My artistic family tree

It is July and I am feeling inspired to blog again. In Austin Kleon's great book, Steal Like an Artist he talks about climbing your own family tree. By that he means looking for artists you love and who inspire you. Read about them, study their work, and if you are lucky study with them. Then go onto the next artist and pretty soon you will have an artistic family tree of inspiration.

Among my favorite artists on my tree are:

1. Henri Matisse

2. Marc Chagall

3.  Horace Pippin

4. William H Johnson

5. Jacob Lawrence

I also enjoy Caravaggio

Renoir

Vermeer

Cassatt

and Basquiat

.

In addition I have been inspired by many artists I have found via the Internet.
You can find them on my Pinterst boards:

Artist that inspire me

I have also been fortunate to take classes from artists online who I love and are willing to share their gifts.

The first online class I took was from Mindy Lacefield. I live her childlike style and her intuitive mixed media process. Here is some of her work:

Here is some work I did after taking her class.

I also studied with Whitney Freya. I did her Creatively Fit Coaching training. I created this Buddha in her Paint the Buddha class.

I took Flora Bowley's online class Bloom True. I painted this:

Then I discovered Mystele. I really enjoyed her Gut Art classes over at Community Thrive. Her class inspired me to paint this:

This summer I have taken classes from two great artists and teachers. In June I took Jane Spakowsky's great class Painting on Black. I painted this angel:

I loved learning from all these women and I so appreciate their willingness to share their talents and knowledge. Online art classes have been a heaven sent gift for me. There aren't many affordable art classes here and I have to be able to fit them into my schedule. Online classes allow me to learn when I have the time at me own pace and the price is more affordable.

In July, I have just finished two courses by the fabulous Jenni Horne. I loved her classes Paint Something- Part 1 and 2. I love the way Jenni teaches. I gained a wealth on information and I have really been inspired as a painter. here are some things I have been doing:

We painted the American still-life so of course I did it Maui style. Jenni shares my love of whimsy and a fun, folksy style.

Jenni has also inspired me to do something brave and exciting this year with my painting. More about that in my next post.