Linda Aman-Aman Arts

2013 What are your plans…?

What would happen this year if you set goals, expectations, ideas, not resolutions?

Resolutions can be too confining, concerning, and set aside too quickly. I set goals every year, I look at them throughout the year to           reflect and refine the thoughts and ideas. I abandon the ideas that are not so great and come up with better ones. Goals help me set   specific ideas in place and give momentum.

Here are some thoughts for art goals…

As an artist, I decide a topic or focus each year to improve my skills …it serves as a guideline for personal growth.

Some of my topics for goals as an artist over the years have been color, value, composition sets, new products, etc. Last year it was experimental; I painted with mixed media, new methods, and new forms of design.

As you add a new focus each year, the years will add up to some wonderful skill sets that move you to new levels of expertise. For instance, take one element or principle as a focus and soon you will be amazed at the improvement your art will have each year. (Focus on color, shape, line, value, contrast, pattern, texture etc.) One year a number of my paintings were done with only three-color triads. I learned so much about color; it helped me develop four new workshops to teach.

I also have a set number of paintings I will finish. With my teaching schedule, I know I will continue to paint a lot if I have a number of paintings to fulfill.

I have found that a good way to keep on your goals is to tell others your progress. I happen to tell the artists taking my classes that my goals will be….hey, tell a couple of hundred people your goals and they will keep you in line. Every December I have to answer to them. Yikes!

At the end of the year, I look over my goals and plans checking off the ones I accomplished and crossing out the ones that I revised or dropped. I continue to move forward with the best for the next year. Feel free to email your goals to me, I would love to see your creativity and the plans you have.

We are so blessed to be creating beauty for our pleasure and those around us….enjoy 2013 and all you will bring to it.

Linda is an artist and instructor who lives in Star and teaches in her studio. She also teaches in other locations in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. You can visit her website at www.amanarts.com or email linda@amanarts.com for more information.                                                © Linda Aman January 2013

Rosabelle Triplett Remembered

Remembering my Mom

My Mother Rosabelle Triplett passed away on December 18, 2012. In the sorrow of the loss there are mixed emotions, the loss and the celebration of her life. No words can express the loss, my mama is not here to hug, visit with, express my feelings to or show my artistic creations to.

The celebration is, I know she is with the Lord and in peace.  She lived her faith and modeled so many things for me. The influence and inspiration were a lifetime of encouragement to me.  I would like to share one of her strengths I feel you will enjoy.

Influence and Inspiration:

Mama was always making something beautiful, cross-stitch, sewing projects, home decorating, etc. Our home growing up always had a new décor, constantly changing with her touch. She encouraged creativity and new adventures.

One of my favorite memories when I was a teenager, I was making some art that was being sold in the local Hallmark shore. I had art drying on the chest freezer downstairs at our house. Mama would complain she needed to get out food for dinner and my “stuff” was all over the lid. She would tell me to move it but somehow understood the importance to me that my art had to dry first. She never made me move it until it was dry. I don’t know how that changed dinner plans for all of us, but I remember I was glad she understood the artist thinking.  I had art messes often around the house but, she understood the artistic process. She was proud of me-not often said in words but, definitely there in helping me learn to create ---she had so much patience.  She helped me experience patience in teaching me, sewing, crafts, decorating etc.  She taught occasional classes in sewing and crafts in the community.

I am blessed to have had such a wonderful mom that taught me to pass on what I learn with joy.  She helped me discover my gift of creating and teaching.

It is such a joy to watch you find your talents and grow in your expertise, finding your gift. I am proud of each of you – thank you for the honor of  allowing me to grow with you in creativity together and celebrate life a moment at a time.

Blessings, and Thank You,

Linda