How Not to Paint

Where did the week go? I am very tired, so know that I was very busy yet I certainly didn't get a lot of painting done.

I started a painting of crocuses a few days ago. I chose hot-pressed paper, although I usually use cold-pressed to paint on and either it didn't agree with me or I didn't agree with it. I seemed to be fighting with it. Finally I walked away from my work in progress in frustration. I often feel frustrated while I am in the middle of a painting. Every painting contains myriad up and down moments as the paint, water, paper and I conspire to create an image. I'm used to that, but it's very rare for me to give up on a painting.

Because my week contained more non-painting moments than painting ones, I thought it would be useful (maybe you're too driven? too prolific?) to put together this list.

Kathleen's Handy Tips:  How Not To Paint

• Take the dog for a walk. 
• Make beautiful colour swatches of all of the paints in your paint box.

• Spend days on the Handprint site (an amazing resource!) and stay so long that you become artistically paralysed. 
• Revise your palette based on all of the information that you learned during your days spent on the Handprint site. 
• Revise it again. 
• Make new colour swatches based on your new palette. 

• Start a blog. 
• Reorganize your watercolour paper in your studio. 
• Garden.
• Open an Etsy shop. 
• Have another cup of coffee or maybe a cup of tea. 
• Decide that your many years of painting experience are not enough and reread all of your art instruction books, watch how-to paint videos on YouTube and visit other artists’ websites. 

• Create a Facebook page. 
• Take photos of potential painting subjects. 
• Take some more. 
• Go to the art supply store to find inspiration in new art materials. 

• Decide that you should devote your energy and time to the art of housework. 
• Open a Twitter account. 
• Redecorate a room, refinish a piece of furniture or build something. 
• Check your email, blog, Etsy shop, Facebook page and Twitter feed. 
• Take the dog for another walk. 
• Write a blog post about not painting.

I will confess to being diverted by all of the above activities at various times in the past couple of years. Well, except for one. You can try and figure it out. :)

Gifts for the artist on your list

With Christmas approaching and shopping time diminishing (I wish I was feeling more organized right now!), I thought it might be helpful to suggest a few gifts for the artist among your friends or family members.

I own a lot of paintbrushes that I've accumulated over the years.  But I have to say that the brush in the above photo is my current favourite.  I bought it in Paris this summer.  Well actually my daughter Chloé bought it for me for my birthday while we were in Paris. Those are reasons enough to love it, but it handles watercolour beautifully and has the loveliest point. (Isabey 6225 series No. 8 brush)

I use paper from a number of manufacturers (Arches and Waterford among others) but this handmade paper from a small mill in Montreal is a favourite of mine.  It comes in sweet, small sizes with four deckle edges.  It has a lovely soft texture. It is sold in stores across North America. (Saint-Armand watercolour paper)

I bought these beautiful bird scissors in a sewing store.  I use them in my studio when I want to cut a precise shape out of paper but I also use them for mending or sewing.  Truth be told, mostly I like looking at them. (Stork Scissors by Premax, made in Italy--sold in sewing supply stores and also in the supply section on Etsy)

Micron pens would be a welcome gift to many artists--whether young or experienced.  They come in all different sizes (the number 02 is my favourite) and have micro pigment ink that is waterproof and fade resistant. They are perfect for sketching or doing a pen and watercolour painting. (Pigma Micron pens by Sakura)

There are lots of lovely art books that you could give an artist--a reference book, a biography of a favourite artist or a book illustrated by an artist.  The book above is one I love. It is written and illustrated by English artist Mary Woodin and it answers my love of both watercolours and gardens.  It is a visual diary of a year in her garden filled with luscious watercolours, descriptions of her plants and beautiful quotes.

The Painted Garden:  A Year in Words and Watercolors is available here.  I have just found out that she has published a garden cookbook too.  Guess what just got added to my Christmas list? :)

If you are looking for a gift for a child with artistic interests, there is a wonderful series of books by Laurence Anholt.  We have five of them in our household but there are more available.  They were enjoyed thoroughly by me and my youngest daughter Chloé. And even though they are written for young children, they travel between her room and my studio because we both still love them.

Each book tells the story of a famous artist. You get to see some of the artist's well-known work but also a snippet of their life--in each case told through the perspective of a child who has a special friendship with the artist.  Wonderful educational books with an emotional core. (Author Laurence Anholt)

From Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt

Most artists are inspired by other artists. A painting or print from an admired artist would be a very thoughtful gift.  Here is a print that is on my list this year:

Lemon botanical plate on vintage French envelope by French artist Lucile Prache of Lucile's Kitchen

I love everything done by this wonderful artist! You can find her here and here.  I am very lucky to count her as one of my friends. :)

And finally, here is an idea that does not cost anything but would be valued by so many.  Artists need time to be creative.  Give the artist in your family a certificate that is good for babysitting, washing the dishes, walking the dog, making dinner, mowing the lawn, vacuuming the house--you get the idea--so they can have a little more time at their work table or in their studio.