Nearly once a week I attempt to copy (I use that term very loosely) an artist I admire.  Some weeks it's a master, some weeks it's an artist I follow on Instagram (@mmconner23).  I usually work in my art journal or on heavy paper, and I rarely share my copycat work.  It's just for me. I look at it as research, or reverse engineering. How did this artist create that effect? How did they make that color?  I always learn from my copycat days.

Last week I copied a famous painting by Gustav Klimt (Adele Bloch-Bauer with her lovely long neck and golden dress) and it got me thinking about details.  I love the details in Klimt's work.  So I gathered the details I love, those swishes, and swirls, and flowing lines and dots, and gold!  You can't forget Klimt's gold!  I combined those with the newest technique I love (layers of matte medium and watercolor paint; something I learned in Carla Sonheim's online course 2019: Year of the Collage) and my love of swimming and along came my latest swimming series: Swim Flow.  I started very small 4 x 6" and by the time I completed number four, I was working at 11 x 14".  I could see going bigger, of course.  Maybe when the weather warms up and I can paint outside.  I also see that I'm only painting swimmin' women, and maybe it's time for a guy.  We'll see. 

Head on over to my Original Art shop and see what's new. Thank you for all the great response to my February Flowers project, there are a few of those originals available too!  If you see something that is "sold out" let me know, maybe we can work on a commission together.  Comment below or send me a message if you have any questions!

Mary

I took the Instagram challenge #29FebruaryFlowers last month - create floral artwork every single day.  I've never done anything quite like that! At first I thought, no biggie, I can draw a flower or two every day.  Yea, it turned out to be quite the challenge!  I really got into it, trying a variety of techniques I'm learning through my online and in-person classes.  Of course, there were a few days that the flowers only got a passing effort - see my daughter's water polo ball.  But for the most part, I put a lot of effort into my daily art practice.

I'm very proud of my work and enjoyed seeing my art change and develop (for the better, most of the time) through the month.  Sharing my flowers every day on Instagram - @mmconner23 and with my friends on Facebook was very rewarding. I had quite a few cheerleaders - thank you!  Both communities have such great art groups and I loved seeing other artists' daily blooms.  

Now that it's March, I'm thinking of developing some of those daily creations into larger canvases.  I'm also ready to make different art (maybe something aquatic, getting ready for summer swim season).  For those who requested, I've put quite a few of my February Flowers in my shop.  You won't find the water polo ball there though. I'd get in trouble for selling that!

Happy March to you all. Enjoy my flowers (and check out #28FebruraryFlowers on Instagram) and know that Spring is just around the corner!

- Mary