OPA - Oil Painters of America

Dedicated to the preservation of representational art

Self Improvement

The Technique of Honesty

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As artists we all long to convey with truth what we observe before us, what catches our breath and our attention. I’ve always believed that painting is an outward expression and visual record of what we are paying attention to in life. It can be as grand as a complex inspiration that comes forth from...
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Inspiration And Motivation: The Prelude To Success

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One of the greatest joys of painting is my artist friends and the beauty we are privileged to see and create. We all must struggle some but the difference is that successful painters find a way of keeping motivation ahead of the meaningful struggle. We all want to achieve at a very high level and...
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Practicing Art

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It has always struck me as odd that physicians “practice” medicine. Aren’t they ever done? Of course not–doctors are required to learn new things–they must keep up with the latest science and treatments. With this in mind, I decided to begin or rather, renew, my own art “practice”. My office is my studio, my tools...
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Self Improvement

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As artists, we need to ask ourselves “What is my goal?” Is art just a pleasant hobby? Or, is the goal is to become the best artists we can be? If so, how? Think of the game of golf. The high handicapper plays round after round… with little improvement; the touring pro practices in order...
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