Something came up on a backpacking trip I took with friends. The lesson I learned perfectly relates to art-making. Here is what happened. It is always hard to know exactly how our future art will turn out. But the past can provide clues on how to move it forward....

Have you ever experienced a coincidence that seems almost planned? It’s as if these moments of synchronicity are meant to teach us something. I notice this happens when I’m more engaged with my art. Here is one that happened to me recently. Check this out. I love...

I’ve been thinking about the artist’s journey in terms of a pilgrimage. On a pilgrimage, there’s an expectation that those you meet along your path will expose you to new ideas and expand your horizons. When I was a teenager, I met a stained glass artist who did just...

When looking back at old work, I'm always surprised at how I can remember what I was thinking about when making the art. My thoughts ranged from the gallery I wanted at the time, to the artists I compared myself to and the collectors I hoped to attract. So it's no...

I teach principles of art-making, and there's one overarching idea that connects them all — the idea of differences. Big shapes, small marks, bright color, value contrast—all these exciting differences bring life to your art. However, something less obvious is the...

I injured my hand recently, and it’s been harder to paint. Holding my tools is awkward, and I can’t lift the larger paintings onto the wall. I was trying to work anyway but reacting to my limitations completely blocked me from that flow state. Everything I was making...

I’m never sure where I am going when making my art. It’s sometimes hard to know what to do next. But there is one thing I do that helps me every time: I ask a question. However, it has to be a potent one. So here is the one question that helps me find my way every...

Posting our art on social media, seeking gallery representation, pricing, and even our own limiting beliefs, can all clutter our art lives. Yet, given all of this complicated stuff, we can often overlook the one cool thing about art-making. Here’s what I mean. There...

Do you ever give up trying to resolve a painting? First, it can seem like nothing will work. Then, finally, you get to the point that you want to give up. I experience this all the time. What’s surprising is what can happen next. At the point of giving up and letting...