I spent some time today putting together a video look back at the year's paintings. This is really just a sampler because I really failed this year to do a good job of documenting works created in my studio or in classes, so it took a little struggle to track down a good sampling of the paintings I've worked on this year. Some you may recognize from lessons, demonstrations and past posts:
Read MoreIn my watercolor community we are talking all month about how art and beauty fill our lives in a series of posts I'm titling, "The Gifts of Watercolor" but it's really the gift of Life, Love & Beauty.
Read MoreI spend so much of my painting time simply working to get away from my own expectations. I know that there is a place of freedom, where a painting comes alive before the brush even hits the paper. It’s a magical place, and like all magical places, there’s no straightforward route to arrival. Sometimes the wardrobe is just a wardrobe, and other times it leads to a wintry forest in another world, and I don’t get to decide when that happens.
Read MoreI love looking at art supplies at Christmas, even though I know that when it comes to painting goodies, I buy for myself. Because I set goals in January for my painting through the year, I always try to stock up on supplies that will inspire me and strengthen my painting habit.
I’ve made a list of some of my favorite supplies, things that will help you if you are growing your own painting habit, and a few delicious luxuries you and I can dream about, and maybe, splurge on!
Read MoreBecause winter inspires me so much, I've made it a tradition to release a new workshop every year at the beginning of December. A holiday mini watercolor workshop is my way of celebrating the season (and giving you something for your Christmas list).
This year's Christmas mini course is something a little different; on December 3rd and 4th, I'll be recording four live video lessons, painting a series of winter scenes in watercolor. You can paint along with me!
Read MoreWhen I was first starting to make my name as an artist in my community, it was interesting how frequently I had to turn down possible art jobs. I was painting landscapes and florals in watercolor, but I received requests for mural paintings, portraits, graphic design, children’s book illustration…a smorgasbord of variety! And I hated turning down work! But I knew my limitations and no matter how creatively I looked at it, there was just NO WAY my watercolor would translate well to mural painting. I knew my limitations.
Read MoreThe 5th annual Angela Fehr watercolor calendar features some of my most exciting watercolor paintings from the past year. Order your collector’s copy today!
Read MoreThe question I get asked most frequently by growing artists is “How do I find my style?” I am never sure if I can offer an answer that satisfies, as what I’ve learned over the years is that we artists are often asking the wrong questions.
You can’t pick your style from a list. Your style is as instinctive and intrinsic to you as your own personality, and that’s actually a really good thing! When you learn how to listen to yourself and paint from that inner artist, you will start creating your deepest and most authentic work.
Read MoreThe giant “canvas” sat against my studio wall for months before I finally mustered the nerve to touch brush to paper. I had never painted anything larger than the standard “full sheet” of watercolor paper, so a piece of paper that was 20 inches longer is a big stretch for a watercolor artist! Just setting up a piece of paper that large takes time and effort, as wet the paper, then stretched it over a wooden frame, stapled it and allowed it to dry, tight as a drum. The investment of time added to my anxiety about messing up that big, white expanse of paper.
Read MoreWhen you’re working in watercolor, a large painting is usually quite a bit smaller than what’s considered large in paintings on canvas. The largest common size for watercolor paper is 22 x 30 inches, so that’s one limitation. Watercolor brushes are scaled for smaller size paintings as well, and even palettes usually have small wells that won’t accommodate a large brush. All reasons why watercolor painters tend to work small.
Read MoreThere are times when I’m painting and nothing turns out. Nothing. The painting process feels off, my brush is clumsy and awkward, and the most promising beginnings turn into ugly, gauche messes. It feels like everything I thought I knew about watercolor has failed me, I’ve lost any skill I might have had and NOW WHAT?
Read MoreI want to create exceptional art. How can I do this when I can never match the image in my head of my goals for the work?
Read MoreWhen I was first approached to teach a 3 day plein air workshop in Tobin Lake, Saskatchewan, I said no. First of all, I was too busy, secondly, I usually teach 2-day workshops, and finally, PLEIN AIR? I don’t really qualify as an expert; I hardly ever paint on location. However, the organizer, Roberta, doesn’t give up easily, and somehow she talked me into coming to this beautiful lake resort area for a three day workshop, which ran last week. I’m glad she did!
Read MoreThis post includes a giveaway! Click to find out more.
Read MoreFor many years, I refused to consider adding plein air painting to my artistic practice…I knew only that my plein air paintings showed the essence of my lack of skill more than the scene before me, and that didn’t seem likely to change any time soon.
Read MoreMy very first watercolor paintings were local landscapes, and as I’ve grown and evolved as an artist, that’s one thing that hasn’t changed. I often say that if we ever moved, my way of settling in my new region would be to get to know it through the medium of brush, paint and paper.
Read MoreIt's absolutely a dream come true to be able to invite you to come and paint with me in ITALY! When I travel to teach and paint, I get to see the world and connect with students who love adventure as much as I do, and this seven night excursion into northern Italy will be our chance to see and paint some of the world's most beautiful views...together!
Read MoreAll I ever wanted as a new painter was to paint something that looked like the picture in my mind, and every time my brush touched the paper, I was either moving closer to the dream or further away. And it was so hard to know!
I’d put down a brush stroke and be stricken by doubt and immediately dab it up again. My left hand held the brush to apply the paint; the right hand, a wad of paper towel to lift it out again. So much uncertainty and fear of getting it wrong!
Read MoreWhat if heart-led watercolor could be the starting point, instead of introduced as an intermediate transition toward a personal loose style?
Read MoreI think there are a lot of misconceptions surrounding professional artists. We have a level of skill other artists aspire to, and we often present our work with confidence and pride. Mistakes aren’t as visible, leading to the assumption that maybe we didn’t make any (ha!) and so often this leads to the idea that we’ve “arrived” at some place of achievement where doubt doesn’t enter, where struggle is past, where we are just able to do exactly what we plan to do in our work.
And maybe that is true for other artists. I can only speak for myself, and, having painted in watercolor for twenty-four years, I am still teaching myself to paint.
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