Visit Me At - Arts In The Park 2016

I will be participating in Arts In The Park this year at the historic Smithville Mansion this year and I am so excited! Please join me and other artists on Sunday, September 11, 2016. I will be accepting pre-orders for selected prints and the originals will be there for viewing. Look forward to seeing you there!

Historic Smithville Mansion
803 Smithville Rd, Eastampton Township, NJ 08060
Sunday, September 11, 2016 - Bring the Family Rain or Shine!
10:30am - 4:30pm
Click for Flyer Info

The Drawing Tools of Leonardo da Vinci

Hello,

I saw a short but interesting video on Leonardo da Vinci's drawing materials on the Royal Collection website. Enjoy.

Think Creatively!

Monica

Proportional Calculator

I know it has been a while and will actually be a bit longer. This is just a quick re-post of a great reference link to an on-line proportional calculator that I found years ago and that I use all the time. I have never found another as simple and easy to use. Thanks again to Scripty Goddess for creating this!

Have a Creative Day!

Proportional Calculator

Just When You Are About To Give Up...

I am writing this blog about Vincent van Gogh because I am struggling a little with a concept for my 2013 exhibit. I have always felt an affinity for van Gogh, not only for his unique painting style but most importantly because when I look at his artwork his struggle as an artist is palpable. His early work was, well, average. I particularly like the example below which shows two of his sketches. The one on the left of a simple figure, strangely proportioned and two years later the one on the right vastly improved and beautiful.

 

Vincent van Gogh

  

I know from his biography that he loved art and was a plodder like me. He kept painting until he was satisfied and even if he wasn’t satisfied he kept painting anyway. He started painting late in life and continued on to become one of our most admired master artists. Mental illness may have ended his life prematurely but surely he lives on in the wealth of artwork left behind.

So the next time you struggle with a composition, a subject or a concept, please keep trying. And trying. And trying…

Best Regards, 

Monica

I Am Marble by Monica Vanzant

 

Philadelphia Sketch Club

Greetings All!


 I have been painting up a storm, venturing into the world of figurative and portrait art. I am finding a new love on this complicated journey. Our artwork should grow with our life experiences and right now I want to paint people in our all of our glory and despair. Thanks to the wonderful Philadelphia Sketch Club I have access to a model every week for a very small fee and this has been invaluable for me. I should be posting some of it soon on my website but here is the latest piece I completed.

 I just wanted to share a word about Americas’ oldest art club in existence today; The Philadelphia Sketch Club. Over 150 years old, it is, to this day, a wonderful energetic forum for artists to learn, share and improve their craft. Whether sketching or painting, this is a place for you to grow! Please visit their website to learn more about this exciting non-profit organization run by artists for artists and also to obtain up-to-date information regarding their workshops, exhibitions and opportunities for membership.

Remember, even if you are not an artist, there are other ways to support the art community.
http://www.sketchclub.org/.

Best Regards, Monica

Video of Printmaking Technique of Rembrandt

Greetings,

A quick post to share a wonderful video on printmaking from the Philadelphia Museum of Art showing Rembrandts' technique for drypoint and etching. Enjoy!

Click here to view video.

Art Contest On Fine Art America Sponsored By Dick Blick Art Supplies

Calling All Artists!

I am currently hosting a fine art contest on Fine Art America. If you don't know about it, it is a social networking art website and is a wonderful forum for communicating with other artists and also exhibiting and selling your art. Unfortunately, the contest is for FAA current members only, but now that you know about it - check it out! You may want to become a member and enter the next contest.
This contest is for oil painters only and is titled "Oil Painters - Your Best Figurative Art. This contest is being sponsored by my favorite art supply company Dick Blick Art Materials.The grand prize winner will receive $50 worth of Dick Blick product ordered directly from their website! I have been ordering art supplies from these folks about ten years and I can honestly say I have found the best deals with Dick Blick. If it seems that I am talking them up, well I am. I don't attach my name to anything I don't believe in so give them a try.

Best Regards, Monica