News — art struggles

I am passionate about reducing waste in my life and my art practice. I paint on both sides of paper when I can and keep every terrible painting or scrap to reuse in collage.  Here's a video from Instagram that shows a few more of my recycling & waste reducing techniques that you can steal for yourself!   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen Roberts - Artist (@late_blooming_art) I keep meaning to make part 2, and I'll be sure to post it here too when I do.

In the interest of "work smarter, not harder" & "done is better than perfect" in 2023, I'm resurrecting some blog posts I started months (or even years) ago and posting them in whatever state they're in.    So many artists have long and involved stories about what motivates them to create their art. What emotions or experiences they're trying to work through; what messages they're trying to convey. I feel like a total poseur when I encounter these stories, because my art isn't fueled by these things. My process is about discovery, experimentation, and exploration. It's about wonder and surprise....

In the interest of "work smarter, not harder" & "done is better than perfect" in 2023, I'm resurrecting some blog posts I started months (or even years) ago and posting them in whatever state they're in.    "Bold watercolor" is what I've decided to call my style of painting. It's true on a couple fronts--I love to use bold, bright colors, and I am also pushing myself to be bold in my painting process. Try the new thing. "Waste" the supplies. "Mess up" the beautiful first layer.  I have multiple reminders as well: I hung a sign from an exhibit...

In the interest of "work smarter, not harder" & "done is better than perfect" in 2023, I'm resurrecting some blog posts I started months (or even years) ago and posting them in whatever state they're in.    Recently an acquaintance asked: "So why did you decide to try watercolor?" I was stumped for a bit. I know how I started watercolor (took a free class at the library with decent supplies) but why? I wasn't sure how to answer that question. I jokingly replied in a silly voice "Cuz it's pretty." But this question won't leave the back of my mind since then....

In the interest of "work smarter, not harder" & "done is better than perfect" in 2023, I'm resurrecting some blog posts I started months (or even years) ago and posting them in whatever state they're in.    There are only 2 techniques in watercolor.You read that right. There are only two (2) techniques in watercolor: wet on wet, and wet on dry. Everything else is just icing.Now, getting these two things right (especially the wet on wet part) takes YEARS to master. I still consider myself a watercolor beginner, and I've been working with watercolor for almost 3 years. 3...