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Angela Fehr wrote a new post, “How I Learned to Appreciate Abstract Art” by Angela Fehr 1 month ago
Abstract art used to make me uncomfortable. This is a safe place to be honest about that, isn’t it? I just didn’t understand why anyone would choose to paint pictures that were unrecognizable as anything, when you
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, How My Mom Sketches Stuff 1 month ago
I always LOVED my mom’s drawing style. She would sketch little cartoon people on my lunch bags, and in our first house with the unfinished basement, she’d drawn a hilarious caricature of my dad on their bedroom wall. I think her willingness to be creative in little things has had major impact on my life and contributed to my choice to become an…[Read more]
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Angela Fehr changed their profile picture 2 months, 1 week ago
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Who’s Your Favorite Artist? 3 months ago
Thank you, Sandra! Learning to clear away the clutter is a big part of finding that artistic mindset, I think. It’s a lifelong journey!
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Angela Fehr wrote a new post, Who’s Your Favorite Artist? 3 months ago
A few months ago, in one of the watercolor Facebook groups I follow, a user asked the group, “Who is your favorite watercolor artist?” When I saw the question, my instinctive response surprised me. My imm
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Such a wonderful post…you really inspire a lot of people…
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As usual, you go directly to the heart of the matter, clear away the clutter, and reveal the joy that we can take from our art, if we’ll only let ourselves.
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Thank you, Sandra! Learning to clear away the clutter is a big part of finding that artistic mindset, I think. It’s a lifelong journey!
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Hi Angela,
I had no idea you were not only Canadian but in my same province! I’m in Nanaimo but hope someday to move to SaltSpring Island. To be able to live in the largest artist community in Canada would be a dream come true. I loved Mr. Dressup too, oh the wonders of his tickle trunk. I was in love with Finnigan, lol. Loved that dog! Thanks for the memories and I totally agree about loving yourself as an artist. it’s the biggest gift I’ve given myself over the years of learning. I love my own art and am unashamed of it now. Lovely to know you’re a fellow Canadian! Where are you in BC? -
I know you! Thanks Angela for your guidance. Watercolor is way in my blood now.
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
Yes – why is it so hard for us to remember this sometimes?!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
Isn’t it wonderful when that happens!? I’m so glad these things I’ve learned get to encourage other artists.
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
Thank you, Frances! I have had that same experience – it’s so meaningful when we get just what we need at the time we need it, isn’t it?!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
That makes me so happy to hear! When you paint for the love, it shows in your work.
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
It’s even better when you get to the stage where you love your own work so much (even when you don’t know why it feels so good) that it doesn’t even matter if others don’t see the same beauty you do!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
it’s the clumsy learning time! It’s okay – without those awkward transitions, we would never get anywhere.
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
I call this “trusting the process!” Doing the work and knowing you are moving forward, even when you can’t tell. Yes!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
I frequently share Ira Glass’s talk – it so aptly explains the creative process!
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Angela Fehr wrote a new post, Are You Getting Worse At Painting Instead Of Better? 3 months, 1 week ago
Recently, I finished teaching a six-week intensive online watercolor course, teaching principles to help intermediate watercolorists develop their personal style and achieve mastery of watercolor. It is so
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How true! Seems like this post was written for me😊..feel motivated to continue logging in those brush miles. Thank you, Angela!
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Yes I’m goin through this too.
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I’m in the midst of embracing a more abstracted style in my own watercolor work after years of highly realistic work. When I get frustrated (often!), I recall this excellent advice for creatives by Ira Glass of This American Life; in fact, it’s framed and hanging in my studio. https://csuphoto.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/enhanced-buzz-5314-1367445376-0.jpg
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I frequently share Ira Glass’s talk – it so aptly explains the creative process!
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I was so inspired and relieved by your blogpost. I had a friend who looked at one of my watercolor “attempts” as I call them, and said, “I don’t care if you don’t like it, I love it!” Best encouragement I ever got. I smiled at one of the comments that said they were encouraged to continue logging “brushmiles”. Love this stuff.
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It’s even better when you get to the stage where you love your own work so much (even when you don’t know why it feels so good) that it doesn’t even matter if others don’t see the same beauty you do!
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Yes!!! Thank you for putting this concept into words. Im trying to move from planned layers to pulling hints of edges out of beautiful washes in a more organic way. It. Is. So. Hard. I still have to do at least one ink and wash piece a week to keep myself sane. Thanks for the encouragement.
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So inspiring…Thank you, Angela!🙏
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This is a very helpful, realistic explanation, Angela. Thanks for the encouragement, as always!
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Yes it helps lesson the negative
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Great topic… I have this as a topic o write about as well… For me, when I stretch to try new things I get before they are integrated when I try my old moves they seem awkward.
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it’s the clumsy learning time! It’s okay – without those awkward transitions, we would never get anywhere.
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I’m working on art for my book and I’ve faced this. Instead of beating myself up I have learned to accept my me-isms . I’m still learning. The more I let go of how they paint, I am able to just paint my ideas and I love creating just like I did when I was a kid.
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I call this “trusting the process!” Doing the work and knowing you are moving forward, even when you can’t tell. Yes!
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Yes well said
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I seem to hit the obstacle cycle fairly often. Thank you for encouraging us when it happens.
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I must confess that this was the first time I have felt so incredibly inspired to do what I love I may never be considered a artist but with these wonderful words I will always enjoy whatever art I create
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That makes me so happy to hear! When you paint for the love, it shows in your work.
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Hi Angela!
It’s funny, but your article made me feel the same way in church when the pastor would encourage and welcome those congregants who were in pain, had a problem, wanted to get “saved.” It was always as though it was personally directed at me, his encouragement, suggestions, targeted towards me. Your article made me feel the same way. It spoke personally to me at a time in my life when I needed someone to let me know it was normal, it was okay, and how to move forward from my “stuck, comfy” spot. Perfect timing, Angela, as all your writings speak so clearly to me. Thank you!
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Thank you, Frances! I have had that same experience – it’s so meaningful when we get just what we need at the time we need it, isn’t it?!
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Isn’t it wonderful when that happens!? I’m so glad these things I’ve learned get to encourage other artists.
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Yes – why is it so hard for us to remember this sometimes?!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, What Makes A Watercolor Painting Really Special? 4 months, 1 week ago
It’s important for all artists to educate themselves on copyright – it’s a complicated topic!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, What Makes A Watercolor Painting Really Special? 4 months, 1 week ago
Copying is a great way to learn! I think part of the process of learning is that desire to do something ‘more’ and it becomes so exciting to put more of self into the art. And there is never any shame in being a beginner, a learner or looking back at the work that led to the development of where we are now. I’m so glad we are able to be proud of…[Read more]
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, What Makes A Watercolor Painting Really Special? 4 months, 1 week ago
I became so much more satisfied in my work when I began painting for me first. This brought significance to my art even when it didn’t make sense to anyone else. It’s always like meeting a friend when you encounter another artist who understands this. Thank you!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, What Makes A Watercolor Painting Really Special? 4 months, 1 week ago
Absolutely! It’s all about logging those brush miles!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, What Makes A Watercolor Painting Really Special? 4 months, 1 week ago
Yes, you are so right; it is part of the process! When you know your tendencies to overwork it becomes easier to keep them in check, but it takes time to learn to trust yourself. You will get there!
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Angela Fehr commented on the post, What Makes A Watercolor Painting Really Special? 4 months, 1 week ago
Thank you so much!
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@angela-fehr
DO Points – Level 5
(I put this at the end of your own article as well, under the video. No sense of direction here, sorry):
Angela the crack in the veneer reveals a new path. Overcoming that crack of fear and resistance is my greatest challenge in art and in writing. Your post backs a dream I had earlier this morning that shows that we have to pass Fear And Resistance in order to go FAR (to move at all, actually, but acronyms work better than long winded sentences).
You seem however to make the painting look absolutely delicious as you light up the page. Ah bliss!
Angela, I really appreciate your encouragement! I’ve been a “closet watercolor abstractist (sic)” since moving to the desert and starting a new series of work. My efforts are in my journal; small starts that I thought I’d work from. Now, with your wonderful presentation, I feel I can play on larger sheets with carefree abandon!
I definitely admire the skill of an artist that can paint with photo-realism but I seldom feel an emotional connection to their work. Abstracts always touch me in a way that I can’t find in any other way. Great article, Angela!
Thank you for reminding how fun it was to just create abstract backgrounds! Love, love, love your work and article. Thanks for the inspiration!
Who cares what they think, just paint. Compare your work to your past work, not anyone else’s. I love to paint atmospheric, loose but so far have not received reply as to how that differs from abstract. I wonder if those are one and the same?