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Women in the beginning of settling our country had the talent and desire to create art too.

So I salute them too on this 4th of July. As they did their part also to fight to keep us free.

They had to work from morning til night trying to take care of their families.

They had to grow their food and preserve it for the hard winter seasons.

Quirky Quilt   ~  24" x 18" x 1.5"  ~  Acrylic/MM on Canvas

They had to bear children, teach them and take care of them.

They had to make the clothing, spin the thread to make the clothes, cook, clean and keep up the household.

WOW…can you imagine wanting to have time to use your artistic talent?

And to make it worse, knowing how unrealistic for a woman to be recognized as a woman with artistic talent!

Today we have so many conveniences that make it possible for women like me to find the time to purge our talent from our heart and soul.

But it is still a challenge as a woman, a female, to be accepted and recognized.

This painting is a tribute to all those women before me who still had the spirit to find a way to express themselves.

I learned to quilt as a young girl. It taught me math, patience, design and using my creativity with patterns and shapes to create something precious.

I am very grateful for this knowledge and the time I have to create.

Quirky Quilt   ~  24" x 18" x 1.5"  ~  Acrylic/MM on Canvas

Contact me for availability on these paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

Payment Plans make it EASY to own the Original ART YOU DESIRE. Email me. (for original paintings only)

HOW DARE THEY…after 50 years think they can control my body choices!

June 24, 2022 was a very devastating day for me and millions of people who believe in women’s rights to choose their own destiny.

This is not about abortion, but about CONTROL.

If the Right feel they can decide not to take a COVID vaccine, infect millions of people and kill millions with that decision but then decide they can control my reproductive rights, they are seriously wrong.

The Right thinks it is okay to murder kids in school and traumatize them for the rest of their lives so they can carry and sell guns but females can’t make a choice for their path in life before a child is born.

Whether it is rape, health problems, or a choice about life situations, you are the only one who should make that decision.

My Body, My Choices  24" x 24" x 1.5"  Acrylic/MM on Canvas

We will fight back and make them sorry for their hate for women and their love of total control.

The next to come…taking away your right to contraceptives. If you have a miscarriage they will investigate you.

If you continue to vote for the GOP, you are giving them the power to control your life, your destiny.

The only way we win control back of our bodies is vote for the people who respect your rights.

Contact me for availability on these paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

Payment Plans make it EASY to own the Original ART YOU DESIRE. Email me. (for original paintings only)

When I created this art piece a month or so ago, it came from the heart.

Painting: Darkness Falls in a Color Display ~ 12" x 12" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

And Memorial Day is the perfect day that represents its wishes and meaning.

Darkness can mean many things to society.

There are 2 very important aspects of darkness that give meaning and pleasure to most.

The color display that accompanies the night sky as darkness falls is an absolute wonder to behold.

And at night many people send up love to the deep, dark universe for loved ones who have passed before them.

Some send their love up there for a better society in hopes that it will go where it is needed most.

My meaning for this painting was about the people I had lost but had sacrificed for me and my desire for a more stable society.

I had a husband who died too young because of the effects on his body and mind from serving in war. So this is a day that speaks to him.

War does terrible things to those who fight in it.

But I also feel that Memorial Day, because it is about those who sacrificed for us, I have to include my mother here as well.

She was my hero and role model because she remained positive and inspirational for me even though she had a very trying life because of war.

She went on and created a business when it was difficult for women to do that.

And she was always helping those less fortunate than herself.

But she also remained true to her 4 daughters even though she was divorced from a husband that also suffered from the effects of war. So I send up my thoughts and blessings to  her as well today.

My hopes today is that we don’t ever hurt families again just to justify war.

My heart goes out to the people of Ukraine because I know what the effects of this war will cost to their human spirit for years to come.

The war is not over when the shooting and destruction stops. For many families it lasts their whole lifetime.

Look up to the sky at dusk and send your blessings to your loved ones.

But please also send up your positive thoughts for a better and more mindful society.

When you look at this painting, what does it say to you? Does it give you hope? Does it stimulate to send your best thoughts up to the universe?

I hope so. We need your help to create a better society.

For me, creating art is the healing process. My collectors tell me that my art reminds them to give thought to an issue and helps them heal as well.

Contact me for availability on these paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

Payment Plans make it EASY to own the Original ART YOU DESIRE. Email me. (for original paintings only)

When YOU are on my website you will find a new subMENU under my PORTFOLIO menu: Digital Fine Art.

For the last several months I have been creating and perfecting my art skills for my digital fine art paintings. Both figurative and non representational digital abstract paintings.

Stretching the Imagination ~ 24" print on fine art paper - $113

Fitting In ~ 24" square print on fine art paper - $159

 
Shaping the Differences ~ 32" x 24" print on fine art paper - $160

Deep and Dark of Night ~ 25" x 20"print on fine art paper - $160 

I am so excited with the contemporary, abstract fine art paintings on canvas that I have been able to produce for your wall decor.

Digital fine art paintings, however, can only be ordered as prints on fine art paper or canvas.

SaatchiArt is where you order my prints in various sizes. They are a premium creator of prints true to color and on premium surfaces.

When you go to my Digital Fine Art Menu under Portfolio Menu tab at the top of the website page, you can click on the button to take you to whichever art you are interested in on the SaatchiArt site. And see the choices and view it on a wall.

Easy peasy…and you receive it in the mail within several weeks. YAY ?? 

Contact me for availability on any paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

Much of my contemporary abstract art paintings speaks to empowerment and encouragement and are created with rich, bold colors using acrylic and collage.

All my life I have been devoted to those 2 issues for myself and helping to encourage others.

From left to right: The Treads that Attach Us  The Threads that Attach Us 2  ~  12" x 12" X 1.5" ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

No matter your cause or values in life, it takes effort to carry them out.

We can get fearful along the way and our confidence wavers. Our path is filled with detours and other life events that take up our time.

Then it takes strength, courage and encouragement to pick up where we left off.

From left to right:  Attached and Centered  Attached and Centered 2  ~  12" x 12" X 1.5" ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

That is where my purpose in life comes into play.

Rounding Off the Edges  ~  12" x 12" x 1.5"  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

My contemporary abstract paintings encourages/empowers you every time you are viewing them to get back on your purpose in life.

Moving Closer to the Green 2  ~  12" x 12" x 1.5"  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

If my paintings speak to you on 1st viewing, they will continue to speak to you with the same message. They remind you to get back on your path.

I encourage you to make art on your walls a goal to keep you centered and on your path and purpose in life. It has been proven to be an amazing, essential ingredient for health and happiness for many.

Go and take a look at my website for all the small paintings with valuable, encouraging messages contained through my abstract art.

The paintings shown in this post are small paintings and are available now. And that may be all it takes, a 12" x 12" x 1.5" abstract art mixed media painting hanging on your wall or leaning on your bookcase to keep you coming back to your destiny. 

Happy Travels on Your Life’s Path

Contact me for availability on these paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

I have posted 3 or 4 posts now about trying to hang your abstract painting in a different direction.

And they have been shown to be very popular with my readers.

The name of the paintings in red italics is a link that can be clicked to see a larger view and check availability.

This is my painting, Making Your Way, how I originally created it horizontally. Below you will see it hung vertically in both directions.

Making Your Way ~ 24" x 36" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

At the end of this post will be several you can click on to do a deep dive and see the results in some of my previous posts.

As a fine artist painter, when I create a painting, I am seeing it a certain way. But that does not mean that you have to hang it that way depending on your likes or your spacing arrangements.

While a painting might look great vertically, it also might look fabulous horizontally as shown in the photos below. Or visa versa.

Moving Within the Lines ~ 36" x 24" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

I have to admit that I can get a little bored with things staying the same. And start looking for some change in my own home design.

That is how I discovered this trick. And it changes the room instantly. Gives it a new perspective without spending a dime!

Just give it a try with your abstract painting. Or when you are ready to purchase some new abstract paintings, have the artist or gallery turn it around and around to see if it can be hung multiple ways.

Contact me for availability on these paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

Your home decor can get pretty boring after awhile if you don't change it up every so often.

If you keep your wall and furniture colors neutral, it makes it easier to spend your money on different colored accessories.

In the photos below, I give you 3 design ideas on hanging the same smaller modern abstract paintings while changing out the larger abstract painting. And you can refer to this post on choosing for the advantages of owning smaller paintings. 

And you can view more info about each painting by clicking the italic red underlined link.

The 2 smaller abstract paintings shown in all the photos are: Separating in Groups and Separating in Groups 2 ~ Both 12" x 12" x 1.5" & Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas.

The larger abstract painting is Finding the Way ~ 30" x 24" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

And to change those accessories around to get a fresh new look quickly.

The larger abstract painting is  Growth Patterns 4 ~ 30" x 24" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

When investing in modern abstract art for your wall decor I have found it wise to choose art that contains some of the same colors so that you can move it from wall to wall and room to room.

The larger abstract painting is Growth Patterns 1 ~ 30" x 24" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

And to own different sized art to have a variety of modern abstract paintings to switch around for space requirements and variety.

It makes it easier to group different sized paintings together on the same wall as well and continue to have a cohesive look.

Contact me for availability on these paintings as originals or prints. Or if I can help you in any way.

Choosing contemporary abstract art paintings, as what is considered right for your decor is a big problem for most people.

So don’t feel intimidated by it. You are not alone when questioning your decision process for designing your walls with Art.

Here are 3 helpful hints to help you choose the right art for your walls.

All links are in red to click/view previous posts and to view the art paintings.

You may want to read another recent post, 5 Tips to Learn How to be Become An Art Collector a Little at a Time, to help you also.

1. Consider the abstract painting that you are immediately attracted to.

If you can’t forget the painting as you stroll the gallery or go into other shops, then that abstract art painting was meant for you. Think about where you can hang it in your home decor or your office space. It will continue to keep your eye for as long as you own it. Have you already imagined in your mind a place on your wall that you have hung it?

Circling Around the Decision ~ 24" x 30" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Circling Around the Decision ~ 24" x 30" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

2. Does the abstract art painting speak to you? Ask yourself what it says to you.

When a painting speaks to you about a memory, event or a feeling then it will give you that same reminder every time you look at it. If it cheers you with its colors and shapes or makes you nostalgic with its memory, it will be like a movie with your favorite scene, playing that feeling or saying that same message over and over again.

Losing Your Way ~ 20" x 16" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

3. Eliciting a reaction or feeling for you with its color, movement or design elements is another sign.

I get the same reaction from people every time they view my paintings. They say, “It makes me feel so Happy.”  Or, “Your paintings are so cheerful.” 

Tethered and Untethered ~ 36" x 36" x 1.5" ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Because I use repeating patterns and bold colors in my abstract paintings they are vibrant and joyful to view. Again, you will renew that same feeling every time you view them. In today’s world, feeling cheerful is not easy to find in our day-to-day lives. It helps keep us healthy.

If you need my FREE assistance for help in choosing abstract art paintings for your room, just contact me.

Since I have blogged my 2 previous posts on turning your modern abstract art paintings around for a different look, I have created a lot of interest in trying this out by my readers.

All links are in red to view previous posts and to view the art paintings.

Catch up and read these 2 posts here: Turn That Horizontal Modern Abstract Art Painting Around for a New Look and Abstract Art that was Created Vertically and Hanging it Horizontally.

Let me show you some more examples to get your imagination going:

This is the original, horizontal direction that I painted this abstract painting, Circling Around the Decision

Circling Around the Decision ~ 24”H X 30”W X 1.5”D ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

And this is that same painting turned around vertically so the smaller circles are on top. It works this way too.

Circling Around the Decision ~ 24”H X 30”W X 1.5”D ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Now I turned it horizontally again but upside down from my original direction so that the smaller group of circles are on the left side instead of the right side. What do you think?

Circling Around the Decision ~ 24”H X 30”W X 1.5”D ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Okay, I hope you aren’t getting dizzy from this demonstration. Turning it vertical again but with the small grid of circles on the bottom works great too.

Circling Around the Decision ~ 24”H X 30”W X 1.5”D ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Which way is your favorite?

Here is the great thing about this painting, it works 4 different ways. That means if you want to put it in a different room with less space horizontally, you can choose to hang it vertically. If you just want a different look in your room you can change it periodically in that room 4 different ways.

When you are shopping for contemporary abstract art for your decor, think about the ways you can use it to get a new look or to adapt to a move where you might have less wall space to use. 

This painting is a bargain because you get 4 looks in one! And the accessories you put near it and change periodically will also determine how you can hang it.

To view more info on this bold, colorful, cheerful painting you can see it here: Circling Around the Decision

In January, I had one of my art collectors contact me about purchasing 2 paintings that she had seen in an exhibition and been attracted to. She told me that she had set a goal for herself and had met it recently.

Her goal came with a promise of a gift to herself if she met it. Those 2 paintings were her reward.

And my goal made a long time ago also earned a very important gift. You can read more about mine below.

So these next several paintings are shown here to see if I can encourage you to set a goal for yourself to complete that you have thought about trying but have left sitting there. You know that special something that will give you a lift to the next level of your business, weight, exercise routine, etc.

You can click the name of the painting link shown below each painting in red to view more info about that painting.

The Many Shapes and Sizes ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas ~ 36” X 36” X 1.5”

     

See how The Many Shapes and Sizes ties the items in the room together and completes the look of each room. That is what a painting on your wall does, it completes your room.

Tethered and Untethered ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas ~ 36” X 36” X 1.5”

Again, see how Tethered and Untethered completes these rooms? Just imagine these walls bare!

Let’s show one more to prove our theory.

Circling Around the Edges ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas ~ 24” X 18” X 1.5”

    

Definitely, Circling Around the Edges makes these rooms more cheerful and complete.

I have many more stimulating paintings on my website to choose from for your gift to yourself as well.

Let me tell you about the reward I promised myself if I met my goal. It was so important to me because it made me who I am today. I made a promise to myself that if I quit smoking that I would return to college for an art degree! I had tried and failed twice before but had no incentive attached.

And I completed that goal 30 years ago and gifted myself my art degree! Never smoked another cigarette. That is how powerful a promise of an important gift can become in completing your goal.

Try it. It really can be life changing.

• to be the 1st for updates,
• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room, 
• special bonuses for you
• And…Your first original art purchase gets FREE shipping.

2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

Making our way in life is a feat of learning and experiences. And what we accomplish depends on what we learn from those experiences.

Click on the name of the painting below each photo in red to go to its page on my website to view all the info.

I created this painting, Making Your Way, to express how difficult it is to first find what your true passion is in life and then fulfill it.

My paintings are personal expressions of what I have learned in life. And it is my wish that they speak to you and they give you the encouragement and/or inspiration to continue on your path no matter how long it takes.

Making Your Way  ~  24” X 36” X 1.5” ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

My life has been filled with learned experiences, most which have defined who I am today. It has been a wild ride with decisions I have had to make that stalled fulfilling the passion of my life. Becoming a full time fine artist was my dream since my late teens.

Making Your Way  ~  24” X 36” X 1.5” ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media 

But because I had to make a living for the good of my young family, I chose a profession that was as close to my passion as possible, that of a commercial artist. As a professional illustrator, I was still using acrylic paint to create my illustrations. And as a graphic designer I was improving my eye every day when designing magazines and layouts.

Making Your Way  ~  24” X 36” X 1.5” ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

I don’t regret all the different paths and decisions I had to make to finally become a full time fine artist. Of course I wish I didn’t have to wait so long but I finally got there.

It is truly wonderful when you can finally pursue your purpose in life. My path was not a straight line and there were obstacles I had to overcome but I got there.

And you can too.  Don’t give up on your dreams.

• to be the 1st for updates,
• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room, 
• special bonuses for you
• And…Your first original art purchase gets FREE shipping.

2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

How do you gain some relief from all the stress surrounding us as we travel through our days?

I don’t mean to depress you further but fires, drought, hurricanes, a Pandemic, climate crisis events, wars…the news shares our world as it is dominated by disasters. 

Add to that taking care of family, making a living, isolating and paying for the bills when we are going through a Pandemic and economic hardships!

FYI: You can view each painting and it’s information by clicking on its red bold name below each photo.

Let’s see if we can relieve some of your pressure with colorful, playful, joyful, meaningful modern abstract art in your life.

A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day ~ 24” X 48” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

When I create my paintings using acrylic and collage, they always turn out very colorful and cheerful. There isn’t anything that I can do to make them otherwise. It is an innate part of my style and voice.

Doesn’t this make you feel better seeing it in the kitchen where we spend a lot of time preparing meals?

 A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day  24” X 48” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

People viewing my art always say that they immediately feel happy when they look at my canvases.

And here in the bedroom where we begin and end each day. There is no better place to have that stress melt away.

A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day  24” X 48” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

It brings me so much happiness to know that my paintings can help bring some relief from the pressures of everyday life when they view my art.

And, Who Doesn’t Love Spring?, a delightful painting that brings that feeling you get when Spring is in the air and upon you. Can you feel it? New growth, new beginnings…

What does this painting do for you over your desk? Hopefully it gives you that same feeling of delight and happiness that a new Spring day does. That it is possible to do anything and make it work today.

 

Who Doesn’t Love Spring?   24” X  24” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Consider adding some playful, colorful, contemporary abstract art in your home and/or office to relieve the stress around your life. And you can always order an art print if you aren’t ready for original art ownership. Ask the artist if they offer prints and start there.

To purchase a print of any original painting on my website, just email me the painting name and I will email you a link. It is as easy as that. From there you can see the sizes available and the prices.

• to be the 1st for updates,
• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room, 
• special bonuses for you
• And…Your first original art purchase gets FREE shipping.

2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

We all need some excitement in our lives, especially in these trying times. Contemporary abstract art can do that for you in your home or office especially with these 3 abstract paintings that come together with bold, blue color.

Click on the name of each painting in red for more details.

1. The 1st modern abstract painting is Connections. 30”L X 24” W X 1.5”D ~ Acrylic on Canvas

And you can hang it horizontally as well for a  whole new, different look. How great is that?

Connections stresses the importance of connecting with others.

2. This next painting will be mind-blowing on your walls and will get many fabulous comments for your choice.

The Sailing Spirit  ~  30”L X 24”W X 1.5”D  ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Great, right? Especially for those who love to Sail…

The message of this painting is to encourage us to act once we can tamp down our fears and excuses that stop our pursuit of our true North Star.

3.  And our last abstract art painting also wins accolades with its bold, colorful palette, repeating patterns and shapes, and textural collage additions. The message is to continue on the path to your destiny even with the obstacles you have to work around.

Crossroads and Roundabouts ~  24” X 24” X 1.5”  ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

What to choose…a difficult decision if you love them all. They can all work together throughout your home if you love them all. They have a cohesive style with repeating patterns, colors and texture. 

They are available for you by clicking the name of each painting in red for more details.

And you can put them on a payment plan just by contacting me. That assures that they are yours before someone else scoops them up. So don’t hesitate if you want to make any or all of them yours. But payment plans can only occur through email and not through the cart system on my website.

If I can be of help please email me . I will be happy to assist you in your planning.

• to be the 1st for updates,
• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room, 
• special bonuses for you
• And…Your first original art purchase gets FREE shipping.

    Sign up now 

2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

Our environment is crying out for help now. Fires, floods, high temperatures and humidity…what are we waiting for? 

We need to get started immediately and design environmentally safe ways to exist on Earth.

I have been creating modern abstract art addressing our environmental problems for years. Delightful, colorful, bold, paintings that I hoped would encourage others to be attracted to them visually so they could stimulate a positive dialogue about our environment.

Click on the name of each painting to view it larger and for more information.

Pendulum of Life  ~  40” X 40” X 1.5”  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Pendulum of Life, and abstract, acrylic and mixed media painting on canvas, was inspired by the facts that we are running out of time to help our environment and climate change.

 
That is a frightening truth that we have to face and confront NOW if we are going to be able to halt and possibly change some of the damage we have already done.

Fallout From Above  ~  40” X 40” X 1.5”  ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

There is a lot of information out there on the subject of our environment and climate crisis. Sometimes it can get overwhelming with all that we have to do today to fix it.  So much fallout, advice, criticism, and explanations. We just need to start now and get it done.

    
Left to Right: Mindful Forces in Life 1    Mindful Forces in Life 2

Each painting is 36” X 36” X 1.5” and Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

This is a 2-painting series created about my concerns about the environment. Each side tells a story. On the left, Mindful Forces in Life 1 tells about our excessive heat and fires. On the right, Mindful Forces in Life 2 tells about our floods and storms.

While my art is delightful, happy, joyful paintings that lift your spirits it also raises the issue of the environmental problems. Because they are so visually attractive  they can stimulate a dialogue and get the subject out in the open in a positive way.

We all need to do our part!

(Don’t forget that my payment plan is available-email me for that. One person just completed her payments and was so happy to get her 2 large paintings. It was a gift to herself for meeting her goals. She had been eyeing these 2 paintings for awhile. What a great present to herself.

I am currently creating a series of 12 small environmental paintings, each is 8” X 8” X 1.5” on Canvas. Watch for their arrival soon.

Anf if you want to see them before the general public, sign up to be on the list below that says Join Here.

If I can be of help please email me . I will be happy to assist you in your planning.

• to be the 1st for updates,
• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room, 
• special bonuses for you
• And…Your first original art purchase gets FREE shipping.

    Sign up now 

2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

Mindfulness is an awareness of your fully in the moment thoughts, feelings and sensations.

It brings to the surface what you are experiencing while you are fully in the present. 

What are you immediately experiencing as you look at this painting? What are you noticing first? How it makes you feel or the shapes, color and texture?

(You can click on the name of each painting in RED underneath each photo to go to its page on the website.)

Do They All Lead to the Same Place ~ 24” X 20” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

A minute or 2 is all it takes to observe your reactions to an abstract painting as you are using mindfulness.

So as you come to each painting below, be mindful of you initial reaction to it. 

Embrace Our Diversity ~ 30” X 24” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic on Canvas

You need to question how the abstract painting is making you feel, your immediate reactions to it.

Happy, calm, anxious, sad, or stirs an event or memory.

Every person will have their own personal reaction on what the art says to them depending on their life experiences.

Global Consequences ~ 36” X 36” x 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

That repeated experience in viewing that same modern abstract artwork is good for your health because practicing mindfulness benefits you in many positive ways.

When an artwork speaks to you and you return to it in your mind repeatedly, that Art needs to be in your life.

You will get that same experience every time you are in its presence.

Taking Flight1 ~ 6” X 6” X 1.5” ~ Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas (part of a 2 painting series)

These can be the benefits to your health of owning art that speaks to you:

• lower your blood pressure
• help you with sleep problems
• improves focus and concentration
• can lessen depression, anxiety and pain levels.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to surround yourself with art that has health benefits for you rather spend much more money on medicine and huge medical bills?

• to be the 1st for updates,
• FREE tips about designing/arranging art in any room, 
• special bonuses for you
• And…Your first original art purchase gets FREE shipping.

    Sign up now 

2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

Not all art is created equally! Yes another Equality Issue to solve…

If you are confused about what to look for and what to ask when looking for that modern abstract art painting with mixed media or collage added to it, here is a quick primer for you.

1.  First, preparing the canvas…

Canvas needs to be prepared with 3-4 coats of Gesso before applying anything else on the canvas or most papers. Gesso acts as a binder for the paint, whether acrylic or oil and anything else you affix to the canvas. Even when I buy commercial canvases that touts been gessoed I still put several coats of my own gesso on as well. Manufacturing cannot always be trusted so I add more. And most don’t tell you how much they have added.

This is a canvas that I added 2 coats of black Gesso and then another coat of black liquitex paint. You cannot use Gesso as your layer of paint, no matter whether you use white, black or gray Gesso. It is not meant to take the place of paint for your canvas.

So this might be one question that you ask the artist or gallerist to ask the artist. It is important. It is amazing how many artists don’t do this.

2.  Quality paint and mediums are also important.

I shudder every time I hear an artist or art instructor tell students to use paint from Lowe’s or Home Depot that is meant for painting your walls or exterior home that is not formulated to last over centuries. And to use varnish that is not made for art as well.

There are many quality art paint companies that make the paint that artists should use for their artworks. I use Liquitex and Winsor Newton acrylic paints and mediums. I can’t in good conscious sell an artwork that hasn’t been created with quality products. 

The price of a painting might give you a clue on the shortcuts someone has taken when creating a painting. You get what you pay for. But ask what brand of paint the artist uses.

Here is a painting that I created 35 years ago that I have kept for myself. It is still in as good of condition as the day it was painted!

Women in Art, Where Are They?   44” x 37”  ~ Acrylic on Canvas

3. Mediums and affixatives will only last so long if they are not meant for fine art.

There are too many creators who do not ask the important questions before working on an artwork.

Collage is used so much today to affix a few items or many pieces to a creation. Mediums should be used to affix them to the canvas otherwise they will dry out and fall off. You can’t just use the average glues that are meant for short time spans. You can use the paint itself as an affixative.

And all collage items need to be ended with another coat of medium once the layer is dry to seal it to the canvas.

4. The final step is the sealer.

And not just any varnish but those that are meant for archival purposes and for canvas or paper fine art. I use a spray and many thin coats. I like a matte finish because glossy surfaces IMO cause too much glare depending where you hang an artwork.

The 4 items I listed are the questions you can ask and sound like a more experienced buyer. But more importantly it lets you know exactly what you are buying and if it will stand the test of time on your wall as a fine artwork should if prepared properly.

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Yes…you can turn your contemporary abstract paintings in a different direction and have a new look to your room.

Just because the artist created the painting as a horizontal doesn’t mean that you can’t like it better as a vertical for your space.

This won’t work for all abstract paintings but I have found that it works for many of mine

Some examples of before and after will stimulate your curiosity to see if some of your contemporary abstracts will work the same for you. And if you have discovered that you actually like it better.

Before: This is Up, Down and All Around hung the way I created it, horizontally. (acrylic/mixed media on canvas)

After: And here is Up, Down and All Around hung vertically. WOW…fantastic.

Now you have a painting that is 36”L X 24”W! 
And all you had to do was change the position of the wire on the back.

Let’s take another one.  This acrylic/mixed media on canvas painting, Separate From the Rest, was created horizontally.

Before: Separate From the Rest horizontally measures 24” L X 36” W like the previous one above.

After: Notice how the orange, curved line leads your eye to the hanging lamp…cool.

Another WOW…because this looks great, right?

And I forgot to mention that you can try Separate From the Rest both ways vertically…

Which way do you like it hung best? I like them all so I am going to give each one a try for awhile.

Come on, give it a try. Email me your results because I would love to know how it worked for you.

Look for the next post because I am going to be hanging Art that was created vertically, horizontally. It works both ways and I will show you.

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I doubt that many artists or galleries have mentioned this tip to you.

Just because the modern abstract artwork is displayed in a certain direction by the artist or gallery, doesn’t mean that once you own it you can’t hang it differently according to your own preference and space availability.

I have been fooling around some with my non-representational (no apparent subject) paintings and turning some every which way. Let me show you my amazing discovery…

(Viewing tip: you can click on the colored link to view each artwork on my website.)

This abstract painting, Up, Down and All Around, was created horizontally and is 24” L x 36”w on canvas.

Now see Up, Down and All Around as it looks like hung vertically (on the left counter clockwise and on the right clockwise). Amazing, right? Do you like either transition?

Let’s look at another example. This time the abstract painting was created as a vertical and we will try it as a horizontal.

This painting, Connections, is 30”L x 24”W on canvas and is hanging the way it was created to hang.

Looks good how it is placed. But let’s try Connections hung horizontally and see what we think.

I am trying to decide which way I like it best. But I have to tell you I like it both ways.

And the conclusion from this little experiment was that it is possible for abstracted paintings to look fine hung in different directions. I have to admit, I went a little crazy and tried others. I will share them in more posts to come.

Not every artwork will look good but with the proper balance of the colors or design it could take on a totally different look. And give you a whole different view of your cherished art.

What do you think? Will you try this with your modern abstract art? All it takes is adjusting the wire on the back of the Art.

FREE Advice: I will be happy to show you how any of my paintings that you are interested in look hung in the opposite direction.

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Whether it is a Zoom meeting or an online meeting with your customer or employees, catch their eye with a cheerful, bold artwork within their field of vision. It will change everything.

WHY?:

1. It creates a more calming, human experience for the viewer that you enjoy art that is colorful and cheerful.

What is more calming then a pet and this modern abstract art painting, Moving Within the Lines, starring at you on your screen that blends all the colors in the room?

2. It can start a conversation on a different subject than one that needs to be addressed and creates a milder tone to the meeting.

With so many of us looking into our ancestry, Unraveling the Family Tree, an abstract painting of repeating patterns and shapes, can be a real conversation starter when someone asks the ?, “What is the name of that painting behind you?” Or “Who is the artist that created that painting behind you?”

3. The art gives an opportunity to the viewer to express a compliment to you. Family meetings can be sticky so starting off on a positive vibe can be more amicable.

Meetings in Space 1 and Meetings in Space 2 gives your mantle and your room a cohesive and comfortable look to your environment. Enough for a comment or 2 from your family about your decorating skills.

4. Artwork on your wall gives your group a glimpse of your life out of the normal routine environment and can add a plus to everyone’s comfort level to the talking points being discussed.

Tying Up Loose Ends, a difficult subject at best, but it will be more manageable with a joyful image behind you addressing the same thing.

I hope these ideas give you the desire to liven up the background of your online meetings. It will certainly meet with your groups approval and thought process of “not another boring meeting”.

And if you are really courageous, change the art for every meeting. You can move it back once the meeting is over but give them a little something to look forward to!

Contact me for any FREE design advice. If you have read some of my blogs, you know I love to design rooms and change things around.

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Artists can have several palettes that they switch back and forth from over time in my non representational art.

Just like any other professional, I need to change things up a bit to remain happy and creative.

One of my palettes was using shades of blue  with bits of green and red but I hadn't used it as a primary palette in several years.

I am finishing up a series of 4 paintings with shades of blue as the primary color and other colors mixed in that I tend to use.

Green always seems to appear in all my contemporary acrylic art paintings and is here to stay.

Here are the 1st and 2nd painting in my Series of Growth Patterns:

Near your favorite chair or over your headboard in the bedroom, both visually lift your spirits and encourage you with the message to continue on your path of growth.

From left to right on walls: Growth Patterns 1  •  Growth Patterns 2  

Both are 24" X 18" X 1.5"  •  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Or what about just using just one Growth Patterns modern art painting over a shelf? Either one looks great next to that green plant. They can be purchased separately.

From left to right on walls: Growth Patterns 1  •  Growth Patterns 2  

And FREE advice on design and where to hang your new art on your walls comes with your purchase. So let's do this and get your walls looking great while stimulating your living space with the color blue.

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Most owners of a fine art abstract painting takes it home and hangs it in a row with other art. Bottoms and tops lining up. The same way it was shown to them in the shop where they purchased it.

In this photo are 2 series paintings hung how the wire is attached in the back and lined up bottom and top.

Left to right: Meetings in Space 2     Meetings in Space    Both paintings 24” X 18” X 1.5” & Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

But have you tried turning the art upside down or horizontally even if it has a vertical hanging wire. You can change the wire very easily.

You might find you like it best the way the artist intended it but maybe not. And maybe it is time for a change.

Let me show you some examples that I think are more stimulating ways to hang wall art if possible.

In this example, I turned the painting on the right, Meetings in Space 2, upside down and lowered it so the diagonal, orange, vertical lines meet up with each other for a great design flow that your eye automatically travels.

In this example, I am switching the paintings and hanging Meetings in Space, on the right side, upside down and a bit lower then Meetings in Space on the left is hanging again lining up those diagonal lines. I like the way it calls attention to the different larger shapes and colors next to each other.

Think about the way you can turn your abstract art around for a different look. And stay tuned for more tips that help you get the most out of your Art when designing your home or office.

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The first thing most viewers say about my art is that it makes them happy and changes their mood.

What you might not know is that that reaction is good for your health.

And that every time you look at one of my artworks you will always have the same reaction if it speaks to you. Art is an instant stress reliever for you. That is why art is on all the walls of hospitals and doctors' offices. It helps people heal faster and lifts their spirits.

Let's experiment with these 5 paintings.

Of course you have to like abstract art or they might not work for you. I am not going to tell you the title of the work because I don't want to impart what it is about for me. But you will be able to click the link below each painting to view it and its title on my site. The art should speak to each of us personally and how we relate to it.

Notice your reaction as you view each of these artworks.

Ask yourself how it makes you feel. And what memory or message is it imparting to you. Let me know which one spoke to you the most or which was your favorite.

24" X 24" X 1.5" • Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

20" X 20" X 1.5" • Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

24" X 24" X 1.5" • Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

24" X 18" X 1.5" • Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

24" X 20" X 1.5" • Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Click on the links below each photo to view them larger and get more information.

My purpose in creating each painting is to lift your spirits by using colorful, bold, repeating patterns and shapes. But I also want to encourage and/or empower you with a message.

I hope you found this exercise to your liking and that you will let me know what you found out about your reactions to them. Please let me know which one spoke to you the most (or you were most attracted to).

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At some point in the ownership of art on canvas, you might need to retighten it.

I have paintings over 25 years old and they are not sagging yet. Quality products used by artists is an important factor in how often you will have to do this.

You get what you pay for when you purchase art.

When you decide to buy art that is priced cheaply there is always a reason that it can be purchased for a low price. Ask questions of the artist or the gallery about the process the artist uses when creating their work.

My paintings are created using all quality products.

Artistic excellence is my primary goal when creating my paintings. I take the time and products to affix the collage securely and  that have proven excellent with the test of time.  Preparing a canvas before painting on it is also very important. And sealing it when it is finished is also a must to preserve everything included on the surface of the painting.

How to Retighten a Canvas on its Stretcher Bars:

This happens over time and can be remedied quickly using the following method.

Personally, my advice is to hire a professional to retighten a painting that is large and dear to you.

This method will not damage the painting. Canvas is a fabric and the weave of canvas can become loosened over time. This is a natural happening with canvas and should not worry you that your painting is defective.

Use a spray bottle filled with plain water and spray lightly the entire back of the painting. Then put the painting in the sun for several hours to dry thoroughly.

I will be writing a post soon on the questions to ask before purchasing a painting. Be sure to look for it.

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Many of us do Circle Around the Edges of our lives for various reasons.

It could be because of a lack of money, motivation or education to take the steps necessary to jump in the middle and pursue your passion and live the life you only dream about.

My job as an artist, as I see it, is to Motivate, Encourage and Empower you with confidence through my bold, delightful paintings. And to inspire you to jump from the edges and get into the center of your quest for a fulfilled life.

Motivational and compliments the room beautifully.

Every time you view them on your home or office walls they not only delight your senses with their colors and patterns, but motivate you with gentle reminders to pursue your dream for a fulfilled life.

Circling Around the Edges greets you each morning with delight but also as a reminder to pursue your dreams.

At the office meeting it greets you as you enter to remember your end game to your goal in life.

My abstract paintings motivate me of my goal in pursuing my passion for continuing to grow through creating my art.

My goal is to give you a delightful feeling in viewing my art on your walls while giving your dreams a nudge that it is possible if you stay on a steady path. 

Take a larger look at Circling Around the Edges for that motivation that might be missing to bring your life full circle.

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There many of us who love large art for our homes or office but don’t have the wall space to accommodate it.

It is either too tall or too wide or both.  But you fell in love with a painting and had to have it. Now what do you do so you can display it? So you can get that great feeling you get every time you look at it.

1. Buy an easel-not the type artists use to paint on but one that is made to show art. There are all types out there on the market. I prefer either black or silver metal ones. Make sure that it can accommodate the size of painting you want to display.

Here are some ideas with my new painting, Moving Within the Lines, 36” H X 24”W, Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

2. Lean it on top of a chest or bureau that is no taller than waist height.

Here are some examples using the same painting, Moving Within the Lines, 36” H X 24”W, Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Turn the painting horizontally in both directions  if it won’t fit on your wall height wise to hang. And see if you still like it that way. If so hang it and try it out. See below...What do you think? You can hang a painting anyway it appeals to you!

I have to say I like it all the ways I have shown you. What about you?

Let me know if you need help with your choice. I will be happy to give you some ideas.

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Let me detail what I mean and you can determine if it works for you in your situation.

Life today can get complicated real fast with all the choices we have available to us.

Purchasing ART causes anxiety for many because they feel that they need to know a lot about art to choose the “right art” for their home or office walls.

There are only 2 things you really have to determine when purchasing art.

1. Does the art speak to you? By this I mean do you get a feeling of familiarity, or attachment, or it brings back a memory and you want to repeat that feeling again? Most times your mind will go back to that artwork over and over again and you regret that you don’t own it.

2. The other issue is the spacing you have for the art. Do you have space for a large piece of art anywhere in your home or office that can accommodate a piece of art that size?

This 2nd determination, SIZE, is what makes owning a series of smaller artworks/paintings that were created to go together an advantage to own when they speak to you and you know you have to have them. They were made for you.

The Advantages:

1. If the series of art consists of 2, 3, or 4 or more, you can separate them on different walls in the same room or in separate rooms for a cohesive look among the art in your room(s). Four 12” X 12” paintings hung 2 up, 2 down = (approx.) 26” square painting!

2 Exciting Examples below of 2 up and 2 down:

Left image are my Structure A, B, C, D ~ Right image shows my 2 Green Peace & Moving Spaces 1 & 2 (all 12” X 12”)

We are a society that moves a lot. So at some point you decide to move to a different location or you eliminate a piece of furniture in your current location and now have space for a larger painting. VOILA, instant larger artwork to fill the space. And small art is much easier to pack, ship and keep safe when moving.

2. The 2nd advantage is size again in determining your layout on your walls or elsewhere. Below are 3 exciting examples of art that are a series of the same 3 paintings that are arranged in 3 different ways. And I have more arrangement suggestions for them too!

3 Exciting Examples below:  Crazy Daze 1, Crazy Daze 2, Crazy Daze 3   Again, all are 12” X 12” on wrapped canvas

      


I will give you some more exciting examples in future posts of different layouts using series of 2, 3, and 4 or more. And using different sizes together. Stay tuned.

To view all my selection of small paintings go to my Abstract Small Portfolio

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Storing Paintings:

Let me give you 2 important facts about canvas fabric.

1. It needs to breathe so it cannot be stored for large amount of times in an enclosed structure like a sealed box.

2. Stretched canvas retains any shapes and dings when something leans up against it and makes the canvas indent and stretch in or out with a different shape up against it. So be very careful how you place your painting and what may lean against it and damage it.

When storing canvas paintings in a closet or room:

You can store 2 identical-sized paintings, without frames, face-to-face in an open top mirror box. If you have various sizes you will need to stack there in various sized boxes. If you only have several paintings you need to stack in an area you can lean them against a wall without a box. Make sure that they are not leaning on a shape that can put dings in them.

If you are moving and need to pack them for storage or shipping, use a mirror box.

Preferably double box the painting(s). Wrap a piece of cardboard around the painting, at least the same size as the painting. Put packing, preferably bubble wrap or paper between the cardboard wrapping the canvas and the outer box. (there is acid-free cardboard available)

Don't wrap the painting on canvas itself in bubble wrap or anything that can stick, indent or stab the canvas. If you can find some cardboard corners to put on the corners of your canvas, that is an extra protection. Just make sure they are the right size and don't indent into the canvas.

Another idea for canvas paintings on stretcher bars, especially if it is an expensive painting, is to have it taken off the stretcher bars and roll it up and put it in a box. I would recommend you go to a frame shop and let them take it off the stretchers for you and wrap it up in a roll to put in a container. When it gets to your destination you can go back to a frame shop to have it re-stretched.

Large art is difficult and time consuming to wrap, box and ship. It might be best to have a professional art shipper wrap and ship your art to its destination. This painting, A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day, is 24” long by 48” wide. You would need a container at least 54” wide, 28” long and 7” deep. No such box exists so one would have to be made for it.

When you own something that gives you so much pleasure, you want to protect it and keep it safe. I hope you have learned some information here to keep your cherished paintings in great shape for years to come.

 You can contact me if you have any other questions about your paintings. 

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So you own an original painting and it is hanging in the perfect spot in your home or office. GREAT.

    Separate From the Rest  24” X 36”

Now how do you take care of it?

What can you do to keep this painting you love in great condition and pass the test of time?

Cleaning or storing your art needs special precautions in order to keep it in top condition. You want to use the right solutions for cleaning it so that it doesn't do any harm to the paint or canvas or other background that holds the paint. And when storing your painting, for various reasons, it can be done so that it keeps it in the best possible shape so you can rehang it at a later date and it looks just as great as it did at its earlier showing.

Cleaning your Painting(s):

Why do you need to clean your painting? Well, to keep it in great condition!

Just like anything else in your home or office, it gets dusty and dirty from things that happen in your environment on a daily basis. 

Caution: If you are doing construction that involves sawing or sanding or anything that sends particles in the air, it would help your painting(s) to be taken down and put in a closet or an area where they can be shut away from that area where that activity is taking place. I will expand on how to store them under the Storing your Artfor short periods in a later post.

For Paintings using Oil or Acrylic on Canvas: If it is a new painting, it is recommended, on a monthly basis, that you dust it using a feather duster that is only used for your painting(s). Or you can use a dry brush that is soft with fine bristles. Over time you may need to do a more thorough cleaning on your acrylic or oil painting. (Make sure you know what mediums were used on your painting when you purchase it.) You can use a very gentle soapy water (preferably an olive oil soap) and a white, clean cotton cloth. 

Global Consequences ~ 36” X 36” X 1.5 “  ~  Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Soak the cloth in this soapy water, then wring the cloth and gently run it across the surface of the painting. You do not want to soak the surface because it could loosen and break apart hardened paint. You can also use wetted Q-tips in crevasses but gently rules the day.  

Over time, if your painting becomes really dirty, an art restorer may be needed.  Smoke, flaking paint or other factors need a professional. They know how to restore it without further destruction.

For Paintings Using Water-based Paints on Paper: Dust only with a dry, soft, fine brush. If stained, use caution to gently try lighten stain using a damp, wrung out, white cotton cloth. Again, gently wipe cloth over stain to avoid taking off any of the paint. 

Look for the next part in this 3 part series in several days.

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If you have tried meditating and have had trouble getting into a routine with the process I have a suggestion for you.

I have written several blogs about the health benefits of having art around you that speaks to you. You know that it speaks to something deeper inside you because you feel the same sensation every time you view it.

Reflecting Fondly

Your first reaction at a gallery or at an exhibition will be a connection and as you go around and look at other art, your mind will wander back to it. And in your home or office, after it belongs to you, you will always feel that same feeling.

Art promotes faster healing and relieves stress, and gives some of the same health benefits as meditation. That is why hospitals, doctor’s offices and health centers have art on their walls. People heal faster and need less medications because of their reactions to Art.

Illustration by Joyce Wynes: Happy Thoughts

Meditating proclaims to relax, refresh and revive you. It lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. And it helps you feel less pain. Less pain means less medication.

Art does the same thing as a healing method. I have never been able to keep up a steady routine of meditating because I lose focus after a short time. 

But I find just sitting in a chair with my legs raised on a stool and in the presence of an art painting that speaks to me relaxes me and calms me down. What a great feeling it is to just focus on that painting and relive the feeling that it inspires in you.

left to right paintings: Joining Together No Matter Race Creed Gender , Joining Together No Matter Race Creed Gender 2

Try it. I think you will really find that it takes you to a deeper, calmer, and relaxing place. And your health will improve without costly medications, doctors or hospitalizations.

Illustration by Joyce Wynes: Doctor Bag

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Connections #2

There are many people who love art and know that it has a profound effect on their mood and health.

If we had to live a life without art, it would be devastating to our state of mind.

Those people who love art but have no idea what to do to own it or how to collect it are many.

If you are one who is part of the crowd that would like to become more knowledgeable about selecting art that will fit your needs, I will give you a few suggestions how to proceed.

1.  Go to art exhibitions, museums, or visit the online portfolios of artists that appeals to you.

Become acquainted with the many styles of art there are. For example, realism, abstract, abstract expressionism, landscapes, representational, non-representational, etc.

These 2 Small 12” X 12” paintings on canvas are Abstracts. And they are a series of 2 acrylic/mixed media paintings.

From left to right: Following the Arrows 1, Following the Arrows 2

2.  You will be able to tell eventually what type of art appeals to your senses because you will feel a connection to it.

It will speak to you and you will recall what it looks like long after you leave it. It will make an impact on your mind and your soul.

3.  Ask the artist, gallery, or whoever represents that artist all about the artist and their history.

Try to analyze what it is about the art that strikes a reaction within you. 
It might be the bold colors, the texture, the shapes, the subject, the action, the soothing quality, or the message it imparts.

If you want to find out more about me read my art statement.

4.  Once you have found the type of art that appeals to you, you can start by buying an art print or some small original pieces of that art and live with it.

You can put a small painting in many different locations. On a bookcase shelf, in a corner on a wall or on any shelf that you have hanging in your home or office.  This painting, A Flower in My Window, is 10” x 10” X 1.5”, Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas.

If it is art that speaks to you, you will have the same reaction whenever you are looking at it. You have found the art that was made just for you. Not all artists sell art prints of their work. Any painting on my website is available as art prints.

      This art print comes in fine art paper or canvas from sizes 10” to 30”.

One Power Flower Art Print

5.  You may find that you love more than one style. If so, continue to collect small samples and evaluate your reactions to them.

       
These are a series of 2 of small paintings that I still have to have professionally photographed yet. They are not on my site yet but if you are interested in them email me. They are 6” x 6” x 1.5”, Acrylic/mixed media on canvas, $125 each.

That is the only way you can determine what it is specifically that is drawing you to that artwork. See tip #3. 

Feel free to contact me for information or to purchase any of the paintings above.

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It is all about what looks right in my design world. So let me help you with that.

I am now going to show you how great this original art can look in at least 4 different home decor styles.

Life is difficult enough today so let’s try to simplify things once we shut the door on the rest of the world...in our home.

The painting I am going to demonstrate with today is “Global Consequences”, 36” x 36” x 1.5”, Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas.

https://www.joycewynes.com/workszoom/1409824/global-consequences#/

Look how great it goes with everything in the space around it! It blends in with all the colors around it while remaining stimulating with its bold colors and shapes.

It is an environmental painting created for you, the individual who believes that we have to be mindful of what our environment is saying to us. HELP me NOW...

Just so you know, you can have stimulating, mindful art for your home and live your values at the same time.

We are in the dining area where again it fits in with the surrounding furnishings and color palette. And it lends a spark of life to the neutral objects in the room.

And look at what it does for the room pictured below. WOW...

I have to say that it ties together the elegant sofa with the brick painted wall superbly with the darker tan in the painting and the richer and darker red as well.

The next room could be in your office or your home. It is a resting spot for you or maybe a patient.

Who wouldn’t feel comfortable sitting in this space with that painting speaking to the value you put on society to keep our environment safe?

Let me help you design my paintings in your space so that your home or office becomes a place for comfort, healing and stimulation.

You can email me for a FREE consultation using photos of your space. For those within my district I will be happy to make a house call.

Remember, I love to design as well as create so it will be my pleasure to help you plan your environment.

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me there. A big thanks.

There are many stops and roadblocks along the way during your life, no matter what you are pursuing.

The roadblocks in my life while pursuing my fine art career, have given me a roadmap for you with the 3 steps that are necessary to carry out your passion and keep it fresh in your mind. Believe me, as a female, a female artist, a widow, a mother, and a member of a large extended family I have had to work around some roadblocks.

So what does it take to get where you really want to go? To pursue your passion in life?

What did I learn along the way that will help you get there quicker than I did? Believe me, being a female, fine artist is not an easy path to choose. To this day only 20% of female fine artists are chosen to be represented in galleries, the rest are men. And less then 13% of their work is in museum collections! It continues to this day. So that is another roadblock I need to fight all the time as a female artist.

And world events happen that push our dreams into the closet as well. The depression of 2008 and the Pandemic of 2020 are just 2 examples that made people’s dreams be put on hold. 

1.  Don't forget your passion, your dream.

Find something to put in your path as a reminder and make sure to keep it there.

For me, that was a painting. A very special painting. When I graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester with my coveted art degree, the college wanted to purchase one of my paintings for their collection! I thought about it and said "NO". I know you and many people would say that was a stupid response but that painting in my possession was what kept my dream alive all those years of detours.

It kept reminding me that I had what it took to be a good fine art painter. In 2010, I donated the painting to Nazareth College because I no longer needed it as a reminder. I was well on my way to becoming the fine artist of my dreams.

You can do the same thing. For example, if you want to own your very own bakery one day, enter some baking contests. If you are a winner, continue to enter with other creations that you make. 

2.  Continue to make plans and take the little steps to keep your dream alive.

For me that was to continue in the arts field but in a different capacity (but a close cousin) to what I wanted to become. My illustration career took off and at that time there weren't digital illustrations so I was painting them. And on canvas or canvas paper keeping true to my style as an artist/painter. That gave me the ability to mix colors and develop other skills that I could perform in my fine art as well.

My graphic design business gave me the continual practice on layout and design which was important to my paintings and illustrations. Developing your EYE is important especially in the art field.

In the example above, wanting to own your own bake shop, go to work for a bakery either part time or full time. Take in all the information you can about procedure and the business side that you can.

3.  Try to keep a positive attitude and always follow others with the same passion.

If you have to, repeat a mantra to yourself five times a day. And be determined in your pursuit of your dream and that you will get there no matter what happens in between. Look and listen to others who have succeeded in the field and get advice from them.

Take courses from other people in your field to learn the things you need to succeed. I am always taking courses or listening to webinars to keep abreast of the changes in my industry. Or to learn an easier way to accomplish something. Ways to market are always changing. New apps are always coming out to help you make your business easier. It takes time to put these additional things into your schedule but it does pay off.

A positive attitude is a must. I have had a lot of burdens and tragedies put in my path to overcome besides just earning a living. I can only attribute my positive attitude, a gift of heredity on how I overcame adversity and still stayed on my path to become a fine artist. It made me a strong, independent woman who could fend for herself, think for herself and ask for help when I needed it.

Don't get me wrong. Negative thoughts will pop up every once in a while. But you need to keep them at bay. What I did was start writing out a list of all the positive things that happened to me each day, week, month. Then at the end of the year I would look over the list to plan what to do the next year.

If you are a journal writer then this will be easy for you. I have never been able to make that a habit. But when I was feeling like "failure" was my middle name or I was never going to make it, I would take out the list and read it. It would make me feel much better and that would put me back on the path.

I hope these tips help you stay on course for anything you pursue.

For some that may be weight loss or weight gain or an athletic pursuit. For others it may be to start a business or to write a book. The more reminders you give yourself and the information you find out about your choices, the better able you are to withstand the detours.

There are more tips that you will find out for yourself along the way but these are the big 3.

If you can conquer these, you will be on your way to making your passion a reality.

Art that speaks to you of encouragement and empowerment is a great idea for your walls while you are working around those roadblocks.

          
I Am Woman, I Can Fly, Butterfly            I Am Woman, I Can Fly - American Kestrel Bird

Have a look at my portfolio as many of my paintings speak to those 2 powerful words (encouragement and empowerment) that keep you going to fulfill your dreams.

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May 9th is Mother's Day and it is just around the corner.

I bet she would love an abstract floral art print for her wall decor.

She can hang it on a wall in the home or in the office. But wherever she hangs it, it will remind her of your love.

The art pieces shown here are in my Art Prints Portfolio under the Art Gifts Items menu my website.

Each one has a link that will take you to their page at the print shop so you can look at the sizes available for that print along with their prices. Your print can be ordered on Fine Art Paper or Canvas. And you can have it framed there also! Complete job.

You better hurry though, because the printer needs to have time to print and ship it out!

The link under each flower image takes you directly to that flower in my art prints menu on my website.

Flowers on Antique Table                          Flowers on White Antique Table

One Power Flower                                                       Healing Power of Flowers

Gold Flowers on Red Background                           Gold Flowers on Blue Background

There are more flower paintings in my Floral Paintings Portfolio you can choose from. However they are not on the print shop website yet.

If you would like one of those in the floral portfolio, email me the name of the painting and I will upload it to the print shop and email you the link.

Don't hesitate because time is running out very quickly to get your gift by Mother's Day.

And you will want to join my email list to get ideas for other gifts for others such as friends, family or yourself. 

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me now. A big thanks.

We all nest in one way or another. We are like birds in that we feather our nests with all kinds of items we find that catch our attention. 

Look how bold and exciting Nesting would look in your kitchen at breakfast.

Certainly starts the day off for everyone with lifted spirits. Family is important to us so being happy together is great start to anyone’s day.

The painting, Nesting, 30” X 24” X 1.5”, Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas, can be viewed larger in my portfolio.

Many of us want to have a nest that shows our creative personality and style. That says something about us.

My new painting contains birds nesting on a hand and certainly has style. But it also carries the message that our home, our family is important to us.

Hands reflect who we are in sometimes very simple ways. They reflect if we are stressful, anxious, excited, and the way we accessorize them reveals a side of our personality.

How is your nest doing? Does it need some stimulation and excitement added to its walls?

A place where your spirits are lifted so you can rest your mind and let it wander freely?

Nesting, 30” X 24” X 1.5”, Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas, gives you a lift to your spirits and can be viewed larger in my portfolio.

More importantly, do you need something to lift your mood on a daily basis and put some happy into your life? 

I accept Payment Plans but I have to do that by email because my cart system on my website does not have that capacity to do that as of yet. No excuses now. Go for it.

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Psychology studies have resulted in books written on these tells that people do with their hands.

When a person interacts with another person, how they express themselves and what they do with their hands tells a lot about that person.

Their comfort level, their joy when they use their hands to paint an invisible picture as they talk, or the covering of their mouth as they speak to hide their expressions.

When I started painting full time, hands along with figures were uppermost in my art dialogue on canvas.

Art: Helping Hand    20” X 16”     Acrylic on Canvas

I am still so inspired by the thought of what hands disclose to us and what they do for us.

You can tell so much about a person by how they accessorize their hands, how they hold them and how they extend them.

And let’s not forget how much they help us accomplish.

Just think of the careers that depend on hands to accomplish their success or that we depend on to help us live our daily lives!

Art: Counting Hand   24” X 30” X 1.5”   Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Cooks, architects, handyman, gardener, artist, chauffeur, sports, and on and on.

We should play homage to to hands. In many cases they are essential workers on our bodies.

Art: Nesting   30” X 24” X 1.5”   Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

Hands also look great as abstract art in your home or office.

Art: Directional Hand 2   24” X 18” X 1.5”   Acrylic/Mixed Media on Canvas

And hand wall art can serve as a motivational force and a source of accomplishment.

My website has a hands portfolio with many more paintings just waiting for you to visit. 

I accept Payment Plans but I have to do that by email because my cart system on my website does not have that capacity to do that as of yet. No excuses now. Go for it.

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me now. A big thanks.

A series of wall art that was created to be used together in different ways is a specialty of mine.

Because I love designing with colorful art in my own office and home, I know that it is advantageous to be able to move the art around the house to change things up for a new look.

Here is the series of 4 paintings Structures A through D in the bedroom. And below they are designed in other layout schemes.

Top, left to right: Structure D  ~  Structure B      Bottom, left to right:  Structure A  ~  Structure C

And that can be done easily with a series of small paintings that you can arrange in different ways.

And here are all the Structure art paintings in one long row over a desk.

So part of my art creations include series art. I will create 12” X 12” canvas paintings in series of 2, 3 and 4 so that you can decide what is best for your space.

Here I only use 3 in a different design layout that looks great with the space available.

The best advantage of the modern art I create is that I can use it in any setting and with most styles.

They look great in this casual space with a rustic look and pull the space together with this colorful display.

Life can get too predictable and one way to add a little variety and excitement to your home or office space is to change it up a little.

This is really a great idea. Use 2 of the series over a counter next to some plants.

Then use the remaining 2 in another location in your space or in the same room. If you are using them in the same room, arrange them differently.

Coming up with colorful creative art is my job. I am very good at that. But I also add the natural design spirit that I have developed over the years to create art that looks great in almost any room and layout.

This is one of my favorite layouts. One leaning or hanging just above a cabinet surface. And the others hanging about 2 inches above each other.

Use my abilities to their fullest. Go to my Abstracts Small portfolio and look what is available. If you need help, email me and I can help with a layout if you send me some photos.

As I said I love to design a cohesive and exciting look that stimulates the mind and body. Let me help you get a new perspective in your space.

I accept Payment Plans but I have to do that by email because my cart system on my website does not have that capacity to do that as of yet. No excuses now. Go for it.

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me now. A big thanks.

Stress is all around us lately like never before. And stress has some serious consequences on our bodies and minds.

As in so many other circumstances, we have no control over, are heaped upon our shoulders, stress and anxiety rise to unhealthy levels.

Constant stress can result in serious problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and stroke. Obesity and other eating disorders, Menstrual problems and Sexual dysfunction are also symptoms.

There are other ways to relieve stress before it gets out of control without the use of costly medicines. And medicines, many times, create another health risk with their reactions.

Exercise and taking time out for yourself helps to lower levels of stress.

Another proven way to relieve stress is having art around your home and office that lifts your spirits and brightens your mood.

 
A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day in the Kitchen makes meal prep a festive, creative adventure! And a release from the stress of the day.

The Benefits of Art are many. That is why hospitals and healthcare centers use art on all their walls. Art is a healing force.

A Bit Of Whimsy in Your Day in the dining area makes enjoying your meal more restful and brightens the wall with color. And helps to eliminate the need for stress eating.

How Art Can Help You and Others Heal

1. Reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Lower blood pressure.
3. Reduce need for pain medication.
4. Increases trust and confidence in others when visiting.
5. Be a positive distraction and improve communication at home and in the office for you and any employees.

And don’t forget the bedroom for stress-free rest and relaxation. A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day needs to be here most of all!

Suggestions to get an art fix for your health:

Purchase original art or art prints for your home and office that speaks to you. When you feel your stress levels rise take some time alone if possible and just view your art. Art has been proven to be a restorative and pleasant environment experience.

Your home office area is another place you need to relieve stress and this whimsical piece, A Bit of Whimsey in Your Day, will definitely lighten and brighten your mood.

Medicine, hospital and healthcare stays are costly expenses to your health and your wallet. When considering your options for lowering stress, art is the more healthy approach for your mind and body. And in the long run the lesser expensive cost.

GIVE it a Try...it is a Win Win Proposition. Get A Bit of Whimsy in Your Day now for the room you need it most.

More posts on the health benefits of Art, Did You Know that Art has HEALING Powers?  3 Mood Changing Paintings to Liven Up Your Small Space. I Create Wall Art to Inspire Your Happy Mood will give you some good ideas on how important it is relieve stress and anxiety in your life.

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Spring is in the air and little green sprouts are popping out of the dirt.

And it is time to brighten your home decor to lighten your mood.

Flowers on Antique Table

Floral Art on your walls is one way to create that lighter mood in your home, office and your spirit.

 In Celebration of Life’s Surprises

Feeling any lighter yet...in a better mood? Just imagine these paintings on your walls in your special place. It looks so happy in this bedroom doesn’t it?

As a gardener myself, my spirit soars in the Spring. It makes my heart sing to see those green stems break the surface and gain strength.

It inspires me to get to my easel and create one of my fantasy flowers. My floral, abstract paintings are creations of design and a little bit of reality. They are not photo representatives but take offs into another realm of how I would reconstruct my garden.

You can purchase the paintings above for your own room by clicking their link beside each painting. And take some time to go to my Flower Portfolio to look at all the other garden delights.

Contact me to help you to select art based on your room decor.

Watch for more flower selections in the next post.

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So you are almost finished and your design project still needs the finishing touches to be unique and inspiring.

This is the part that requires your direct attention and guidance.

If you listen to others on what wall art should be hung on your walls, you will be disappointed with what they choose.

Wall Art, especially paintings or art prints should only be chosen by you. The main reason is that you should let the Art speak to you and only you. If it doesn’t speak to you immediately it never will.

And if it will never speak to you, you will never receive the benefits of what art is supposed to do for you.

Have you ever been to a museum, gallery or someone’s home or office and you can’t take your eyes off a piece of art?

 
      
Art from left to Right: Meetings in Space ~ Meetings in Space 2   ~  Meetings of the Minds   ~  Up Down And All Around

If so, that art is speaking to you. It will bring up a memory or touch your soul or consciousness  every time you view it. That is what art is supposed to do for you.

Whether it is the color combination, the texture, the subject or any other element, it will stir up a reaction in your mind and body.

If you can own it, it will give you those benefits forever so don’t push it aside with those excuses we come up with to limit our pleasures.

Art from Left to Right: Black Thinking Lady  ~  Green Thinking Lady

Take the time to choose art that reflects your likes, your values, your mood desires.

Contact me to help you to select art based on your room decor. You can purchase the paintings above for your own room by clicking their link.

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me now. A big thanks.

Your fireplace mantle is a great focal point to add items that are meaningful to you and your family.

If you are like me you like to change things up occasionally to create a new look but still have your prized possessions highlighted.

Using your fireplace mantle you can do this by changing the artwork that you either lean against it or hang above it.

Let me show you how I change mine. I have 2 paintings that blend into my design and colors in my family room and change them with each other every 6 months or so.

Lean them against the wall on top of the mantle

Easy to change up that way. I find 30” x 24” the tallest I want to use for space to ceiling.

From Left To Right:  Red Lady   30” X 24”   ~    Spacing Out   30” X 24”

            
Or hang above the other items arranged on your mantle.

Painting:  Mindful Meanderings   16” X 40”

I really like moving things around for another new look for the room. It is easier to move art and my collectibles than furniture.

Contact me to help you to select art based on your room decor. You can purchase the paintings above for your own room by clicking their link.

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2.  And then go to my social media and follow me now. A big thanks.