Artists Around the World -- I'm One!

Welcome to this stop on the  'Artists Around The World' Blog Hop.

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As a new blogger, I am VERY excited to have been asked to participate in this blog round-up with other artists,  crafters, writers and illustrators from around the world.   


Just being considered a peer is a landmark moment for me.  

Birds In Clothing (2014) -Amy McLain

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Consu Tolosa

My invitation came from Consu Tolosa!   

If you haven’t already (or even if you have), check out her blog and her art.   It’s precious!   She also answered the four questions I’ve been asked to answer below.

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...AND HERE WE GO!

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Q: Why do you do what you do?

1.  I realized I have to.
I tried to do something else with my life.   I was basically successful, too!   But I wasn't content with just having a good career.   I worked hard and strived for success....but never felt any delight when it happened. I was supposed to be something else!  Frankly, it made me a crappy person to be around!  Oops.  So I changed it.

2. I don't know if you've heard.  We're all dying!   
I'm very aware of that.   When I got my copy of Austin Kleon's book 'Show Your Work' I was glad to see him hit on that point as well!

It comes down to embracing that we're not getting out alive and there's only one (one!) short shot at happiness.     I don't want to sit around and wait for things to happen.  Or regret when they don't. 

Just now someone lost their arms and/or family in an accident.    It's important to remember that.  

Keeping the departed in mind,  learning from what they DID and did NOT achieve, makes me want to get up and do something decent with the time I've got.  

3. I come from weird people who like funky stuff!  

At one point we had a potato that looked like my grandfather.  True story.   

Sometimes I just need to get the lowbrow out!    And sometimes that means painting a robot or a cheeseburger.  


Just enjoy!  A confused nod is meaningful interaction.

Playin' Some Tag! (2014) -Amy McLain

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Q: How does your work differ from others in your genre?

Untitled (2014) -Amy McLain

Let's see.

I don't know, does it differ?  Does it have to?

My work is different because it’s mine and I'm the only me.   Hey, there we go!

I keep my subjects light, sometimes humorous.  I want to create the same feeling in the collector that I had as the painter.   

My mission going forward is what's different, maybe.  I believe anyone who wants to make art (or do anything creative) CAN do it if they just start doing it.   Desire is mostly talent in disguise.  And ALL art is good if it's done with gusto.  

You can make art (and be good at it) if you want to!  At any age. The tools are out there.   You have access to everything EVER.   See the internet!  Or me.   I'll point you in the right direction.

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Q:  How does your creative process work?

I get together weekly-ish with other creative people who have the same goals....people who know more than I do and less than I do.     It helps to interact with other artists because they understand the organic parts of the process.

All of my paintings are pure joy to make and they all start out the same.    I just start using paint.   Mostly with my fingers in the early stages.   

Then I look at it and add a few more layers.  And a few more, having fun with random colors and patterns...dots, stencils, fingerprints, textures, whatever feels good.

Then I turn the canvas  (or whatever) and work on it rotationally, adding more patterns all the way around until I find the subject and decide which way is up. 

I haven't found my flow for taking progress pictures yet, but here are couple of examples

(Note to self:  Do better with progress photos!)

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Q:  What are you working on now?

 

This guy right here is on my easel:    
A shirtless boxer in jeans?  
Yes, please.

Fall is bringing some group shows (omg!) and I'll post more about those as they approach!   

I'm experimenting with funny pet and people portraits.   

World Art Drop Day is tomorrow.

I'm also working on my FIRST group workshop.  Wow.
Conducting workshops is a major goal for me.    I'm happy to say, that with the teamwork of some amazing art partners, the ball is rolling!   The first workshop is an exercise in collaboration and we'll be getting the details out soon!   It's going to be fun.  

The idea of 'working artist' is less pipe dream and more reality with each passing day.   I'm giving it my all...and I’ll be THRILLED to motivate and pass on what I’ve learned. 


I hope to maintain the guts of a beginner.

In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities.   In the expert's mind, there are few.  -Shunrryu Suzuki, via Austin Kleon, Show Your Work

*Every artist (writer, etc) should pick up Austin Kleon's books.   They're easy reads, full of pictures and solid advice on doing what you do!

Go make something fun today!

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Here are the next two artists on the blog hop!  They will be answering the same four questions on their blogs Monday 9/8/14.

I'm keeping it local with Samyak Yamauchi!  
She is really killing it in Portland right now.  If you’re in town, you can meet her at Portland Open Studios in October.  And if you can catch her live painting somewhere, it’s really something to see!   She's a great friend and a great person.   

Click to go there now!

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And Richelle Shadoan down in sunny California!

She makes personalized jewelry from your photographs!    Richelle is a superstar over at CreativeLive and she’s also a nominee for Martha Stewart’s Handmade in The USA awards!    Since this is an artist's blog hop I’m highlighting Richelle's cool jewelry…but she has a  rad travel (camping!) blog also.  

Click to go there now!

Thanks for stopping buy!   Stay in touch!