As I sit to write this post, a snowstorm that dropped about 20 cm overnight is still doing its thing outside. It’s not been the hardest of winters, but I’m looking forward to spring arriving. It likely won’t be here for a few weeks yet. In the interim, answering some of your recent questions is the order of this day. One disclaimer before I start … I answer these questions to share how I do things, but there is no right way to do things in art. So, try different things and then do it your way, eh?
Question #1: “What kind of acrylics do you use?”
Using the best quality paint makes all the difference in a painting. My number one favourite brand is Nova Color, which I get from California. In comparison to what I pay here in Canada for Golden brand acrylics, it’s worth it. And yes, Golden fluid acrylics are my second favourite. I love using a splash of Golden high flow acrylic here and there, and I also use Golden heavy body acrylics, although less often than the fluid ones. I love both these brands because they are high quality and offer very vibrant colour. The reason that I slightly prefer Nova Color over Golden, is that I love the consistency of Nova Color acrylics. They’re not quite as fluid as Golden fluid acrylics but are much more fluid than a Golden heavy body acrylic. I’ve also been trying out a Canadian brand, Kroma, over the last year or two. I like them, they have vibrant colour and are reasonably priced. Consistency-wise, they are just a little less fluid than Nova.
Question #2: “What is your greatest challenge and what is your biggest dream?”
One of the biggest challenges I deal with as an artist is comparison - comparing my work, my success, my social media popularity, and my sales with (my perception of) others’ work, success, popularity and sales. I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle, eh?
I don’t scuffle every day with comparison, but it raises its ugly head often enough that I pay attention when it arises. It usually means I’m tired or bored … or that I need to use some of my tools to raise my vibe – one of my current favourite tools is listening to an uplifting Spotify or YouTube playlist. I really like 2Cellos now. Going to the gym, getting outside for a walk, doing a yoga practice … these all work for me. I also have a bag of tricks filled with things that remind me of who I am as a person and what I’m here to do in life and in art. If you’re wondering what that thing I’m here to do is, it’s about creating with freedom and doing my own thing. When I fully remember that, I know how valuable that is … and comparison no longer matters. We are all on our own paths, eh? I feel fortunate to have worked with coaches and other artists who have brought this truth home to me. Getting older also helps, I care a lot less about what others think than when I was younger.
My biggest dream as an artist is a trickier question to answer. Right now, my dream is to be a successful independent artist selling my work online. That dream is coming true … but I would like to be able to sell at least six paintings on canvas a month online. I’m not quite there yet, but putting it out there to the Universe is a good thing, right? Two ways I’m working to make that happen are to increase my followers on Instagram and to build my mailing list. You can help with both … see the second to last paragraph of this blog post.
Using the best quality paint makes all the difference in a painting. My number one favourite brand is Nova Color, which I get from California. In comparison to what I pay here in Canada for Golden brand acrylics, it’s worth it. And yes, Golden fluid acrylics are my second favourite. I love using a splash of Golden high flow acrylic here and there, and I also use Golden heavy body acrylics, although less often than the fluid ones. I love both these brands because they are high quality and offer very vibrant colour. The reason that I slightly prefer Nova Color over Golden, is that I love the consistency of Nova Color acrylics. They’re not quite as fluid as Golden fluid acrylics but are much more fluid than a Golden heavy body acrylic. I’ve also been trying out a Canadian brand, Kroma, over the last year or two. I like them, they have vibrant colour and are reasonably priced. Consistency-wise, they are just a little less fluid than Nova.
Question #2: “What is your greatest challenge and what is your biggest dream?”
One of the biggest challenges I deal with as an artist is comparison - comparing my work, my success, my social media popularity, and my sales with (my perception of) others’ work, success, popularity and sales. I don’t think I’m alone in this struggle, eh?
I don’t scuffle every day with comparison, but it raises its ugly head often enough that I pay attention when it arises. It usually means I’m tired or bored … or that I need to use some of my tools to raise my vibe – one of my current favourite tools is listening to an uplifting Spotify or YouTube playlist. I really like 2Cellos now. Going to the gym, getting outside for a walk, doing a yoga practice … these all work for me. I also have a bag of tricks filled with things that remind me of who I am as a person and what I’m here to do in life and in art. If you’re wondering what that thing I’m here to do is, it’s about creating with freedom and doing my own thing. When I fully remember that, I know how valuable that is … and comparison no longer matters. We are all on our own paths, eh? I feel fortunate to have worked with coaches and other artists who have brought this truth home to me. Getting older also helps, I care a lot less about what others think than when I was younger.
My biggest dream as an artist is a trickier question to answer. Right now, my dream is to be a successful independent artist selling my work online. That dream is coming true … but I would like to be able to sell at least six paintings on canvas a month online. I’m not quite there yet, but putting it out there to the Universe is a good thing, right? Two ways I’m working to make that happen are to increase my followers on Instagram and to build my mailing list. You can help with both … see the second to last paragraph of this blog post.
Where the Wild Things Are, 24x36” acrylic on canvas, $860 CAD
Question #3: “Do you consider yourself part of a broad artistic movement? Who are your models?”
I can’t say that I identify with any particular artistic movement. My own art has progressed from initial loose, representational watercolour work of things I saw in the world to a more inward-focused, process oriented and intuitive style resulting in colourful, layered non-representational acrylic and mixed media work. I’m not 100 percent comfortable with the term “intuitive” … curious might be a better word. I follow my curiosity when I paint. I want to see what will happen next. Also, although I paint intuitively/curiously, the elements of design are important to me. I consciously strive to improve my work technically.
So, it’s not that I’m not influenced by art movements and other artists, I definitely am, but I don’t consciously try to copy or re-interpret the work of other artists.
Question #4: “What time of day do you do your best work, and do you paint in fits and starts and let it evolve … or start and finish in one blast?”
My first inclination is to say that I paint best in the morning, because I am most productive at everything in the morning. However, at the moment, my family life is such that it’s difficult to paint in the morning. So, I’m more likely to spend a couple of hours in the afternoon and even after supper in the studio. My studio is now at home, which makes it much easier to grab a few minutes or hours here and there. I am loving it! At the same time, it was easier to be disciplined and have defined work hours when I had an external studio.
I create in focused bursts of activity, and I work in many layers …. so, my work tends to evolve rather than to be started and finished in one sitting. I really like the complexity, depth and vibrancy of layered acrylic work. I was more likely to start and finish work in one sitting when I worked solely in watercolour.
I can’t say that I identify with any particular artistic movement. My own art has progressed from initial loose, representational watercolour work of things I saw in the world to a more inward-focused, process oriented and intuitive style resulting in colourful, layered non-representational acrylic and mixed media work. I’m not 100 percent comfortable with the term “intuitive” … curious might be a better word. I follow my curiosity when I paint. I want to see what will happen next. Also, although I paint intuitively/curiously, the elements of design are important to me. I consciously strive to improve my work technically.
So, it’s not that I’m not influenced by art movements and other artists, I definitely am, but I don’t consciously try to copy or re-interpret the work of other artists.
Question #4: “What time of day do you do your best work, and do you paint in fits and starts and let it evolve … or start and finish in one blast?”
My first inclination is to say that I paint best in the morning, because I am most productive at everything in the morning. However, at the moment, my family life is such that it’s difficult to paint in the morning. So, I’m more likely to spend a couple of hours in the afternoon and even after supper in the studio. My studio is now at home, which makes it much easier to grab a few minutes or hours here and there. I am loving it! At the same time, it was easier to be disciplined and have defined work hours when I had an external studio.
I create in focused bursts of activity, and I work in many layers …. so, my work tends to evolve rather than to be started and finished in one sitting. I really like the complexity, depth and vibrancy of layered acrylic work. I was more likely to start and finish work in one sitting when I worked solely in watercolour.
A few more things:
Thanks for reading. I wish you the happiest of months ahead. Also, if you have a question you’d like me to answer or if there’s something you’d like to see in a future blog post, please comment below.
- I’m aiming to reach 10,000 followers on Instagram this year. I’d love it if you’d help me reach that goal by following me on Instagram at @donnamulhollandstudio. Liking and commenting on my posts would rock! Thanks in advance.
- Enter my monthly giveaway for a Goofin’ with the Muses poster and join my mailing list here. My subscribers get access to mailing list only art and discounts, receive first access to online art collections, and enjoy news and other surprises. Hint: I’m releasing a collection solely to my mailing list tomorrow.
- I’m giving away a set of postcard-sized art prints. Comment below on or before Friday, March 23rd to enter. Make sure I have your email address, too. If you’re not comfortable typing it below, email it to me with the name you used in your comment on my blog at [email protected] with the words “Blog Giveaway” in the subject line. I’ll contact the winner via email on Saturday, March 24th.
- My next blog post is going to feature some of my favourite Instagram accounts ... yeehaw! Share the names of your favourite Instagram artists in the comments below!
Thanks for reading. I wish you the happiest of months ahead. Also, if you have a question you’d like me to answer or if there’s something you’d like to see in a future blog post, please comment below.
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