On my walk

On my walk to the studio this morning, I found myself thinking a lot about creativity. It wasn’t something I set out to do—honestly, I was just trying to wake up—but somewhere along the way, my mind started to wander. There’s something about walking that does that to me. The steady rhythm of my steps, the cool air against my face—it kind of opens things up in my head.

I started noticing little things: the way the sunlight spilled over the rooftops, a bird sitting on a crooked street sign, that colorful mural I pass every day but don’t always stop to look at. It got me thinking—creativity isn’t always about big, brilliant ideas. Sometimes, it’s just about paying attention. Noticing what’s around you. Letting your mind drift a bit.

“…it’s just about paying attention.”

It hit me that creativity isn’t just for artists or writers. It’s everywhere. It’s in the way we solve problems at work, how we figure out what to cook when the fridge is basically empty, or how we make a conversation flow when it’s getting awkward. It’s those little choices we make all day, shaping things as we go.

The walk also made me realize how often I’m too busy to let my mind breathe like that. I’m usually rushing from one thing to the next, staring at my phone, or ticking things off a to-do list. But creativity needs space. It needs those quiet moments when we’re not forcing it—when we’re just walking, noticing, letting thoughts come and go.

By the time I got to the studio, I felt lighter. I didn’t have some groundbreaking idea or anything, but I felt more open. More aware. Like maybe creativity is always right there—I just need to slow down and let it catch up with me. And then…paint what comes to me!

Art at the Very Beginning

Art has been part of human life for as long as we’ve been around. One of the oldest examples of artistic expression comes from prehistoric cave paintings, like those in Chauvet Cave in France, Altamira in Spain, and Sulawesi in Indonesia. Some of these paintings are over 40,000 years old, created by early humans using charcoal, ochre, and other natural pigments. They mostly show animals, handprints, and abstract symbols, and while we don’t know exactly why they were made, they were clearly important to the people who created them. Maybe they were part of a ritual, a way to communicate, or just an early form of storytelling.

What’s incredible is how much these ancient works still speak to us today. Even though our world looks nothing like theirs, the need to create and express ourselves hasn’t changed. Whether it’s through painting, music, movies, or digital art, we still use creativity to tell stories, connect with others, and make sense of our surroundings—just like our ancestors did on the walls of those caves.

…”the need to create and express ourselves hasn’t changed.”

There’s also something really inspiring about the simplicity of these paintings. They didn’t have fancy tools or endless colors to choose from, but they still found a way to make art that has lasted for tens of thousands of years. It’s a reminder that creativity isn’t about having the best materials—it’s about using what you have to say something meaningful.

Even modern artists draw inspiration from cave paintings, using their raw, minimalist style in contemporary work. Beyond that, just knowing that humans have always felt the urge to create reminds us that art isn’t just decoration—it’s part of what makes us human. The people who made those ancient paintings might not have imagined that their work would still be admired today, but their creativity has outlived them by thousands of years. And that’s pretty amazing.

Monet and Renoir: A Personal Reflection on Their Differences

Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are two of my favorite artists from the Impressionist movement. Both of them captured light, color, and movement in a way that changed art forever. Though their works share similarities—like soft brushstrokes, vibrant outdoor scenes, and a focus on those fleeting moments of life—I’ve always felt that their artistic visions are quite different. Monet was obsessed with light and the atmosphere, while Renoir focused on the warmth of human interaction and emotion.

When I look at Monet’s paintings, like his Water Lilies or Haystacks, I feel like I’m seeing more than just a landscape. It’s almost like I can feel the sunlight changing through the day, or the breeze gently moving the water. Monet’s brushstrokes are soft, blurring the details, and it makes me feel like the scene is slipping into a dream. His art isn’t about the specific subject—it’s about how the light shapes everything around it, how it breathes life into the scene.

It’s almost like I can feel the sunlight changing through the day, or the breeze gently moving the water.

Then there’s Renoir, whose work is full of warmth and life. His paintings, like Luncheon of the Boating Party or Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, are filled with people enjoying each other’s company, smiling, laughing, connecting. Where Monet’s figures blend into the scenery, Renoir’s are alive with texture and emotion. You can almost feel the joy radiating from the people in his scenes. His work feels like a warm, inviting moment, where you can almost hear the music and feel the happiness in the air.

Despite their differences, both Monet and Renoir were true Impressionists. They didn’t care about rigid details—they wanted to capture movement, emotion, and the fleeting beauty of life. Monet painted the world as it shimmered around him, while Renoir painted it as he felt it—with affection, charm, and warmth. Both of them remind me to appreciate the beauty in life’s little moments, whether it’s the changing light or the joy of being with others.

Brushstrokes blend in light,

Monet's blooms, Renoir’s glow,

Impression's soft flight.

The Fount of Creation: A poem

Creation’s fount! thou queen of beauty, pure and bright,
With grace and majesty, thy hands impart
A radiance that fills the world with light,
And stirs the deepest secrets of the heart.
Thine eyes, more tender than the morning sky,
Reflect a truth that cannot fade or die,
And in thy gaze, all mysteries are told,
A wealth of wonders more than can be sought or sold.

Thy form, a vision born of heaven’s bliss,
A perfect harmony of love and grace,
Each movement like a soft and fleeting kiss,
Each breath an echo of the sainted place.
Thy colors weave through time, both bright and fair,
Like autumn leaves, caught in the golden air,
And every line thy hand does softly trace
Becomes a story written in thy face.

In thee, O Art, we find a noble soul,
A love that heals, a peace that makes us whole,
Thy presence lifts the burdens of the mind,
And in thy beauty, all our hearts are twined.
For thou, eternal as the stars above,
Art beauty’s form, art love’s own sacred dove,
Thy hand has touched the world with gentle grace,
And left upon it beauty's sweet embrace.

The Connection Between Art and Grief

Correctly expressing Grief is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to figure out. I’ve tried ignoring it and pretending everything was okay; I’ve inappropriately lashed out when grief-induced frustration pushed me over the edge, and that did nothing to deal with the grief behind the frustration. Losing someone you love or something you really enjoyed leaves a hole that feels impossible to fill, and for a long time, I didn’t know how to deal with it. I struggled to find the right words to express what I was feeling, and the weight of my emotions felt unbearable. But art became my outlet, my escape, and ultimately, my way of healing.

One of the most powerful things art did for me was give me a way to express emotions I couldn’t put into words. When I was overwhelmed with sadness, I would pick up a paintbrush and let the colors tell my story. Some days, the strokes were chaotic and angry; other days, they were soft and sorrowful. Even though I wasn’t always sure what I was painting, the process itself helped me release emotions I had been holding inside. Writing worked the same way—I could pour my feelings onto a page, even if no one else ever read them.

“Art gave me a way to express emotions I couldn’t put into words.”

Art also reminded me that I wasn’t alone. At my lowest points, I would listen to music or read poetry that spoke to my pain, and it was comforting to know that other people had felt this way too. Their words and melodies became a reminder that grief is universal, that others had survived it, and that I could too. It connected me to something bigger than my own sorrow.

More than anything, creating art gave me a sense of peace, even when everything else felt chaotic. When I focused on painting or writing, my mind wasn’t consumed by sadness—it was present, engaged in the act of creating. It didn’t make the grief disappear, but it made it more bearable.

Art didn’t "fix" my grief, but it helped me live with it. It gave me a way to feel, to remember, and to heal. And in those moments of creation, I found light even in the darkest places.

A Journey Through Medieval Art: Stories from the Middle Ages

I used to think medieval art was just weird. How could you reach the heights of realism with Greek and Roman sculpture and murals, and then defend into the cartoonish style of medieval art. But then, I realized the artists in this time period focused on symbolism rather than reality. The Medieval art period, which ran from about the 5th to the 15th century, is like a treasure chest full of fascinating stories and creativity. This was a time when religion and art were deeply connected, with much of the artwork created to teach or inspire faith. Since many people couldn’t read back then, art was a powerful way to share stories, especially those from the Bible.

Medieval art isn’t just one style—it’s a mix of many! There’s Byzantine art with its glittering gold mosaics and serene religious icons. Then there’s Romanesque art, known for its chunky architecture, rounded arches, and colorful frescoes. Gothic art took things to a whole new level with pointed arches, stunning stained glass windows, and jaw-dropping cathedrals like Notre-Dame in Paris.

While religion was a big focus, Medieval artists didn’t only stick to spiritual themes.

One of the coolest parts of Medieval art is illuminated manuscripts. Imagine monks in quiet monasteries, carefully painting tiny, detailed illustrations in books, often adding touches of gold that made the pages shine. These books weren’t just practical—they were masterpieces!

While religion was a big focus, Medieval artists didn’t only stick to spiritual themes. Over time, they started to include scenes from everyday life, mythology, and even tales of knights and heroes. Tapestries, metalwork, and sculptures all showed glimpses of what life was like back then.

What makes Medieval art so special is how it brings together the sacred and the everyday, blending faith with creativity. Even now, centuries later, it still inspires and amazes us, giving us a peek into a world that feels both far away and surprisingly familiar.

Golden light glimmers,

Stone arches reach toward the sky—

Faith carved into time.

The Story of Art: The Romantic Period

Among the Sierra Nevada, California (Albert Bierstadt)

The Romantic period of art, which began in the late 18th century and flourished into the mid-19th century, was a significant departure from the rationalism and order of the preceding Enlightenment era. This movement was characterized by an emphasis on emotion, individualism, nature, and the sublime. It sought to capture the intensity of human experience and the grandeur of the natural world, often exploring themes of heroism, melancholy, and the beauty of untamed landscapes.

The beginnings of Romanticism can be traced back to the late 18th century, a time of profound social and political upheaval, including the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. These events reshaped societies and inspired artists to challenge traditional norms and express their newfound sense of freedom and individuality.

One of the earliest and most influential figures of the Romantic movement was the English poet and painter William Blake. Blake's visionary works combined intricate imagery with profound spiritual and philosophical themes, setting the stage for the Romantic emphasis on the imagination and the mystical. Another key figure was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774) became a cultural phenomenon and epitomized the Romantic hero's emotional depth and inner turmoil.

In visual arts, the shift towards Romanticism was marked by artists such as Francisco Goya, whose works conveyed the dark, often chaotic nature of human experience. Goya's paintings, such as "The Third of May 1808," depicted the horrors of war and the suffering of individuals, moving away from the idealized representations common in earlier periods.

The landscape became a central motif in Romantic art, with artists like Caspar David Friedrich capturing the awe-inspiring power and beauty of nature. Friedrich's paintings, such as "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog," emphasized the insignificance of humans in the face of the vast, sublime natural world.

Overall, the Romantic period of art was marked by a deep exploration of the human spirit, an appreciation for the natural world, and a rejection of the rigid constraints of previous artistic conventions. It laid the groundwork for subsequent movements and continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.

Storm clouds softly weep,

Passion blooms in painted hues—

Nature’s heart laid bare.

The Relationship Between Music and Painting

What do music and painting have in common? Actually, a lot. Music and painting, though distinct art forms, share a real connection rooted in their ability to evoke emotions, tell stories, and express the depths of human experience. The interplay between these two mediums can result in powerful, inspiring works of art that transcend boundaries and create a holistic sensory experience. One of the most enjoyable art projects I’ve ever undertaken was to paint four large paintings, each painting representing what I SAW in my mind as I listened to the four movements of Beethoven’s fifth symphony. It was a wild experiment for me!

I think the connection works because the way music inspires painting is through its capacity to evoke emotions and moods. Music, with its rhythm, melody, and harmony, can transport listeners to different emotional states. An artist can translate these feelings into visual elements, using color, texture, and composition to mirror the emotions stirred by the music. For example, a piece of classical music with a slow, melancholic melody might inspire a painting with cool, muted tones and fluid, gentle brushstrokes, capturing the essence of sadness or introspection.

Music also has the power to stimulate the imagination and conjure vivid imagery. Listening to a piece of music, an artist may visualize scenes, landscapes, or abstract forms that resonate with the sounds they hear. This synesthetic experience allows artists to create paintings that are a direct response to the music, blending auditory and visual elements into a cohesive artistic expression.

Listening to a piece of music, an artist may visualize scenes, landscapes, or abstract forms

The rhythm and dynamics of music can influence the composition and movement within a painting. Just as music has crescendos, diminuendos, and varying tempos, a painting can incorporate contrasting elements, such as bold, energetic strokes juxtaposed with soft, delicate details. This rhythmic interplay can create a sense of movement and flow within the artwork, making it visually engaging and dynamic.

Also, the themes and narratives within music can inspire artists to explore similar concepts in their paintings. An orchestral piece that tells a story of heroism and adventure might lead an artist to create a dramatic, epic scene filled with tension and excitement. Conversely, a folk song about love and loss might inspire a more intimate, personal painting that delves into the complexities of human relationships.

Music and painting are intertwined in their ability to inspire and enhance each other. The emotions, imagery, rhythm, and narratives found in music provide a rich source of inspiration for painters, enabling them to create visually compelling works that resonate on a deeper, emotional level.

Periods of Art: Baroque

As an artist today, it’s really easy for me to forget that whatever techniques I have come up with and whatever subject matter I choose to paint, I stand on the shoulders of uncountable artists before me. There is truly nothing new under the sun. Everything has its origins story. So much of my story has to do with art, so I wanted to think through the different periods of art and consider “where I’ve come from”.

I wanted to start with the Baroque period. The Baroque period in art, which lasted from the late 16th century to the early 18th century, was a time of big change and dramatic expression in Europe. It followed the Renaissance, picking up on its achievements but pushing them to new extremes. The style is known for its boldness, emotion, and movement, and it was shaped by major historical events like the Counter-Reformation, the rise of powerful monarchies, and the growing interest in science and exploration.

Baroque artists wanted to create works that made people feel something strong—whether it was awe, wonder, or intense emotion. They used dramatic contrasts of light and dark (called chiaroscuro), vivid colors, and dynamic compositions to bring their paintings, sculptures, and buildings to life. Unlike the calm and balanced art of the Renaissance, Baroque art often felt full of energy and drama, meant to catch the viewer’s attention and stir deep emotions.

Baroque artists wanted to create works that made people feel something strong

A major influence on Baroque art was the Catholic Church, especially during the Counter-Reformation. The Church wanted to inspire people’s faith and showcase its power in the face of the Protestant Reformation. To do this, they commissioned large, powerful works of art that depicted religious scenes with vivid realism. Artists like Caravaggio made Biblical stories feel immediate and relatable by using light to emphasize the emotion of a scene. Sculptors like Gian Lorenzo Bernini created works that invited viewers to step into the action, like his famous “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa,” which combines architecture and sculpture to create an immersive experience.

Baroque architecture also focused on grandeur and movement. Buildings like St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, with its sweeping curves and lavish decorations, reflected the style’s emphasis on awe and splendor.

Artists like Rembrandt and Peter Paul Rubens brought the Baroque style to life in their own ways, using deep emotion and dramatic scenes to make their work stand out. Though the Baroque period eventually gave way to styles like Rococo and Neoclassicism, its influence on Western art remains strong, celebrated for its emotional depth and technical brilliance.

Ornate whispers call,
Motion spins through golden frames—
Grandeur fills the air.

Marketing your Artwork

Here are some thoughts (not really answers) to the age old question: How do I market my artwork. Marketing your artwork involves a combination of creativity, strategy, and understanding your audience. As an artist, it's crucial to develop a unique brand that reflects your artistic style and vision. Start by creating a professional portfolio that showcases your best work. This portfolio can be a physical collection or a digital presence on a website or social media platforms.

Social media is a powerful tool for artists. Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook allow you to share your work with a global audience. Use these platforms to post regularly, engage with your followers, and participate in art-related communities. Posting behind-the-scenes content, progress shots, and stories about your creative process can help build a personal connection with your audience.

Networking is another essential aspect of marketing your artwork. Attend art fairs, exhibitions, and gallery openings to meet other artists, collectors, and potential buyers. Building relationships within the art community can lead to opportunities for collaborations, exhibitions, and sales. Additionally, consider joining local and online art groups to expand your network.

Pricing your artwork appropriately is crucial. You can’t just look at your painting and ask “what do I think it’s worth?” You really have to take the time to research the market and understand how similar works are priced and consider factors such as the cost of materials, time spent, and your reputation as an artist. Offering various price points can attract a wider range of buyers.

“Pricing your artwork appropriately is crucial.”

Creating an email list is an effective way to keep your audience updated on new works, exhibitions, and events. Regular newsletters with exclusive content or special offers can help maintain interest and loyalty.

Lastly, never underestimate the power of storytelling. Share the inspiration behind your pieces, your artistic journey, and what you hope to convey through your art. This narrative can make your artwork more relatable and appealing to potential buyers, helping you stand out in a crowded market.

Like I said, these are not really “answers” but they are thoughts. If you’ve had luck with any other ways of marketing, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear success stories!