Buy Indie 2020 - Supporting Independent Artists and Crafters

2020 has taken its toll this year on many small business owners. Artists and independent crafters are no strangers to the financial hit that this Pandemic has brought to 2020. It is easy to be lulled into the fatalistic mindset that everything is doom and gloom, because of the media, because people have lost their loved ones and lives, people have lost their livelihood. We can acknowledge the bad but let's take a moment to also give a nod to the good things that have happened this year. 

For me, personally, I quit my job last year to pursue my dream of becoming a working artist. COVID has made me take a GIANT PAUSE and consider the really important things. It has allowed me to take a deep dive into the life of a working artist. I have been home more and I can really immerse myself in my art processes from morning until night. I have learned a lot this year. I have become patient and adaptable. I have developed more empathy. My art has improved. I am discovering where I want to go, as a Fine Artist. My family members have been able to work from home and the cost savings on gas and tolls have been extremely helpful. I have been able to spend more time with my daughter and her boyfriend, since we share a space.

I have been truly blessed by the support of my friends and family and I truly am humbled and appreciative from the bottom of my heart. I have developed a new depth of appreciation for those people that have supported my artistic endeavors. My clients (new and existing), my friends that take time to like and share my art posts, friends that have chose to purchase a piece of art, rather than buy something mass-produced from Target. If I haven't said it today, THANK YOU. My focus used to be on those family members that don't support me. But 2020 has made my focus shift. I can choose to focus on all the people that love and support me, or I can focus on those that don't. Since I have shifted my focus, I FEEL so much better. I am more appreciative of the little things and I continue to experience gratitude on a new level.

I started a new project called #the100chickensproject. I have heard from people all over the world how much it has made them smile. Time and time again, they have said "thank you, this is just what the world needs right now". Who knew the world needed more chicken paintings? It is those little things that make us smile, that inevitably help us get through the day. The world needs more ART and ARTISTS. 

Where am I going with this? Let me tell you. I have a vision for this blog. The original vision was to support independent artists and crafters. I want to expand on that. I want to showcase different artists and help promote them. I want to bridge the gap between the buyer and artist and help facilitate more art in this world. I want it to become a true Art Revolution. I also want to branch out into more educational posts about products and product reviews. I have learned a lot of (sometimes expensive) lessons and I want to share with you everything I have learned. 

So if you are asking yourself, "what can I really do that will make an impact?"  You can make the commitment to BUY INDIE as often as you can, but especially this year and this holiday season. 

I will do my part and promote every single Indie artist, crafter, writer, musician out there and you do your part by engaging with them. Liking their stuff, sharing the word and buying their arts and crafts! 

Plead, ask, implore your friends and family to BUY INDIE this holiday season. The best presents are handmade and born from individual creative genius! 

Handmade/Indie does not = cheap or poor quality. I have found quite the opposite in fact. Handmade items are usually made with the upmost care and love. I have found that indie crafters (a lot of them anyway) tend to repurpose, reuse and recycle more often than naught. They pay attention to materials; they choose organic or fair trade materials, a lot of the time. And they LOVE what they are doing. I can speak for myself here..I LOVE to make things. I put my full heart and soul into everything I make. I love starting with a concept around a person and really thinking about what they like and actually sourcing the material to make them something unique and wonderful. 

It is a win/win situation for the buyer and the receiver of the gift. I love to be able to see the person I am buying from...it isn't some anonymous factory in China, spitting out mass produced items by the 1000's. It is a real person. One that loves their craft, one that appreciates their customers. 

It is worth it to take the time to check out some Indie Artists and Crafters!

Art Supply Unboxing: Sennelier l'Aquarrelle

This video is an unboxing I did for the Sennelier l'Aquarelle 12 Tube Watercolor Set. I have used these paints for several months now and I really love the honey based watercolor paints. Check out my video!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This doesn't cost you anything, but I will receive a small percentage back on any affiliate links that you click on and purchase the product. Using these affiliate links allows me to continue to produce high quality content for you, the viewer. Also, clicking on the donate button helps too!

Thank you!

Artist Spotlight - Volta from Colorsnack

This weeks Artist Spotlight is Volta from Colorsnack! Volta is one of my favorite artists that I met via Instagram. Several years ago, I took a few of her classes and learned to paint fun snacks like ice cream, donuts and lollypops! You can check out her website here!

Volta in her studio

Her classes are amazing, and I highly recommend you check them out. Her most recent class is called "Watercolor Meditations". She created this class for anyone who wants to find a moment of creative relaxation, regardless of their skill level. I think this is what I love the most about her classes. They are accessible to everyone. Beginners who would like to learn more, to experts that just want a fun and exciting exercise, can all benefit from her classes.

Volta's class "Watercolor Meditations"

The other thing I find fascinating about Volta, is her ability to create artistic niches for her work. She is absolutely ingenious at this. She offers services for brand activations for companies that hold marketing events. She has worked with clients such as; Glenlivet, the Dallas Mavericks, and Beefeater Gin. 

Volta also creates custom watercolor animations, combining traditional watercolor techniques and animation to create the most adorable .gifs. You HAVE to check these out. They are brilliant. I am hard pressed to choose a favorite, but I think I would choose Frida and her sushi animations.

She also has a Podcast called Art, Snacks and Affirmations. Check it out!

Volta at one of her brand activation events

 

Volta also sells prints of her traditional watercolor work and you can find all of her beautiful prints and originals here!

      "You Still Remember My Favorite Food" 

6 x 6 inches original painting, Watercolor on Aquaboard

  Available for purchase here 

"Stillness Has a New Name" 

6 x 6 inches original painting, Watercolor on Aquaboard

  Available for purchase here 

Thank you for joining me for this Artist Spotlight! If you would like to be featured, please email me!

Thank you for supporting Independent Artists!

Andrea Harston  

Art Without Apology - Find Your Tribe

It is really important, no matter what the undertaking, that you surround yourself with people that encourage you in your aspirations. It can make ALL the difference. I have built my own personal tribes of yogi’s and mountain bikers; and now I am working on building a community of artists and art lovers! 

We are the feelers, the lovers and the creatives. It is so important to find your tribe of like-minded crazies to exchange ideas, discover new tools, talk about painting techniques in excruciating detail that would just be boring to your partner or non-artist friends. Like who wants to really learn what “quinacridone” means or how to pronounce it. Who wants to really explore the transparency of certain watercolors? Or discuss the finer nuances of watercolor paper. Me! *Raises hand*

It is vital to be encouraged and to encourage others! Try to find a few people and take a genuine interest in them. Find something you love about their paintings. Ask them questions, Learn from them! Instagram is good and terrible for this. Don’t be one of those follow/unfollow people. Become curious about your fellow artists. The energy you put out, will come back to you tenfold.

How do you find your tribe? Join a community of artists in your specialty. Take a local class. Create a meet-up group. Volunteer at art events or your local museum. Find local artists on social media. There are a lot of ways to start working on finding your tribe members. #andreaharstonart #artwithoutapology #findyourtribe #artistsunite #arttribe #watercolor #watercolorartist #watercolorart

 

Art Without Apology - Accept That You Will Make Some Crappy Art

Accept that you will make some crappy art, and lots of it. But on the flip side, accept that you will also make some AMAZING ART. You will make art that makes you irritated and maybe even angry at times. You will get frustrated and angsty. Accept it. Assimilate it into your being and become OK with the idea of it. Repeat after me, "I will make crappy art and love it!" It isn't the love of the art per se, but the love of the process of creating. 

We need to flex our creative muscles and create for the sheer joy of the creative process. Think about this, the more you workout the stronger your muscles become. The more you meditate, the stronger you become, mentally. It is the same idea with "flexing that creative muscle". The more we make art, the more the creative juices get flowing. Every piece of artwork doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Just put the brush or pen to paper and just make squiggles, lines or paint blobs. It doesn't matter. Channel your inner kindergartener and just play around. Watch how the paint interacts with the paper. Watch the colors blend. Play the role of detached observer in the creative process. 

Sometimes, I do what I call "Creative sorbet". Sorbet is an ice cream like food that is typically eaten between different foods to cleanse your palate/palette. (see that pun?) It allows us to start fresh when we try the next food so we can thoroughly taste the spices and flavors. For example, I will paint a few paintings and then I might do an acrylic pour or a color chart, something where I don't have to think as much about technique or perspective. I just paint. There is no expectation, no thought, I am just DOING. 

Letting go of expectations on occasion just being in the moment, painting for the sheer joy of line and color, helps reset your creative psyche. Being able to immerse yourself in the process without attachment to the final outcome is therapeutic. And remember, we always learn something in the process. 

 After all of this, if you are still angsty about "wasting paper", you can always get creative with these practice pieces and cut them up to make collages or you can gesso them or use watercolor ground to paint over them. Anytime spent creating, is never a wasted effort.  Sometimes we need to create a pile of straw to find the golden needle in the haystack, it is how originality is born! 

 If you are enjoying this content, I would appreciate your donation by using the Donate button in the upper right hand corner. 

You can also support these efforts by joining me on Patreon! 

 Thank you for your support, Andrea Harston #artwithoutapology #andreaharstonart

Artist Spotlight: Art and Octopuses AKA Lexy Ceballos

 This week’s featured artist is Lexy Ceballos of Art and Octopuses! You can also follow her on Instagram and check out her resin work. 

Lexy is a Florida-grown artist, specializing in Resin Art and Acrylic Painting. She paints a wide variety of subject matter, but my favorite paintings of hers are, you guessed it, her Octopus Paintings! 

 

Scottish Octopus Original Painting - 6 x 8 inches 

Gouache on Cold Press Watercolor Paper - For Sale Here

                                           Vanilla Sprinkles Octopus Ice Cream Prints -  Available on Redbubble

She primarily focuses on character design. She loves all things spooky and cute! She is actively accepting commissions!

Thank you for joining me for this Artist Spotlight! If you would like to be featured, please email me!

Thank you for supporting Independent Artists!

Andrea Harston 

Art Without Apology - 10 Steps to Help You Claim Your Creative Space in the Art World

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the sheer number of artists out there? Have you ever questioned your value and worth as an artist? Have you ever been really sad about a negative comment from others or gotten wrapped up in your own negative thinking? I think it is safe to say that we all experience artistic angst on some level. But never fear! I can help you overcome some of your old patterns of thinking and help you discover your worth.

I’ve thought a lot about my own place in this vast world of art. It reminds me of my first day at art school. I had been one of the best artists in my high school. Then I went to college and, these people were all “the best artists from their high schools”. It was ego killing and demoralizing. So fast forward a few years (ahem) later. Enter, the internet! The internet brings out everyone and everything, all types of art, all talents, all levels, ALL opinions. It can be very overwhelming.... and demoralizing.

Then it hit me, this is something I *can* help you with. Even though I’m no psychologist, but I have a very in-depth understanding of the human psyche and artistic angst. I committed myself for years to the study of psychology and philosophy. I understand how paralyzing fear is and how we let it prevent us so often from doing what we love. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hour and for many years I have studied IN DEPTH both Eastern and Western Philosophies. I have adapted many of those teachings to fit the journey we all take, as artists. I have also studied Psychology, as a pet project, for MANY years. In addition to all of this, I have been an artist for a very long time. I have overcome a lot of artistic angst and fear to become a successful full time artist.

I wrote the10 steps to help YOU! I hope you will join me! If you would like to help support this project, the donation button is in the upper right hand corner. Thank you in advance for your support!

Follow #artwithoutapology to keep up with all the posts. If you have ever doubted yourself as an artist, this is for you! #andreaharstonart #artisticangst #art #claimyourspace #claimyourcreativespace #artisttools

Art Without Apology - Don't Let Fear Get in the Way of your Awesomeness!

 

One sentiment I keep seeing in the art community is the rampant fear of not being good enough, or trying something new but being afraid you will mess it up. For example, what if I paint on this 10.00 sheet of watercolor paper and I mess it up? I can't post my art because everyone else is better than I am. What if I fail? What if I can't do it? What if everything I make is crap? What if I suck? 

As artists, we are putting the very core of our souls on display for everyone to see. Opening ourselves up to criticism and opinions about our view of the world can be terrifying. We are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable in a world that can be a scary place. Being vulnerable is the bravest thing you can do. If you have ever created anything and shared it, you are my super hero! Get yourself a cape!

Over the next few weeks, we are going to address all of these thoughts on a very personal level. I want you to start to become aware of your negative thoughts. Just acknowledge them and say "hey, I see you!". Then I want you to gently push them aside and think of the OPPOSITE of whatever you were thinking. 

For example, if you think "What if I mess up this $10 dollar paper" I want you to say, "What if I make something completely awesome?" Instead of asking, "What if I fail", ask; "What if I succeed?" Instead of "What if I suck" ask; "What if I am awesome?"

I know you might not feel like you are awesome, but keep this up. Your thoughts form your reality. Say it with me "OUR THOUGHTS FORM OUR REALITY". I promise you, if you practice this one thing, over time your brain will get busy creating new neural pathways and you will change your view of life and yourself. 

It is so easy to get caught up in our own minds. Our mind is the ultimate master of manipulation. If it is left to run rampant, it contains every doubt, every criticism, every trial and tribulation, every possible scenario of what could go wrong. I understand that this could be paralyzing. But I will let you in on a secret, 99% of the terrible, awful things that we think can happen, never come to fruition. 

Think about it, how many times have you stressed out over things that never, ever happened? A lot, right? We are programmed to think about the negative, it is a protection mechanism that has gone awry. We no longer have to run from dinosaurs so our minds take that biological fight or flight response and it misappropriates it to every possible bad scenario that could happen. 

Make the conscious decision right now to NEVER again let fear prevent you from trying something new, or making art, or using that paper! Start training your brain to think about what will go RIGHT!

I would love for you to join me on Patreon! 

Greetings! Content changes coming to this blog

 Hello, 

I am going to redesign this blog to review art supplies and to highlight independent artists. Stay tuned for some exciting content! 

Andrea Harston Art