Owyhee River Painting

“ Owyhee Mountains ” Painting awarded “Judge’s Choice” at the Nampa Art Guild.

Owyhee River Painting

 

Like I promised, here is the finished painting of the mountain that I painted on the Owhyee River. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did painting it.

 

 

Art as a Mini Vacation

 Linda Aman-Aman Arts

When was the last time you took a vacation? I take one every couple of days.

Let us see what the synonyms for vacation are.

Vacation: recess, holiday, time off, time devoted, pause, rest, break, breather, respite, furlough, leave, escape, retreat, recuperation, trip, travel, explore, freedom, interruption, release, voyage, recreation and sightseer.

Hey, these sound good to me! When I paint, I feel these words of vacation are what I do. I can only keep my thoughts on the next brush stroke, the next line of importance, the flow of color across the page, the blending of pigment as it makes new adventures on my surface. I am taken away from the concerns of life. I find pleasure in the creative process.

If you have been in need of a vacation, a time away from the concerns of life take a vacation and create.

We as artist have a wonderful opportunity; we can take a vacation for a few moments or for a long period of time without even leaving our studio! Get out your brush and enjoy moments of pleasure.

 

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 nformation.              © Linda Aman May 2013
 

Owyhee River Painting

A day painting on the Owyhee River!!! It was exhilarating to paint the mountain behind me. I will soon post the finished painting.

 

Pocatello Large Petal Watercolor Workshop

In Pocatello I taught a two day " Large Petal Watercolor Workshop" using large area methods of painting and glazing for smooth luminous petals. Artists learned about applying watercolor to make clean washes of color for a glowing floral. We also worked on color theory to apply to future paintings. We had a great time learning, laughing and taking painting skills to the next level. What a wonderful, talented group of artist....I look forward to working with them again.

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