes, an artist’s dream.  After a great deal of time research and study, I wish to dive into my holiday, like diving into a cool French blue swimming pool. To be delighted by beauty, refreshed by color – and even cooled off by a more reserved nature. 

With an old fashioned Roget’s Thesaurus in hand, I note words and ideas about leisure time and vacation.  Ralph Waldo Emerson, who lived in a different world, instructs,
                            “Never lose your present mind and never get hurried.”

With this in mind, I wish to respect people, culture, language, quieter speaking voices, a slower pace.  I want to wander, absorb, listen, sketch, write….

Lovely, peaceful French blue comes to mind.  The French Riviera is known as the Côte d'Azur, the Azure Coast. Since the 12th century, Bleu de France has been used in the heraldry of the French monarchy. Blue is France's national racing color.
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I imagine the blue of Matisse’s cutouts and the stained glass windows he designed for the Chappelle du Rosaire.  Many of Monet’s waterlilies reflect blue.  Degas’ dancers…Cezanne's Sainte-Victoire....

Looking through blue colored glasses, I see the Paris skyline. Blue has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember. (Photo credit below: Brooke Commentz)

You may not be traveling to Paris, but I encourage you to take some spare time for an “artist’s date” to visit places that inspire your art. Visit a gallery, museum or even local library.  Sometimes a walk around the block helps.

You, most likely, have a color that speaks to you as blue does to me. A quick random look at my paintings  (see image below - from Google Images) reveals that blue predominates.  In fact, a great exercise for me is to paint without blue. 

​As I blogged about green, I promise to discuss blue in the future.
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In my present mood, I encourage you to simplify your travel or carry in the car art supplies. I will travel light—carry on only.
So, what’s in my bag? All dry supplies – to meet TSA requirements

A small set of Winsor Newton Watercolors about 6” x  3”
Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils – 6 in primary and secondary colors
2 small paintbrushes
2 fine point sharpies
A small watercolor paper tablet – 7” x 10” 140 lb. weight
And my new iPod. I’ve been practicing with Procreate….

 This summer, enjoy the coolness of blue!
         Explore your favorite color! 
​                  Simplify your painting routine! 
                            Bonne peinture!  Happy painting!

The digital age has certainly changed the way we do almost everything.  In the 90’s, I was a bit saddened to learn that a designer friend rarely used her real paintbrush, revealing my old fashioned preferences.

Typewriters and carbon paper reigned when I was in college, and I spent a good deal of my teaching career transitioning to the digital world.

Recently, a friend planned a travel workshop to include architectural drawing using an iPad. I saw the advantages of a small tablet but was skeptical. However, a recent Apple store class, my eyes were opened!

Yes, I jumped in with the purchase of an iPad and stylus.  I have wanted one for a long time, and a travel opportunity, where I will retrace my friend’s itinerary, is providing motivation.  I dutifully down loaded a program called Procreate, (a bargain at $9.99 after purchasing the iPad!). I am somewhat familiar with Paint Shop Pro, but this is adding an entirely new drawing dimension.

The young Apple class instructor reminded me of my innovative and enthusiastic high school students.  She knows her material, and by luck, the free class had only two participants, both retired teachers.  We walked to a nearby quiet outdoor garden area, where she explained as much as she could about the basics of the program in 90 minutes.  She also shared some of the mistakes she has made during the past year using Procreate-and how to solve them!  I spent the rest of my errand-filled day sketching with the iPad—at the car dealership as I waited for service and at a restaurant.  I knew I had to practice individually or I would forget my new lessons. I will return for more classes - a 45 mile trip for me.

​So – my initial opinions.  I still think drawing, not tracing, is important.  I have a hard time calling a photograph which has been digitally manipulated to appear liked a brush-stroked work a painting. The Procreate program (and many others) gives you a variety of “sketching/painting“ tools in a variety of sizes.  I found it was easy to download a photo of one of my own paintings and create a color palette from it-voila!  My own palette.

My iPad is small.  It will never be the same as drawing on large paper or canvas- the flow is not the same.  However, for catching color, light, what you see…it’s great and my short experience is only a beginning.  For travel, it should prove useful.  I will still pack some pencils, a sketch pad, and watercolors.

I first entered the digital art world last year experimenting with photographs of my own paintings. These have proven popular. Color schemes, values, and backgrounds  can be modified with almost a click! 
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For centuries, artists have used innovative tools, and this is another. Drawing and painting are unique experiences to be savored. However, painting digitally certainly gives one’s brain a workout, and the results are impressive.  Have fun – and don’t worry about having to wash out those brushes!

Many aspiring artists ask how to learn to paint. I have always recommended a trip to the library for some good books on painting. Today, the Internet (you are already here!) offers wonderful resources as well although it is often difficult to know where to begin.

Best of all is watching a live artist demonstrate. The camaraderie and energy from a group that is passionate about a process cannot be reproduced in a book or online.

Although my mother was an accomplished artist, she knew the importance of experiencing workshops.  When I was 9, she enrolled me in the local art association’s watercolor class; I vividly remember learning the process of taping the paper to a board, wetting the paper, painting “wet into wet” and painting from the still life – bright watermelon!

​As a child we often take our parents for granted or reject their advice in the quest to learn about the outside world. I continued to draw, paint and even listen to my mom!
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After 35 years as a teacher, my retirement has given me an opportunity to explore and begin to nourish my own style.

Each year, I have been very fortunate to enroll in a multi-day workshop.  I find workshops offer a jumpstart to technique. You lay aside several days to devote to making art.  You remove distractions of household chores, family and other obligations. Generally, you assemble and buy new materials. You have paid tuition and want to get your money’s worth.

​On a more creative note, you select a teacher because you are attracted to their style, and you will be surrounded by other aspiring painters who admire this teacher.  I find there is an energy among these individuals pursuing a similar goal which will carry you for many months. A good teacher will show you techniques and materials you have not seen before, even if you are an experienced creative.
Learning to see something in a new way is a wonderful lesson. Recently, workshop instructor, Pauline Agnew, from Ireland, was enchanted by the vivid colors of the ice plant –a non-indigenous plant considered invasive today. Ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis -shown below) was brought from South Africa in the early 1900’s to stabilize land.  However, learning to see beauty in common objects is invaluable to an artist.

Below are two of my new works including the red ice plant encountered at Ponto Beach, Carlsbad, CA painting during the workshop with Pauline Agnew. (acrylic on watercolor paper)

​​Some of Monet’s glorious impressionist works depict the billowing, polluting smoke from the railways, such as The Gare Saint-Lazare: Arrival of a Train  (shown below) painted in 1877. But what color!

​I encourage you to look for painters with whom you would like to study, either by word-of-mouth, social media, galleries, online and in magazine listings…but really ask people who have studied with the individual for their reactions. Research artists your favorite artist follows on Instagram.

Artist I have studied with and recommend include the ever-effervescent Robert Burridge, Ray Roberts, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Melinda Cootsona and a Pauline Agnew. (My photos of the instructors during the workshops I attended below) Last photo: Yours Truly at Pauline's workshop.

Another opportunity is community college. I have great respect for community colleges. During high school, I took classes at Los Angeles Harbor College. Instructor, John Cassone was incredible, as good or better than my university professors. I used many of his design exercises as a high school art teacher, and early lessons in life drawing were priceless. 30 years later, when I sought to revive my art experience, I enrolled in a life drawing class with Cathy Allen at Copper Mountain College.  Inspired, I founded and facilitated a local life drawing group which met for over eight years. 

I would encourage you to look through local community class catalogs, community college schedules and other art associations for teachers near you. If this is out of reach for you at this time, take yourself on an “artist date.” Brilliant author and teacher Julia Cameron encourages assigned play. She describes it as:

​“The Artist Date is a once-weekly, festive, solo expedition to explore something that interests you. The Artist Date need not be overtly “artistic” — think mischief more than mastery. Artist Dates fire up the
imagination. They spark whimsy. They encourage play. Since art is about the play of ideas, they feed our creative work by replenishing our inner well of images and inspiration. When choosing an Artist Date, it is good to ask yourself, “what sounds fun?” — and then allow yourself to try it.”
 
Develop your practice, yet remain free to play!

Ah, today we are having gusty winds up to 34 mph – rather common for the Hi Desert near Joshua Tree. However, I never enjoy them and wish for the quiet stillness.

Too windy to enjoy the outdoors, I see everything in motion through the windows as I write this.  Each bit of vegetation is waving in sunlit motion, the patio tablecloth flaps (we long ago devised a clamp system to keep it in place) and the loveseat swings (the frame attached permanently to the patio pillar after many topples). 
The wind’s ever-present whooshing surrounds the house.

In motion....

Although we often resist change, our lives and paths are ever in motion.  To be alive means to change, hopefully in a positive direction. The winds howl, blow up a little dust, and we see things in a new perspective.

How do we clear the object strewn path to creativity? 

Goal 1- Carefully choose activities in line with our mission in life (prioritize and eliminate!)

I am striving to set priorities and really examine what I like to do.  I enjoy painting and writing, but recently I have allowed many forces to distract me and take me on detours.  I am narrowing my goals and reviewing my personal mission. Ironically, the burgeoning “artists haven” in which I live has lost much of its privacy in a competition to distill and showcase the local vibe. You may be experiencing your own version of life and community clutter or the rich adventure of family and responsibilities.

I encourage you, at least for a part of your day (week, weekend, month) to dream of and focus on what you really love. It’s not that we do not wish to encourage other artists around us, and I personally see encouragement as a part of my mission.

However, seek a time and place to develop the interests, skills, fields of knowledge that are unique to you.  These interests began to grow like tiny new leaves when you were a child and perhaps have been smoldering under a dampened fire for years.

Fill in your blank: I wish to _______________________________________ (paint, sketch, sculpt, sing) every (day, week, month season…)

Study, develop your God given talent, paint what you want to paint, not what has been suggested, deemed sellable, required by an exhibit or other outside factor.  A mini-vacation of creating.

Goal 2 - Multi-task less. Attempt to do 1 or 2 things at once (not 14!). Focus. Meditate. Be present in the activity and purpose.

I have become a master at multitasking, but in my hurry to accomplish much, my own experience of enjoying what I am observing, sensing, painting, and appreciating is diminished. 

Life is a huge smorgasbord offering delicious ideas and treats along the way, and I want to partake and participate, often at the same time!   I want to be creative, care for my family, give time to important causes community and stay sane.

Yet, taking on too much dries up my creative juices.  If you are doing activities simply because you started, someone else thought I should do it or it was just the next step, STOP.

What do you want to do? Is there a time and place of your own (even the car on the way home or to work), a stop at a garden, café, library or and many young parents know—the (yes) bathroom.

• Turn off the computer and read.  Light a candle or incense
• Place a bowl of fruit on the table and sketch.
• Pack a basket of drawing materials (charcoal, pastel pencils and a tablet) in your car and stop when you see a beautiful sunset, shadowed landscape and sketch-record.
• Find a documentary on an artist, country or other passion and watch (without texting or, computer surfing). Doodle if you must!
• Place the ingredients for your next meal preparation on your counter (multitasking by listing to music is ok!) Focus on their color, texture and your end creation.  Sample along the way. Think of painting each ingredient.
• Attending a yoga class takes me out of my busy world and forces me to quiet my brain and senses and feel the movement. I create my best paintings and projects (in my mind) during these sessions.

 
If you feel a need to set goals and enjoy the process more, join me, on this journey to burst out-and clear a path to a meaningful and creative process. Stress, dust, fatigue, over stimulation can deprive us of our own ambitions. Take time to remember your sacred flame, your inner spark - that seed within you that yearns for direction and nurturing.   Look for future blogpost describing simple colorful ways to explore creatively – in a short amount of time and with limited fuss and preparation.
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Happy creating!