Author: Cheryl

EarthSong115

Summer Reading

Cheryl
I’ve discovered a book on creativity I really like. It’s called “Let the Elephants Run” by musician David Usher. It’s creatively written and a fun read as well as lots of good info on how to be more creative. 
Inner child

Aaaah Summer!

Cheryl
This summer I have blocked in some time to explore painting. Yes, after all these years of doing art, there are still experiments, ideas, and unstarted paintings living in my head. I am eager to give them birth! Even with that, I find I must be very deliberate about reserving this time – or somehow it slips away. Hope that this summer you will be able to fit in some creative time too. My recommendation? Put it on the calendar. 
Roses in Paper

Confidence

Cheryl
In class the other day we were discussing the confident brush stroke. Mysteriously, when looking at a brush stroke in a painting, you can often sense whether it was put down confidently, and it is more pleasing if it was. It doesn’t even have to be totally accurately placed. Just as a singer who sings from the heart may not necessarily hit every note right on, so the confident brush stroke enhances the painting in a way that a precise brush stroke may not. This is more easily done with a good sized square brush well loaded with paint, than with a smaller round brush. It’s one of the reasons I love square brushes and encourage my students to use them. Go for the bold!