Sterling's February 2022 Newsletter

February 2022 Newsletter

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When true inspiration comes knocking

Unfortunately, real honest to gosh inspiration, can be something that many of us rarely encounter. But when it does occur it's incredible! We either see or imagine something that triggers our creative mind into an unstoppable action that demands we get to work and put our ideas onto paper or canvas while we still have the driving motivation to do so. We have no choice; it's just what we do as visual artists. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired, but once we do, it's "Katie bar the door" for most of us.

I've tried to explain to others the feeling that an artist gets when something REALLY inspires him or her. It's a driving force that almost takes over your mind. If you're like me you often go to bed and have a difficult time falling asleep because your mind is racing with ideas on how you will go about putting your thoughts into action. So many questions need to be addressed to do it justice. What size do I paint it? Should I rely on local color or be creative with the color? Do I need to tweak the composition just a little? Maybe it would be more exciting if I went totally creative and abstract the piece. The mental exercises go on and on, sometimes to the extent that we become a little overwhelmed and confused. At some point , however; we need to make a decision and get to work. Those who don't create often do not understand how difficult it is to come up with creative ideas. They say things like, "I wish I could just look at something and paint it". It doesn't do any good to try and explain to them just how much mental energy goes into creating a piece of art from a blank sheet of paper or canvas; it's like creating something from nothing, which is really what we are doing. It truly is a gift to have that ability, and those that do not are often envious of what we can do with our talent. We create art. But first you have to come up with a preconceived idea as to how to approach it. Without a plan you're just pushing paint around and hoping that something worth saving will suddenly emerge from the mess. But when you're truly inspired, you don't want to blow it, so you take your time until you have devised your final game plan. Only then, can you do something extraordinary. This is when you knuckle down and show the world what a good artist you are.

The painting above is a full sheet (22"x30") watercolor painting on 300lb Fabriano Artistico cold pressed watercolor paper that I did recently as part of a three piece series. I was truly inspired by a beautiful and very old tree I saw while Diane and I spent a day with two of our friends touring some vineyards in Southern Virginia near the town of Floyd. As we drove down a dirt road leading into the vineyard we saw the tree in a field next to the road and we were all in awe of its beauty and majesty. I told everyone that on the way out of the vineyard I wanted to stop and get a few photographs for reference. It didn't take the trained eye of an artist to appreciate just how amazing this tree is. We all took several photographs of the tree from different angles. While driving home, I found it difficult to think of anything else except how I would paint that tree to show the world how magnificent and majestic it is. When I got back to my studio I pulled up the photographs on my phone and was immediately reminded of just how intriguing and unique this tree appears. That was it; the moment that I became truly inspired and knew that I was going to paint something special. This is a little unusual for me because most of my paintings derive from an urge to paint something and then finding a subject that seems interesting and doable at the time. This, on the other hand, was a true inspiration; something that I rarely experience these days.

I did not dive right into a painting, however. I spent a week or so rehearsing in my mind what approach I would take so as not to waste this valuable inspiration. I finally came up with an idea of doing a series of watercolor paintings showing the tree from three different angles and each a little different in execution than the others. I decided to keep the colors of the paintings in the same spectrum as the actual tree because the balance of orange and green were so beautiful and unusual. I also decided to go into more detail than I usually do these days. The intricate detail of the subject made these decisions for me. It was a classic scenario for layering negative shapes which I often refer to as building generations of negative shapes. In doing so it's important to gradually apply darker values and slowly build the shapes to create the desired appearance of depth and dimension. Since we discovered this tree while wine tasting at a vineyard with good friends I wanted the title of the series to reflect what I felt that day as much as what I saw. So I titled the series, "On a Quest for Fine Wine" All three paintings were full sheet watercolors on Fabriano paper. The painting above is titled "On a Quest for Fine Wine III"

I wish that I could find this kind of inspiration more often because this single tree sitting in a field off of a dirt road rekindled a spark of creativity and excitement with my painting that I had almost forgotten existed. It was exciting and almost soul searching. I needed that and now I have no doubt that I'll someday come across that wonderful and elusive feeling again. So now I'm on a quest to find more inspiration. I'm doing what an artist should do; I'm taking a little more time looking at things and considering all of the many possibilities as opposed to merely glancing.

As with this tree, I'll probably stumble upon it when I least expect it. I certainly hope so; in fact, I'm banking on it.

Note:

For at least the next few newsletter editorials I have decided to feature a painting in my top center space that I can write about as an example of a specific style or thought process.

We now have a NEW Companion Website:

www.sterlingedwardsart.com

For several years we have received numerous requests that we offer prints of some of my paintings. To accommodate these requests we have designed a new website that is a companion to our current site.

This new site allows us to offer a large selection of prints of my paintings and even some prints of my photography. Yes, unknown to most, I'm also a photographer. There are also two galleries that feature original watercolors and original acrylic abstracts on paper that are available.

Another great feature of this new site is that you can choose from a variety of sizes and surfaces that you would like for your prints. We hope that you will check it out and be as excited about it as we are.

Of Special Interest

There is a Facebook Group called "Fluid Watercolors" that was started by one of my students in California named Parisa Diba. Parisa is an excellent watercolorist and has developed a beautiful and captivating style of watercolor painting primarily using large brushes. Her paintings have an ethereal and somewhat minimalist presentation which I find super attractive. I have also been told that she is currently working on a book. I will keep you posted when I hear more about that.

Watercolor artists can post on her group site provided they are approved and meet the group criteria. It's a great site that is worthy of checking out.

Gift Certificates

We have received several request for Gift Certificates recently so Diane and I have decided to offer Gift Certificates for $75.00 or $100.00 that can be redeemed for Videos, Live Classes, Art Supplies, and Paintings. The Gift Certificates can be purchased on our website; www.sterlingedwards.com under Art Supplies.

(Not redeemable for live, on location workshops)

Upcoming February Live Zoom Class

All my Live Zoom Classes and Workshops are designed to illustrate and explain a multitude of creative techniques. There will be plenty of painting time for each participant. I am available throughout the entire class to offer suggestions and/or critiques as you work on your paintings. As an added bonus, you will receive an unedited video of each class for future study.

Click here to view a ll upcoming Zoom Classes and Workshops

"A Sunny Day at the Beach"

FEBRUARY 17, 2022

Click here to register

This is a four-hour watercolor Live Zoom class for intermediate to advanced watercolor artists. $100.00

ARTIST WORKSHOPS

***Please Read***

We are currently booking 2023 and 2024 workshops. If you would like to schedule a workshop for your group in 2023 or 2024 please contact us soon so we can send you the information that you will need to make an informed decision. Email; sterling@sterlingedwards.com and request a workshop information packet.

When you write, be sure and tell us the name of the group that you represent and where you are located.

All spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.

If you want more information about any of the workshops below, get in touch with the Contact Person for that particular workshop. He or she can answer questions about the workshop price, lodging, airports, etc.

2022 Workshops

February 7-9, 2022, Three-Day LIVE ZOOM CLASS.

Santa Clara Watercolor Society. This will be a LIVE ZOOM CLASS

on painting stylized and creative watercolor paintings. Contact;

sgjochheim@gmail.com

February 17, 2022..LIVE ZOOM CLASS on Painting a Sunny Day at the Beach.

This will be a LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a beach scene.

Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

February 28-March 1, 2022, The Villages, Florida

This will be a two-day watercolor workshop that will cover landscapes, floral, and abstract. Contact Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com 804-536-1794 WAIT LIST

March 2-4, 2022 The Villages, Florida

This is a three-day Acrylic Abstract on Paper Class. Contact:

Wanda Boyd, wboyd2009@yahoo.com 804-536-1794 WAIT LIST

March 17-20, 2022 Grifton, North Carolina Watercolors from A to Z

This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will cover a wide variety of subjects and painting styles using watercolor. Contact; Judy Dye, jadye@embarqmail.com 252-939-6121

March 25, 2022 LIVE ZOOM CLASS on Painting a Colorful Acrylic Stylized Tree.

This is a one-day LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting an acrylic stylized painting on gessoed watercolor paper. Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

March 31, 2022. Painting a Colorful and Funky Watercolor Floral.

This is a one day LIVE ZOOM CLASS on painting a very stylized and playful floral with watercolor. Go to www.sterlingedwards.com and click on "Live Zoom Classes" to learn more or to register.

April 2022 Valley Watercolor Society, Los Angeles, CA

This is a four-day LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP on Expressive Watercolor Techniques for Painting a Floral.

Selena Cheng, selenachengart@aol.com 310-283-4105

May 2-5, 2022 Pensacola, FL. Palette Productions

This is a four-day watercolor workshop on Expressive and Creative Watercolor Techniques.

Pat Page, pat@paletteproductions.net or Diane Goeller,

diane@paletteproductions.net 850-384-3652

June 7, 8, 10, 2022 Cheap Joe's

This will be a three-day watercolor LIVE ZOOM WORKSHOP on painting water with watercolors.

Contact: Edwina May, 1-800-227-2788

Edwina@Cheapjoes.com

June 27-July 1, 2022 Petoskey, MI, Crooked Tree Arts Center

This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.

Contact: Liz Erlewine 231-347-4337, lizerlewine@crookedtree.com

July 25-28, 2022 Alma, Michigan, Creative Art Guild of Mid-Michigan

This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.

Contact: Kathy Litwiller 989-640-0094 klitwiller@cmsinter.net

August 22-25, 2022 Morgantown, WV

This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor styles and subjects.

Contact: Byron Witt 304-292-5026 bwitt26@comcast.net

September 13-16, 2022 Siouxland Artists, Sioux City, IA

This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on Creative and expressive watercolor techniques and subjects.

Contact: Paula Crandell 712-212-5045

October 3-6, 2022 Nipoma, WA

This will be a four-day watercolor workshop that will focus on a wide variety of watercolor techniques and subjects.

Contact: Jerry Smith jsmithp38@sbcglobal.net

November 10-12, 2022 Art of the Carolina's Trade Show in Raleigh, NC

Information Pending

.....Paintings from my archives.....

"The Finish Line"

22" x 30" Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300 lb cold pressed watercolor paper.

"Bold and Bonsai"

22" x 30" Watercolor on Fabriano Artistico 300lb cold pressed watercolor paper.

"On NC 24"

22"x 30" watercolor on Fabriano Artistico Bright White 300lb cold pressed paper.

This is a selfie of Diane and me taken somewhere in Montana. We spent almost two weeks driving the entire state and loved every minute of it.

www.sterlingedwards.com

As always, we appreciate your support. Please let your art loving friends know about our website and newsletter. They can sign-up for the newsletter on the website. Thank you.

Art; it chooses us

Ponder this:

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep".

Scott Adams

(Scroll to the bottom for one more painting)

This is a 15" x 22" thirty minute demo for one of my Zoom Classes.

E-mail: sterling@sterlingedwards.com

Sterling Edwards / Artist, LLC

230 Sunny Acres Drive

Lewisville, NC 27023

USA

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