Repurpose and Renew

I often repurpose old canvases to bring new subjects to life. However, not every project goes smoothly. For example, when I try to paint purely from imagination, the results often fall short. Without the guidance of reference photos, my brain struggles to create visually compelling images. That’s when I turn to my photo library or search online for inspiration.  

For this project, I’m exploring an underwater scene featuring a curious octopus being stalked by hungry sharks.  

Stay tuned—I'll share more photos as the painting progresses! Inspirational Photo

Refining details surrounding the subject help create texture 

Detailing shadows and enhance lighting 

Reworking color saturation 

Balancing Inspiration and Originality in Art

When starting a new project, I seek out inspiration photos of the subject I want to capture. If I don’t have the right images in my personal collection, I search online to find the perfect composition and perspective. For this particular project, I was looking for reference photos such as an octopus, sharks, sea grass and starfish which I will incorporate into my work.

People often ask me, “Isn’t that copyright infringement?” While it can be, I usually alter the image to make it my own. I’m reminded of a quote often attributed to Picasso: *“Good artists copy; great artists steal.”* I’m not suggesting this is inherently right or wrong, but it’s how I’ve learned to paint a variety of subjects. Without a photographic memory, this approach helps me refine my artistic process.

Look out for my next blog post when I merge my subjects. 

Spooky Mannequin Makeover

Decorating pumpkins for Halloween is a classic tradition for many, but I’ve taken a different approach. Instead of pumpkins, I decorate mannequin heads I’ve collected over the years. As a hairstylist, having extra mannequin heads lying around is common, so I thought, why not turn them into unique Halloween decor? With a few strokes of acrylic paint and a bit of inspiration, I've found this makes the usual pumpkin carving seem almost dull in comparison. Each head takes on its own eerie character, bringing a twist to the Halloween spirit! 

 

Painting Sunsets

I’m in the beginning stage of painting a lighthouse with a beautiful sunset backdrop. The inspiration for this piece came from a photo I found online and wanted to recreate this subject using acrylic paint. 

Where do I start? Was my question as I studied the photo. At times, I have to study other artist’s paintings or follow along with a YouTube tutorial. However, I decided to get started and see what happens. I began with painting the entire canvas a light yellow hue diluted with water. Then I preceded with painting the top portion of canvas with a pink (magenta) tone mixed with white. The bottom portion I used a darker pink tone mixed with crimson red, orange, magenta and white. I did not gradient the paint in with the yellow because I waited too long since it had dried. 

Next, I used a mixture of crimson red, orange, magenta ultramarine blue and white until I was satisfied with the color for sky. When I begin a painting project on my own without help from a tutorial I often make many mistakes and try and learn from them. That is what I call a working experience or just plain luck if my subject turns out.

For the center color I use raw umber, ultramarine blue, crimson red, orange and white. Basically, the same colors I used for the sky but added more raw umber to create the land stretched across the center of the canvas.

The fun and most challenging part of a painting is when it’s time to blend or get rid of hard edges. This helps create a more realistic sky. This takes practice and after 20 years I still have issues. Recently, I purchased a mop brush to help with this technique and find it does help. Learning how to paint is the “why” I love most. It also is satisfying when a painting takes on a life of its own. 

Lastly, I use a cut out shape of the lighthouse to see where I will eventually paint my main character. It helps me see visually instead of instinctively knowing where to place this shape. That way I don’t begin painting and say, “whoops”; it doesn’t look right and then paint over my error. 

After a few minor adjustments—like removing the sun from the left side of the painting in the second photo below—I realized it wasn't where I wanted the light source, as the light appears to come from the right. I also brightened the sky around the lighthouse and enhanced the light beams, as shown in the first photo. Now, this painting feels complete.  

Sunset Cruisen

Living near the Mississippi River, you're treated to an endless variety of sunsets—each one unique and fleeting. Capturing the perfect sunset with the ideal subject, like a paddleboat, feels nearly impossible unless you have a camera ready to shoot at just the right moment, every evening.

This painting was inspired by a photo taken by an unknown photographer, someone whose work I would love to credit if only I knew who they were.

 

Tortoiseshell Cat

When starting an animal portrait, my process begins with selecting reference photos that clearly capture the pet's unique expression, particularly focusing on the light and emotion reflected in their eyes. While fur texture is important, I believe the essence of the pet is conveyed primarily through their eyes and facial expression, which helps owners immediately recognize their beloved companion in the artwork. I decided to incorporate a green background to accentuate the pet’s eye color, creating a balanced and harmonious composition that draws the viewer’s focus to the most expressive features.

Santa Silhouette

As Fall approaches, I start seeking out Christmas inspired subjects like the one below.

I use bluish-purple tones on one side, balanced by a soft salmon-pink hue on the other, to create glowing undertones reminiscent of moonlight. Adding subtle touches of the pinkish tone throughout brings harmony and intrigue to the composition. For the finishing touch, I add a silhouette of Santa and all of his reindeer.