testimony to practice | encouragement

by | Feb 6, 2023 | Art, Artistic Endeavors, encouragement, Oil Painting, sketches | 13 comments

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It wasn’t a formal commitment or challenge explicitly set out, but I decided after Christmas that I wanted to try to paint and/or draw every day.  By every day, I mean most days, regularly.  And, with just one or two exceptions, I have been at the easel and/or in my sketchbook every day.  Some days, it’s just doing a few sketches on the sofa when we’re watching TV in the evening. Most days, though, I take the time to work at my easel, so I can consistently produce oil paintings to sell the originals and provide digital copies for commercial clients to make prints.  Even in these few weeks, I am feeling the momentum and seeing improvements.

art studio | miss mustard seed

Over the weekend, when I was taking some time to paint a still life, I noticed the paint caked along the edges of my easel.  It reminded me of when I first bought the easel.  I was so excited about it and all of its potential, but I also felt a little disappointed in its newness.  I would’ve loved to purchase some old easel with all of the crusty paint, drips, and splatters on it.  But, this easel was pristine and I needed to make my own marks on it.

After using it for almost five years, it has developed those crusty edges I desired.  I knew they were there, but I hadn’t taken the time to really appreciate them and what they represented.

orange painting on the easel | miss mustard seed

They weren’t merely paint marks, splatters, or spills.  If that were the goal, I could’ve splashed some paint on the easel a long time ago.  But these, these were little flicks of paint from a wayward brush that built up over time as hundreds of paintings were created.  These were a thousand little drips and accidents.  All of this paint collectively is a testimony to all of the practice and work that’s been done over the years.

paint on the edges of an easel | miss mustard seed

For years, I would abandon sketchbooks and throw away drawings because I didn’t think they were good enough.  I finally dove into art and learned along the way that the filled sketchbooks, the embarrassing works, the master studies, the challenges undertaken, and the crusty build-up of paint on the easel edges is how you get better.  They are the byproducts of growth.  You don’t get better without those things…the mess, mistakes, drips, pigment-stained fingers, splotches on your apron, scribbles, experiments, and bad ideas.

paint on the edges of an easel | miss mustard seed

I’ve started to look at growing as an artist as a numbers game.  The more I can create, the more prolific I can be, and the more I will grow. Even on days when I don’t feel like drawing, I don’t focus on doing a good drawing.  I just focus on filling pages.  Doing the work as an exercise and trusting the process.

customized sketchbooks | miss mustard seed

You can see how I customize and cover my sketchbooks HERE.

I was curious to look back at some of my early still life paintings and compare them to some of my current ones.  If you recall, I committed to painting 100 still life paintings from life and I learned so much in that process.  I can see how much I’ve grown since then, though.

Here are lemons then…

lemon oil painting | miss mustard seed

…and lemons now…

lemon oil painting | miss mustard seed

Clementines then…

orange oil painting | miss mustard seed

…and clementines now…

orange oil painting | miss mustard seed

Cherries then…

cherries oil painting | miss mustard seed

…and cherries now…

cherries oil painting | miss mustard seed

A part of it is I’ve learned how to set up a more interesting still life, but I’ve grown in drafting, my observation skills, and handling of the paint.

I can’t wait to see how my paintings look after five more years of patina is built up on the easel.

I’ll post a full preview with sizes and prices, but I’ll be having an original art sale of my recent paintings this Friday at noon EST.  The sale will be located on THIS PAGE.  More details to come…

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    13 Comments

    1. Babs

      The timing is perfect for me to hear your encouragement as I have recently signed up for a watercolor class with an artist I admire. Paint every day is a wonderful goal. I will aim for that but often miss the mark. Oh, well, back to the easel…

    2. Betsy

      I’m not an artist of any sort but I have to say I find something simple and lovely in your earlier paintings. I’m drawn to the muted colors.

    3. Joelle

      Wonderful post on ALL aspects of growth!!!

      I would like to know if you would share some info on your recessed lights you installed in your studio. What Kelvin is the lighting? I am curious to know what color range you chose, since lighting is so important in the end result of painting.

      • Marian Parsons

        I actually went with “old school” recessed lights (as the electrician called them) so I could use incandescent bulbs or LED. I use incandescent bulbs but mix them with a cooler LED panel light when I’m painting, so I get a nice balance.

    4. Tanya

      Wow! I love the comparisons you show. Practice certainly does make progress and I love the depth that your newer paintings have! I do wish I could carve out the time to commit to daily art practice, you certainly do make me want to try harder to do that.

    5. Kayla

      Your easel is gorgeous. I have always assumed it was an antique. Could you provide info for where someone could find a nice one? I am hoping to get a corner set up for painting and would love an easel to look like furniture with a story and not the run of the mill easel. Yours seems to be more utilitarian than most. Any info would be great! Thanks.

      • Marian Parsons

        Mine is the Sienna Counterweight Studio Easel. I bought it because it’s very versatile, and sturdy, and I can move it up or down without a crank or screws. It has gotten more expensive since I bought it five years ago, but it is a great easel that will grow with you.

    6. Susan

      Seeing Cezanne emerging…

    7. Lisa P

      This is a great reminder that painting badly is a required part of the journey to being able to paint well. Your consistent work and development as a painter is a big inspiration. Thank you!

    8. Mayanna

      I have the necessary supplies from my studio packed into a rolling Artbin. We are in the midst of a move half way across the country, so my art has taken a backseat to packing. I miss my dedicated studio space, but the Artbin will work temporarily.

    9. Argelia Brown

      It have of your earlier works and live them. It would be interesting to see if you would change them now and how they would look? Love your paintings, very peaceful!

    10. Michele M.

      One day I truly hope to be able to own one of your original nautical paintings. Those are my favorites, but I think it is extraordinary you paint so well. It is a talent that eludes me. I really sincerely love your paintings!

    11. Cindy D

      Hi Marian. What an encouraging post. I love to painting with acrylics. I have an old easel that was my late MIL. I usually paint on my work table where my husband asked why I don’t use an easel. Honestly, it doesn’t feel right for me using one. I was just curious. Would it be more beneficial for me to try and paint with an easel? Would love your feedback

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