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Blog Posts

The Artist Parent 
OPA wishes everyone a happy and art-filled Mother’s Day. Autumn Treasures by Ashlee Trcka16″ x 12″ – Oil “How do you find the time to paint with small children?” This is a question I am frequently asked by friends, family and followers on social media. Perhaps you are struggling with the same issue. The good...
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Solace
David Austen Roses by Ellen Buselli OPA15″ x 16″ – Oil on Linen A few years ago, my brother’s beloved dog Calvin died. My brother was so saddened by this loss, I asked him to send me photos of Calvin so that I could try to do a portrait to immortalize Calvin for him and his...
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The Beauty of the Creative Spirit
Soli Deo Gloria by Rick Delanty8″ x 10″ – Oil (Essay excerpt from book published 2021, Beauty Unites Us, by Rick J. Delanty) Artists are revolutionaries, to some degree. Their responses to crisis, confusion, and condemnation in social situations can often be seen in their artworks. The creation of an artwork itself is a statement...
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Painting Long Ago and Far Away – Diane Eugster Demonstrates Her Painting Process
The first thing I do when starting a new painting, is ask myself three questions: 1. What is this painting about and why am I painting it? 2. How can I use design, color, and value to express #1? 3. What can I edit out, or add in, to the original subject to better express...
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DYNAMIC SYMMETRY – And how I incorporate it into my plein air and studio and practice
We’ve all heard of the Golden Section, Dynamic Symmetry, the rule of thirds and harmonic armatures. And we’ve always been told to do a value study before we start a painting. However, in our rush to get started painting, many of us disregard it all and jump right in to putting brush to canvas. Six...
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Frame Makeover
“Cheap” looking metal leaf frame Refinished warm antique black with soft handrubbed patina As artists, we tend to accumulate frames that just don’t quite work. They may have gotten damaged being shipped to a gallery, or banged around being transporting to a show. Maybe they were “ok” frames, but the finish just wasn’t up to...
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Unexpected Gifts
Beata T by Dominique Medici38″ x 24″ – Oil Saying the last two years have been difficult is an understatement. It has been a dark period and for anyone that lost a loved one or was financially affected, you have my deep sympathy.  I have heard many people speak about silver linings and positive outcomes...
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Five Tips for Painting in the Snow
June Lake, Snow (plein air) by Dan Schultz OPA8″ x 10″ – Oil There’s no painting like snow painting! Ever tried painting snow? …While also standing in snow? …Outside? A few years ago, my family and I spent several days in California’s Eastern Sierras. We stayed in the town of June Lake which had snow...
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URBAN MONO – My Response to the Pandemic
Hardboiled by Terry Miura48″ x 48″ – Mixed media on panel The Pandemic changed everything. I’m sure this is true for many artists; the prolonged social isolation became a period of self-reflection and soul searching. There was a sense of uncertainty that permeated every aspect of our lives. Yet we still had to produce artwork,...
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The Deadline Is Coming. Are You Ready?
Originally written by long-serving Board member and Master Signature artist James Bruce Jr., (January 1938 – December 2020) this blog from our archives outlines the methods and criteria the OPA jury uses to select paintings for the National Juried Exhibition. We hope it helps you select your best work to enter into this year’s show....
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May 9: "The Artist Parent " by Ashlee Trcka

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  • About
    • Mission, Policies & Bylaws
    • Board of Directors
    • Presidential History
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • History
    • Contact Us
  • Membership Services
    • Member Login
    • Membership Information
    • State & Province Distribution For Regionals
    • Update Member Information
    • Membership Directory
    • Contact Membership Department
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Showcase
    • Lunch and Learn
    • Virtual Museum Road Trip
    • Paint Outs
  • Resources
    • Brushstrokes Newsletters
    • Ship and Insure Info
    • Lunch & Learn Video Archives
    • Museum Road Trip Video Archives
  • Services
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Scholarships
    • Critique Services
    • Workshops
    • Art Opportunities
    • Non-OPA Call For Entry
    • Gallery Locator
    • Have A HeART Humanitarian Award
  • Online Store
  • Awardees
    • Legacy Awards
  • Blog
    • OPA Guest Bloggers
    • Blogger’s Agreement (PDF)
    • Comment Policy
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