Michael Jackson Earth Video

I am posting this video because we have truly lost a gifted artist in Michael Jackson. No matter what your opinion of his personal life, I believe him to be one of the greatest artist in my lifetime. I cannot, will not deny him this.

This song was not released in the US, but was Michael's biggest hit in the UK, beating out "Thriller" and "Beat It". It was released in 1996 and, in my opinion, is one of the most moving songs (and videos) of his adult career. The focus is on the environmental issue's happening in our world today and this piece of art sends a powerful message. At the end, there is some information you may find interesting about the making of this video.

Surround Yourself With Positive Influences

What a weekend. I have started two new paintings and I am very excited. One is actually from the study titled "Lily" under the new paintings area of my blog. The other is an idea that I have had in my head for a few months. It is about a nightmare I had months ago. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be literal in my approach or abstract but I know now how I want to proceed.

Message of the Day:

A good friend of mine once said, "Life is not difficult. People make life difficult".
The older I get the more I understand what my friend meant by this. But there is a way to counter the negative influences you may come across. Surround yourself with positive people, fill your mind with positive thoughts, and open your heart to positive experiences. This is how we get through each day with dignity and grace.

Take Care and Keep on creating!

And The Winner Is...

Hello Everyone!

The Fine Art America contest titled "Oil Painters - Your Best Figurative Art" is over and the results are below.

First, many thanks to the other jurors:

Darice Machel McGuire - http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/darice-machel-mcguire.html

Kerry Burch - http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/kerry-burch.html

Also, many thanks to the sponsor of this contest Dick Blick Art Materials http://www.dickblick.com/. The prize of $50 in art supplies was very generous and greatly appreciated.

Last, thanks to all of the entrants who submitted their wonderful artwork. FAA is truly a home for many talented and diverse artists and it was a pleasure to view their artwork.

Best Regards, Monica Vanzant

Grand Prize Winner:




Lee Alban


Honorable Mentions:

Richard Scott
Jean Hildebrant
Emilio Valerio D Ospina
Sibiline S
Lawrence Supino
Daniela Isache
Katherine Fernie
IIse Kleyn
Elizabeth Jose
Kendall Kessler
Ashlee Comerford
Cj Rider

New Skyscape Video - Heavens V

Moved to Video Library Below...

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

New Website for Art Demonstrations

Hello,

I have two new sites to share.

www.mvanzant.webs.com - This one will be used to introduce/show my new painting(s).

www.paintingdemonstration.webs.com - This one will be used to share my art demonstrations. Currently, there is only one, but more will be added later.

Thanks! Monica

Online Proportional Scale Calculator

Hello,

I found a Proportional Scale Calculator on the web and thought I would share the link. If you want to create a larger canvas from a study and need the correct dimensions the link is -

http://scriptygoddess.com/resources/proportioncalc.htm

Thank you so much Jennifer for creating this!

Regards, Monica

Playing Dress Up Completed

Well, she is finished (see to the left). Playing Dress Up is completed and on to the next. Too tired to write anything else right now. Maybe tomorrow...

Monica

New Painting "Playing Dressup"

Ok, I figured out what I want for this painting and I am on my way.

Monica Vanzant

The Beginning of "Playing Dressup"

I have been "starting" a new painting for my study titled "Playing Dressup" for a month now. I am stuck. Stuck, stuck, stuck! I sketched it on my large canvas using charcoal and I no longer like the composition I originally chose. For me, composition is EVERYTHING and I can not proceed until I figure out what setting I want for this little girl. Oh...what to do, what to do.......
(heavy sigh).....................

Tribute To Barack Obama

Elevate our thoughts to believe that anything is possible…you have done that.

Elevate our hearts to dream bigger than we ever have before…you have done that.

Elevate our minds to want to be better than we were before…you have done that.

Already, you have taken us to places we never thought we would reach.

Our hearts are with you and your family during your presidency.

About The Painting "The Two No One Wanted"...

I stopped at my local deli one morning for some coffee. Next to the register sat a full bowl of fruit for sale; included were oranges, bananas and apples. That evening I stopped at the deli for a paper. The fruit bowl now had one orange, one banana and two apples. Again, the next morning I went into the deli for my coffee and there sat only two apples, the same two from the day before. Out of pity, I bought them and decided to paint them and make them...immortal. When the painting was finished, I threw them away because, quite honestly, I don't like apples.

New Painting

It has been a month since I have painted in my studio. I've been preparing for two exhibits back to back and my painting time has suffered. Even though I have not picked up a brush or palette knife, I go into my studio regularly just to sit and ponder because I truly love the smell of oil paint. It reminds me that there are so many paintings in me yet to be completed. Of course, I also like the smell of gasoline so maybe I have some olfactory issues I need to deal with...

But I am starting a new painting and I have the usual anticipatory butterflies in my stomach when I begin a new painting. This time is extra special because I plan to try something new. Looser, less structure, more creative. I am in the mood to break some rules!

I plan on attending the Turner exhibit at the Met. I am not sure when I'm going but there may not be another with this many pieces (in the US) during my lifetime so, of course, I must go. Also, he is one of my favorite painters so I'm really excited. I think I will dedicate my next post to Turner.


I'm off to paint. Take care.

Best Regards, Monica

New Painting "Shelby"

Greetings! This will be a short post tonight. I am working on a couple of new paintings, one being for a very good friend of mine Lisa, who requested this painting of her horse Shelby months ago. Unfortunately, I have had a lot going on and I just started it last week. I am posting this because I want her to know that I have not forgotten, I love her for her patience and a couple of more painting sessions and "Shelby" will be ready.

Monica

Welcome

I decided that the first entry in my new art blog should begin with a subject that is daring, exciting and brilliant, a topic with a hook to draw readers in and to begin a dialogue about art.

And then I realized that, though smart, I am not brilliant, I don’t know how to write a “hook”, and I am too tired to come up with anything exciting. So, I decided to just start talking about what I love. Art.

I am a painter and a photographer. The term “self taught” is used often by people like me who do not have the credentials of a formal art education but whenever I say it I feel a little guilty because it sounds... well...self sacrificing. Even though I started on this artistic journey alone I certainly have not been unaided. Artists near and far, alive and long past gone have helped me to become the painter I am today. And I am sure there will be others who will continue to guide me as I grow creatively, stretching my artistic ability to heights that I never thought I could reach.

When I view the artwork of my favorite master painters, Constable, Turner, Sargent, to name a few, I wonder at their talent. Did they know how good they were or did they have days of complete and utter frustration? Did they struggle over every brushstroke or was it just all in a days work for them?

I have read some of the writings (letters) of artists and I have come to the realization that they also struggled in their quest to fill a canvas. I don’t believe it is easy for any of us, is it? But no one but another artist will understand the sweat involved, which is maybe how it should be. When I complete a painting, I forget the aggravation I may have gone through to get that effect or mood I was trying to achieve. In the end, it is the result that counts, right?

Yes, I have become a better painter through hard work and self study but this was absolutely because of the knowledge of those who came before. But more importantly, even though studying their techniques is a valuable learning experience, I know that their thoughts are not my thoughts. Their dreams are not my dreams. It is my job, my duty as an artist to follow my own path, my own style, using the tools they have left behind.

These painters have a left us a great legacy. Study, practice and believe in yourself.

Monica Vanzant