Art Blog - Mary Lawler

Soulistry, Artistry Of The Soul Published Dr. June Maffin has marked the trail for all of us seeking a deeper, creative and more meaningful life. Amazon has released, artid member June Maffin's guide to the within. Entitled Soulistry, Artistry of the Soul. June has thoughtfully structured the book in such a way that the outcome of each person's journey will be different depending on one's answers. The questions are both road map and compass to an often overlooked destination -- the elusive "within." "Making changes in your life is difficult and requires work, so much so that many people are not willing to make the effort."… Continue reading… 3 comments

Two weeks ago I had to say goodbye to my dearest companion, Shadow. My model, my studio mate, my friend for 15 years was being called home. I miss him terribly, especially when he would walk acrosssssssssss my keyboard when I was trying to work, or drink the paint water, or bat my tools off the table just to watch them hit the floor. Shadow wasn't much for lap sitting unless it was really really cold, but he was always nearby, ready to jump out of a deep sleep to follow me into the kitchen. I could set my watch by his habits, I knew when it was 10:30, he would come and pester me to be fed before I went to bed. We dubbed him One Eyed Jack because he seemed to have one eye a little open all the time or one eye would peek around the corner or from behind the drapes. He was always watching… Continue reading… 2 comments

Big Art, Small Canvas I have always wanted to be a painter. I come from a family of painters, but sadly painting was never my forte. I struggled with it in art school but I didn't care, I was a graphic design major, just about to set the advertising world on fire. Thirty years later, I still do some graphic design but I have this persistent dream of painting. I saw a book on the artid site by artist Joyce Washor titled, Big Art, Small Canvas. Joyce works on 3 _ 4 panels and creates paintings that are indeed big art. I had always been attracted to her style of painting and the format seemed like it would be good for a beginner. There is no sense in wasting 16 _ 20 canvases on bad paintings, of which I was sure I would make many.… Continue reading… 6 comments

I was reading Deb Ward's blog about making resolutions to challenge yourself artistically and it really resonated with something I have been thinking about lately. I read a lot of artist's bios that describe themselves as "self taught" which is fine, you can learn a great deal on your own especially if you have the discipline to look, read and practice. Whether you are self taught, art school trained, have a post graduate degree or are internationally famous, it's still a great skill sharpener to take a class. Any class. Everything is related. I am primarily a paper and calligraphic artist and one gift I give myself every now and again is a drawing class. I am so NOT a painter but a watercolor painting class taught me a great deal about surfaces, tools and humility… Continue reading… 3 comments

Many creative people experience a lull in their work. Writer's block, painter's block, whatever name you give it, the feeling of being uninspired is disturbing especially when it continues for an uncomfortable amount of time. I hear many artists sheepishly admit, "I haven't done a thing since I saw you last." or "I used to paint but raising a family, a house and a job just doesn't leave me any time." It's OK. Our creative life is a well. Full sometimes and low another. A great outpouring of creativity will sometimes leave the well dry. What a gift! Now is the time to fill up your well. Fill your brain with images and color combinations, compositions and concepts. The more frustrated we become, the more we block that which can inspire us… Continue reading… 5 comments