I’m back from a weekend of selling watercolors and printmaking at the Artwalk in San Diego’s Little Italy. I’ve posted photos below from Beech & India Streets; 350 artists line up on 15 blocks, alongside turn of the century Italianate houses, and spiffy new mirror-glass office buildings and high-rise condos, just a few blocks from the ocean.
By the end of the weekend, 100,000 people walked through the show, and in addition to the art, attendees enjoyed live music, food (the Italian sausage booth is always very popular, as is the funnel cake served with powdered sugar, fresh berries and whipped cream) and photo ops with San Diego Police SWAT vehicles and face painting, etc. Have you ever attended the Artwalk? What’s your favorite art festival?
Charles Reid
If you’ve not yet read one of Charles’ books on watercolor, have a look at any one of them, and try some of his exercises.
I especially love the book Painting by Design, because he explains strategies to help those of us who noodle our paintings to death (my hand is up) soften the grip on the brush, and plan the *whole* design to focus more on the color and shapes in the entire painting, instead of counting flower petals and eye lashes, etc.
I love his work, I think he’s a treasure trove of painting and drawing insights, and he’s also a huggably nice person. Have you read his books or taken a class from him? And do you know about his facebook page? If not, check it out.
This is for anyone out there who struggles in the studio, or wrestles with the myth that they can’t be an artist because they don’t have “talent”. Watch this 6 minute CBS news interview with Angela Duckworth. Her new book is titled Grit; the Power of Passion & Perseverance.
If you apply what Angela is saying to your art – you’ll hear a hopeful, and potentially plan-altering directive in her message. Success is not hinged on talent; your achievements as an artist are dangling in their entirety on your ability to bear down, focus and stick to your practice. #peptalk I plan to listen to Grit the audio book this summer in the studio. Watch the interview on the CBS web site here.
Art Quote
The secret to success is consistency of purpose.
~Ben Disraeli
As always, thanks for sharing Belinda! Great photos. Loved the video and ordered Painting by Design…..can’t wait to see it. Hope you had the fun of selling some of your paintings and prints!
Hi Marilyn, Thanks for the visit. I bet you’ll love painting by design! His exercises are challenging for the realist in all of us, but his work is so painterly and wonderful, and there are many lessons to be learned. Happy painting!
So nice to virtually tag along with you at this event! I was pleased to meet the Reids an immediately followed his facebook link. Thanks to bloggers such as yourself, my online artists network is growing exponentially with no end in sight! Very much appreciated Belinda!
I’m so glad to introduce you to them. I’m certain they’ll add an air of water&pigment delight to your growing cadre of artists, and I hope you feel inspired!