Finding inspiration is the most difficult part of the artistic process.
It's pretty easy picking up a few brushes and some good paint and canvas because Michael's and Aaron Brothers are just a block from my house and they have sales all the time. I've recently gotten an account online with free shipping (AMAZON Prime). Frames are more difficult because they are so expensive. I have scoured thrift stores in the past, but I think everyone caught on to that one. I purchase good frames with copy artwork at discount stores, then rip out the artwork and put mine in. Problem with this is that whoever puts these things together uses a bunch of glue and staples, so taking them apart is not for the faint of heart.
So, about the inspiration...sometimes I find myself just staring at that blank canvas, so I paint it red or black or something just to get rid of the whiteness. It doesn't always help, but it does cut down on the glare. Just kidding. Usually the inspiration comes first, then you sort out the particulars (what medium, what size canvas, is this a commissioned work, a gift, or something to hang on my wall), although I don't think it matters much I try to put the same quality craftsmanship in all of them. And it just kind of gets going from there. I can get inspired from my photographs (Sonoma County landscapes, family, people I know, as well as other copyright free references). I do not copy other artists or copyrighted materials, but I can be influenced by a style or something they've done.
My favorite paints are acrylics. Lately, I have switched from pastels, charcoal, oil paint, because they're extremely messy or there's lingering toxic smells even with odorless paint thinner. I really don't need any mediums with acrylics(just water). Sometimes I can't tell if my finished paintings are done in acrylic or oil, so I must keep notes for each piece. I then photograph each piece and add to my webpages. So far, so good.
I have created some business cards with a piece of artwork on them, done inexpensively at Office Depot, just to get started. I include one of these and a certificate of authenticity with each work. I think it's more professional that way. Also, I never use the post office for mailing anymore as they have lost my work before and it took a month or longer to find it. Not good for your business and there's no compensation for that through them.
It has been said that my best work is photo-realistic portraiture in graphite, Drawings do take a long time, and you have to do the darkest tones in charcoal else you'll get that horrible graphite shine, but the result is worth it. I still like to have fun painting, though. And did I mention that I've given my daughter, Kimberly, complete reign on criticism of each art piece. She has a good eye for detail and what works. She's also a budding chef. Yum! We're slow cooking a pork roast tonite to cook all night long for pulled pork sandwiches tomorrow.
Kandakis' gallery at deviantArt
