Twitter

painting titled wile having breakfast

Hello to all of you whom have followed my transformation, from a little weeble to whom I called ArtinWater , Arte en Agua siglas en espanol.

I will Love to explain in my own words as quick as it can be done, in a less complicated way what is Twitter and other resources that I have found valuable to grow as an Artist. Hate to admit but in the beginning even tho had an idea I really didn't knew what  twitter was, and made many,..  mistakes. Like Twitting I'm drying my hair, how fun!! even so funny and very human' this twitts  are very  unprofessional specially if you are driving a business or organization, same goes with music and how you refer to others and colleagues.

in a brief but simple way' will explain what twitter is and ways to use it effectively even if is just to stay in touch, If you use twitter to promote you're business dealings you are in the right path as well, since it lets you micro blog also serves great as a customer service platform, the great thing about twitter is that you can use you're cellphone , e-mail and other resources to stay in touch .

 Let me explain something first, My mission has being the same since the beginning which was to share what I do with some customers that know me for a very long time, My  fellow Artists, Teachers   get connected with museums and to  know the trends in the Art world , how the economy or Other issues has had affected it,.. and twitter allows me to do all this at once and quick .   I have managed to do certain sales from people interested that has stop by twitter, but the sales and everything else has being issued outside the website, because Twitter is not for Sales!

But at the same time one should take advantage, So I see it also to grow and get information/ learning from... media, even tho I'm not an internet savvy person perse'...  The world internet in this case multimedia should be consider your friend, not your enemy, and if you are in twitter and has managed to block all those media people? ouch' well congratulations! but to Tell You the Truth you are in their Field!. As some of you know I'm also very compromised with time being a mom.   I'm also considered a mommy blogger and I am Very Proud of it too!!.. Because this allows me to talk pre school/ middle school and  math  but note: at the same time I let other's... know what kids like, trends in music, media what is going on in the educational system. so all of this is consider resource/ potential also as a Customer ,  being an Artist allows me to show how well we managed to do it,  all in one place. So for us  Artist Mom's and Dad's singles too', this is  Great!. Twitter  has being an excellent tool for me, to stay connected  also with  Family and Friends... I relate to twitter for what it is for tho, never misconceiving it's true power wish is Market  Media and Micro Blogging.

After a month or so in twitter, went in to information that is where  you see this Twitter

 hahaha' twitter got's you covered! they give you a full range of Twitter Rules, Finding and following People etc.  also gives you the opportunity to Verified you're account this is for those whom need it,... please read first, before you go on clicking...  I am not here to explain everything about twitter just to give you a spectrum of the things you can do with the website, and How great it is to stay connected!,  not to mention I have found Valuable Tweeple in Twitter!!! that I for once thought this could not have being possible! but it is...  I'm I thankful? Yes I am Very much so! in hopes continually to bring information savvy' and interesting about not only what is happening in my career as an Artist, but also about The big Vast community of The Arts and Artist in Twitter.

 as always here is what I'm working on...this is what's happening? @ArtinWater

Twitter is How I met Etsy!


After websites over websites  found The Beautiful People of Etsy  trough believe it or not,.. Twitter! whom are also referred as My fellow Etsians and even tho as busy as I am, have managed to give me an opportunity of the things that can be accomplished!  Artists Like Artists never forget that!' their is and does exist those whom show you where to go, with their hands and  point... (Resources) those whom let you know, when things should be improved, so all is for good use, never take it personal, this is Always  to grow as an Artist and as a Professional.

 Etsy has being a Great Help, even tho only less than a year in the website  have had the opportunity to  meet Many beautiful and wonderful Etsians that have hugged and teach me so much, from  the Art of Crafts to Artists that work in many things, from  paper to metal the lists goes on!,   all in this combined makes a powerful punch of equality and insight!! This  has also  shown me the potential of Twitter in many ways and to whom I'm very grateful.

Even tho' I like to take my time...but in a steady way... know little by little  will get there'...please note this is for those considering Twitter to promote them selves before I go off... I wish You The Best in You're Art as a Career! even so some might think because they are humble' since Art does requires patience and many sacrifices  as just but:  I just like to Paint and Draw and sometimes feel a shamed of thinking that for selling it, will make Them more or less' or that also might think they are bothering people please note:
self-promotion is part of you contribution in the economy, grow as an Artist  not only Motivation and Ambition must start within You,. Believe in You're self !always do things with kindness, Respect and for Self Grow.  Best Wishes!  The Power of Nice and Yess goes along way' and that is an energy that translate in to miles away'.

Mary


  One last tip, Head on to My Art List in Twitter and Follow! there's many Artist looking forward to share with you their insight, expertise, experience, friendship in a caring and professional way.  In our careers We are always learning.



If you would like to know more about how to also sprout out you're Artist Career please head out to Alison B. Stanfield whom is also a tweeple and a beautiful person.also known in twitter as @abstanfield 
Her book is Rich in insight and whom in the very near  future, will love to see in person and attend one of her conferences.

Making Wine'

Not long' ago an Artist friend of mine and I where talking about Merlot's.  I've being dying to do an wine painting for so long kinda lingered for a wile' agreeing later on..what kind to portray? since theirs so many! besides Art nothing beats the good company of you're family and friends wile having good wine'.

So here is the process of one of my recent paintings Enjoy! the Painting is made in Oils on a canvas panel.
Surprisingly at the same time, wile answering to my friend the mail man came with my Art materials' and I said Oh Joy! So here is to you My Dearest of Friends amigo and Art compadre'!! Cheers!

Here is The Basic sketch', I like to leave it as just forms".. making sure all is in a balance way and they don't appear as dancing all loco' since the beginning. The glass of wine you can not see it, but is wider' squint you're eyes look back and take out whatever is not for good use..later on...

I lay on the first layers for the bottle elongating the bottle's neck more like the wine of my preference', uhmmm not even for a second caring about lights at this point just adding dark's.

My Impressionistic side Said paint it Low key' with highlights on the blue's... but my Modern era' style said, This wine deserves to be portray as it is!!...now give it some class and make sure to separate the glass proportions accordingly instead of a champagne Glass!!'.

Now what kind of wine is this?.. I know is Merlot but is heavy merlot very thick fruity woody and by the way smells divine...yes it goes well with cheese as well' the cherries are the essense and the spirit of the wine...so all plays well in this composition and of course the background, some what like a obscure pub or bar..where you still feel movement and energy coming all around...

Highlights on the glass, I took the liberty and made my Own fit for the King gold plated glass' in here' it is all about giving dignity to this humble wine' portrait... don't forget the cheese!!

 love the texture on canvases so I must say I do apply texture on gesso  love the feel of it,  the background is still getting there, as so is the glass of wine notice how the background on the glass melts together to give a tonal value, this strokes are done fast..not to mention the color scheme here is very basic all you're complimentary the highlights are applied in an impasto matter. please note: the highlights where toned down later on' but I thought it was a good Idea so you can see the brush strokes here'

Here the cheese has entered proud in to the composition not even pulling from the glass or the bottle but adding a sense of unity in all the objects... stay tuned please.. for more of this humble but beautiful painting.  Now go Have a glass or two and Paint/ Write/Sing/ Run/ Cook or pull the weeds, enjoy you're creative endeavor...Cheers!!

New Paintings

soften edges wile keeping a busy background cool against warm' color

Seascapes in need of a vacation?

Lifting Whites and left alone.. whites graduated washes different tonal values

Sketch and Paint

or

Shake and bake

or

Dance and Sing!

It is Joy for Life! peace with in... to portray... and Paint one after the other...! Remember when Life gives You Lemon's Make....Lemonades make many' and drink some more!!So here we go!!

Leaving the whites to create highlights and form cool background against warm tones

Using brush strokes to do form' no touchie the pencil!! painting has being cropped

Focus on Light left alone concentrated details

Ink Watercolors and Alcohol same fish different angle.

bold pen sketch and Inks

Temperament/mood quality, Graduating washes... followed by color complementary Vs. split complementary

Tonal value shadows and lights

high key Vs. Light and Shadow

Lifting up paint Saturated wet in to wet technique

details on the eyes on the upper fish, learning to flow key complimentary Yellow Orange Red Orange using line to form... as well as taking lines off, high key lights to produce bounce effect on view, use you're imagination after study and then paint'.

New Paintings

New Paintings

Despite Having an enormous case of bad allergies all this week and a headache that does not go away' managed to stay outside and sketch' each one starting point from 30 min sketch to 25 and forth as a way of exercise to keep my mind centered in what I am an active painter! some said it is not easy fighting with procrastination, so when those urges come instead of going and doing something else' besides paint, It is a good time to run, hug you're canvas, take you're brushes and paint, paint and paint!..



This trees where painted both simultaneously. This tree is located a house away from my backyard, with a theme' in mind since we are in the beginning of fall, welcoming fall and the beautiful colors that come with the season, the second scheme' is based on different time of the day.

This is The Mulberry tree' all grandiose' where all birds, chipmunks, squirrels, jumping spiders, blue J, cardinals come to visit it all the time, and from where I spent must of the time staring at and taking ideas viewing different animals. Let's say the tree came with a package, deal'.


I have made different interesting paintings, based on anecdotes' of this single tree', I often sit near it, and when a bird approaches it, taken snap shot's and continue sketching. Not sure how many years this tree has being here, but pretty sure it is older than me. When we first moved from the City to where we live now on really windy days, the tree trunks hit the windows making a spooky scratching sounds'. So You can imagine my children faces..very extremely funny' trying to explain is just a tree!!' eventually we had trimmed it down...yet' the tree has managed to grow in huge proportions.

Again I took what we called Artistic license and removed things that are unnecessary, like fences or houses entirely sitting or standing locating the view finder at an owl view position makes me think easily not to confuse all the tree branches because it has many, The artistic license not only helps wile simplifying, but also helps to the point where I can see the other trees to an full extend behind it, even tho' in reality you can only see half of them.

sketch Outside and Paint

This painting has a funny story, happened last month, it was very sunny' out, So I decided it was a great time to paint this flower painting... finished outside...

wile...doing this painting,...I laid other watercolor paper to stretch it on the floor' drying because it had loads of water in it, then this huge long legged spider went underneath the mat where I was sitting on...suddenly... felt something on my neck and when moved... looked like a spider web, I had it all around me..legs hair and back... I laughed and then squirt it with water.. the curious' spider with an exquisite, wild and inquisitive, big appetite?.

Nevertheless the painting was finished...and I think missy or mr. spidey learned a lesson'

Adrians Gift

Children say and do the darnest things' yet I rather stay sitting down listening to them talk, as they are often pure and say things that sometimes adults tend to forget, making more sense' not only that, Small Children often don't see differences, They play and go on talking to each other hugging just like if they knew each other from a long time ago', often saying this is my friend, and he (she) is my Best Friend . I Believe if Adults where a little... like this, a lot of problems can be easily solved.



My 5 yrs old Favorite Movie is Finding Nemo, and he says, Mom, he got lost and now he's daddy is Sad..but then..he finds the turtle that calls him Duuuude! making that same sound like in the movie and then he gets help! and finds he's daddy Again.

please read again...and think deeper because, this teached me a lot! specifically when one is in trouble the importance in relying on each other, not seeing even if that other person has a disability' remember Dorothy she was forgetful Nemo' could have easily thought she was useless. ' Yet, she helped him!.



I often Learn a lot from Children, for example about this story again of the fish, that sounds simple, but yet it is not... with a big moral is quite impressive' and so teach the child what can happen when you don't listen. Or What parents can do, to teach with out irritating their children.

So he says, Mommy paint Nemo! he got rescued and he lives happy with he's Daddy' so this are for Adrian My 5 yr old Son, whos small words means a world to me and whom I am actually Learning from.

and so.. He has inspired me to take another look at creation it self,' and our oceans, eventually this cards will have and serve a bigger purpose!

Works in progress!...
Did you knew, that clown fish communicate trough sounds?

Oil Still Life

Brief study sessions are a must, specially this days when we are so busy.
For Ideas just pick up the primary and sketch,' do so with the brush saving time as well, remember is a quick study, get you're panels ready gessoed the day before'.

In my time, I do this at least three or four a day 60 min to 1 hour in intervals. Not big but medium size is fine', It is important that you keep you're self on practice mode' this will help you towards more difficult schemes in the future and the only way to learn as well'.

Iusualy just take out whatever things I got in my fridge apples lemons limes etc...onions tomatoes..

Even you're own painting materials brushes oil boxes etc...the important thing is that you do this on the day of light, and with a good attitude...this is the 4th painting done today including a portrait that at the end didn't work for me. Even small because it is a miniature' it does requires patience brush control and understanding, just like a bigger painting so don't underestimate the size of your canvas either.

Oil Paintings Color Studys

Working on High Color Schemes'

The Real issue here is staying on that note.. with out going to far on details'


Movement contour & color, even tho' the face and body have being in a way subtracted the brush strokes suggesting form here, really help when it comes to a body.

The Making Watercolor Painting

The making of a new flower watercolor painting...

Tracy Chapman on the background..can't get better than this, I even sing on this one!

Painting Acrylic women

Being a women painter has not being easy' being of Hispanic background either, Just to say I'm Puertorican, some have picture me with a knife in my mouth for some reason?, Being a mother starting early in life of three children, it has being an battle.. a constant fight with men, my self and other that say~ No this is not you're position, No you can not do that' you can never be better, this is for professionals only" like they belong to an exclusive club. This has being comments mainly coming from men but women as well'.

No, you where not meant to paint and the list goes on... like ooooh' Now you are a painter? is that soo' Ive being laugh at ridiculed, looked upright back and forth' even some have dare to say- come and sit here you can be a model, not the painter.. , stereotyped because of lack of...or Spanish accent etc.

The Greatest thing in life, is to accomplish what others say you cannot do. When your mind is full of indecision, try thinking with your heart. Understand that You will always have a person upon whom you can depend yourself.


Well after a long fight ,because I had this on my mind for quite some time, I threw it all away' not caring for a second what others might say or think. Have learned to come around like a boomerang', Must admit not easy'. Even still sometimes I think, what would have come, if I succumbed to what they said?... Because it did crossed my mind . Wouldn't dare for a second to say what I'm not, or to give prove to anyone!' 10 years later. and I'm still here'.

This blog is to those women out there' perhaps passing trough the same, that are thinking twice for whatever reasons, Listen to me, No one can dictate whom you are or what is the right way or path for You, Don't let anyone pinpoint where you should go, take a stand, Yes, sacrifices even the lack of monetary means, might put you in a string, thinking perhaps how? When that happens, is when you should really take a stand and be strong' don't back down. If this, is you're calling is you're calling!

If You have chosen an Art career perhaps gotten noticed later in life or early, this is the right path for You, never doubt it. Take it very seriously, don't listen to anyone that has nothing good to say about you're self or you're career', Self Respect, Self Esteem, Love For You're Self plays an Important part in here' Being Strong, practice, Study keep on doing what you love, not to prove anyone' but for "You to be Strong be Happy for what you are' Women Stand Proud'.




miniature 2.5" by 3.5" painting my version is up for sale charity donations via ebay to Books of America.org

Recycled Watercolor

Paper making has being a passion of mine, this was a casual thing for me, when One day, someone out of the blue' just decided and gave a kit to me, just because..., does that happens to you? an the person said here....make something beautiful, Well it does happens to me, I call it the universe paying back for something done right to some one else, this happens often and frequently , I'm guessing is a Great thing!.

The materials used are many, but my main focus for this paper, was to preserve an eco friendly paper, with out pressing it with things painted or metal so Ive used only wood for this one and my hands so you can see hand made, I love things that has that simple but elegant touch in it, with out commercial, things, those sudden mistakes or distress finishes add a beautiful vintage look to them, also the spices used are all about relaxing, mind and soul. like Oil of Oregano wish has healing properties, chamomile, Herb's D Provence, Cinnamon, different seeds, rose oil, rose petals, mulberry essence from trees, etc...The paper is very thick so it is not good for writing...but can be sown or cut in to something...I let them dry in the sun and see how they turned out, so colors may probably be more blended.

When paper making becomes a work of Art, you see patience pays off' I squeeze each sheet very carefully not to damaged it, and also applied the petals and flowers just like a Saan paper maker will... Like I said nothing metal was used..so this is all made by hand, not to mention it is very therapeutic and a beautiful way to preserve you're un used recycled watercolor paper. I used beautiful paper, nothing from mail or postage service or that has ink in it.

This paper is made with very good grade artist watercolor paper and I even made sure, to use the one that said wind made not the other kind,... this was done all under the sun in my backyard...where the sudden breeze becomes one with it self' something tells, it is something done right...my peace wile making it, no interruptions everything set up for a good mood, positiveness for something Beautiful. No Rush,... No mood,.... No worries,... Peace, Love, calm making sure that paper has a very good energy from nature and my hands.

They are 10 in total, and will be posted soon! in my ArtinWater.Etsy shop as soon as they dry!