Linda Aman-Aman Arts

 

Remembering my Daddy

On February 5, 2013 my Dad passed away joining my Mom (Dec. 18^th, 2012) and Christ in heaven. The loss is overwhelming, but I know they are both in a better place.

 

I have so many precious memories of my Dad; there are not enough words to begin to express the impact he has had in my life. Daddy was tender, loving and easily brought to laughter as well as tears. He was always totally present with whoever he was with. He showed his faith in Christ with everything he was.  I so loved seeing his integrity, humor, gentle spirit, honesty, compassion, thoughtfulness, and generous giving. I watched him in his lifelong relationships with family and friends. I watched him bless, serve, and love Mama.

 

I have many memories… one is fishing. We talked about life on those trips.  He knew how to fish; one trick was to follow the state fish truck to where they were dumping hatchery trout in the river for the day. Those were “limit out” days!

 

Another special memory is one of our fishing trips together…  I was very young and knew I would like fishing because it was with Daddy.  We were walking through the woods to the river. I was trying to keep up with his big steps. We came up to a fallen log over a fast moving river. I was very afraid of the river below and I told Daddy it was too scary to cross. First he took all my fishing gear then started across the fallen log. I thought he would carry me across. But no, he said I could be brave and he would tell me how to safely cross.  I decided I could trust him. I watched him crossing just a bit ahead of me. He then talked me over one step at a time, I was so scared. Each step got a little better and I was eventually over to the other side.  I got a big hug, good job… I was OK. The trip back over the log to get home was met with more bravery.

 

My prayer is that I can continue to be courageous and follow in the footsteps of his life example.

 

I will miss Daddy and Mama, but will strive to live the life as they have taught me.  

 

Linda

 

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

Large Petal Watercolor Workshop in Sequim, Washington August 23-25 2012

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Large Petal Floral - Watercolor
You will paint a ½ w/c sheet floral, using large area methods of painting and glazing for smooth luminous petals. (new floral image) Three days of in-depth study in color and techniques. Plus composition, critiques and more….
• Dates: August 23rd-25th three days
• Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
• Fee: $240.00
• Notes: Includes materials used in class
• Location: Straitside Studio, Sequim, WA

Call or email for a brochure of the 3 day plan.
Sign up with Gail in Sequim 206-459-6876 or email gail@straitsidestudio.com

Inspiration is like a Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie!

I just baked two chocolate chip cookies and took them out from the oven. I plan to eat one now and save one for later (we will see if that works). I know instinctively and by experience I don’t dare bake the whole batch! 

I am sitting in my comfy chair viewing the pastoral view out our window, watching the cows and enjoying my morsel.  The hot gooey chocolate chips melt in my mouth with each bite giving me more pleasure. What could be better at this moment?  I am enjoying a time of solitude with the quiet moment to relax and reflect.     

With cookie in hand, I realize this is a similar emotion to the creative experience I get as an artist.  Creativity too, like the cookie, can flee quickly. In the moment of creativity the juices are flowing and it is a pleasured high. The ideas just come and I try to get them on the watercolor paper quickly before the moment passes.  These are the moments that keep us going as artists. When our art doesn’t have the same passion on a particular day we need to reflect to the success of the past and be encouraged. 

Hard continual work as artists keep these “cookie” experiences coming, becoming more frequent as well as more inspired.  As we continue to grow to the next level of our art our experience continues to take us to a height undreamed of.  

Go create and wait for the inspiration to catch up with you. I am off to create in my studio…since my second cookie is gone!

Happy Creating...

Linda

Reflections by the Spoonful

Linda Aman ©  

When I saw the light and color in my basket of spoons, I quickly took a photo and started thinking of the painting “Reflections by the Spoonful”. I was excited and wanted to interpret the photo in an abstracted method of design.  As the painting developed I made a number of changes in design and decisions along the way.  Thinking I was finished, I had it professionally photographed, then sent the image off to an art competition. After submitting the image, I decided to rework an area of the spoons, but needed to wait until I knew the painting was accepted or rejected before changing anything.  I did receive a rejection notification so I began working on the "changes" or "corrections” some of which were minor -others major.  I had it re-photographed and submitted it again to a different competition... only to receive another letter saying it had not been accepted.  I don’t give up easily and I entered it for a third show. It received first place!!!

The moral of the story is…When you feel you have a strong painting, keep at it. Many times you just have to get it in front of the right judge! 

This painting had other interesting viewing experiences. Because the painting is somewhat abstracted, some viewers do not know what it is! When I ask them if they still like it, most say they do! They like the mood, excitement and mystery.

At dinner I was asked a question about my painting.  Linda - What is it?  I stated, “It is reflective spoons.” After a long pause my guest replied, “No that is not what it is!”  I kind of thought being the artist, I might actually know it was spoons reflected, since I painted it…we both had a great laugh. 

Enjoy your art, the conversations and the mysteries involved.  Not everything has to be exact for the viewer to still enjoy the painting. I feel it is important to have some mystery without too much confusion.  This painting has been a great journey for me in education, conversations, mystery on the edge of confusion. I have also been pleased that audiences are entertained by it.  I hope you enjoy it as well…comments are welcome by email...and yes, it is spoons with reflections!

Thank you for your “reflective” view!

Linda.

Triads Color Watercolor Workshop in McCall Idaho

Comments from artists who attended...

Dixie and I with our works in progress

Last weekend, I stretched waaay out of my comfort zone and joined a great group of women in a color theory and watercolor class. Our teacher was so enthusiastic and excited to share her love of color. We made color triads, worked with complimentary and neutralizing colors, layering of colors…. my head was spinning, happily.

Blending color and feeling the brush on canvas was so calming and engaging, a really nice reprieve from writing and speaking.  One of our projects was painting bell peppers, a subject close to my heart. Painting is one way to indulge in the pleasure of colorful food. Another is creating a masterpiece on your plate, and then savoring every bite!

To Your Health and Happiness