If you’re like me, you’ve probably collected many studio tools and gadgets over the years. Some are useful for only a short time while others have lasting value.

Check it out…

This cart on wheels holds massive paintings! It’s ideal for storing and moving canvases and panels around small studio spaces. I find it so helpful. You may too!

How do you move and store large paintings in your studio? Let me know in the comments.

The 2024 Creative Breadcrumbs Challenge is almost here! It starts September 9th! Join us for this free and live online event that’s open to anyone at any level of art making! It’s going to be 2 immersive days to see who you are and most importantly, who you are becoming. The Art2Life Creative Team will be there with me, and I can’t wait! Head to www.breadcrumbschallenge.com to save your spot!

This week on the Art2Life Podcast, I dive into the business side of art. I will talk about calculating your hourly rate per painting, thinking about what success is for you, finding good galleries, and more. I hope you’ll join me this Wednesday! Catch it wherever you stream podcasts or watch it on our YouTube Channel.

Have the best Sunday,

Nicholas

I’m back from my show opening, and it’s time for a bit of studio housekeeping. I’ve returned to several buckets with dried-up paint.

Take a look…

It makes clean-up easy because I only have to use a screwdriver to scrape the dried paint out.

This is an efficient way to dispose of the paint. It’s easier on the environment than pouring wet paint down a drain and now I have clean buckets ready to go!

Have any efficient studio tips you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments.

This week on the Art2Life Podcast, I reflect on the importance of stepping into something bigger than you. Coming back from my show, I had the chance to think about the process from start to finish. Giving yourself such a challenge is an opportunity for growth and change! It’s really an act of love. Let’s paint together and I’ll share my thoughts this coming Wednesday.

I hope you make some art today!

Nicholas

PS: Did you know that the full video version of the Art2Life Podcast is available on the Art2Life YouTube Channel? Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss it!

In art and life, we all get stuck at times and don’t know how to move forward. Whenever this happens to me, I’m reminded that the answer is always the same—just try something! This just came up for me as I was completing my newest work. I wasn’t sure what the final finish should be on all these large acrylic paintings, so I experimented.

Take a look…

I explored various materials to check their effects on sheen and color. It’s important to experiment to find the right finish. In the end, my preference for this body of work is Varathane’s Spar Urethane water-based satin. I love the look!

What finish do you choose for your acrylic paintings? Let me know in the comments.

In this week’s episode of the Art2Life Podcast, I address common artist challenges, including overcoming stagnation. We can often have energy in the spring but lose focus or momentum come summer, and it’s hard to see our path. I love this subject and have some ideas to share. I hope you’ll join me this Wednesday. Grab a sketchbook or something you are working on and paint with me while you watch on our YouTube Channel or listen on your favorite streaming service.

I hope you get to make some art today!

Nicholas

PS: If you’re looking to take the Color in your art to the next-level, then head over to my Color Tips Mini Course. There are 7 video lessons that detail the five contrasts of color – Value, Complements, Saturation, Temperature, and Harmony. This course will give you a solid understanding of color and how to use it to strengthen your art. Check it out!

My show opens this week and we’re at the final step — getting the work to the gallery! All the canvases are now removed from the support panels they’ve been stapled to and are ready to go.

Here’s the process…

The canvases will be stacked, rolled, and flown to Julie Nester Gallery. Once there, they are given to a framer to be restretched. I love this system because it keeps the final painting lighter than if it were made directly on a panel. Plus, now my support panels at the studio are ready for a fresh blank canvas. My process keeps evolving, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.

Do you have a similar process for preparing for a show, or do you have any special tips? Let me know in the comments.

The new show opens at Julie Nester Gallery on Saturday, July 27th with an opening reception at 6pm. If you’re in the area and can stop by, I’d love to see you!

This week on the Art2Life Podcast, we feature artist, designer and educator, Rukmini Podar. Her art journey explores diverse methods to create art and convey emotions effectively. We’re making art together as she shares the powerful project that got her started and continues to enrich her life. I hope you’ll join us this Wednesday.Tune in wherever you stream podcasts or grab a sketchbook and create with us while you watch on our YouTube Channel.

Have a great day in the studio!
Nicholas

PS: If you want a sneak peek at my upcoming show, click here to join my Fine Art Insiders List to be sent all the details in the coming days.

I’m standing in front of the largest painting I’ll be showing at Julie Nester Gallery at the end of July. This has been fun to work on! The painting is much looser and more direct than the other paintings in the show, but it will still fit in with this new body of work.

Check it out…

All my paintings initially have this loose quality, but they become more refined as I add layers. For this one, however, I’ve stayed loose, and some parts are very raw, but it still works because this quality is consistent throughout. The takeaway is that each painting is its own universe, and whether you approach it loosely or more refined, it can hold together as long as that approach is applied throughout. There’s so much freedom in that!

Let me know if the comments if that resonates with you.

This week on the Art2Life Podcast, you’ll get to see my conversation with the amazing artist, Silvia Poloto. We’re making art together and talking about her vibrant art journey and her thirst for the unknown! This exciting episode is available this Wednesday wherever you stream podcasts and you can watch it on our YouTube Channel. Bring along a sketchbook and join us!

Have a happy Sunday!

Nicholas

PS: Do you want to receive a special sneak peek at my show before it opens later this month? Click here to head to my website and sign up for my Fine Art Insiders List. In the coming days, I’ll email you more info on my show.

My July opening is coming soon so I’m stealing time and working away! Whatever I can do to maximize paint time is a priority. Here’s a time-saving tip I came up with that’s helping so much.

Watch here…

My buckets of paint have lids, but they are awkward to open and seal. Now, instead of the lids, I’ve placed 12×12 panels to cover the paint. It works great! The neatly stacked buckets keep the paint and brushes wet so when I come back to the studio I’m ready to roll. It’s the little tips that add up to more ease in your practice.

Do you have a time-saving tip to share? Leave it in the comments and let’s help each other!

My guest on the Art2Life podcast this week is artist and photographer, Kristin Little. We met recently at the Art2Life studio and I found out she’s been doing the Creative Visionary Program while on a sailboat! I have long dreamed of doing workshops on a sailboat so I couldn’t wait to talk to her. Join us as we make art and listen as Kristin shares about her amazing adventures! You can tune in on your favorite podcast streaming service, or grab some supplies and paint along with us while watching on our YouTube Channel.

Have an awesome Sunday and make some art!

Nicholas

PS: We’d love to see you at one of our Art2Life retreats in Morocco or Mexico this October! We only have a few spots left. Click here to learn more.

Today I want to show you my favorite finish for a painting – cold wax.

Watch here…

I use cold wax on both acrylic and oil paintings to create a final beautiful surface. It often takes two coats that I then polish to create a river stone finish — it’s not glossy, and not matte, it’s just right. I love the natural quality of the wax and the yummy luster it leaves after polishing. Cold wax works so well for all my paintings, I even use it in my sketchbook!

Do you use cold wax? Let me know in the comments if you have any tips to share.

After a short break, the Art2Life Podcast is back with all new episodes! Coming this Wednesday, I paint and talk with Bay Area Artist, Raquel Baldocchi. Raquel is a mixed-media artist who has a unique process of working with self-made papers and collage. I’m loving this new format where I make art with friends. Bring your sketchbook or something you are working on and join us wherever you stream podcasts or watch on our YouTube Channel!

Hope you make some art today!

Nicholas

PS: I am so excited to announce two transformational Art2Life Retreats available this year, at two extraordinary locations — Morocco and Mexico! Ready to transform your art and life? Click here to learn more.

I’m in beautiful Mexico and I want to make some big art down here for my upcoming show. A change in environment always gets my creative juices flowing! I paint on canvas but like to mount it to large wood panels for support. Luckily I found a woodshop who can make panels to my specifications. I just tested one and it’s going to work great!

Check it out…

Having this new place to make art is so exciting! A beautiful location that’s so different from your studio can’t help but energize your life and art! This is what I love about the Art2Life Destination Workshops and Retreats, too—artists feel free, and breakthroughs come. Creating here will undoubtedly impact my new work, and I’m super excited to see what comes!

What change do you bring to your practice to shake things up and revitalize your practice? Let me know in the comments.

Nicholas

PS: Being in Mexico is getting me super excited for our upcoming Art2Life Retreats! Announcements are coming soon, so make sure you are on our notifications list to be the first to see where we are going!

This week I have a tip for you that I regularly use to create cool marks and texture – some dark and some light.

Check it out…

I love the idea of working with these opposites. If I want a light painting for instance, my first layer will be very dark. Then I cover that underpainting with lights. Once I do this, I can go back in to bring out the dark marks by scratching through the light surface.

It seems counterintuitive to start a painting with the opposite value you want but the resulting marks and scratches have more energy! If you want a light painting, start dark and if you want a dark painting, start light. Give it a try!

Do you think about whether you want a dark or light painting when you are just starting a new piece? What tips do you have? Leave me a note in the comments. I’d love to hear!

Do you have questions about color? Check out our Color Tips Mini Course! This helpful mini course addresses the most important aspects of color and this foundational knowledge is a must for all artists. It could be a game changer for your art!

Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Nicholas

I learned a hard lesson this week! Read on so you can avoid making the same mistake I did.

I really like the direction my new paintings are taking, but unfortunately, the paint is peeling off on one! It’s an old acrylic painting I was working over and the acrylic paint is not sticking. I realized the previous version had a very thin layer of wax. Now this new painting is ruined.

Watch here…

The lesson is that acrylic does not adhere to anything oily or waxy – not even a thin coat. I’m going to attempt to take the paint and wax off and start again. I’m not sure how best to do that but I’ll start with a heat gun and alcohol to remove it. The new layer of paint needs to be secure since these paintings get rolled and shipped to the gallery. I hope this cautionary tale keeps you out of peeling paint trouble!

Has this ever happened to you? Let me know in the comments.

The Art2Life Podcast is back with an all-new episode this week! My guest is my friend and artist, Louise Fletcher. She came through the Creative Visionary Program several years ago not thinking she was an artist and has since exploded! She warmly shares her wonderful wisdom as we paint together.

While you can listen to it anywhere you stream podcasts, I want you to be sure to check out the video version on our YouTube Channel so you don’t miss out on the art-making! Bring along a piece of art to work on and join us this Wednesday for our next episode.

Have a great Sunday!

Nicholas