A few other bits of advice I always like to share with other artists is to always set your goals high . In work and in life , don ’ t settle and always strive to do your very best . That means being patient and kind with yourself and your art as well as using the best quality materials . Being a ‘ professional ” artist means your collectors and viewers of your art will take you seriously . I also like to encourage fellow artists to be authentic and take the time it takes to truly do a complete body of work that is yours and yours alone . I remember a quote from a Mary Oliver poem “ Things take the time they take . Don ’ t worry .” This authenticity and ‘ your style ’ will not happen over night . Enjoy the journey !
A good decision I made years ago was to “ learn to say no ”. At times , for the sake of our own sanity and our art , we must learn to say no to outside distractions that may interfere with our studio practice . Don ’ t get me wrong though , there still is life to be lived . Believe me , I am the ‘ queen of play ’ and seldom do I turn down the opportunity to go horse riding , biking or hiking with friends ! Just remember , life is all about balance .
My art path had a few twists and turns before I discovered the medium of cold wax . I was immediately hooked by the almost zen-like feeling I get when working with a medium and techniques that to me is definitely an art process coming from deep within my soul . Most of my paintings are done on custommade birch plywood panels made by a friend of mine ( see resources ) and because they are custom-made , I have the freedom to be creative with my compositions simply by the use of varying the shapes and sizes . Sometimes I work on paper , but I always prep my surface with many thin layers of gesso , sanding in between the layers .