I loved your process, your art and your energy. It felt good to hang out with you. What you said about getting stuck and how to get “unstuck “ is really a metaphor of life. I have been having a hard time making decisive move, so I used art as therapy. I took a big rough brush and made very bold, decisive, assertive brush strokes. I was stunned at how powerful it looked. Then I thought the painting is a mirror image of my life once I make those daring moves. Wish I could post a pic of the painting. Blessings 🤗
I think your painting is one of the most gorgeous ones I ever seen. My physical body is very open and I can feel all the little interesting spots that have developed just by you continuing to work it. It makes me feel good.
Omg DO IT. There’s so much freedom and peace in painting . At least for me. it’s not meant to be stressful at all So I urge you to do it. I am 46 and I only started painting two years ago with no background or practice at all. It’s NEVER TOO LATE. It was meant to be a hobby and I started selling paintings almost immediately without any intention to do so and now that is all I do. Not for the money but because I love it that much and the icing is other people enjoying and loving it as well. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Hi Pam, thanks for talking us through your process. I have and love using many different medium. To a detriment, not getting very good, at any one. I am encouraged to challenge myself to use all of the various mediums in one abstract? Did you do that in this abstract? Why did you use paper? will you put this under glass? Did you say your using oil paints? I live in Idaho with similar scenery. I love your garden, Your Rhubarb is Hugh! I am thinking of going into abstract and that alone. I have been into realism am I am not successful. I love how I feel with abstract. Do you use any additives or mediums? Thank you so much for sharing? .
Thanks Pamela for this video. You have encourage me not to quit with my abstracts!! I usually get so frustrated when I can't get what I want but listening to your video gave me the confidence to continue trying and NEVER QUIT!!! Tks a lot!!
I actually liked the “ugly” phase! I also liked the end result. A couple of years ago I did a painting that I absolutely HATED. I wanted to paint over it and re-work the whole thing. I was surprised at how many people actually liked it. I ended up selling it…so…you never know what is going to make someone see their happy place. Which is absolutely a reason to go out of your comfort zone and experiment.
@@007mikki Love it! Yes you never know and while one day you may think your painting is ugly-you may see new hope the next day! Time can be your friend in the studio when it comes to let a painting simmer for a while 🌺🌺
I loved your painting all the way through. I'm an expressionist painter and when it doesn't have that thing, that spirit for me of a surprise, of something I never would have thought of and feel I'm on to something. sometimes I feel its done when it moves me, it feels fresh. Watching you I'm feeling better. I was blocked and now I feel challenged to finish something I quit.
When stuck I change the canvas orientation and have a fresh look. Just did it to a canvas (admittably much, much smaller) and have a different view of it. It allowed me to let go of an area I was holding onto. Thanks for the inspiration in your videos, love them and I learn something new each time.
I love the freedom of your paintings. It has helped me to just let go and be myself. Thank you so much. I live in New Zealand and started painting in 2017 when my daughter asked me for a painting for Christmas. I had never painted before and I now know that I suffered from White fright before I started. It was 2m by 1,8m and I looked at this white canvas for three days. She loved it . I have painted more since then but your youtube video has inspired me so much to keep going. Thank you
Pamela, I am a newly retired nurse of 45 yrs. What a journey that career was! Everyone asked what I would do with my time! Having been a crafter in any spare time I had over all those working years I was sure I’d spend more time in exploring those crafts. But what’s happened is I’ve actually been experimenting all I can with acrylics, collage, abstract layering backgrounds, etc! And in this pursuit I had advice from a dear artist friend who encouraged me to “be fearless” and just set myself free. I’m having so much fun and feel so free...I feel like I’ve escaped prison ( I did love my yrs of nursing but it was stressful as everyone knows). Thank you for your patient and generous sharing of talent with those of us who are soaking it up like a sponge! I love it!
I love to work with color, both saturated and desaturated. I like harmony but also chaos. The challenge I find is in not ending in mud or just junk. I never throw piece away because everything should be salvageable and when it works it is fulfilling.
This video came at just the right time. I have been dealing with UGLY for the past 2 days as I work on my paintings for the Powerful Design and Personal Color course. Truthfully, I was getting frustrated even though I know these are growing pains. Thanks for sharing your process. It gives me hope! As for a challenge: once I work through the paintings for this course, I want to challenge myself to do a painting in 3 colors without black and white. I think it will really push me to understand the values of different hues and to be creative about achieving the extremes of the value scale without using white or black.
This is a great idea, Cynthia - no need to use black and white really - there are many darks and lights which you can use in their place. I'm so happy you are going through the course - and happy to see you here as well!! Yay :)!!
Watching you work pulled me in as a creator of art. I've recently returned to two 9 X 12 oil paintings I started as wedding gifts when my father got married again, over 20 years ago. That has been a challenge to spend time on completion. They are fairly realistic scenes of two swans on water. I've recently spent more time doing abstract work in acrylics, and I've mostly loved the process but I've had that feeling of ugly or muddy, over and over. My challenge for you is to teach that final finishing stage in your work, and how you make those final choices in your paintings. I love your work! Thanks so much for sharing it on UA-cam!
my deepest challenge is also my deepest fear - that what I see on the work I love... I will loose .... and never be able to recover it again.. thank you so much Pamela for your warm and generous way of sharing .. I love how delicately you assemble construct orchestrate and bring to life your unique gesture and expression ... I am inspired to explore a path to find wonder and a new level of surrender and arrival.
Love watching you work Pamela. What has challenged me about your process is how far you push the painting and loose some great parts for the benefit of the whole painting composition. The hardest thing for me know is knowing when to stop and regret over losing something I truly loved but your description of your thought process, "Saturated colour vs. non saturated, contrasting values, large shapes vs small shapes, cool vs. warm etc." is really helpful. Would love to try the paint markers you were using to achieve some interesting texture and mark making. Well done.
I started an abstract paining a while back A and I wasn’t happy with it, so I took a break, and went back and used crayons, colored pencils, some paper clippings; and Just went with it. And that started my love of mixed media painting. It was great fun watching your process with this painting, thank you!
I loved watching you widdle away lessening the issues of composition & color while incorporating more of those colors not true to your comfort zone. What a wonderful reward after much time & effort. Beautiful work. I set up challenges for myself regularly. Two come to mind for possible ideas for others. During warmer months I go to garage sales to find art supplies. It helps me remain creative, stay within a budget, I avoid getting myself stuck in a creative rut and truly forces me to invent. Whatever I pick up that day I incorporate into a mixed media painting. It’s a lot of fun. The second challenge I give myself is by carrying a large bin around my art room, stopping at each ‘category or genre’ and place that item in my bin until I have enough art supplies to do something. For instance: grab a substrate to paint on; speciality palette knives + paint brushes; paper must be used whether it’s decorative tissue or leftover monoprinting painted papers or scrapbooking paper; a speciality paint plus regular paint; an unusual material such as the gridded plastic bag lemons arrive in; the use of a stencil; sand from the beach (mix with Golden heavy gel for texture) etc. The point is to gather art items from each category, then commit to having to use each item that you collected in your bin. The ideal would be having someone do this for you, collect all the items, hand you the bin & see you when you’re all finished in 15 hours. This activity can also be great for family bonding time. It’s a good way to spend time together & kids enjoy it! I hope these challenges sound like fun. If anyone does them, I’d love to hear about it!!
Hi Pam, I so love your videos that I watch them over and over. I’m new to abstract painting and find it very challenging. I think it’s much more difficult than representational painting. I am determined to continue my abstract painting and your videos are so much help! Thank you for your thoughtful teaching and sharing.
You are very welcome, Valeri and many thanks for such a nice comment :) Abstract art is challenging because there is nothing compositionally to give you guidance so we must look and feel inward to find the shapes, colors and lines that move us. :)
Love the variety of line and texture as the layers build. I see the progress as the painting evolves and still remains fresh. Thank you for sharing your work.
I like the way you start working. It’s inspirational. As to challenges, I have stacks of challenges I can face whenever I need to. I don’t throw any failed paintings away. I’m going to stop calling them “failed paintings” starting today; they’re “challenging paintings”.
Super Fly I always save those “ failed” pieces as underpaintings to use later. I just had a piece in a juried university exhibit that I began 20 yrs ago and finished last year. It had been sitting in the corner of my studio and was a great foundation canvas. It became one of my fav paintings. I love surprises! 👍
dear Pamela, Thank you for sharing this amazing time lapse art process. It is absolutely breathtaking. I have learned so much from this creation . I love how you use whatever you feel like to just make a mark or change the colors. I feel like you do this intuitively, right? I adore your relaxed style. It is amazingly beautiful.
Uuuuugggh......I feel like that with every painting. Sometimes I keep going. Sometimes I just put the canvas back in the box not to be looked at again. I haven't painted in quite some time and watching you is moving me to paint again. I love your work..
I am in the middle of a challenging painting right now. A 12” x 12” mixed media abstract on panel. Researching some artists’ ways and steps to move through the art process is very helpful. I think I know my next step!
Thanks very much! Good luck and I have lots to share with you at my website if you’re interested in lots of ways to problem solve (ie my new PRO membership at ArtandSuccess.com
I recently spent time in a hospital for back surgery. I have really enjoyed your videos. I packed a small makeup kit with felt tips, pastels and pastel pencils. Also small tubes of the primary color acrylic and a small "art journal" of mixed media paper. I also had Modge Podge and gel medium. I used magazines and papers I came across in the course of my stay. I cut up, rearranged and used different papers to reasemble the piece. This is my challenge to you. Put together a packet and then spend a normal few days in your life and lets see the results!
Hi Heather! Sweet! I love that you did that and thank you for offering the challenge to me! I will try and find time to do this! Thank you so much and Happy Holidays :)!! Pam
I am challenging myself to use non-traditional supplies. I have started looking for other things for mark making and that looking opened up so many possibilities. I’m now in the process of making my own “brushes” with random things. I decided to make them after a storm deposited all sorts of leaves, twigs, pine needles, and seed pods onto my deck. I scooped up a bunch of it and I’m tying it up with cord into brushes. I would LOVE to see you do something like that with your oil and cold wax. I’m about to try my hand at that and want my first efforts with a new medium to also be with a new type of tool.
Really love watching you work. I frustrate easily so I'm encouraged to push through and just keep painting. Nothing to lose. If all else fails, mixed media over it. Thanks for the videos. Look forward to watching all of them.
Every time when i enjoy an abstract painting i think to look like cleaning the places by collecting garbage then made them in a work of art. That is an abstract work of art !❤️❤️❤️
I’m in oil paneer and pastel us and I’ve been watching your channel and I feel my heart goes abstract so I bought myself some acrylic paints and some cold wax medium and I’ve been working in small 12 x 12 abstracts what a thrill what a joy and so hard but thank you
Please make a video about how you finish your painting I’m so conscious about varnishing a painting it seems to always ruin it. Would love to see how you totally finish a painting right before it’s in an exhibit
I have a lot of start and stop, frustration phase paintings. Sometimes its because I like whats there and don't want to mess it up and am afraid to push it farther and sometimes its just such a mess I don't want to look at it anymore! Fun watching you push through. THanks
My challenge is often to get into my studio, and then once I am in there, to get out again. I tend to want to paint late into the night and have to stop myself to go to bed at a reasonable time. There is something about those late night, quiet hours!! Thank you for your inspiring videos. I am as a result of watching you, going to try to stop painting out the whole painting and starting again!
Hi Lorna - yes, I find it is good to paint for about 3 hours, then take a break. Come back and you will have fresh eyes! Hope you'll check out my course which helps you overcome procrastination and then learn how to consistently FINISH your work - and know when it's finished - in your own, unique personal voice. If you are interested in investing in your own artistic excellence, please be sure to take a look at my LIFETIME Online course, Powerful Design and Personal Color (fill your artistic toolbox!). www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc
When I have a problem with my painting looking ugly, I add good quality collage papers to cover those spaces. I turn it into a collage mixed media art work. Your work is always inspiring. I especially like you painting with your hands. It makes your work more expressive.
I've been a collage and mixed media artist for many years, but I still hold back in layering. How do you give yourself freedom and permission to cover over marks that you love?
Thx for your wisdom. I’m new to painting (coming up on 2 years) and feeling like every canvas I have going right now is not working yet. My painting class is on pause due to the quarantine. I am interested in abstract and mixed media work. So I’m watching you tube and giving it a go.
I enjoyed your videos Pamela. I was painting on my acrylic painting as I listened to you the second time and it was helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for your methodical explanations as you painted.
Working with acrylic iridescent colors - looked great in the beginning but the shine was so distracting. Added Collage and I found not all paper is paper, some have plastic coating layers - will not use that paper again unless I prep it before hand.
I was trained as a designer and had to produce clean lines and easily 'read' marks and shapes. I'm now retired which enables me to explore my art sensibilites without restraint - but the restraint is still there! I've only just discovered you and watched with delight your ability to change, transform and develop your ideas on one large painting. I love this piece - the colours are some of my favourites - and I would have been content with it at several different points along the way. I shared one of your videos on fb and commented 'I must loosen up!' I shall watch some more. I'd like to see how you handle smaller pieces - I can only manage up to about 30" square in my workspace. Thank you for the inspiration.
I actually liked this painting from the beginning and never found it ugly. I guess in reality "ugly" is a subjective term unique to each of us. A challenge I would like to offer is to continue painting on a work one really likes and doesn't want to "mess up". That is more my issue, being afraid of messing up something I like, even if I feel nudged to add another mark to it. I think for me it would be a beneficial practice to get beyond the feeling of preciousness some work can take on in a detrimental way for me. Thank you for sharing.
I often think about Tibetan sand paintings - this is exactly what they do - destroy their work after working endlessly on perfecting their work.
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Same here. AT the precise moment she stopped the video 3:12, I thought 'that is working well!' But, hey, with painting abstracts generally, sometimes it's hard to know when to stop, put down the brush and LEAVE IT ALONE!
I loved it from the beginning also! Stirred me to the core! Colors and shapes of Autumn in a lovely wood. Magnificent work, Pamela. Ugly is never ugly....it's beautiful and organic in nature! 😉
Had created a peace in acrylic that I just couldn't stand, it was flat and lifeless and had no character, no composition. Lived with it for a while and then one day out of the blue, a solution hit me. I painted over it with an oil layer with a pallet knife, adding chunky texture of five impressionistic flowers, two on the left, three on the right. I added two vertical and two horizontal stripes that bisected each other and something of a dragon that wound in and out of the stripes. I think it really brought the piece to life and now it's one of my favorite pieces. This after I had signed the piece I didn't like. I've never done that before, rework a finished piece, but really pleased that I did because bit allowed me to overcome and change this struggle I was having with this piece. Ultimately, I think the only reason I didn't throw it out was because of why I started it. Now, I'm really glad I didn't. It also taught me to keep pushing forward in my art. I only attempted this after having watched several of your videos. So thank you for that help. I sincerely appreciate it.
Wow! That's an awesome comment and way you've challenged yourself, Derick! You are ONE of the winners in my "Painting Challenge Giveaway". Please reply to me right here so I can verify your address ;)
Enjoy your process videos very much. I’m 70 and am trying my hand at abstract. Not so easy. Your work and a couple of other people make it look so easy and spontaneous. I’ll keep plugging along❣️😁
About ten years ago I made myself paint with my least favorite colors....only....gold, silver, and black. In an amazing twist, they looked great and it became one of my favorite paintings of the year!
I really enjoyed watching the evolution of your painting and the end product is beautiful. I think I'll try your method tomorrow on whatever canvas or board I can find in my garage art supplies. Thank you.
I'm 57 and have only painted for the past three years. My challenge was to fill my mind with anything that was good for me as I had done just the opposite for many many years. Your work is wonderful and I enjoy watching you so very much. I strive to be fluent in my painting, like you are, You are simply magical to my eyes at this point in my work. Thank you for your videos. Coming to a workshop of yours or having some classes is a dream of mine. Classes from anyone for that matter although I love how you paint. Thank you again. Mary Jane
Love your work. Sometimes it is challenging when the whole piece is not working, but there are some gems. When this occurs, I take a large artwork, take a viewer or mat to seek out the gems, and then cut out them out. I can then take these and frame them as small pieces or reassemble them into larger pieces. Framing small pieces can also help artists appreciate their strong markings and compositions.
The greatest thing you can give the world is a part of your soul-art is the soul. You cannot fail in art unless you quit. Keep going; the best paintings are on the other side of hopelessness and despair 😊
After painting for 40 + years I am finally working to loosen up. Well... actually I have for sometime now, but it's a struggle. Your videos open my eyes to the endless possibilities. Thank you for sharing your work experience with us. And, thank you for sharing resources. It is so refreshing to watch you work and how nicely you share. You are a gem!
question: craypas are oil based but i noticed you did paint over them with acrylic and crayoned over again, in layers. do you have problems with layering it and it coming up? i have used the marabou art crayons and the carandache neocolor 1 and 2 crayons (2 is watersoluble). the marabou sometimes makes top layers sluff off when using alcohol or sanding, which i like. have you tried any of these brands? any thoughts? thank you ahead of time, karen
This was fascinating to watch. I have been taking some of my old watercolor paintings that just have not worked, or are dark and dingy and cutting them up into smaller pieces that have a good design so I can bring new life to the paper. This also helps upcycle the pieces so they don't fill the landfill with paper. It has been a great challenge for me. Then all the little pieces that are left, I am using that into new collage pieces. Thank you for your encouragement to just keep playing!
Haha! You say ugly and I think it’s gorgeous! This is my favorite piece of yours so far. My ongoing challenge is I make great backgrounds. I am weak on creating good composition. Overcoming my fear to paint over, create larger shapes and keep working on it. I am so proud of myself when I just dive in. Your videos are so helpful. Thank you
So happy to find your work on line again. You are so good at explaining your work choices and insights that it helps me to stop procrastinating and try myself at painting in abstract style. Big canvases are not practical for me at this point in my life. Physical limitations from a stroke about 4 years ago, and subsequent depression supressed most of my creativity since then. Now I am determined to take up my paints again and just do it. Thanks for sharing.
I am taking a break from watercolor and decided to try acrylics. My first attempt of abstract is so ugly, I am ashamed to show anyone. However, after this video; I am going to keep working on it. I am actually excited to see what will happen. Thank you!
Hi Linda, I'm also taking a step away from watercolor, which both baffles and excites me! I'm thrilled by the lure of other mediums and want to learn so much more! I just pray to the Lord that there will be enough time in my life to fulfill my appetite for creating more. What watercolor has taught me is to trust in the process and keep going. Have fun!
I have been pushing myself lately using colors I wouldn't normally use. Its exciting for me. Thank you so much for posting this video. Perfect timing:),,,Your garden is beautiful, I find there is a direct relationship with gardening and painting. Enjoy those veggies!
How do you feel about painting on kraft paper? I started to do some paintings just for fun and loosen up. Gives you a freedom of not worrying so much about the outcome. Would love to hear your opinion. Thank you.
@@barbaraa5017 Yes - this is a great idea. Knowing the paper is not expensive, not archival, is freeing. When I used to do watercolor, an instructor said she always told her students to punch a hole in the middle of the paper which means the paper lost it's value but the art became free. Great idea! :)
Watching your process is like taking a mini vacation, for me, and I'd love to start working large scale. All of the info you provide is very helpful in workin toward that goal.
I just discovered you about a month ago and I love your process and teaching style. I just started painting this year in 2020. And I absolutely love it! I especially love doing abstract paintings, but want to learn a variety of styles. I also concurrently was taking a figure drawing class to help learn some more skills. I think I’m gonna join your program. Anyhow, thanks for sharing your work.
Hi Debbie-when I understood how to create powerful design and personal color-everything changed and I learned how to take risks and cover up things that I loved if they appeared too early or in the wrong place. This what I teach in my online course 🐝🐝Powerful Design and Personal Color 😊
I usually clean up my area and tools as a full stop to that particular phase of work, when things become too difficult to continue and aren’t working well. I might take a walk or go in my garden, as you do, or look through my cuttings and clippings that have resounded with me at some point, or watch some videos on u tube, and usually yours is the first I go to, because I find them so helpful. So, thanks, i’m Grateful that you take the time to make them
Yes - great question. I was vulnerable and susceptible and sensitive and was often discouraged until I found who I was. Once I did that, I (and my art), became "bullet proof". This is what I teach in my online course; we all must get to this point of belief and conviction in our art in order to feel his way. Once you do, you are free forever! I teach Powerful Design and Personal color online and it has been a course that has set so many free; I'm so thankful others are now finding the freedom and joy that I feel when I paint. Here is the lifetime course if you would like to check it out and invest in your artistic excellence: www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc
I just found your channel and love the inspiration you give. Thank you for sharing your garden. I grew up in Anaconda and live in So Cal. As soon as I saw the rhubarb, I knew you had to live somewhere in the north, it brought back such fond childhood memories. I have dabbled in acrylic, encaustic, and have touched in some watercolor. I have never taken my dabbling seriously, so my challenge to me is to get over the fright factor and just enjoy the process without fear of failure.
I have been enjoying your videos and learned so much - more importantly been inspired. Specifically the ideas of activating the canvas , mark making, working through the “ugly” stage - those are the aspects that have been most influential for me in my process to date. The combination of watching your videos and an online color course I’ve been taking has really pushed my work forward. I recently completed (maybe) a 3’ x 4’ canvas in acrylics with metal foil applications. This has very much been made possible through the work I’ve been doing as a result of your sharing your process and commentary. I just turned 71 and have never been more open to risk taking - 0n all fronts - but working a great deal by myself in my own art space, and never having pursued a studio art degree, the articulation of your evaluative thoughts in terms of color, composition, shape , design, dark and light has been terrific. I admit I often set myself up with a challenge for example to do a black and white, or use three adjacent colors on the color wheel, or complementary colors BUT then my inner artist takes over completely at some point in the process and I let it rip. Many thanks for all you share and best wishes for your upcoming show. Your generosity exceeds what I have often encountered in the world and I appreciate it.Ronne
Hi Ronne - thanks so much for your heartfelt comments and for telling me about your work! It sounds like you are making terrific progress in your work - congrats to you! It is never easy working alone in your studio - and I know the feeling when you don't have the official "degree" - but so glad you are finding some helpful things in the videos in my channel ;) Thanks again for your comment! I will be live here on Saturday, August 10, 2pm MDT - maybe I will see you here on my channel! Cheers - Pam :)
I love this painting. It was never ugly. My fav. 👍💥 My self-imposed challenge was in the winter of 2017. I had become bored with my art & decided to delve into abstract, a style I had never appreciated in college (I was all about Italian Renaissance). I began researching about the psychology and emotion and quickly developed a respect for the style. After one year of painting abstracts, I won 3rd place in a national abstract show. It really gave me the confidence to keep going. I’ve been in another important juried university show, and was the only painter with 2 paintings in the show. I’m not bragging; I’m merely making the point that creating a challenge for myself really worked. 😀👍💥. Back to the easel...
Great therapeutic fun and freedom! I paint for commercial galleries which tighten my talent but I free up with big Canvases in a similar way. You are an inspirational lady! Thank you. 🎨
What a treat for the eyes! I have to agree with everyone who said they never really saw the UGLY. (Though maybe compared to how it ended up...okay.) Love the subtle colors, the variety of shapes and marks. Fun to watch the evolution. Your garden was a pure pleasure to see, I especially appreciated the rhubarb, the lavender and the wonderful varied heights of the fence posts. (Nary a weed in sight!) Thanks for the mountain view and for doing this give away. Since I've only done two paintings after being inspired by your videos, I haven't even begun to deliberately challenge myself; the abstraction is already a great challenge for a representational painter! What I do wonder though, is do you ever start with a concept? I know you pick a color palette, but do you ever have an idea in mind? Say, a city, or Pam's Garden, or the beach or a woodland? Of the two pieces I've done, one was "beach" and sold, the other was "politics right now" and hasn't sold, so maybe it's not done. Thanks, Pam!
Hi Nel, sometimes I will have a loose idea - but it would be within the non-objective realm - rather than landscapes, or florals, etc, it would be stripes, or dots, or pattern, etc. Oh, I have plenty of weeds - they keep popping through the weed fabric!! :)
I have watched this twice now and loved the colour combination immediately! I love the music by the way. Thoroughly enjoying the Art and Success Pro.........
Hi Pamela: I have been painting in several media for many years; most recently in encaustic. Watching your free videos/works in cold wax and oil has made me decide to enrol in your on-line course as soon as I have gathered the necessary tools and materials. My challenge will be to show light and shadow in an abstracted landscape in cold wax and oil. I believe I see it in your piece with the red vertical stripes? It would be great if you accept this challenge and demonstrate the procedure you used to accomplish this result. I will keep watching. I love your work. Cheers! Gladys Marche
Hi Gladys! That’s fantastic and I look forward to meeting you! I have a 25% off special through the end of August just so you are aware. You may enroll at a discount at www.LuvYourArt.com 🌹😉
This is the first time that I watched your video, definitely giving me inspiration to go forward. I always wanted to paint, never got the opportunity. Now at the age of 77 I'm trying, my problem is I want to be perfect in what I'm painting, you showed me there is no perfect way, just be yourself and enjoy. Thank you for that. Anna Ankiewicz, Western Cape, South Africa
Hi, 1 challenge I had was working for the first timme on unprimmed huge canvas . I was unable to gesso it perfectly and found out that my paints werent responding the same on all sides of the canvas. So I decided to use different subtracts on the parts well gesso and the other parts. I ended up with Interesting and very different textures and feels. Some parts felt like as if painted with inks other more like smooth vibrant . It was a beautiful learning experience that I decided to repeat.
I needed this so much--enjoyed seeing you work as always, and a peek into your garden and your view. Question: is there a reason you start on paper if you know you're going to be mounting on panel anyway? Is it something about the look and feel and response of the paper, or the flexibility of what the final cuts might be, or what? Thanks in advance! Oh, and might a challenge be to start first with a texture medium of some kind, before you really even have an idea of composition?
Hi Denise! Yes, I love to work on paper as it is "less precious" and cumbersome than working on a panel. While preparing for this exhibition, I can create 100 paintings and just mount the top 10 on panel - the other 90 lay flat in a portfolio - so much easier :) Yes, great idea to begin with a textured surface - I did that with Golden gels and charcoal - it was awesome - thank you! :)
Art & Success - Pamela Caughey Art I love your process. I like how you don’t seem to have any objective in mind. I find I need to have to have a theme or object in mind. Can you speak to that please.
OMG! I love this!! These are my colors. I never thought it was ugly, but just kept getting more beautiful as you went along. My latest challenge has been doing water lilies with oil and cold wax. It always amazes me how sometimes I can sit down and paint and it just flows, but these water lilies have been a struggle from not enough contrast, to trouble with the background, to looking overworked.... finally I cropped it and called it done, but I still want to attempt painting water lilies and lily pads until it comes more naturally. I went out kayaking the other day to really observe the lily pads and I'm anxious to try again.
I think the biggest challenge is continuing to work and not give up. Sometimes I just want to throw all my work and supplies out, and then I will have a day where I like what I created and then I feel like I can go on. Finding your personal style is also a huge challenge and your process of play, think, and refine has helped the process.
Yes - not giving up is so key! Once you realize you cannot fail in art unless you quit, and that your next masterpiece is on the other side of hopelessness and despair, you will never look at "ugly" the same way--I think our artwork is always pushing us to grow each time. :)
Also, I help many artists overcome procrastination, and express themselves in their own personal voice and finish their work! Hope you'll check out my online course which helps you overcome procrastination and then learn how to consistently FINISH your work - and know when it's finished - in your own, unique personal voice. If you are interested in investing in your own artistic excellence, please be sure to take a look at my LIFETIME Online course, Powerful Design and Personal Color (fill your artistic toolbox!). www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc
When you begin your works, your black marks are so free and as I watch I say stop, this is perfect. Then you cover up areas I have fallen in love with and then in the end I am awestruck.
How fun - those are some of my favorite colors to work with at the moment - I didn't find it ugly at all, not even from the beginning!... Challenge: Only use your non-dominant hand! 😊
I hope this isnt an annoying question. By the time you are finished painting i expect the paper is very wrinkled and puckered from being wetted and scraped. Do you do anything to flatten the paper out. Can you iron it? Or do you accept the warping as it is. I enjoy watching you work. I have been doing canvases much different than yours but i have big ones in the barn i will tackle one day. I like yr garden. Thanks. Oh yes. My current challenge. I start with a few scribbled lines and work them into something. Ah. You said you mounted it on a panel. That is a process i know nothing about. .
It’s a great question! Here is what I do 😊 079 - Pamela Caughey - How to FLATTEN Wrinkled/Warped Works on Paper - How to FIX Marks that SMEAR! ua-cam.com/video/7T7ZPGZLtj4/v-deo.html
there is something in each of your videos that inspires. one of the common threads seems to be to trust the work. to just keep working seems to address that 'stuck, helpless' feeling that sometimes overcomes me. i find myself periodically ending up with a rack full of unfinished lousy paintings. now and then i challenge myself by determining that i will not use another new 'canvas' until i've reworked something i already have to my satisfaction. i might start with two 'lousy' pieces and work on them at the same time to get things rolling, and often, one of the 'losers' will grow into something i like. i feel better about the work as well as the reuse factor in this process....love ALL your videos. keep them coming!
I enjoyed this video very much, I sometimes forget to mix up my art supplies. I have a painting that I did a few months ago, my first abstract in oil. I found it this morning and now I want to look at it again with ideas of perhaps using oil pastels, collage papers or ink. I was ready to give up on it but I feel inspired now. I’ll photograph a before and if there is a good after !
Oh my goodness! I just discovered you. I am a professional artist who is stuck! Making lots of UGLY work. You have tapped my abstract brain and I'm putting you on my bucket list for a workshop. Wonderful painting! Sue Scoggins
Hey Sue! Oh you are too kind - but thank you - I'll take it! haha :) I'm glad you enjoyed this! I think we all get stuck at times :) I'll be teaching in Vienna, NZ and Bainbridge Island in 2020 if you're interested and I also have an online course. All my workshops and courses are listed at www.ARTandSUCCESS.com :) Happy Painting!
Hey Sue - that's awesome! Here is the place to watch for my 2020 workshops; the NZ workshops are "in the works" but likely they will be in GlenOrchy, Wanaka and Takapuna! Here is the link where i will be listing them: www.artandsuccess.com/p/workshops Cheers and hope to meet you! :)
@@melanieaway That's awesome! Please stay tuned - here is my 2020 schedule - hopefully NZ workshops will be added soon. I will be teaching with brush maker Lorna Crane, from Australia in the GlenOrchy workshop ;)!!
Love your process Pamela and un fact I never found any of your steps « ugly ».....you always surprise me with your colour combos ! I’d like to be as bold as you are! My challenge for you would be to work small with only 3 cold colors and no black for contrasts on a more organic painting
Hi, very interesting techniques and color usage. Your pieces are very detailed, and use many layers of colors and techniques. For a challenge, may I suggest that you go lighter? Try using thinner paints, and maybe even some unpainted sections. You can still get detail, and color usage, but by using restraint, you will challenge yourself to achieve your prospective, but by using less. I was inspired by Helen Frankenthaler for some of my pieces, if you want to research an example. Thanks! Always enjoy your videos.
Yes - this is excellent, Jhon - and I do this occasionally (probably not enough!). I love Frankenthaler's work and have one of her books on her printmaking; just loved the cover image on her book - so bought it! Many thanks :) Pam
Hi Pam The challenge I gave to myself after watching you was to use either the strathmore mixed media or arches oil everyday. I decided the sheets with the tape into different sizes using all the mark making and materials. Pam I have done this since January and although I do other art work at the same time I have completed well over 70 paintings in this time and learned tons of new techniques and having so much fun!!!!
Hi Pamela, really enjoying your videos right now. Love your 3 ways of creating; play, explore and clarify. Your videos give me structure and a greater understanding of the process of creating. Sometimes stuck in play and explore and often find it hard to clarify or finish. Thank you so much for ideas and communicating them in a really grounded practical way. Seeing your garden was great and I agree that Gardening is art. Painting and gardening are two things I would love to be better at.
THIS "UGLY" BECAME A BEAUTY QUEEN, WONDERFUL WORK. WHEN I AM CHALLENGED I PUT MY ARTWORK AWAY FOR A WHILE AND COME BACK LATER WITH FRESH EYES, THIS HELPS ME TO FINISH A PIECE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXHIBITION.
Wonderful, encouraging demo, Pamela. Background music is well-matched to your work and subtly enhances your presentation. Your end result is interesting. I could so easily learn from you!
PAMELA, THIS IS A REAL BOON,,,I'VE HAD A HEALTH ISSUE AND BEEN DEPLETED OF ENERGY,,,YOU MAKE IT FUN AGAIN,,,NO NEED TO SWEAT THE FAILED STARTS,,,THEY ARE JUST IN THE WINGS WAITING TO BE PLAYED WITH,,,THANKS, DARLIN'!!!
I absolutely loved this video, Pamela! I am not brilliant at abstract...perhaps that stems from my Structural draftsperson background! So my challenge is working loose and not trying to get the end result right from the start. I am grateful for your three stage process!
I agree, this is beautiful even at the start. Imho this is a wonderful painting thru all the stages. Sometimes it's important to get that critical gremlin off your shoulder, lol!
Not ugly at all! I'm feeling the pure serenity of chaos and joy. The way you tie your vision together is amazing! Inspiring at every level.❤❤❤ LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Thank you for sharing with us all.
I loved your process, your art and your energy. It felt good to hang out with you. What you said about getting stuck and how to get “unstuck “ is really a metaphor of life. I have been having a hard time making decisive move, so I used art as therapy. I took a big rough brush and made very bold, decisive, assertive brush strokes. I was stunned at how powerful it looked. Then I thought the painting is a mirror image of my life once I make those daring moves. Wish I could post a pic of the painting. Blessings 🤗
Thanks for sharing this! Happy painting! 🖼️
I think your painting is one of the most gorgeous ones I ever seen. My physical body is very open and I can feel all the little interesting spots that have developed just by you continuing to work it. It makes me feel good.
Wow, thank you!! So nice to read your comment 😊
I’m a 71year old lady, and this painting really encourages me to star painting; something I been wanted to do all my life! Thank you.
Start! It's such fun, so satisfying and endless possability! You will be really amazed! I'm 72 and still painting!
Never too late to start 🌷
That is a favorite comment -thank you and happy creating 😊
Omg DO IT. There’s so much freedom and peace in painting . At least for me. it’s not meant to be stressful at all So I urge you to do it. I am 46 and I only started painting two years ago with no background or practice at all. It’s NEVER TOO LATE. It was meant to be a hobby and I started selling paintings almost immediately without any intention to do so and now that is all I do. Not for the money but because I love it that much and the icing is other people enjoying and loving it as well. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!
Hi Pam, thanks for talking us through your process. I have and love using many different medium. To a detriment, not getting very good, at any one. I am encouraged to challenge myself to use all of the various mediums in one abstract? Did you do that in this abstract?
Why did you use paper? will you put this under glass? Did you say your using oil paints? I live in Idaho with similar scenery. I love your garden, Your Rhubarb is Hugh! I am thinking of going into abstract and that alone. I have been into realism am I am not successful. I love how I feel with abstract. Do you use any additives or mediums? Thank you so much for sharing?
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Thanks Pamela for this video. You have encourage me not to quit with my abstracts!! I usually get so frustrated when I can't get what I want but listening to your video gave me the confidence to continue trying and NEVER QUIT!!! Tks a lot!!
Awesome! Good for you 😊🙌
I actually liked the “ugly” phase! I also liked the end result. A couple of years ago I did a painting that I absolutely HATED. I wanted to paint over it and re-work the whole thing. I was surprised at how many people actually liked it. I ended up selling it…so…you never know what is going to make someone see their happy place. Which is absolutely a reason to go out of your comfort zone and experiment.
@@007mikki Love it! Yes you never know and while one day you may think your painting is ugly-you may see new hope the next day! Time can be your friend in the studio when it comes to let a painting simmer for a while 🌺🌺
I loved your painting all the way through. I'm an expressionist painter and when it doesn't have that thing, that spirit for me of a surprise, of something I never would have thought of and feel I'm on to something. sometimes I feel its done when it moves me, it feels fresh. Watching you I'm feeling better. I was blocked and now I feel challenged to finish something I quit.
I’m so happy to hear this!! 🌺🌺
When stuck I change the canvas orientation and have a fresh look. Just did it to a canvas (admittably much, much smaller) and have a different view of it. It allowed me to let go of an area I was holding onto. Thanks for the inspiration in your videos, love them and I learn something new each time.
I love the freedom of your paintings. It has helped me to just let go and be myself. Thank you so much. I live in New Zealand and started painting in 2017 when my daughter asked me for a painting for Christmas. I had never painted before and I now know that I suffered from White fright before I started. It was 2m by 1,8m and I looked at this white canvas for three days. She loved it . I have painted more since then but your youtube video has inspired me so much to keep going. Thank you
Pamela, I am a newly retired nurse of 45 yrs. What a journey that career was! Everyone asked what I would do with my time! Having been a crafter in any spare time I had over all those working years I was sure I’d spend more time in exploring those crafts. But what’s happened is I’ve actually been experimenting all I can with acrylics, collage, abstract layering backgrounds, etc! And in this pursuit I had advice from a dear artist friend who encouraged me to “be fearless” and just set myself free. I’m having so much fun and feel so free...I feel like I’ve escaped prison ( I did love my yrs of nursing but it was stressful as everyone knows). Thank you for your patient and generous sharing of talent with those of us who are soaking it up like a sponge! I love it!
I love to work with color, both saturated and desaturated. I like harmony but also chaos. The challenge I find is in not ending in mud or just junk. I never throw piece away because everything should be salvageable and when it works it is fulfilling.
This video came at just the right time. I have been dealing with UGLY for the past 2 days as I work on my paintings for the Powerful Design and Personal Color course. Truthfully, I was getting frustrated even though I know these are growing pains. Thanks for sharing your process. It gives me hope! As for a challenge: once I work through the paintings for this course, I want to challenge myself to do a painting in 3 colors without black and white. I think it will really push me to understand the values of different hues and to be creative about achieving the extremes of the value scale without using white or black.
This is a great idea, Cynthia - no need to use black and white really - there are many darks and lights which you can use in their place. I'm so happy you are going through the course - and happy to see you here as well!! Yay :)!!
Watching you work pulled me in as a creator of art. I've recently returned to two 9 X 12 oil paintings I started as wedding gifts when my father got married again, over 20 years ago. That has been a challenge to spend time on completion. They are fairly realistic scenes of two swans on water. I've recently spent more time doing abstract work in acrylics, and I've mostly loved the process but I've had that feeling of ugly or muddy, over and over.
My challenge for you is to teach that final finishing stage in your work, and how you make those final choices in your paintings.
I love your work! Thanks so much for sharing it on UA-cam!
my deepest challenge is also my deepest fear - that what I see on the work I love... I will loose .... and never be able to recover it again..
thank you so much Pamela for your warm and generous way of sharing .. I love how delicately you assemble construct orchestrate and bring to life your unique gesture and expression ... I am inspired to explore a path to find wonder and a new level of surrender and arrival.
Wonderfully said! The more times you lose what you love the more times you will learn how to recreate it. It is the best thing that can happen. 🌻🙌
@@PamelaCaughey thank you Pam.. I have totally resonated with the concept you share of play explore clarify.. many many warm wishes
Love watching you work Pamela. What has challenged me about your process is how far you push the painting and loose some great parts for the benefit of the whole painting composition. The hardest thing for me know is knowing when to stop and regret over losing something I truly loved but your description of your thought process, "Saturated colour vs. non saturated, contrasting values, large shapes vs small shapes, cool vs. warm etc." is really helpful. Would love to try the paint markers you were using to achieve some interesting texture and mark making. Well done.
Wonderful, Pamela. I'm so appreciative of how open and sharing you are with your process.
Thanks, Rebecca; there is nothing in art that needs to be a secret - all "secrets" came from someone else anyways :)!
I started an abstract paining a while back A and I wasn’t happy with it, so I took a break, and went back and used crayons, colored pencils, some paper clippings; and Just went with it. And that started my love of mixed media painting. It was great fun watching your process with this painting, thank you!
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I loved watching you widdle away lessening the issues of composition & color while incorporating more of those colors not true to your comfort zone. What a wonderful reward after much time & effort. Beautiful work.
I set up challenges for myself regularly. Two come to mind for possible ideas for others. During warmer months I go to garage sales to find art supplies. It helps me remain creative, stay within a budget, I avoid getting myself stuck in a creative rut and truly forces me to invent. Whatever I pick up that day I incorporate into a mixed media painting. It’s a lot of fun.
The second challenge I give myself is by carrying a large bin around my art room, stopping at each ‘category or genre’ and place that item in my bin until I have enough art supplies to do something.
For instance: grab a substrate to paint on; speciality palette knives + paint brushes; paper must be used whether it’s decorative tissue or leftover monoprinting painted papers or scrapbooking paper; a speciality paint plus regular paint; an unusual material such as the gridded plastic bag lemons arrive in; the use of a stencil; sand from the beach (mix with Golden heavy gel for texture) etc.
The point is to gather art items from each category, then commit to having to use each item that you collected in your bin. The ideal would be having someone do this for you, collect all the items, hand you the bin & see you when you’re all finished in 15 hours.
This activity can also be great for family bonding time. It’s a good way to spend time together & kids enjoy it! I hope these challenges sound like fun. If anyone does them, I’d love to hear about it!!
Hi Pam, I so love your videos that I watch them over and over. I’m new to abstract painting and find it very challenging. I think it’s much more difficult than representational painting. I am determined to continue my abstract painting and your videos are so much help! Thank you for your thoughtful teaching and sharing.
You are very welcome, Valeri and many thanks for such a nice comment :) Abstract art is challenging because there is nothing compositionally to give you guidance so we must look and feel inward to find the shapes, colors and lines that move us. :)
Love the variety of line and texture as the layers build. I see the progress as the painting evolves and still remains fresh. Thank you for sharing your work.
I like the way you start working. It’s inspirational. As to challenges, I have stacks of challenges I can face whenever I need to. I don’t throw any failed paintings away. I’m going to stop calling them “failed paintings” starting today; they’re “challenging paintings”.
Love it - "challenging paintings" they are - I will do the same :) Nothing in art is a failure unless it is abandoned. :)
Super Fly I always save those “ failed” pieces as underpaintings to use later. I just had a piece in a juried university exhibit that I began 20 yrs ago and finished last year. It had been sitting in the corner of my studio and was a great foundation canvas. It became one of my fav paintings. I love surprises! 👍
@@anngogh AWESOME!! :)
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dear Pamela,
Thank you for sharing this amazing time lapse art process. It is absolutely breathtaking. I have learned so much from this creation . I love how you use whatever you feel like to just make a mark or change the colors. I feel like you do this intuitively, right? I adore your relaxed style. It is amazingly beautiful.
Uuuuugggh......I feel like that with every painting. Sometimes I keep going. Sometimes I just put the canvas back in the box not to be looked at again. I haven't painted in quite some time and watching you is moving me to paint again. I love your work..
You can do it! You are creative. Never quit 😊😉🌻
I am in the middle of a challenging painting right now. A 12” x 12” mixed media abstract on panel. Researching some artists’ ways and steps to move through the art process is very helpful. I think I know my next step!
Thanks very much! Good luck and I have lots to share with you at my website if you’re interested in lots of ways to problem solve (ie my new PRO membership at ArtandSuccess.com
I recently spent time in a hospital for back surgery. I have really enjoyed your videos. I packed a small makeup kit with felt tips, pastels and pastel pencils. Also small tubes of the primary color acrylic and a small "art journal" of mixed media paper. I also had Modge Podge and gel medium. I used magazines and papers I came across in the course of my stay. I cut up, rearranged and used different papers to reasemble the piece. This is my challenge to you. Put together a packet and then spend a normal few days in your life and lets see the results!
Hi Heather! Sweet! I love that you did that and thank you for offering the challenge to me! I will try and find time to do this! Thank you so much and Happy Holidays :)!! Pam
I love this painting. This inspires me and I felt as if I was painting. Thank you for sharing.
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I am challenging myself to use non-traditional supplies. I have started looking for other things for mark making and that looking opened up so many possibilities. I’m now in the process of making my own “brushes” with random things. I decided to make them after a storm deposited all sorts of leaves, twigs, pine needles, and seed pods onto my deck. I scooped up a bunch of it and I’m tying it up with cord into brushes. I would LOVE to see you do something like that with your oil and cold wax. I’m about to try my hand at that and want my first efforts with a new medium to also be with a new type of tool.
I neglected to mention that this interest was tweaked by a video where someone mentioned using a hand broom as a brush.
Really love watching you work. I frustrate easily so I'm encouraged to push through and just keep painting. Nothing to lose. If all else fails, mixed media over it. Thanks for the videos. Look forward to watching all of them.
Thanks very much for your comment, Beth! That means a lot :)!!
Every time when i enjoy an abstract painting i think to look like cleaning the places by collecting garbage then made them in a work of art. That is an abstract work of art !❤️❤️❤️
What can i say...i'm speechless. This piece is so stunning ! I wish i could view it live.
Wow! I certainly didn't expect that - thanks very much, Evelyne! I so appreciate you visiting my channel : )!!
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I’m in oil paneer and pastel us and I’ve been watching your channel and I feel my heart goes abstract so I bought myself some acrylic paints and some cold wax medium and I’ve been working in small 12 x 12 abstracts what a thrill what a joy and so hard but thank you
Please make a video about how you finish your painting I’m so conscious about varnishing a painting it seems to always ruin it. Would love to see how you totally finish a painting right before it’s in an exhibit
I have a lot of start and stop, frustration phase paintings. Sometimes its because I like whats there and don't want to mess it up and am afraid to push it farther and sometimes its just such a mess I don't want to look at it anymore! Fun watching you push through. THanks
My challenge is often to get into my studio, and then once I am in there, to get out again. I tend to want to paint late into the night and have to stop myself to go to bed at a reasonable time. There is something about those late night, quiet hours!! Thank you for your inspiring videos. I am as a result of watching you, going to try to stop painting out the whole painting and starting again!
Hi Lorna - yes, I find it is good to paint for about 3 hours, then take a break. Come back and you will have fresh eyes! Hope you'll check out my course which helps you overcome procrastination and then learn how to consistently FINISH your work - and know when it's finished - in your own, unique personal voice. If you are interested in investing in your own artistic excellence, please be sure to take a look at my LIFETIME Online course, Powerful Design and Personal Color (fill your artistic toolbox!). www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc
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When I have a problem with my painting looking ugly, I add good quality collage papers to cover those spaces. I turn it into a collage mixed media art work. Your work is always inspiring. I especially like you painting with your hands. It makes your work more expressive.
I've been a collage and mixed media artist for many years, but I still hold back in layering. How do you give yourself freedom and permission to cover over marks that you love?
Thx for your wisdom. I’m new to painting (coming up on 2 years) and feeling like every canvas I have going right now is not working yet. My painting class is on pause due to the quarantine. I am interested in abstract and mixed media work. So I’m watching you tube and giving it a go.
You can do it-just keep playing. All good things come out of a spirit of joy 😊
Really nice work, both art and lovely, calm discussion of the process. Thank you!
You are very welcome! It's always fun and a challenge to think and paint at the same time!! ;)
I enjoyed your videos Pamela. I was painting on my acrylic painting as I listened to you the second time and it was helpful and enjoyable. Thank you for your methodical explanations as you painted.
Working with acrylic iridescent colors - looked great in the beginning but the shine was so distracting. Added Collage and I found not all paper is paper, some have plastic coating layers - will not use that paper again unless I prep it before hand.
Yes, good point - not all papers are alike and some are not as easy to work with for sure! :)
I was trained as a designer and had to produce clean lines and easily 'read' marks and shapes. I'm now retired which enables me to explore my art sensibilites without restraint - but the restraint is still there! I've only just discovered you and watched with delight your ability to change, transform and develop your ideas on one large painting. I love this piece - the colours are some of my favourites - and I would have been content with it at several different points along the way. I shared one of your videos on fb and commented 'I must loosen up!' I shall watch some more. I'd like to see how you handle smaller pieces - I can only manage up to about 30" square in my workspace. Thank you for the inspiration.
I actually liked this painting from the beginning and never found it ugly. I guess in reality "ugly" is a subjective term unique to each of us. A challenge I would like to offer is to continue painting on a work one really likes and doesn't want to "mess up". That is more my issue, being afraid of messing up something I like, even if I feel nudged to add another mark to it. I think for me it would be a beneficial practice to get beyond the feeling of preciousness some work can take on in a detrimental way for me. Thank you for sharing.
I often think about Tibetan sand paintings - this is exactly what they do - destroy their work after working endlessly on perfecting their work.
Same here. AT the precise moment she stopped the video 3:12, I thought 'that is working well!' But, hey, with painting abstracts generally, sometimes it's hard to know when to stop, put down the brush and LEAVE IT ALONE!
Marilyn, I agree with you !! I loved the colors from beginning to end.
I loved it from the beginning also! Stirred me to the core! Colors and shapes of Autumn in a lovely wood. Magnificent work, Pamela. Ugly is never ugly....it's beautiful and organic in nature! 😉
I still think it's ugly. I guess I liked it better at the beginning!
I love love love absolutely love your artwork! This painting inspires me to keep moving forward.
I'm so glad! Hope you will have a great time in your studio :)
Had created a peace in acrylic that I just couldn't stand, it was flat and lifeless and had no character, no composition. Lived with it for a while and then one day out of the blue, a solution hit me. I painted over it with an oil layer with a pallet knife, adding chunky texture of five impressionistic flowers, two on the left, three on the right. I added two vertical and two horizontal stripes that bisected each other and something of a dragon that wound in and out of the stripes. I think it really brought the piece to life and now it's one of my favorite pieces. This after I had signed the piece I didn't like. I've never done that before, rework a finished piece, but really pleased that I did because bit allowed me to overcome and change this struggle I was having with this piece. Ultimately, I think the only reason I didn't throw it out was because of why I started it. Now, I'm really glad I didn't. It also taught me to keep pushing forward in my art. I only attempted this after having watched several of your videos. So thank you for that help. I sincerely appreciate it.
Wow! That's an awesome comment and way you've challenged yourself, Derick! You are ONE of the winners in my "Painting Challenge Giveaway". Please reply to me right here so I can verify your address ;)
@@PamelaCaughey Wow! I so very appreciate it. Thank you, Thank you. I'm finding myself a bit giddy. I never win anything. Totally stoked.
Hi Derick! Thanks for responding back - I now have your address :) Pam
@@PamelaCaughey I'm curious how that works?
@@devandestudios128 Congrats! That's so awesome 😎
Enjoy your process videos very much. I’m 70 and am trying my hand at abstract. Not so easy. Your work and a couple of other people make it look so easy and spontaneous. I’ll keep plugging along❣️😁
About ten years ago I made myself paint with my least favorite colors....only....gold, silver, and black. In an amazing twist, they looked great and it became one of my favorite paintings of the year!
Yes, I can believe that ;)
I really enjoyed watching the evolution of your painting and the end product is beautiful. I think I'll try your method tomorrow on whatever canvas or board I can find in my garage art supplies. Thank you.
Love your work. I appreciate your generosity in spirit and teaching. All my hopes fora wonderful and successful show.
Many thanks :) Much appreciation :)
I'm 57 and have only painted for the past three years. My challenge was to fill my mind with anything that was good for me as I had done just the opposite for many many years. Your work is wonderful and I enjoy watching you so very much. I strive to be fluent in my painting, like you are, You are simply magical to my eyes at this point in my work. Thank you for your videos. Coming to a workshop of yours or having some classes is a dream of mine. Classes from anyone for that matter although I love how you paint. Thank you again. Mary Jane
Very therapeutic watching & listening to your comments. I really like it & enjoyed it the whole way through. Great job.
Many thanks!! I appreciate your comment very much :)
Love your work. Sometimes it is challenging when the whole piece is not working, but there are some gems. When this occurs, I take a large artwork, take a viewer or mat to seek out the gems, and then cut out them out. I can then take these and frame them as small pieces or reassemble them into larger pieces. Framing small pieces can also help artists appreciate their strong markings and compositions.
So needed to see this! Decided to give up painting this morning. Aften seeing this, I will consider once more. Thank you!
The greatest thing you can give the world is a part of your soul-art is the soul. You cannot fail in art unless you quit. Keep going; the best paintings are on the other side of hopelessness and despair 😊
Art & Success - Pamela Caughey Art Thanks ❤️
Oh dear! No need to give up - just keep going :)
After painting for 40 + years I am finally working to loosen up. Well... actually I have for sometime now, but it's a struggle. Your videos open my eyes to the endless possibilities. Thank you for sharing your work experience with us. And, thank you for sharing resources. It is so refreshing to watch you work and how nicely you share. You are a gem!
question: craypas are oil based but i noticed you did paint over them with acrylic and crayoned over again, in layers. do you have problems with layering it and it coming up? i have used the marabou art crayons and the carandache neocolor 1 and 2 crayons (2 is watersoluble). the marabou sometimes makes top layers sluff off when using alcohol or sanding, which i like. have you tried any of these brands? any thoughts? thank you ahead of time, karen
This was fascinating to watch. I have been taking some of my old watercolor paintings that just have not worked, or are dark and dingy and cutting them up into smaller pieces that have a good design so I can bring new life to the paper. This also helps upcycle the pieces so they don't fill the landfill with paper. It has been a great challenge for me. Then all the little pieces that are left, I am using that into new collage pieces. Thank you for your encouragement to just keep playing!
Haha! You say ugly and I think it’s gorgeous! This is my favorite piece of yours so far.
My ongoing challenge is I make great backgrounds. I am weak on creating good composition. Overcoming my fear to paint over, create larger shapes and keep working on it. I am so proud of myself when I just dive in. Your videos are so helpful. Thank you
You are welcome, Gail ;) These are all the things I teach in my online course - composition, overcoming fear, how to play, etc ;)
Gail! Me, too! I'm terrified of painting over things! I also know diddly squat about composition...boy, do I need to learn about that!
So happy to find your work on line again. You are so good at explaining your work choices and insights that it helps me to stop procrastinating and try myself at painting in abstract style. Big canvases are not practical for me at this point in my life. Physical limitations from a stroke about 4 years ago, and subsequent depression supressed most of my creativity since then. Now I am determined to take up my paints again and just do it. Thanks for sharing.
I am taking a break from watercolor and decided to try acrylics. My first attempt of abstract is so ugly, I am ashamed to show anyone. However, after this video; I am going to keep working on it. I am actually excited to see what will happen. Thank you!
Hi Linda, I'm also taking a step away from watercolor, which both baffles and excites me! I'm thrilled by the lure of other mediums and want to learn so much more! I just pray to the Lord that there will be enough time in my life to fulfill my appetite for creating more. What watercolor has taught me is to trust in the process and keep going. Have fun!
I have been pushing myself lately using colors I wouldn't normally use. Its exciting for me. Thank you so much for posting this video. Perfect timing:),,,Your garden is beautiful, I find there is a direct relationship with gardening and painting. Enjoy those veggies!
How do you feel about painting on kraft paper? I started to do some paintings just for fun and loosen up. Gives you a freedom of not worrying so much about the outcome. Would love to hear your opinion. Thank you.
@@barbaraa5017 Yes - this is a great idea. Knowing the paper is not expensive, not archival, is freeing. When I used to do watercolor, an instructor said she always told her students to punch a hole in the middle of the paper which means the paper lost it's value but the art became free. Great idea! :)
Watching your process is like taking a mini vacation, for me, and I'd love to start working large scale. All of the info you provide is very helpful in workin toward that goal.
Many thanks, Marcio - I really appreciate that!! :)
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I find a kind of calm energy in the final picture. A vibrating calmness to it.
Pamela, you can use the Cray-Pas with acrylic paint even though they are oil pastels? Love this painting!
Hi Cindy - the cray pas are oil pastels but they set up (ie dry) very well and I have not worries or difficulty using them in my acrylic paintings ;)!
I just discovered you about a month ago and I love your process and teaching style. I just started painting this year in 2020. And I absolutely love it! I especially love doing abstract paintings, but want to learn a variety of styles. I also concurrently was taking a figure drawing class to help learn some more skills. I think I’m gonna join your program. Anyhow, thanks for sharing your work.
My challenge is knowing when to stop. How do you know that a piece is finished?
Hi Debbie-when I understood how to create powerful design and personal color-everything changed and I learned how to take risks and cover up things that I loved if they appeared too early or in the wrong place. This what I teach in my online course 🐝🐝Powerful Design and Personal Color 😊
I usually clean up my area and tools as a full stop to that particular phase of work, when things become too difficult to continue and aren’t working well. I might take a walk or go in my garden, as you do, or look through my cuttings and clippings that have resounded with me at some point, or watch some videos on u tube, and usually yours is the first I go to, because I find them so helpful. So, thanks, i’m Grateful that you take the time to make them
Hi Pam, did you ever have to deal with family or friends not understanding or appreciating your art and how did you handle it?
Yes - great question. I was vulnerable and susceptible and sensitive and was often discouraged until I found who I was. Once I did that, I (and my art), became "bullet proof". This is what I teach in my online course; we all must get to this point of belief and conviction in our art in order to feel his way. Once you do, you are free forever! I teach Powerful Design and Personal color online and it has been a course that has set so many free; I'm so thankful others are now finding the freedom and joy that I feel when I paint. Here is the lifetime course if you would like to check it out and invest in your artistic excellence: www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc
I just found your channel and love the inspiration you give. Thank you for sharing your garden. I grew up in Anaconda and live in So Cal. As soon as I saw the rhubarb, I knew you had to live somewhere in the north, it brought back such fond childhood memories. I have dabbled in acrylic, encaustic, and have touched in some watercolor. I have never taken my dabbling seriously, so my challenge to me is to get over the fright factor and just enjoy the process without fear of failure.
I love watching you work and think the abstract is beautiful. Wish I could unleash my painting like you do. This is in oil? I love oils.
Many thanks, Becky! You absolutely CAN unleash your creative spirit; begin by playing with no expectations 😊 This is in acrylic ;)
I have been enjoying your videos and learned so much - more importantly been inspired. Specifically the ideas of activating the canvas , mark making, working through the “ugly” stage - those are the aspects that have been most influential for me in my process to date. The combination of watching your videos and an online color course I’ve been taking has really pushed my work forward. I recently completed (maybe) a 3’ x 4’ canvas in acrylics with metal foil applications. This has very much been made possible through the work I’ve been doing as a result of your sharing your process and commentary. I just turned 71 and have never been more open to risk taking - 0n all fronts - but working a great deal by myself in my own art space, and never having pursued a studio art degree, the articulation of your evaluative thoughts in terms of color, composition, shape , design, dark and light has been terrific. I admit I often set myself up with a challenge for example to do a black and white, or use three adjacent colors on the color wheel, or complementary colors BUT then my inner artist takes over completely at some point in the process and I let it rip. Many thanks for all you share and best wishes for your upcoming show. Your generosity exceeds what I have often encountered in the world and I appreciate it.Ronne
Hi Ronne - thanks so much for your heartfelt comments and for telling me about your work! It sounds like you are making terrific progress in your work - congrats to you! It is never easy working alone in your studio - and I know the feeling when you don't have the official "degree" - but so glad you are finding some helpful things in the videos in my channel ;) Thanks again for your comment! I will be live here on Saturday, August 10, 2pm MDT - maybe I will see you here on my channel! Cheers - Pam :)
I love this painting. It was never ugly. My fav. 👍💥
My self-imposed challenge was in the winter of 2017. I had become bored with my art & decided to delve into abstract, a style I had never appreciated in college (I was all about Italian Renaissance). I began researching about the psychology and emotion and quickly developed a respect for the style. After one year of painting abstracts, I won 3rd place in a national abstract show. It really gave me the confidence to keep going. I’ve been in another important juried university show, and was the only painter with 2 paintings in the show. I’m not bragging; I’m merely making the point that creating a challenge for myself really worked. 😀👍💥. Back to the easel...
Congrats - that's really awesome! There are genres I didn't respect either until I learned the art history behind them :)
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Great therapeutic fun and freedom!
I paint for commercial galleries which
tighten my talent but I free up with big
Canvases in a similar way.
You are an inspirational lady!
Thank you.
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What a treat for the eyes! I have to agree with everyone who said they never really saw the UGLY. (Though maybe compared to how it ended up...okay.) Love the subtle colors, the variety of shapes and marks. Fun to watch the evolution. Your garden was a pure pleasure to see, I especially appreciated the rhubarb, the lavender and the wonderful varied heights of the fence posts. (Nary a weed in sight!) Thanks for the mountain view and for doing this give away. Since I've only done two paintings after being inspired by your videos, I haven't even begun to deliberately challenge myself; the abstraction is already a great challenge for a representational painter! What I do wonder though, is do you ever start with a concept? I know you pick a color palette, but do you ever have an idea in mind? Say, a city, or Pam's Garden, or the beach or a woodland? Of the two pieces I've done, one was "beach" and sold, the other was "politics right now" and hasn't sold, so maybe it's not done. Thanks, Pam!
Hi Nel, sometimes I will have a loose idea - but it would be within the non-objective realm - rather than landscapes, or florals, etc, it would be stripes, or dots, or pattern, etc. Oh, I have plenty of weeds - they keep popping through the weed fabric!! :)
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I have watched this twice now and loved the colour combination immediately! I love the music by the way. Thoroughly enjoying the Art and Success Pro.........
Awesome Anne! So happy you enjoyed this video-and thrilled you are a PRO member 🌺😉
Hi Pamela: I have been painting in several media for many years; most recently in encaustic. Watching your free videos/works in cold wax and oil has made me decide to enrol in your on-line course as soon as I have gathered the necessary tools and materials. My challenge will be to show light and shadow in an abstracted landscape in cold wax and oil. I believe I see it in your piece with the red vertical stripes? It would be great if you accept this challenge and demonstrate the procedure you used to accomplish this result. I will keep watching. I love your work. Cheers! Gladys Marche
Hi Gladys! That’s fantastic and I look forward to meeting you! I have a 25% off special through the end of August just so you are aware. You may enroll at a discount at www.LuvYourArt.com 🌹😉
it always surprises me what happens when you keep going or even putting it away for a while before continuing to struggle. I love your style.
This is the first time that I watched your video, definitely giving me inspiration to go forward. I always wanted to paint, never got the opportunity. Now at the age of 77 I'm trying, my problem is I want to be perfect in what I'm painting, you showed me there is no perfect way, just be yourself and enjoy. Thank you for that.
Anna Ankiewicz, Western Cape, South Africa
I’m the same age Anna and struggle with getting started doing abstract, totally relate.
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Hi, 1 challenge I had was working for the first timme on unprimmed huge canvas . I was unable to gesso it perfectly and found out that my paints werent responding the same on all sides of the canvas. So I decided to use different subtracts on the parts well gesso and the other parts. I ended up with Interesting and very different textures and feels. Some parts felt like as if painted with inks other more like smooth vibrant . It was a beautiful learning experience that I decided to repeat.
I needed this so much--enjoyed seeing you work as always, and a peek into your garden and your view. Question: is there a reason you start on paper if you know you're going to be mounting on panel anyway? Is it something about the look and feel and response of the paper, or the flexibility of what the final cuts might be, or what? Thanks in advance! Oh, and might a challenge be to start first with a texture medium of some kind, before you really even have an idea of composition?
Hi Denise! Yes, I love to work on paper as it is "less precious" and cumbersome than working on a panel. While preparing for this exhibition, I can create 100 paintings and just mount the top 10 on panel - the other 90 lay flat in a portfolio - so much easier :) Yes, great idea to begin with a textured surface - I did that with Golden gels and charcoal - it was awesome - thank you! :)
Art & Success - Pamela Caughey Art I love your process. I like how you don’t seem to have any objective in mind. I find I need to have to have a theme or object in mind. Can you speak to that please.
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OMG! I love this!! These are my colors. I never thought it was ugly, but just kept getting more beautiful as you went along. My latest challenge has been doing water lilies with oil and cold wax. It always amazes me how sometimes I can sit down and paint and it just flows, but these water lilies have been a struggle from not enough contrast, to trouble with the background, to looking overworked.... finally I cropped it and called it done, but I still want to attempt painting water lilies and lily pads until it comes more naturally. I went out kayaking the other day to really observe the lily pads and I'm anxious to try again.
I think the biggest challenge is continuing to work and not give up. Sometimes I just want to throw all my work and supplies out, and then I will have a day where I like what I created and then I feel like I can go on. Finding your personal style is also a huge challenge and your process of play, think, and refine has helped the process.
Yes - not giving up is so key! Once you realize you cannot fail in art unless you quit, and that your next masterpiece is on the other side of hopelessness and despair, you will never look at "ugly" the same way--I think our artwork is always pushing us to grow each time. :)
Also, I help many artists overcome procrastination, and express themselves in their own personal voice and finish their work! Hope you'll check out my online course which helps you overcome procrastination and then learn how to consistently FINISH your work - and know when it's finished - in your own, unique personal voice. If you are interested in investing in your own artistic excellence, please be sure to take a look at my LIFETIME Online course, Powerful Design and Personal Color (fill your artistic toolbox!). www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc
When you begin your works, your black marks are so free and as I watch I say stop, this is perfect. Then you cover up areas I have fallen in love with and then in the end I am awestruck.
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How fun - those are some of my favorite colors to work with at the moment - I didn't find it ugly at all, not even from the beginning!...
Challenge: Only use your non-dominant hand! 😊
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I hope this isnt an annoying question. By the time you are finished painting i expect the paper is very wrinkled and puckered from being wetted and scraped. Do you do anything to flatten the paper out. Can you iron it? Or do you accept the warping as it is.
I enjoy watching you work. I have been doing canvases much different than yours but i have big ones in the barn i will tackle one day. I like yr garden. Thanks.
Oh yes. My current challenge. I start with a few scribbled lines and work them into something.
Ah. You said you mounted it on a panel. That is a process i know nothing about. .
It’s a great question! Here is what I do 😊 079 - Pamela Caughey - How to FLATTEN Wrinkled/Warped Works on Paper - How to FIX Marks that SMEAR! ua-cam.com/video/7T7ZPGZLtj4/v-deo.html
there is something in each of your videos that inspires. one of the common threads seems to be to trust the work. to just keep working seems to address that 'stuck, helpless' feeling that sometimes overcomes me. i find myself periodically ending up with a rack full of unfinished lousy paintings. now and then i challenge myself by determining that i will not use another new 'canvas' until i've reworked something i already have to my satisfaction. i might start with two 'lousy' pieces and work on them at the same time to get things rolling, and often, one of the 'losers' will grow into something i like. i feel better about the work as well as the reuse factor in this process....love ALL your videos. keep them coming!
Many thanks for your comment, Sharon - I also believe in "recycling" - just keep adding or subtracting until you see what you love :)
I enjoyed this video very much, I sometimes forget to mix up my art supplies. I have a painting that I did a few months ago, my first abstract in oil. I found it this morning and now I want to look at it again with ideas of perhaps using oil pastels, collage papers or ink. I was ready to give up on it but I feel inspired now. I’ll photograph a before and if there is a good after !
Oh my goodness! I just discovered you. I am a professional artist who is stuck! Making lots of UGLY work. You have tapped my abstract brain and I'm putting you on my bucket list for a workshop. Wonderful painting! Sue Scoggins
Hey Sue! Oh you are too kind - but thank you - I'll take it! haha :) I'm glad you enjoyed this! I think we all get stuck at times :) I'll be teaching in Vienna, NZ and Bainbridge Island in 2020 if you're interested and I also have an online course. All my workshops and courses are listed at www.ARTandSUCCESS.com :) Happy Painting!
I need to know more about your 2020 workshops. I'm definitely planning on travelling in 2020. NZ was top on my list.
Me too.
Hey Sue - that's awesome! Here is the place to watch for my 2020 workshops; the NZ workshops are "in the works" but likely they will be in GlenOrchy, Wanaka and Takapuna! Here is the link where i will be listing them: www.artandsuccess.com/p/workshops Cheers and hope to meet you! :)
@@melanieaway That's awesome! Please stay tuned - here is my 2020 schedule - hopefully NZ workshops will be added soon. I will be teaching with brush maker Lorna Crane, from Australia in the GlenOrchy workshop ;)!!
Love your process Pamela and un fact I never found any of your steps « ugly ».....you always surprise me with your colour combos ! I’d like to be as bold as you are!
My challenge for you would be to work small with only 3 cold colors and no black for contrasts on a more organic painting
Hi, very interesting techniques and color usage. Your pieces are very detailed, and use many layers of colors and techniques. For a challenge, may I suggest that you go lighter? Try using thinner paints, and maybe even some unpainted sections. You can still get detail, and color usage, but by using restraint, you will challenge yourself to achieve your prospective, but by using less. I was inspired by Helen Frankenthaler for some of my pieces, if you want to research an example. Thanks! Always enjoy your videos.
Yes - this is excellent, Jhon - and I do this occasionally (probably not enough!). I love Frankenthaler's work and have one of her books on her printmaking; just loved the cover image on her book - so bought it! Many thanks :) Pam
@@PamelaCaugheyHi, I sent you an email with pictures of some of my art. Hope you enjoy. Thank you!
Thanks Pamela, I really enjoy watching you paint...I just wish I had your courage! Also, beautiful garden and scenery where you live.
Many thanks, Brenda :)
Painting is sooo frustrating
Yes ,can be ,its harder than it looks
Hi Pam
The challenge I gave to myself after watching you was to use either the strathmore mixed media or arches oil everyday. I decided the sheets with the tape into different sizes using all the mark making and materials. Pam I have done this since January and although I do other art work at the same time I have completed well over 70 paintings in this time and learned tons of new techniques and having so much fun!!!!
Don't ever scrap your art that you don't like...keep them and work on them more later.
Hi Pamela, really enjoying your videos right now. Love your 3 ways of creating; play, explore and clarify. Your videos give me structure and a greater understanding of the process of creating. Sometimes stuck in play and explore and often find it hard to clarify or finish. Thank you so much for ideas and communicating them in a really grounded practical way. Seeing your garden was great and I agree that Gardening is art. Painting and gardening are two things I would love to be better at.
THIS "UGLY" BECAME A BEAUTY QUEEN, WONDERFUL WORK. WHEN I AM CHALLENGED I PUT MY ARTWORK AWAY FOR A WHILE AND COME BACK LATER WITH FRESH EYES, THIS HELPS ME TO FINISH A PIECE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR EXHIBITION.
Many thanks, Ann 😀🌺🎉
Wonderful, encouraging demo, Pamela. Background music is well-matched to your work and subtly enhances your presentation. Your end result is interesting. I could so easily learn from you!
I love this piece and it never seemed ugly to me.
Thank you, Pamela, for your wonderful message with this video!!!
I’m seeing a meeting of the minds with the wise old owl. Am I close? I love this painting😍
PAMELA, THIS IS A REAL BOON,,,I'VE HAD A HEALTH ISSUE AND BEEN DEPLETED OF ENERGY,,,YOU MAKE IT FUN AGAIN,,,NO NEED TO
SWEAT THE FAILED STARTS,,,THEY ARE JUST IN THE WINGS WAITING TO BE PLAYED WITH,,,THANKS, DARLIN'!!!
Magnífico, um primor, no Brasil chamamos essa técnica de "Rebosteiro" :D
Many thanks, Bora :)!!
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I absolutely loved this video, Pamela! I am not brilliant at abstract...perhaps that stems from my Structural draftsperson background! So my challenge is working loose and not trying to get the end result right from the start. I am grateful for your three stage process!
The “ugly” is beautiful in my opinion.
Many thanks, Judy!
I agree, this is beautiful even at the start. Imho this is a wonderful painting thru all the stages. Sometimes it's important to get that critical gremlin off your shoulder, lol!
Not ugly at all! I'm feeling the pure serenity of chaos and joy. The way you tie your vision together is amazing! Inspiring at every level.❤❤❤ LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! Thank you for sharing with us all.
Thank you so much for your comment here Julie!! Your enthusiasm and support mean a lot to me 💐💐