Robert...If that's what happens to paintings while writing.. then I am going to take up writing! I love your sketches..sand & all! They are loose, simple, to the point..in a word "lovely"... and they have captured Donegal to a T! You have a couple of winners there!
We were in Donegal just a year ago and must have been on this same beach( or one very similar), as you have brought back that day to me in memory! It was threatening rain but still a promise of sun behind the clouds, and a kind of glow over all! Unfortunately the heavens opened up for a good bit of our stay in "Dear old Donegal" and we spent a few days just nestled in beside the peat fire in our little old cottage overlooking Lough Swilly. Thanks for the Memories and happy painting in the ould sod!
Cheers, Nancy

Robert, I look forward to every letter. I do feel isolated and alone in my studio at times. An artist friend emailed me one and I have relished them ever since. I envy you in Ireland, one of my favorite places in the world. Keep your wonderful support through these letters coming.

One of my art teachers used this 'reminder' method. I would listen to him every session and think he has said this before several times. One day it sunk in and I haven't looked back. I've found that you hear things only when you are ready to hear them, especially when it involves change.

I'm writing partly because I think it's cool that you're getting these In Ireland, hiding out and painting. Second, I think I like #1 sketch (at the top) best. And third, get out you watercolors. The sand won't bother as much, drying is not a problem (if you paint quickly, as I do) and after a life-time of using all media, I think W/C is the most fun.

Your letters are wonderful; a real boost to my confidence. Thank you!

My copy arrived this week, thanks for suggestion, of The Creative Edge by Mary Todd Bean, good stuff. As a artist and docent for the Huntington Library, Gardens, and Art Gallery's I’m finding materials for my spiel to the students (High School and lower grades). Your letters are another good source for me. What a great time for my retirement with all the material I have and get to reinforce the plans made to enjoy it.

Today is a glorious June day with blue skies, fewer burling clouds and the smell of summer heat on its way. How true you write about tuning into the limitations as opportunities for hinge changes. I was working 14 hours a day preparing for a one month solo show in western Canada when my magic carpet was yanked out from under me and I spent 42 days in the hospital with a very serious illness. After a month at home as an 'invalid,' I called the rental company to come take away all vestigous of sickness and returned to as normal a day as possible - sleeping in my own bed, walking on my own, returning to my household and studio demands. Mobility increased and pain lessened. Obviously the decision to go forth starts in the mind and the body follows if the mind respects the limitations and encourages the body to reach a little beyond its current abilities. A mutual respect between mind, soul, and body with the goal for all three to advance at the same pace.
As to the artwork I have a question concerning the medium I'm working in. Since you are in touch with artists on a world-wide scale. I became enamored with using paper as paint many years ago and used the collage method from simple to complex applications on canvas. This past year I have collected the colored tissue paper wrappings at parties and began using it, along with clear acrylic glazes and gels, as paint on canvas. Sometimes I mix junk-mail paper I've made in the pieces along with dried rose petals which retain their colors. With all the emphasis on recycling and uses of found objects in painting and sculpture, I haven't found any other artists using colored tissue and 'sculpting' it on the canvas in low relief. Is this falling into the category of "there is no original thought" or am I on to something new on the edge of Green Art?

Welcome to the land of the Celts. Thanks for your latest email. Re sand in the mixture, an art lecturer of mine told me to always take away some piece of the landscape you've been painting, to remind you of the colors or texture. Good advice, if its do-able. More of a challenge is to try capturing some of the thick atmosphere in a Donegal pub, unless of course you just take some Guinness home with you.

Just three years ago, I took a new job - it has great benefits, respectable pay, not terrible hours, but my time to paint suffered and I did along with it. It's taken me some time to get back on track enough to see that my former way of painting - my intuitive landscape style with all the bright colors - wasn't necessarily the only work I could do just because it seemed to be what came naturally. I had to find a new way for my painting life to be alive and well. I moved the studio out of the little room I had rented for a few years, and took everything back home, fixing up a nice spot that was available to me anytime I was in the house. I began setting up still life from old things that brought back memories - of my mother, the farm I grew up on, places I had lived, and other fondness's. Oddly, I also changed my palette to the subtle neutral hues that reflected the quiet nature of the subject matter and probably, my personality. This won't last forever either, but that's okay too. Your letter today reminded me that I had continued for some time to try to paint in a way that no longer fit my life. Change is always pushing us through some kind of a difficult transition, but even so, all is well with all of this.

You thanked us for our input and confirmation, but I feel it is you I should be thanking. I very much look forward to your emails and the support and encouragement they contain. You also encourage us to dream, to dream and work toward a goal. As I work a 9 to 5 job, I know that I can still go home at night and paint, and every brushstroke is getting me closer to my goal of being a full time artist. Your emails encourage us all to keep at it and so I am. Thank you so much. Also, it is quite exciting to see where in the world you are each week.

I hesitate to respond to such things, as I understand about overloaded mailboxes. ( I'm a Blackberry user too.) I'm not an artist, though I love to draw and have some success. I'm a musician. I keep your letters in a file because they pertain to my daily practice and creation of music, and I enjoy the messages, reminders and motivational ideas.

I often receive your message/ letter on my blackberry, and am able to read it in odd places, and am reminded at these times of my important journey. Thank you for your efforts and your sage advice... applicable to visual artists... AND musicians!!!

Not to worry your letters are an inspiration. I have only been getting them for two weeks and have enjoyed each one. Thought I would share a small story with you on CBC radio in Canada there is a show on symphonies. The head fellow for the Toronto Symphony was introducing a tune and said this next item represents how we think flowers would sound if they could sing. What a 60s concept, just made the music more visual. Thank you for the good work and hope the sand stays out of your paint.

Robert, one of my favorite location sketches (an oil) I ever did was on Carmel Beach, CA. One quarter of it got coated with white sand 3 minutes after I finished it, but it mostly brushed off after the piece dried a couple days later so all ended well. They say many of the great Joaquin Sorolla's paintings have sand embedded in them so you are in excellent company. I'm not sure it is so good for your blackberry though!

Thank you for sharing your work online. Today, when I went to the clickback I was transported. I love the simpleness of the sketches. It's like a casual conversation rather than a prepared speech. I immediately thought of Cezanne and how he went out everyday to paint his mountain and try to convey the "feeling" of the place. I must say the colour choices give me 2 different feelings about the place and the cloud formations. Anyway, thank you again for sharing. I love the simplicity and think these are more communicative about where you're at both physically and spiritually. Looks like a pretty good place to me. Shape, line, and colour; the more abstracted a piece the more masterful the elements of composition and design need to be, me thinks. If you have time would you consider abstracting a sketch even more, as less a record of where you're at physically and more like a little poem from the soul? While I appreciate your polished paintings, as an artist it is fun to see how other artists play. The "what ifs" and "having at it" with no sales in mind, just communing with the universe.

Sure appreciate all the time you take sharing ideas and keeping my pump pumped. I can keep it primed but shared energy is a beautiful thing!

Yes, you do impact my life. I have been receiving your letters for about two years now and look forward to them greatly. They have managed to keep me loving painting and at least watching someone who paints through a bad illness last year. I am now well and have taken up the brush and pastel stick again. I am even on the go managing to do some plein air lately. Your positive messages let me know that I can continue in my way. Thanks so much for your work I enjoy everything you say.

Art is a way of life. In fact life is Art. I am sure somebody has said this before. Maybe you know who it was. Your letters for me most times ring a bell and give "reminders" of not only how to paint, but how to live. Attitude is 99.9 percent it seems to me. Many spiritual thinkers say you already know what you need to know, just remember it, and the reminders from our friends to notice what we need to be aware of is such a blessing. Thank you for your dedicated and faithful "reminders".

On another note, one part of my family came from Ballyshannon in Donegal. I have not been there yet and so appreciate your two paintings at the top of the clickback as a bit of insight to what I might see if and when I go. The serenity of the painting on the left appeals to me, but the rock which interferes with that in the one on the right also appeals. I find myself leaning towards the right one because it is more interesting, more stimulating. I enjoy work done on site as it usually is so much more spontaneous than a study worked up from it done in the studio. But of course it is a different thing altogether.

I'm just chiming in about how valuable your letters are to me and many of my friends. We often bring up your letters while talking about our art making. Personally I find it encouraging to have someone out there offering this kind of help and support. Thanks for all you do.

Maybe. But sometimes the sketch holds the place of honor while the full-sheet watercolor lies in the "maybe someday I'll stick this in a frame" pile. I'm not afraid to admit that sometimes the sand in the paint is the something that goes missing when I try to translate the scene in the studio.

Well I'm one of those that appreciate your letters but haven't really thanked you. Thank you for taking the time and effort to share and discuss so many things. I've learned a lot of interesting things from you.

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich." -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

One of the best things I’ve done is sign up for your letters. Both the Lotto and the Reminders letters have immediate meaning for me.

Early this month I ‘retired’ to do some things I’ve wanted to do as well as share some of the household duties. Something I’m working toward is doing some painting and printing. In order to accomplish this I’m making up schedules (aka reminders) to ensure I leave enough time between duties to accomplish some personal goals. Doing pictures means putting my own stamp on images that may have been done before; the Lotto letter clarified that I should carry on with my own take on how to interpret and portray what I see.

In a wild moment I critiqued the stream picture when you asked for feedback on it and have felt uncomfortable about doing the critique ever since. So for these pictures I will offer only that as well as using the sand that has been given to you by the local breezes you might try taking along some coarse pigmented soft pastel in colors you like to be added to give some texture to selected areas of sketches . . . . .

I had an excellent reminder on Sunday. I went to the Sun Yat-Sen Garden in Vancouver for a talk on Chinese Calligraphy in conjuncture with a memorial show for Lam Chin Shek, put on by his students. During the entry process they were asking people if they would sign a commemorative sheet for the show. I used my 'Chinese' name, the one I sign my paintings by. It lead to a talk with one of the Calligraphy masters and then I went to the talk. During the talk, Tse Yim, covered the basics of Chinese Calligraphy and the history of it. I knew most of this as I taught myself Chinese Calligraphy a few years ago and as always had researched it. He then did a demonstration on a 4 foot sheet of paper and when he had finished the talk, handed to me and presented the paper 'From one artist to another.' I was deeply honored and as one of the few non Asian's at the talk I was very touched.
I really needed this at this time. I have been doubting my work and feeling pressured to change how I do things. I know I do my best work in the traditional style and am now very determined to stay with it. I have found that most of the Asian people who see my work are very encouraging and seem honestly appreciative of my attempts. It's the Western art world that sometimes seems less than accepting. However, that is not entirely fair. It's mainly my traditional work that gets into juried shows.

I am so glad you are having a great time, I have enjoyed so much your letters. Due to illness I am trying so hard to get back to my painting, but I have been away from it so long, that it is looming over me to paint, and I hate that....how can I find " just the pure joy of painting" again that was always there in my heart and mind? That first step that I am trying to take right now, seems to be insurmountable, I know it is the fear of failure...but, it is so hard to get back to what I have missed so much. With fond wishes for a wonderful time in Ireland.

This was a great letter to get this morning. I am heading out Friday from Calgary to drive to East End, Sask. for two days to plein air painting, a new venture for me. To hear about you sitting in the sand in Ireland was inspiring--surely I can handle the prairie wind.

I'm so happy to have your "love letters to art" and your emails each week. Your emails are like conversations with another artist to jolt me out of the same old same olds.

For paint try the water mixable oils,either the Lukas Berlin or Winsor & Newton Artisan. So far those are the best I have tried. The Open by Golden gets too sticky when brushing but do stay more workable on the pallette.I guess with the way you work with heavier paint it is more workable on the canvas.

Thank you for the request to e-mail you back. It is important to realize how connected we all are as humans, especially as artists, and especially as plein air artists. So this is connected to the exponent of three, in a sense.

Just returned from Chicago last night back here to Scottsdale because my mother in law is in and out of the hospital etc. Will write more when I get things under control here and thank you for the invitation.

This is exactly why I tune in every Tuesday and Friday. You remind me of things that I know and am not using properly or taking for granted. You replenish my spirit when I'm sure I'll never sell another painting or I've run out of passion or I've just listened to ten minutes of someone trashing my work.Thanks for being the glue that holds this artists' club together.

I love your letters. Both my husband and I are artist trying to make a living doing a myriad of things.
I am writing you today because my son, Gordon Kelley has renovated a lovely “Holiday cottage” in Rossnowlagh, Donegal very close to where you are now,
Take a look at his site.


It is the cottage next to his father’s house on the cliff hanging over the ocean. It is very beautiful and serene.
Gordon and Maggie are in there 30s and having a baby any day now (my first grandchild!). They live in Dublin. Gordon has inherited the artistic gene and also sells life insurance and annuities for a company called Irish Life.

Dan and I live and work in New York City and have a house in Millbrook New York, Beautiful “Horse Country.” We rent both houses on VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner ). Let us know when you are coming to New York. Take a look at our rental sites: Millbrook New York City

Just want to thank you for your letters. You are such an inspiration and your wit and humor are wonderful attributes that give me energy to continue with my artistic pursuits – still trying to determine what direction I am going though. .. .but that is ok….the journey IS the destination.

I partially disagree with Richard Bach's quote: "Learning is finding out what you already know." I usually learn something I know nothing about, especially from your letters.

Otherwise I totally agree with your reminders of what one does know. Otherwise we tend to forget. I once read that if you hear or read something you forget it within a short time frame. If you see and are demonstrated the thought it will stay with you longer and if you do it yourself (draw it?) there is a very long remembrance time frame. But even then we need those reminders.

Please keep up with both new information and reminders in your Art Letters. I would miss them if you did not. Your travels are wonderful to read about.

My mouth fell open when I saw the two pieces you painted in the wind, sand, and Blackberry interruptions.
These are your best things in my opinion! Love them.

Loved your mapbook report, and the timing could not have been better. Our coop gallery had a salon, and the subject was journals and sketchbooks, so we were able to connect more artists to your Twice Weekly. Keep up the good work, it's much appreciated by us all!

Thank you very much for your twice-weekly letters. They inspire me in many ways. The construction of the letter is done a way in which the humor, practical advice, inspirational observations, and a wise lesson are all integrated into enjoyable reading that supports and guides me forward in my often chaotic life/ artistic mind. So, your consistent letter assures that I can bring all of life together with the serenity that you seem to do in your emails. Thank you for that. It's a one of a kind motivation.

Plato believed that true knowledge lies within us and that with the right questions we can find all the answers we are looking for inside us. The trick is having someone prod us with the right questions. The more we understand "why" we paint, the better we can figure out "how". Your letters help us continually question, and occasionally shakes us from complacency.

Count me in on those who appreciate a reminder to keep at it, to not be so critical, to be brave... and that I am not alone in creation, but that we are all brothers and sisters in art. Your letters are a blessing.

I was really pleased the other day when I contacted a lady in Adelaide University (Australia) about a painting I had donated to Medical Research (one of my pet charities), to be told that my painting had been bought by one of the University Professors to give as a gift to an overseas visitor. I was really pleased. The painting was of a Tasmanian Coastal Reserve and my husband liked it so that gave it the seal of approval.
I will be having my first solo exhibition that will open on the 3rd of July and all of the many things you have said about putting yourself/work out there are whirling around in my head. I will be exhibiting in "The Lady Franklin Gallery" the home of The Art Society of Tasmania, the foundation stone for the building was laid in 1842 and is a small classic Sandstone Greek Temple set in Acanthe Park. I am calling my exhibition "When East Meets West" because I also teach Chinese Brush Painting so will have a selection of both.

I've subscribed to your twice-weekly letters for almost a year now and I read each and every one with anticipation and delight. You continue to expand my mind and provide a kind of connectivity that words cannot express. So THANK YOU for reminding me and for teaching me about art and being an artist. And thank you for all the other life lessons in between.

How I envy you being able to travel to such far away and beautiful places! Yet I am thankful for the beauty that is evident no matter what square foot of the planet we happen to find ourselves on any given day. I am writing in response to your reference about valuing our input regarding how your letters have effected us. Just so you know, I not only appreciate those letters for my own growth as an artist, I also tell my workshop students about them and you.

If you ever get to Northern Indiana please do call ahead of time and stop into my art gallery! (BTW, we are hosting a wonderful free plein air paint out this August. British graphite artist Mike Sibley will be here the same weekend giving a workshop and several other events are planned. Do you have any place that I might be able to announce the art-related events? Mike Sibley's drawings are simply master pieces! If you have never seen his work, I would encourage you to look at his website. He has done a few pieces with Airedales, but unfortunately his limited addition piece with two Airedales, is sold out.

Well I went a little off course from my first intent, but once again thanks so much and keep up the great work, both with your writing and your painting! If your work is ever being exhibited anywhere near Goshen, Indiana, please let me know!! (One of my students and I drove 4 hours without stopping yesterday, to see a Kevin Macpherson display of 369 of his small plein air paintings, only to find out the museum had the wrong dates posted on their website and they had already taken the exhibit down, by the time we got there! (They were wonderfully kind however, and apologized profusely for the mistake. They even gave us each a book as a way to make it up to us! We did get to study six of his pieces up close and personal, so all in all, it was well worth the trip.)

I for one, love being reminded of the 'important stuff', so, yeah, Thank you Robert for your twice-weekly letters. You are surely doing a good thing by sharing your knowledge and your experience while traveling the world, since most of us can't go to these far off places. I love your beautiful words, and your great sense of humor. You are, indeed, our modern day "Robert Henri".

I agree, we all need reminders. I believe it is beneficial for all mature artists to teach at least a workshop or two during their careers. I find that being forced to put into words the things that have become habits to you, will often help you more than the student you are attempting to help. If only to review exactly the results of the procedure. You may find a reason to adjust or try something new that could improve your own work. It could be another way God repays you for your unselfish sharing of your gift.

I just finished a workshop with Colin Page. It was wonderful. I felt enriched. Yes, I learned things, but when I sent in the 'evaluation' (just a casual email) to the group that sponsored the workshop I said I learned about "value, composition and color" - um.... which I've been 'learning' about for about 20 years. Not really anything new under the sun, these were things I 'knew', but enjoyed being reminded about in a fresh way by a new teacher. Your letter is timely, and resonates with all of us. And it is this way, I think, with everything in life. I have diabetes. Last visit my doctor said "You should drop some more weight... I'll set you up with the nutritionist." "Don't!" I said, "I can recite her advice word for word! I KNOW how to drop weight (what woman doesn't), I just need to be REMINDED to do so!" And here's your letter, saying the same thing about our work.

I'd like to thank you for reminding me that others are being inconvenienced too! Seriously, I guess I tend to find fault with my life (or lack thereof) and your letters reminded me that I'm not the only inconvenienced and frustrated artist out there. People who have support are the strongest people there are and a note that reminds us that we aren't alone provides that small bit of support.

I predict that you will be inundated with appreciative notes and I simply wanted to take a moment to add my voice to the chorus. Thank you for what you do. Your thoughtful letters have inspired, stimulated, and comforted me.

I forwarded it on to my daughter, a health educator in Alaska, with a note about how this might work for her programs. These are to help people eat properly, exercise, and quit smoking. I think especially in what she does, a periodic notice that we are not alone, would help with the little boost we all need. It could be vitally important too. And email might be a practical medium. Even using your twice-weekly letter as a model.

Don't ever doubt that what you're doing is enriching our lives. My husband also loves to read your letters and he's a computer programmer. So you do not only benefit artists.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful letters which constantly help and encourage us 'artists' and 'teachers' who can feel very isolated at times. I loved your 'sand and acrylic' paintings from Eire and wondered whether you have any advice for me!

In August I have been invited to take a 4 day class in West Cork for 14 enthusiastic watercolor painters (mostly from Eire). I live in the Cotswolds and have not been to Eire before! I am anxious to be well prepared and wondered if you have any painting advice (however brief) which may prepare me for my approach to this wonderful subject matter.

Sitting alone in the gorgeous but isolated NC mtns, I, too, take heart from my blackberry messages. Your comments and insights truly do place me back in community!

I love the image of you sitting in the dunes, painting and writing! I am moving myself steadily along the technology path and since I'll be doing a residency in a fairly remote area where there is no electricity, cell reception, etc. your email gave me an idea. Could a blackberry possibly be the answer? I could even have a blog with this? Thank you for the "shot in the arm" I needed on this subject! And have a wonderful time. I know you are, and will.

I hope I am not interrupting a sand/acrylic painting by asking a couple of questions.
Having a very Irish background, (both sides of the family for a few hundred years), I have a dream to go paint there sometime. When is the best time or season to be there for painting?? My brother has visited Ireland a few times and reports that the people are very cordial and generous and that it is frightening trying to drive there. He refers to Ireland as "home". The landscape looks stunning to me.

Your paintings on the beach are super!! It looks as if you are blending just a bit more with those new acrylics. I am toying with trying the Golden Open acrylics and wondering how pro's like yourself like them. I used to try acrylics and then give up on them because of the drying speed. I wanted to fuss and blend longer than they would allow. Working outdoors fairly thin, how long does it take to dry?? (I know it depends on wind and humidity, but generally??)

As one of the new subscribers, I felt compelled to write as my family lives in Donegal. So when I read that you are visiting and painting I thought I would send on a few contacts.

My parents Lorna and Ken, both creative, live in Donegal. Their recent creative project has been the restoration, conversion of a 150 year old Lime Kiln saved from potential demolition. It is a beautiful area and I have painted there myself. I hope you might also consider the Lime Kiln accommodation on your next visit. www.thelimekiln.com

I am finding your bi-weekly emails very helpful. I think it is because I am an encaustic artist, using the method from England, Scotland and Wales. Some artists tend to look down on my art but galleries in Connecticut are including my paintings in their shows. As one friend said, "It doesn't matter how you get the medium on the paper, its the results that count. I find encaustic art to be very freeing and lots of fun to do. Mainly the result is abstract, which suits me just fine!

Your two Ballyness Bay sketches instantly transported me back to Donegal, where I spent two magical weeks a couple of summers ago. Thank you. I'll have to get my photos (I do travel photography) out from that trip and work on them.

Reading your most recent email this morning, you took me with you to Ireland. Thank you. Though I've travelled in the past, it's been many years since I've been outside Canada and for all those years, Ireland is the one place I still long to see ... and feel, and taste. You know? Your mention of the wind, the sand ... made the vision real. And I loved the two small sketches on the Donegal dunes. Thank you for that little bit of Ireland. Here in Nova Scotia, your twice-weekly emails constantly seem to come just at the moment I need that boost... or reminder. Thank you so much for sharing and reaching out to all of us in our studios or wherever we work away, creating.

I see you are here in Ireland. If you have any intention to travel East into the little part we call Northern Ireland, I would love to meet up. If you look at your map I am in a town called Banbridge in County Down. If you get anywhere near a place that looks like traveling distance from there, let me know and I will get myself there. Enjoy the texture in your paint, it introduces a randomness that keeps you on your toes. By the way I also have drying time issues and the solution for me is Griffin Alkyd (though some of the colors are useless).

As a loyal reader of your Painter's Keys, I noticed you are in Ireland right now. We live in Ireland, so if you are visiting the area you're most welcome to stay with us. I would love to meet you.

Having read, been inspired, reminded and comforted by your regular email letters, 'gems and pearls' of wisdom for about a year now, I felt it high time I responded.....Thank you so much. You really are a gifted writer and superb artist.
Being a working artist is very solitary at times. I find painting quietly on my own very necessary (and not at all displeasing), to really get lost in my work and nuture the creative spirit. However it goes without saying, that contact with other artists is just as vital to broaden one's horizons. Modern technology dumbfounds me, but I am grateful for it when your letters arrive via email.
Thank you for sharing so much of your wisdom and for coaxing me forward on this journey of discovery.

Try DecoArt Traditions texture medium. will not ruin the brush, can have color added to it (you do this) and is not at all gritty. small glass balls, you can't see these pieces of glass but they refracts\ light. I use it as a wood filler, after dry and sanded you can't tell it is not the wood grain..... absolutely wonderful. It refracts the wood around it making it very very difficult to even notice it is not the wood. It lets light in to 'shine' refract color of paint great too! If you want to try a sample of this, let me know how to get it thru Canadian customs and I'll make us a small amount for you and send it..... I'll need a address too....

Now that i write all that, i am wondering if it was only an example like the brush not being made or the white paint not being available. So let me know..... it is great stuff.

The sample would be free of charge to you. I do not sell the stuff but can put you in contact with someone who does. After all you have been the encouragement and motivator of MY endeavors for many years...... and I've given your book of encouragement to at least 3 people now on your list. This is the least i can do. Now if it turns out to be an example, please let me know that too!

I just wanted to say, of all the newsletters I receive, yours is one I always find the time to read no matter what crazy stuff might be going on in my life. Most of the time I find something relevant and meaningful within your words and want to thank you for the gift of inspiration you share with folks.

My intention is not to solicit traffic to my website, so I won't bother sharing a link... just wanted to tell you about something I am doing that might help someone else, but most importantly and delightfully SELFISH, in the hope of forcing myself back in to creative "mode." I recognized a long time ago that I need some kind of creative outlet to feel right with the world, but despite all, any urges have eluded me for a couple years now... and yes, I'm sorry to admit even as insightful as one of your past creative block themed letters was, I still remained in a disillusioned "blah" place.

A creative light went off last friday... and I started a sort of "doodling for donations" thing. Any money sent to me goes toward helping someone I know who has been needing work on her home ever since hurricane Ike... But the biggest part for me is that I have committed myself to sending each donor a doodle as a thank you. So far I have had 4 donations *grin* - this past weekend I drew more than I have in a year! Having to follow through on my offer has been a nice exercise in drawing SOMETHING no matter how uninspired I feel, which is a good thing.

Rest assured, when I get to read your writings (some I have to flag to read later because I'm a busy mom) that they always resonate with me! They're GREAT! And of course I'm always jealous of where your work finds you - I'd LOVE to be in Ireland right now! I'm too in debt to travel, but maybe that will change one day! For now, I live vicariously through your brushstroked words from a distant land.

I really like the 2nd one, nice colors and composition. It goes against what my coach says; she tells us to try to focus on doing just one thing, whether it's eating, teleconferencing or creating, but I definitely see the value of combining one boring activity and one fun one.

I must comment on the second sketch, that you completed while writing the letter this week, 'Horn Head from Ballyness Bay II'.
Compositionally all of the large elements are on the right hand side of the painting and all are stacked one above another - the largest clouds in the sky, the headland and the foreground rocks. The colors are lovely but the composition spoils this painting for me. The first sketch, even though it is still a little right heavy, has a better balance.

Here is a sincere thank you for your emails. I only ever read your emails and nothing else on the site. I find by the time I've read and digested your email......that's enough food for thought. The rest is TMI . Maybe someday when I have the time but I am too busy living and painting. Also it never ceases to amaze me that just when I've been thinking about a subject.....it is not long before you touch on it too. Must be the universal artistic mind at work.

I open each of your e-letters with anticipation that you will either put things into an interesting perspective or remind me of why I paint at all. Upon closing the link I marvel at the many topics that you can and will write about. I love reading them. Thank you.

Trying to find time to stop and write sometimes a little difficult to do. But I do know that it is important that you know that when I receive your letters, that it reminds me of who I am, an artist. I would like to continue to receive your newsletter. I am struggling to get back to painting, being that the everyday demands on finances keeps me from what I love to do. So it’s a nice reminder when I do get your emails.

Here's one for you. What defines "original?" We just finished opening "Art Maui, 2009." Our "most prestigious" juried exhibition. This year there were 519 pieces entered by 326 artists. 111 were selected for inclusion in the show. This Saturday a question was raised regarding a quilt juried into the show. Apparently, it was created from a quilting book. The design, while spiffed up a bit, was very similar to the quilts in this instructional "manual." When this info was brought to the attention of the board of directors of Art Maui, it was determined that they'd let the juror make the call. The piece has already been purchased by the Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and the Arts' to add to the State's permanent collection.

The fact that the piece in question was made from a pre-existing "pattern" caused a flurry of emails and a heated debate on what exactly is "original," and what exactly is "not." The prospectus clearly states: " All Art Maui entries must be original and have been created within the last two years independently and without supervision." Several art quilters weighed in. They were adamant that this piece wouldn't have made it into any "quilt show" anywhere. I'm certain you can see the dilemma this could present. The juror's call was that it is original, yet you can see many that are very similar simply by "googling" the quilt. The quilters stand by their unanimous belief that this piece does not meet the criteria for the exhibition.

Wish I was there with my camera creating my own works of art. I've found that when the weather isn't cooperating, I just let her do what she wants to do and capture what Mother Nature gives me.

I am an artist and gallery owner along with a group of artist that form a co-op named the Blue Core Group, we have monthly meetings in which I incorporate your emails as a forum to start the meetings. You have great insight as an artist, so I want to thank you for those inspired words of wisdom.

For years I have kept a monthly “To-Do” list, but now I find it also helps to write a daily post-it note with 4-6 things I want to accomplish that day. Won’t necessarily do them all, might do something completely different, and that’s OK, its good to be able to be spontaneous, but a daily mini-list does help keep me focused and wasting less time. The monthly list helps prevent me from forgetting something entirely. And it does feel good to be able to check things off!

I would just like to thank you for the time and effort that you put into preparing and putting out such an interesting and informative artists blurb.
I read that you are trying out the Golden Paints new Open acrylics... here is some information that may be of interest re- these different types of slow drying acrylics.
In Australia we have a brand called Atelier Interactive acrylics. They are not slow drying as the normal slow drying Golden brand are. They are interactive just like oil paints. Golden dry slow but still have the same properties as a normal acrylic when dry...Interactive acrylics are able to be re-wet many days after painting to re blend or paint wet in wet later if you want to. Here is a link to their web site.

I am sure that they sell these paints in America too so you may be able to get some to try..I have fallen in love with them and am really enjoying their versatility...

I too have discovered Golden Acrylics but as they are expensive I use cheaper fast drying ones for the base. I like to think my paintings are better for the addition of a bit of sand, authenticity from the scene!

Yes your emails matter to me. They help me and I'm grateful to know there are others out there who are the same. My discipline is fiber art and my calligraphy work is often done in acrylics on fabric. You are currently somewhere I would dream of being in my life... (Ireland) You are lucky even with the inconveniences.

Oh my god, I read your emails everyday! I have had a profound spiritual awakening recently about my purpose here and the fact that...I'm an artist!...I want to paint! I'm working on an acrylic and oil series completely different to my past watercolor work!

I have been a Realtor for 20 years and an artist with a broken heart for 11 years...it's time for me to live my dream! And I thank you for your contribution to all artists and especially for me.

Ok, I give up - how do you write and paint at the same time??
art teacher here - left brain/right brain... always attempting to quiet my students' chatter (left brain) while they're drawing (right brain) to optimize their rightbrainedness... so how DO you do both simultaneously?

I always look forward to your beautiful thoughts and words. You make my life so much richer.

You are heartily welcome in our fair land of Ireland
Your paintings exude passion, soul and peace
You are leaving us "as you found us"
So many have wanted to change Ireland with so many well meaning suggestions but you have chosen to give, you are giving us your heart, soul, brain and that special talent that is unique to Robert Genn
Agus Go Ndeiri on bothair leath (May the roads rise to meet you)
Helen Tilston
Aughnish, Kinvara, Co. Galay
Ireland

I have just completed my MA in Fine Art on the subject of ancient Bushman art. At the same time I visited Australia and had the great fortune of attending an Aborigine art workshop. The two cultures are much the same, and I fell in love with this alternate way of making art. Conundrum!! How to marry what I am now in love with with Eurocentric sensibility? Any suggestions?