". . . a brush with nature"

                                          "Elegant Redhead" -  pastel                    "Arboreal Cuisine" - acrylic

Yikes! I did it again and I am not sorry about it. I painted one of my very favorite wildlife subjects in two different mediums and I am happy with them both. I decided on a vertical format for each painting and chose to go with a similar background, as well. Although the pileated woodpecker is perched slightly different the similarities between the two cannot be missed, and that’s alright. After all, my husband and I got the reference photos of this magnificent bird on the same day in the trees surrounding my studio. I’ve used the photos to work from many times throughout the years.

As, I have said before, many artists like to revisit favorite subjects and locations throughout their careers. It may simply be the strong connection they feel with a particular place, person or thing or maybe it is the desire to try to improve on what they created last time. Whatever the reason might be it is always interesting to see what an artist chooses to repaint even though we may never understand the “why.”

Diversify your portfolio is a phrase we frequently hear used, but not often in any context relating to art. As an artist, do you think you should diversify your portfolio?

I know there are arguments that can be made for either side of the debate on this question. You can certainly find a multitude of articles written that advocate that once you find your artistic “style” you should stick with only that in order to cultivate a level of recognition amongst art professionals, the art buying public and collectors of art. It is something to seriously consider if you are trying to build a long-term career from the foundation of your love of creating art. But there is another side to consider.

An equally compelling argument can be made that it is just as important (and maybe even more so) that you continue to “grow” as you travel along your artistic path. Becoming stagnant is never a good thing, whether you are a professional artist or creating work solely for yourself and your own enjoyment.  

I believe, as creative people, we need to continue to challenge ourselves. This exploration can manifest itself in many different ways. For some it is taking classes from another artist whose work they admire. Perhaps it is a long-term mentorship or simply the exploration of a different medium while still maintaining a favorite theme. For myself, that is the direction I have chosen. Although I routinely work in both pastel and acrylic, the predominant style of my work remains the same.

I believe exploration is what keeps our work fresh and exciting for us and interesting to those who view our art. I believe you CAN maintain a level of quality and “style” in your art without being locked into painting the same subject over and over again using the same materials. I believe you CAN diversify your artistic portfolio without jeopardizing your career. 

What do you think? 

***Further important disclaimer here. I DO believe that you should still maintain and utilize several different artist portfolios that best represent the different types of work you do.
For example, if you paint western themed pieces and florals, as well, it would serve you well to have a portfolio specific to each genre ready to present as needed when applying to a show or approaching a gallery for representation. It is important to know your “audience” beforehand and be prepared to best represent yourself and your art in order to show how you will be a good “fit” and work well with the vision they have already established.***

“Don't be afraid to take an unfamiliar path.

Sometimes they're the ones that take you to the best places.” Anonymous

I absolutely love this quote and I did from the very first time I read it. Although I have no idea who said it, I do believe whoever it was is a very wise person.

Think of all the opportunities we each would miss out on if we didn’t decide to explore a different path once in a while in our lives. Would you have the friendship you’ve cherished for years or the partner you’ve chosen to share your life with? Would you have ever discovered your passion for music, dance or art if you had never picked up a paintbrush or strummed that guitar for the first time? Would you know how much you love the sound of waves crashing on the shore or that special sound of solitude you can only find deep within the forest walls if you hadn’t ever made that first visit?

I hope we never grow “too old” to continue to explore new places and experience unfamiliar things. There are so many more “best places” still left for us to discover.

My husband and I traveled to Kauai several years ago and experienced many wonderful adventures there, making memories that we still cherish to this day. One of those special times was seeing the beautiful sea turtles so famous for the island. We spent quite a long time watching them as they rested on the sand and then journeyed back out into the ocean waves. I painted, “Taking the Plunge “, after returning from that trip. 

When I look at this painting, I am struck by how perfectly two quotes really fit it and the life the turtles lead. I think they also fit the lives we lead. 

"You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment." Thoreau

“Plunge boldly into the thick of life!” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe