Art Instruction Blog
Why Do It?
Why Do It? This is the most important question we can ask. "I have never thought of writing for reputation and honor. What I have in my heart must out; that is the reason why I compose." Ludwig van Beethoven As I prepare for my upcoming role as Beethoven in 33...
Creativity and Insanity – Artbeat Tribute to Gail mally-mack
Today I present a tribute to Gail mally-mack, whom we featured on Artbeat back in 2003. Her passing is a loss to the art world and the Detroit art community will miss her dearly. Although the conversation didn't really go there in my visit in her studio, it struck...
Be a Con Artist
"Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist." Pablo Picasso Here's the ugly truth about being an artist. Actually, its not really so ugly, once you get over the initial shock. It's your job to convince me, the art lover/collector, that you know...
The Philosophy Behind the Power of Positive Painting
The Power of Positive Painting (P3) The Philosophy Behind the P3 Method As the title suggests, my philosophy of teaching, as well as my approach to painting itself, is positive. I encourage my students to take positive action, always moving forward in their process. ...
When is Faster Better?
Here's today's first quick sketch, redeemed by the owner of GoCharlestonDeals.com. There are about three days left to get your sketches in, at half price. Check out that G0CharlestonDeals link above for more info about the deal. I find the element of time to be...
Perfectionism – The Perils of Making Rough Places Plane
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth. Luke 3:5 One might argue the spiritual arch is one of finding the middle. Over the millennia nature has a...
Fighting the Good Fight
"A man paints with his brains and not with his hands." Michelangelo Buonarroti Try explaining this to a fellow who's just spent $350 on art supplies, thinking if only he had the right brush, all his troubles would be over. His masterpiece is always around the...
My Personal Best
You can't do better than to do the best you can. Trouble comes when people base their concept of their personal best on a mental construct dragged up from their past experiences, or worse, the past experiences of others, which are no longer relevant. Every new...
Quick Sketch Deal
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. Aristotle I really enjoy sketching quickly. The time element is exciting to me. Here's your chance to get some sketching time with me. Here's where you can get...
Figure Painting Session
What interests me most is neither still life nor landscape: it is the human figure. Henri Matisse We had another figure drawing session at my studio last evening. Lots of fun. I have logged countless hours in front of the figure and always learning. These were two...


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What is existence? Are we really spiritual beings, made in God's image? #existence #charlestonsc #painting #artcollector ... See MoreSee Less
This dramatic, colorful, painterly, expressive self-portrait is an example of what I can do for you. ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks Robbin.
As Americans marked Presidents’ Day — a holiday traditionally reserved for honoring the nation’s leaders, their legacies and the arc of presidential history — Donald Trump found himself in the middle of a growing controversy over how his legacy is framed in one of the country’s most revered cultural institutions.
Trump reportedly requested that the Smithsonian Institution commission a new official presidential portrait that would encapsulate both his nonconsecutive terms — a departure from the usual practice of unveiling an official painted portrait only after a president leaves office. An earlier portrait commissioned after his first term, painted by the late Ronald Sherr, was never displayed because Trump was running for reelection when it was completed. But now, Trump wants a different image to represent his full tenure. At the same time, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has already stirred debate by replacing Trump’s previous photographic portrait in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition and stripping wall text that noted his two impeachments and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The new display features a stark image by White House photographer Daniel Torok with minimal context, a contrast to other presidents’ portraits, which still include fuller biographical captions. At the same time, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has already stirred debate by replacing Trump’s previous photographic portrait in the “America’s Presidents” exhibition and stripping wall text that noted his two impeachments and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. The new display features a stark image by White House photographer Daniel Torok with minimal context, a contrast to other presidents’ portraits, which still include fuller biographical captions. ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.A looser approach to this demo ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.First self portrait in a while. I didn't see the point unless o had a spin on the genre. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.