Yes, you should have one. If you’ve ever felt stuck creating backgrounds for your tissue-paper images, you’re not alone. Many students tell me, “I’m not an artist—I have no idea how to make a background!” Here’s the good news: your background doesn’t have to come purely from imagination. One of the most powerful (and fun)… Read More »How to Build a Texture Library for Photo Encaustic Backgrounds
#1 Pricing Mistake. How many times have you asked, ‘how do I price my artwork’? It’s one of the hardest aspects of any business, let alone an art business, where you are putting a dollar value on your artistic voice and personal vision. Naturally you start asking around. You ask your friends and family what… Read More »Stop Guessing: Price Your Art with Confidence
Surrendering to the Process. Recently, I asked hundreds of artists to share the best advice they would offer someone just beginning their encaustic journey. The responses were beautiful—thoughtful, generous, and full of wisdom. But one theme appeared again and again: Surrender to the process.Let go.Be patient.Don’t overthink.Enjoy the journey. This reminded me of an example… Read More »Surrendering to the Creative Process
Can I just blow off a little steam? I’m really tired of hearing the downright bad information out there in regard to encaustics and photo encaustics in particular. Normally I get really excited when students tell me what a wonderful teacher I am, but this one got me going. “I just attended a weekend workshop… Read More »Learn how to ‘think’ about photo encaustics
Let’s talk about color. Most of us were introduced to the color wheel early on—ROY G. BIV may still echo in your head. But when it comes to defining your artistic voice, color plays a much deeper and more personal role. Every color carries associations.Red evokes passion, power, courage, or even rage.Blue can feel calming,… Read More »Using Color to Find Your Artistic Style
Stay Motivated! Lately, I’ve been feeling a little unmotivated. After pouring all my energy into creating my newest course, Embracing Tissue Paper, I’ve hit that familiar post-project slump where I don’t feel like doing anything at all. Motivation has been on my mind, so I asked my creative circle what keeps them inspired. Almost everyone… Read More »How to Stay Motivated as an Artist: Simple Rituals to Spark Creativity
Nothing about this moment feels normal. I’m not even sure what to say in this post. I’m just trusting that the words will come as I type. I’ve been self-quarantined for 2-weeks now and I’m feeling defeated, sad, powerless, exhausted, anxious and bored. It’s an incredibly fearful time for many of us and I know… Read More »Creativity as Medicine in Uncertain Times
The Care and Feeding of Your Creative Mind. Every artist walks their own creative path. None of our journeys are better or worse—just uniquely ours. But one thing we all share is the need to stay inspired. Without ongoing inspiration, our creative energy dims, and our work suffers. A big part of nurturing your creative… Read More »Nurturing Your Creative Mind
What’s your upgrade plan? I’ve been thinking a lot about upgrading recently. We had an abundance of water this year in Minneapolis and although we haven’t had an issue in the past, it seems this was to be our summer of getting water in our basement. Every time it rained; we were vacuuming up water.… Read More »Upgrade Plan
Get your work reviewed! I’ve known George Slade for many years. He’s a photography curator, writer, historian, and consultant—but what stands out most is his gift for helping artists find meaning in their own images. Critiques can feel intimidating. Sharing work that comes from the heart often brings vulnerability, and it’s never easy to hear… Read More »Finding Meaning Through Image Review