My Favorite Things

Eccl 3:5 a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing

A time to paint, a time to cease painting

For 7 weeks, my husband and I homeschooled and nurtured our two grandchildren, ages 4 and 7, while their mother recovered from Covid 19 and both parents worked from home in New Orleans.

It was a time to cease painting.

Instead it was a time to experience, a time to collect memories to store away for future paintings.

A time to record photos of children living their lives

Riding bikes

Gathering rocks

Running through wildflowers and muddy puddles

Fishing, cooking, coloring, reading, learning, watching, praying, loving.

Now a time to rest, and a time to paint.

Soon.

So I’ll sort through my reference pictures, color notes, conjure up my feelings, load a brush. A Time to paint.

I was flattered that my little granddaughter copied my paintings displayed in our house.

The vertical piece is a portrait I did of her when she was almost two years old entitled “My Name is Julianna Hotard!!!”, oil on canvas, 15x 30”.

The cat painting is “Elizabeth Lucille”, 8×10”, oil on linen panel.

The portrait of a young girl is entitled “Julianna in the Light”, 11×14”, oil on linen panel.

All the crayon drawings were done by 7 year old Julianna Hotard.

Wishing all of you and your loved ones good health and safety!

Susan Hotard OPA, AIS, NOAPS

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I think at one time or another, we’ve all fallen victim to the spell. I’m referring to those magicians of painting who have mesmerized us with their art and inspired us to begin our artistic journey. Often, we begin that journey by emulating the work of the artists who inspire us, searching for that elusive “it” that the artists infuse in their work. In my case, the artist who has had the most influence on my work is Edward Hopper. The distilled realism and psychological aspect of his work resonated with me…..and still does. What I also admired about him was his tenacity in pursuing his singular vision of just wanting to paint sunlight on a building.

Compared to his contemporaries, such as George Bellows, it took many years for Hopper to achieve success, but now some of his paintings are considered icons of American art.

It’s expected that painters, at the beginning of their journey, will often create master copies of artists’ work to learn technique, color, etc. or emulate their work by adopting their style.  The problem that can arise, however, is that some artists might not find their own way, becoming nothing more than an imitation of their idols. In my journey, it was paramount that I seek only to be inspired by Hopper and not become his shadow. My desire was to acknowledge his contribution to my growth as an artist while maintaining my own individuality in pursuing similar subjects.

Another challenge that artists may face is that of becoming followers just for the sake of their desire to “belong” to something…a movement, a style, etc. In the beginning, I found myself entertaining this goal at times. One’s tastes and interests will ebb and flow, but constants will emerge. We have to embrace those constants when they emerge, for they are an avenue in finding our true core self. I have discovered that there are threads of authenticity that are me and will rarely change…if at all. For instance, often certain color palettes speak to me in spite of my frequent experimentation. I have also found in myself that I favor subject matter that has a strong structural or architectural element to it, such as my urban paintings. 

At a point, artists have to muster up the courage to believe that their ideas and vision are worthy and valid. We have to be willing to trust our choices. You will find your own voice…it’s just a matter of time and practice. Often, I used to compare my work to that of others, wishing that I could paint like so and so. I felt that my work didn’t fit in anywhere, but I did believe that it was true and honest to me. I soon accepted the fact that comparisons are odious and have no place in my journey.

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For the past ten years, I have been working with a most interesting population of individuals. They have offered me a wealth of wisdom, from their stories to their habits, from their aches and pains to their memory loss. That group of people has been the elderly.
This past decade I have been studying how visual expression through painting has benefited senior citizens.
Research confirms the positive benefits creating has on the brain, whether it is painting or music, dance or theatre, the brain responds to visual stimuli. But I don’t need to cite any research to tell you my findings.
From a blank canvas to a finished product and all of the color in between, I have noticed the gratification that comes when a student begins and ends a painting session.

I have witnessed how art-making reduces stress, fear, and anxiety. It decreases agitation and possible emotional outbursts on students with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It increases cognitive functioning and has the ability to positively alter the mind. It increases communication, enhances memory, reduces feelings of loneliness and awakens curiosity.
Art alone is very powerful, but I have also found the connection that students have with their instructor is just as valuable. This age group responds well to bonding with others and benefit from the class structure and routine. Patience and attention go a long way with students who not only need instruction for proper painting technique but also need love and compassion.
Loving instruction that never rushes or criticizes and always offers genuine feedback is all part of the job of an art therapist. In my experience, enthusiasm and positive energy given by the instructor is a necessary component for a successful art therapy session.
I have seen so many people find a new talent, leaving with the desire to draw and paint every day. People left behind lots of beautiful memories to their loved ones with the art that they created.

I read before that the fountain of youth is always learning something new and the amount of excitement that I have seen among my students is the best payment.
This is a quick brush stroke to what teaching art looks like. Exchanging the spreading of love for meaningful connection.
Life is beautiful and using art to enhance it is amazing.
I continue teaching but I am a full-time Custom Pet Portrait artist now.
Thank you for letting me share my story.

This post was co-written and edited by Bianca Lago. 

Greetings Painters! Here are two of my favorite things sitting in my studio today:

Tube Wringer

My first favorite thing is my Tube Wringer, from Gill Mechanical Company (Eugene, Oregon, USA). I bought it on a whim during an art store mini shopping binge….one of those “you work hard, you deserve it…” guilty pleasures I knew I could live without. I never anticipated falling in love with this great little tool! I have saved its cost many times over by tubing from large quantities and also getting the last of expensive paints out of their tubes. It is much better than its cheaper cousins.

Black Nitrile Gloves

The second thing I’d like to share is something I get a lot of interest in…my GLOVES! When tests found high levels of arsenic in my blood several years ago, I decided I had better start wearing gloves when I paint. It took a while to get accustomed to them. Latex and heavier choices were uncomfortable, and the blue and white options available looked kind of silly. Then, two years ago I saw that my hairdresser was wearing cute black nitrile ones, and she has been my black market supplier ever since! I buy 10 boxes at a time.
Happy Painting!

So here is one of my absolute favorite things… my “wine glass holder” ($15.00) from Open Box M (openboxm.com). I have had them overnight these for me when I lose one! No. I am not that desperate for wine.
Most of us have been through many of the sealable brush washers and had problems with leaking. On a recent trip, I decided to apply a little common sense to the problem.
Here I have placed a small, round, storage container (like Rubbermaid, ZipLoc, Gladware, etc.). This one cost $2.67.

Here it is shown with the lid on. This tiny OMS container NEVER leaks in my backpack. It is shown here with a small, 2 oz. sample bottle of Gamsol to give you an idea of the compact size.