I generally prefer audio books as a background in my studio. I have listened to hundreds of art histories, biographies, mysteries and true crime stories, plowing through series after series. I have always needed a bit of escapism to occupy my inner critic as I work, but lately I prefer silence.

​At the beginning of quarantine when life became strange and frightening, I turned once again to meditation (and Ben & Jerry). I had exactly zero success with mediation up to this point, but during the repetitive circumstances of lockdown, I began a modest practice that began to help with my anxiety and focus.

A funny thing has happened after months of meditation. It has crept into my studio! When I am working, I often prefer silence.  I am happily conscious of being in the moment and I don’t need to drown out that voice, in fact, I think I may have made friends with my inner critic. Well, more like a friendly acquaintance I chat with, and sometimes tell very nicely to shut up. 

Meditation is a process that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But you could try switching up your painting soundtrack or turning it off all together. Maybe In the quiet you can have a nice polite chat with your inner critic too.

Whatever you choose, keep it simple and don't worry if you miss a day, just keep going and see what happens.

Color Meditation Demo

Over the years I have collected many art practice tips. When I feel tight and off track I use this list to loosen up my painting. 

• Simplify.
• Enjoy the process, have fun and experiment.
• AMS - Avoid Masterpiece Syndrome. Don't pressure yourself into thinking every painting has to be a homerun. If you aren't happy with the end result you can always get more paper or paint over a canvas.
• Try working larger and aim to fill the entire space. 
• Use larger tools like bigger brushes and large pieces of charcoal or pastel.
• Use the whole tool not just the tips.
• ​Avoid drawing shapes and filling or coloring in.
• ​Try to put the color down in one stroke.
• Try a rougher surface. The rougher the surface the harder it is to put in details.
• Stop painting when you start to repaint areas.
• Forget the details and compose with large shapes.
• ​Accept what the painting gives you, embrace happy accidents and go with the flow. 

I hope you will give these ideas a try and add them to your own collection art practice tips. 

Sometimes you come across a quote that just stops you. Really, you stop and read it over a few times. Maybe you write it down in the margin of your calendar or copy and paste it into the notes section of your phone. Maybe you print it out and tack it to the cork board in your studio. You might even get those words tattooed onto your arm. Because, well, you don’t want to forget them. But you do. Sometimes those forgotten words keep following you, popping up again and again.  This quote from John Cage is one of those for me.

​I love this quote!! I find it comforting and inspiring, like a push. He vividly lists the sources of the
​baggage that we bring to creating. I can see all of the people around my easel between me and the canvas. Then he reminds me how to get past it, telling me to keep painting and get out of the way and sometimes I listen.

Decorating for the holidays is fun, but sometimes those pumpkins or bright Santa figures don't seem comfortable in front of you treasured art. Here are four things you can do to help your art and your decorations get along during the holidays.

• Pull colors out of your art with decorations. 
• Collect art that harmonizes with your special treasures to bring out at holiday time.
• Replace art with a few special holiday family photos.
• Use mirrors in place of art to double the sparkle. 

Pack your art in the boxes that held your seasonal decorations. When you put away the decorations, put the the art back up. Taking a visual break will make you love your art all over again.

A video demo I put together for a Zoom talk I did for an art group on leaf meditations.