Tammy Keller Art

When to Call Art Consultant in Port Charlotte

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:57 GMT

When to Call Art Consultant in Port Charlotte

Consider calling an art consultant in Port Charlotte when you need professional guidance for artwork selection, space planning, or collection development that exceeds your current knowledge and expertise. Professional consultants help navigate complex decisions about style, placement, budget allocation, and long-term collection strategies that enhance your environment and reflect your personal aesthetic preferences.

What Situations Call for Professional Art Consulting?

Professional art consulting becomes valuable when you're planning significant interior renovations, building new spaces, or inheriting artwork that requires professional evaluation and integration decisions. Consultants provide expert guidance when you feel overwhelmed by artistic choices or uncertain about how different pieces might work together in your environment.

Consider consulting services when you want to create cohesive artistic environments but lack expertise in color relationships, scale considerations, or style compatibility. Professional guidance helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures your investment enhances your space while reflecting your personal taste and lifestyle requirements.

Business owners often benefit from art consulting when creating professional environments that support their brand identity while providing welcoming, visually appealing spaces for clients and employees. Consultants understand how artwork influences atmosphere and can recommend pieces that support your professional objectives while maintaining appropriate aesthetic standards.

Additionally, consider commission services in Port Charlotte when you want custom artwork but need expert guidance connecting with appropriate artists and managing the creative process from initial concept through final installation.

How Do You Know When You Need Professional Guidance?

Professional art consultation becomes necessary when you feel uncertain about artistic direction, style preferences, or how artwork might integrate with your existing space and décor. If you find yourself postponing art decisions or feeling overwhelmed by available options, consultant expertise can clarify your preferences and streamline the selection process.

Consider professional guidance when your project involves significant budget allocation, multiple rooms, or requires coordination with other design professionals such as interior designers or architects. Consultants facilitate communication between different professionals and ensure artistic choices support overall design objectives.

Professional consultation also proves valuable when you're interested in building collections over time, understanding investment potential, or need guidance on emerging artists and market trends that might influence your acquisition decisions. Experienced consultants provide strategic planning that maximizes both aesthetic enjoyment and potential value appreciation.

What Questions Should You Ask Potential Consultants?

Begin consultant interviews by discussing their experience with projects similar to yours, including residential or commercial spaces, budget ranges, and stylistic preferences that align with your vision. Professional consultants should demonstrate knowledge of diverse artistic styles and current market conditions that inform their recommendations.

Inquire about their working methods, communication preferences, and how they approach client collaboration throughout the consulting process. Quality consultants will explain their methodology for understanding your preferences, developing recommendations, and coordinating with other professionals involved in your project.

Discuss practical considerations such as project timelines, fee structures, and ongoing support for installation, care, and potential future acquisitions. Consider consulting services in Port Charlotte from professionals who provide comprehensive guidance and maintain relationships that benefit your long-term artistic interests and collection goals.

Port Charlotte's Growing Arts Community

Port Charlotte's developing arts community offers increasing opportunities for artwork discovery and acquisition through local galleries, cultural events, and artist showcases that support both emerging and established talent. The area's growth has attracted diverse residents with varying aesthetic preferences, creating demand for professional art consulting services.

Local art consultants understand the unique character of Southwest Florida's evolving cultural landscape and can provide guidance that reflects both regional influences and broader artistic trends. They're familiar with local artists, galleries, and cultural institutions that might inform artwork selection and acquisition decisions.

The community's architectural diversity, from traditional Florida homes to contemporary developments, requires consultants who understand how different artistic styles complement various design elements and lifestyle preferences. Local professionals bring specialized knowledge that ensures artwork selections enhance your specific space and personal aesthetic goals.

Port Charlotte's position within Florida's Gulf Coast cultural corridor provides access to broader artistic resources while maintaining the intimate character that supports personalized consulting relationships. This environment allows consultants to provide individualized attention while accessing the expertise and resources that serve sophisticated collecting interests and diverse artistic preferences.

What to Expect from Art Consulting in Naples

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 09:01:24 GMT

What to Expect from Art Consulting in Naples

Professional art consulting in Naples provides comprehensive guidance for artwork selection, placement, and collection development through experienced consultants who understand both artistic principles and the unique aesthetic preferences of Southwest Florida's discerning clientele. Expect personalized attention, expert recommendations, and strategic planning that aligns with your vision and space requirements.

What Does the Art Consulting Process Include?

The art consulting process begins with detailed consultations to understand your aesthetic preferences, lifestyle, budget parameters, and specific requirements for your space or collection. Professional consultants assess your existing environment, architectural features, and design elements to develop recommendations that enhance your space and reflect your personal style.

Consultants provide expert guidance on artwork selection, considering factors such as scale, color relationships, thematic consistency, and how different pieces work together to create cohesive environments. They understand current market trends, emerging artists, and investment considerations that inform strategic collection building decisions.

Throughout the process, expect clear communication, detailed recommendations, and assistance with practical considerations such as acquisition logistics, installation coordination, and long-term care guidance. Many consultants also provide connections to commission services in Naples when custom artwork best serves your specific vision and requirements.

How Do Consultants Match Art with Your Space?

Professional art consultants evaluate your space holistically, considering architectural elements, natural lighting, room proportions, and existing design features to recommend artwork that enhances rather than competes with your environment. They understand how different artistic styles complement various interior design approaches and architectural periods.

Consultants assess the functional aspects of your space, including traffic patterns, viewing angles, and how you use different areas, to ensure artwork placement supports your lifestyle while creating visual impact. They consider both formal and informal viewing experiences to maximize your enjoyment of selected pieces.

Expert consultants also account for technical requirements such as appropriate lighting, wall conditions, security considerations, and climate control factors that affect artwork preservation and display quality. They provide guidance on professional installation and ongoing care to protect your investment over time.

What Should You Know About Consultant Credentials?

Professional art consultants bring specialized education, industry experience, and established relationships within the art world that inform their recommendations and enhance your access to quality artwork. Look for consultants with formal training in art history, museum studies, or related fields combined with practical experience in art acquisition and collection management.

Experienced consultants maintain ongoing relationships with artists, galleries, auction houses, and other art professionals, providing access to exclusive opportunities and inside market knowledge. They stay current with artistic trends, emerging talent, and market developments that influence collection building strategies and investment potential.

Quality consultants can provide references from satisfied clients and examples of successful projects that demonstrate their ability to translate vision into reality. Consider consulting services in Naples from professionals who understand both the local market and broader art world dynamics that affect collection development and artwork selection.

Naples' Sophisticated Art Environment

Naples offers a sophisticated cultural environment with established galleries, museums, and art events that support both traditional and contemporary collecting interests. The city's affluent community has created demand for high-quality art consulting services that cater to discerning collectors and design-conscious residents.

Local art consultants understand Naples' unique aesthetic preferences, which often blend classic elegance with contemporary sophistication, influenced by both the area's coastal location and cosmopolitan residents who maintain homes in multiple markets. They're familiar with local architectural styles and interior design trends that inform artwork selection decisions.

The city's cultural calendar includes exclusive art events, gallery openings, and private collector gatherings that provide opportunities for artwork discovery and acquisition. Professional consultants often have access to these insider opportunities, benefiting their clients through expanded selection and competitive acquisition possibilities.

Naples' position as a destination for collectors and art enthusiasts from across the country means local consultants work with diverse aesthetic preferences and collection goals, developing expertise that serves various collecting interests from traditional to cutting-edge contemporary art acquisition and display strategies.

How to Find Contemporary Artist in Bradenton

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:01:13 GMT

How to Find Contemporary Artist in Bradenton

Finding the right contemporary artist in Bradenton involves researching local galleries, attending art events, and evaluating portfolios to discover artists whose creative vision aligns with your aesthetic preferences and project requirements. Focus on artists who demonstrate both technical proficiency and the ability to create meaningful, engaging artwork that resonates with contemporary sensibilities.

Where Can You Discover Contemporary Artists?

Contemporary artists in Bradenton showcase their work through various venues including local galleries, art festivals, and cultural events that provide opportunities to see their artistic range and style firsthand. Many artists also maintain online portfolios and social media presence where you can review their latest creations and artistic development.

Professional art organizations, cultural centers, and educational institutions often feature emerging and established contemporary artists through exhibitions, open studio events, and community showcases. These venues provide valuable opportunities to meet artists personally and discuss their creative approaches and availability for commissioned work.

Local art communities frequently host events where you can interact directly with artists, observe their working methods, and gain insights into their creative processes. Consider exploring commission services in Bradenton when you've identified artists whose work resonates with your vision and aesthetic preferences.

What Questions Should You Ask Contemporary Artists?

Begin conversations with potential artists by discussing your vision, timeline, and specific requirements for your project or art acquisition. Professional contemporary artists will engage in thoughtful discussions about their creative process, artistic influences, and how they approach different types of projects and commissions.

Inquire about their experience with similar projects, their working methods, and how they handle client collaboration throughout the creative process. Understanding their approach to concept development, material selection, and execution helps determine whether their methodology aligns with your expectations and project goals.

Discuss practical considerations such as project timelines, revision processes, and communication preferences during the creative journey. Professional artists provide clear information about their working methods and maintain regular communication to ensure your vision is being realized effectively through their artistic expression.

How Do You Evaluate Contemporary Art Styles?

Contemporary art encompasses diverse styles, techniques, and mediums, so evaluate how different approaches align with your personal preferences and intended use for the artwork. Consider whether the artist's creative voice and artistic expression complement your aesthetic sensibilities and the environment where the artwork will be displayed.

Assess the consistency and evolution of the artist's work over time, looking for evidence of artistic growth, technical development, and a coherent creative vision that demonstrates their commitment to their artistic practice. Quality contemporary artists show progression in their work while maintaining their distinctive artistic identity.

Consider how the artist's work might complement your space, lifestyle, and long-term aesthetic goals. Professional artists can often provide guidance through consulting services in Bradenton to help you understand how their work might integrate with your existing environment and personal style preferences.

Bradenton's Contemporary Art Scene

Bradenton offers a vibrant contemporary art community with galleries, cultural institutions, and artistic events that support both emerging and established artists working in diverse contemporary styles and mediums. The city's commitment to arts and culture creates an environment where contemporary artistic expression is valued and celebrated.

Local contemporary artists in Bradenton understand the area's unique cultural character and can incorporate regional influences into their work when desired, while maintaining their contemporary artistic approach. They're familiar with the practical considerations of creating and displaying contemporary art in Florida's climate and environmental conditions.

The city's art scene includes regular exhibitions, artist studio tours, and cultural festivals that provide opportunities to discover contemporary artists whose work resonates with your aesthetic preferences. These events often feature diverse styles within contemporary art, from abstract and conceptual work to contemporary realism and mixed media expressions.

Bradenton's artistic community also includes established networks of artists, galleries, and art professionals who can provide referrals and recommendations for contemporary artists specializing in different styles, mediums, and types of commissioned work that might align with your specific artistic needs and preferences.

Sarasota Resident's Guide to Art Consulting

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:00:56 GMT

Sarasota Resident's Guide to Art Consulting

Art consulting services in Sarasota help residents and businesses make informed decisions about artwork selection, placement, and collection building through expert guidance from experienced art professionals. Professional consultants understand how to match artistic styles with personal preferences, architectural features, and spatial requirements to create cohesive and meaningful environments.

What Services Do Art Consultants Provide?

Art consultants offer comprehensive services including artwork selection guidance, collection planning, and creative direction for both residential and commercial spaces. They assess your aesthetic preferences, budget considerations, and spatial requirements to recommend artwork that enhances your environment and reflects your personal style.

Professional art consultants also provide expertise in artwork placement, lighting considerations, and how different pieces work together to create visually compelling displays. They understand the importance of scale, color relationships, and thematic consistency when curating collections or selecting individual pieces.

Many consultants also offer guidance on emerging artists, investment potential, and long-term collection strategies. They can provide consulting services in Sarasota that include connecting clients with appropriate artists for custom commissions and coordinating the entire creative process from concept to completion.

How Do You Choose the Right Art Consultant?

Professional art consultants demonstrate extensive knowledge of artistic styles, current market trends, and the ability to translate your vision into actionable recommendations. They should have experience working with diverse artistic mediums and understand how different styles complement various architectural and design elements.

Look for consultants who take time to understand your personal preferences, lifestyle, and how you intend to use your space. Quality professionals will ask detailed questions about your aesthetic preferences, budget parameters, and any specific requirements you have for your artistic environment.

Experienced art consultants often maintain relationships with established artists, galleries, and other art professionals, which can provide access to unique opportunities and streamline the acquisition process. They should be able to provide references from previous clients and examples of successful projects they've completed.

When Should You Consider Professional Art Consulting?

Art consulting becomes valuable when you're planning significant interior updates, building new spaces, or want to create cohesive artistic environments but lack expertise in artwork selection and placement. Professional guidance helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures your investment enhances your space effectively.

Consider consulting services when you're interested in commissioned artwork but need guidance on artistic direction, appropriate scale, or connecting with suitable artists for your project. Consultants can help clarify your vision and facilitate communication between you and commission artists throughout the creative process.

Professional consulting also proves beneficial for businesses wanting to create welcoming environments that reflect their brand identity through carefully selected artwork. Consultants understand how art influences atmosphere and can recommend pieces that support your professional objectives while creating visually appealing spaces.

Additionally, consider commission services in Sarasota when you want custom artwork that reflects your personal style but need expert guidance on concept development, artistic approach, and working with professional artists to bring your vision to life.

Sarasota's Rich Artistic Culture

Sarasota's vibrant arts scene provides an ideal environment for art consulting services, with numerous galleries, cultural institutions, and artistic events that showcase diverse styles and emerging talent. The city's commitment to supporting visual arts creates abundant opportunities for discovering artwork that resonates with your aesthetic preferences.

Local art consultants in Sarasota understand the area's unique blend of contemporary and traditional artistic influences, helping clients navigate the rich cultural landscape to find pieces that complement their personal style and architectural preferences. They're familiar with local artists, galleries, and cultural events that can inform artwork selection decisions.

The city's sophisticated cultural environment means art consultants often have access to exclusive events, private showings, and emerging artist exhibitions that provide unique opportunities for artwork acquisition and collection building. This insider knowledge benefits clients seeking distinctive pieces that reflect their individual tastes.

Sarasota's architectural diversity, from historic properties to modern developments, requires art consultants who understand how different artistic styles complement various design elements. Local professionals bring this specialized knowledge to help ensure your artwork selections enhance your space and create the atmosphere you desire.

Finding Quality Art Commissions in Venice: What to Know

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 09:00:41 GMT

Finding Quality Art Commissions in Venice: What to Know

Quality art commissions in Venice require finding artists who demonstrate both technical expertise and the ability to translate your vision into compelling visual artwork. Professional artists will engage in thorough consultations to understand your preferences, space requirements, and aesthetic goals before beginning the creative process.

How Do You Identify Professional Commission Artists?

Professional commission artists maintain comprehensive portfolios showcasing their range and consistency across different projects and artistic challenges. They demonstrate clear communication skills during initial consultations and provide detailed information about their creative process, timelines, and working methods.

Look for artists who ask thoughtful questions about your vision, intended use, and specific requirements for your commissioned piece. Quality artists will discuss how they approach concept development, material selection, and execution to ensure the final artwork meets your expectations and enhances your space.

Experienced commission artists often provide references from previous clients and can share examples of similar projects they've completed successfully. They understand the collaborative nature of commissioned work and maintain professional standards throughout the entire commission services in Venice process.

What Should You Expect During the Commission Process?

The commission process typically begins with detailed discussions about your vision, space considerations, and any specific elements you want incorporated into the artwork. Professional artists will provide initial sketches or concepts for your review and feedback before proceeding with the final piece.

Quality artists maintain regular communication throughout the creative process, providing updates on progress and ensuring your vision is being realized effectively. They understand that commissioned artwork represents a significant investment and work diligently to exceed your expectations.

Professional commission artists also handle practical considerations such as appropriate materials for your space, proper scaling, and installation requirements. They may provide guidance on display options and care instructions to help preserve your commissioned artwork for years to come.

When Should You Consider Art Consulting Services?

Art consulting services become valuable when you're unsure about artistic direction, style preferences, or how commissioned artwork will integrate with your existing space and décor. Professional consultants can help clarify your aesthetic preferences and guide you toward artists whose work aligns with your vision.

Consulting services also prove beneficial when planning larger art installations or building collections over time. Experienced art professionals understand how different pieces work together and can provide strategic guidance for creating cohesive artistic environments that reflect your personal style.

Consider consulting services in Venice when you want expert guidance on artwork placement, lighting considerations, or understanding how different artistic styles might complement your architectural features and interior design elements.

Venice's Unique Artistic Environment

Venice, Florida offers a vibrant artistic community that supports both traditional and contemporary artistic expression. The city's cultural appreciation for visual arts creates an environment where commissioned artwork is valued and celebrated as an important part of personal and professional spaces.

Local artists in Venice understand the area's architectural character and can create commissioned pieces that complement both historic and modern design elements found throughout the community. They're familiar with the practical considerations of displaying artwork in Florida's coastal climate.

Venice's artistic scene includes established galleries, art festivals, and cultural events that provide opportunities to discover artists whose work resonates with your aesthetic preferences. This rich cultural environment ensures access to talented professionals who specialize in custom artistic creations.

The city's commitment to supporting local arts also means commissioned artists often have strong connections within the community, including relationships with framers, installers, and other professionals who can enhance your overall experience with custom artwork creation and display.

How to Choose Contemporary Artist in Nokomis

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:48:36 GMT

How to Choose Contemporary Artist in Nokomis

When searching for a contemporary artist in Nokomis, focus on finding someone whose style aligns with your vision and who demonstrates professional experience in creating artwork that resonates with your aesthetic preferences. The right artist will combine technical skill with creative vision to bring your ideas to life through personalized artistic expression.

What Makes a Contemporary Artist Stand Out?

Contemporary artists in Nokomis bring fresh perspectives to traditional artistic techniques, creating pieces that reflect modern sensibilities while maintaining timeless appeal. Look for artists who showcase versatility in their portfolio, demonstrating their ability to work across different styles and mediums. A skilled contemporary artist will have developed their own unique voice while remaining adaptable to client needs and preferences.

Professional contemporary artists maintain consistent quality standards throughout their work and can articulate their creative process clearly. They should be able to discuss their artistic influences, techniques, and approach to creating meaningful artwork that connects with viewers on both visual and emotional levels.

When evaluating potential artists, consider their experience with commission services in Nokomis and their ability to translate your vision into compelling artistic expression that reflects your personal style and preferences.

How Do You Evaluate an Artist's Portfolio?

A strong portfolio demonstrates both technical proficiency and creative vision through a cohesive collection of work that showcases the artist's development and range. Contemporary artists should present pieces that reflect their understanding of current artistic trends while maintaining their individual artistic voice and perspective.

Look for consistency in quality across different pieces, attention to detail in execution, and evidence of artistic growth over time. The portfolio should include various examples that demonstrate the artist's ability to work with different concepts, scales, and artistic challenges.

Professional artists often include detailed descriptions of their creative process, inspiration sources, and the story behind significant pieces. This context helps potential clients understand the artist's approach and determine whether their style and methodology align with your project requirements.

Consider how the artist's previous work resonates with your aesthetic preferences and whether their consulting services in Nokomis include guidance on artwork selection and creative direction for your specific needs.

What Questions Should You Ask Potential Artists?

Begin conversations with potential artists by discussing your vision, timeline, and specific requirements for your project. Professional artists will ask thoughtful questions about your preferences, intended use, and any particular elements you want incorporated into the final piece.

Inquire about their creative process, from initial concept development through final execution, and ask for examples of how they've handled similar projects in the past. Understanding their workflow helps you determine whether their approach matches your expectations and timeline.

Discuss practical considerations such as project timelines, revision processes, and communication preferences throughout the creative journey. Professional artists will provide clear information about their working methods and maintain regular communication to ensure your vision is being realized effectively.

Local Advantages of Working with Nokomis Artists

Nokomis artists understand the unique character of Florida's Gulf Coast community and can incorporate local influences into their contemporary work when desired. They're familiar with the area's natural beauty, architectural styles, and cultural elements that might inspire or inform artistic projects.

Working with local artists provides opportunities for in-person consultations, studio visits, and direct collaboration throughout the creative process. This proximity allows for more detailed discussions about your vision and enables you to see work in progress, ensuring the final piece meets your expectations.

Local artists often have established relationships with area framers, installers, and other art professionals, which can streamline the entire process from creation to final placement. They understand the practical considerations of displaying artwork in Florida's climate and can provide guidance on preservation and care.

Nokomis artists also bring their understanding of the local aesthetic preferences and architectural styles that complement contemporary art, helping ensure your commissioned piece enhances your space and reflects the area's unique character and charm.

Where Have I Been??

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:42:00 GMT

Where Have I Been??

Friends, being a human in this world we live in is hard!! Starting a new life after a 25 year divorce is really hard!! Starting a new career as an artist after a 25 year divorce is even harder!!

I’m going to be completely transparent here. My last blog was in July, and I haven’t been able to get back since. No matter how hard I have tried or how many times I tried to get back up, life has just been handing me a lot of hard things to handle. And honestly, who wants to write about those things? Who wants to hear about them either. I try so hard to always put out positivity into the world, because I think we all need it. But sometimes, there just isn’t anything positive to say. Sometimes our lives are just not easy and we don’t want to talk about it. I’ve had struggles with rebuilding the relationship with my kids. I’ve had some health issues which have greatly affected my energy levels. I’ve had to pivot in my art career because the economy has hit the art business hard. We had a huge hurricane which impacted so many of my friends and neighbors. And all the “no’s” that come with being an artist have really affected me. Without my sweet husband’s constant encouragement, I’m sure I would have quit many times. All of this has affected my artwork and my desire to create. My desire to push forward had really wained!!

So last week, I went on an artist residency/retreat. It is like sleep away camp for artists in a beautifully natural environment of The Atlantic Centers of the Arts in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Did I mention the gourmet food or the other amazing artists friends that I got to paint with for a whole week?? Soul healing is the word I would describe about my time away. Reminding myself that we all have our struggles and I am not alone!! Reminding myself how important it is to be in community with other creatives who understand my life and can encourage me forward!! Did I mention the warm homemade cookies that met me everyday at the lunch table?? These are people who knew me before my divorce and love me just the same, if not more. These are people that spoke life into me and sent me back out into the world to fight another day!! And for that, I am eternally grateful!!

This creative life is not an easy one, but it is what I work on daily. Each day I just try to make one more move in the right direction believing that it is one of the most worthwhile things I can do - believing in myself and my calling to bring beauty into the world. It is not the easy road, but it is the right one for me. Thank you for reading!! Thank you for supporting me and my journey!! Thank you!!

Tammy’s Take On Varnish

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:37:00 GMT

“All you need to paint is a few tools, a little instruction, and a vision in your mind.”

Tammy’s Take On Varnish

Hi friends!! I’ve been asked so many times on Instagram or in my classes about whether paintings should be varnished or not. This week, I decided to tackle this technical question that many beginners and even seasoned painters consider.

— Bob Ross

Varnish is a liquid preparation that when applied to a surface dries to form a hard lustrous and usually transparent coating. While you can use varnish in many different applications in life from furniture to decks, varnish can be very important to fine art paintings as well. Varnishes have been applied for centuries to oil paintings and more recently to acrylic paintings. The main reason that an artist would be interested in varnishing a painting is to provide a protective layer to a painting from moisture or environmental pollutants. Many people say that acrylic paintings do not need to be varnished, because the paint is plastic and will uphold against these problems, but I’m not sure I agree. I feel that anything that can be placed on a painting to keep the original intent of the artist intact is worth doing. I don’t have to worry about paintings getting dusty, because I can wipe them off with a soft rag without worrying about the underpainting being damaged.

There is another reason that I varnish my paintings that I thought I would share. I use primarily acrylic paint, but I have my favorite colors from a few different paint manufacturers. Each one has a differing sheen when dried. You can add gloss medium to the paint before applying it to the canvas to make it more glossy, but they never dry the same. So besides adding a protective layer to my paintings, this final layer harmonizes the sheen between all the mediums and creates a final cohesive piece. This I find so beautiful!! But of course, that’s just my opinion. The right answer is whatever the individual artist thinks, and another artist may have as many reasons why they don’t varnish.

When considering varnish, there are two types of varnish - spray or liquid - and many different manufacturers to choose from. All of these things can be so daunting as a beginning artist. I thought I would share with you my journey of discovering what works best for me in the hopes that it might give you some direction.

The first varnish I every used was Polycrylic, which is a varnish you can purchase from a big box hardware store. It was recommended to me by an established painter and so I went with it. While I loved the finished product so much and the convenience of purchasing it, I decided against it. I know many artists use this product, but I quickly learned that it is not a good idea for artists in Florida or artists who want to sell their work in Florida. Apparently, Polycrylic can yellow a painting if it is stored in a non-airconditioned space due to the high heat and humidity here in Florida. An artist friend of mine told me she had a gallery store several of her paintings in a shed behind their gallery that was unairconditioned space when they were not hanging her pieces on the gallery’s wall. She did not know that the gallery was doing this. When the gallery pulled the pieces out of storage, they had yellowed and were ruined. My friend lost the paintings and that was all I needed to hear to change my mind. While there could have been other things at play, my friend changed her varnishing practices and never had this happen again. Since the varnish coat is to protect a piece, the last thing I want to worry about is the varnish causing the piece to be ruined. So that’s when I moved on to a different choice.

The next highly recommended products I tried were spray varnishes. They were really great because they had a nice smooth finish, the sheen I wanted, and we UV protected. They came from art stores and were a fine art quality. I’m not stating a particular product here because I tried several. I wanted to love them, but honestly they just didn’t work for me here in Florida. They need to be applied in a ventilated area or outside. This is fine during the winter months when the temperatures are reasonable and the humidity is low. The other problem I had is that when I sprayed them outside, they seemed to attract gnats/fruit flies which are so prevalent in Florida. Plus, standing outside and spray varnishing 3 or 4 pieces in the summer 900 degree with 100% humidity in the Florida summer is definitely not my favorite thing. So yet again, I needed to search for another product.

Finally, I settled on the fact that I was going to need a brush on varnish that I could apply inside. I test quite a few varnishes and gloss mediums. The one that I settled on and have used for years now is Liquitex Satin Varnish. I can put it on in thin coats inside without the need to have special ventilation. I apply in differing directions with each coat to provide adequate coverage, and I apply 2 to 3 coats to provide adequate coverage. They now come in very large containers and I buy them when one of the online art stores has a sale to stock up. Choosing the sheen preference is definitely a personal choice. I like the Satin the best, because it has just the right amount of sheen without being too shiny and casting reflections of the paintings surface. It is UV protectant which I also love for a long lasting protective coat. While I don’t have to worry about bugs landing in my varnish coat, you do have to look out for loose hairs from your brush. To me, that is better option. I really just love the final product that looks rich and professional.

So that’s my take!! I hope you’ve learned something new about varnishes and my process. Would love to hear about your experiences with varnishes and if you have any tips or tricks on applying it. No, I am not paid by Liquitex, but wish I could be!! Happy Varnishing!!

Childhood Dreams

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:35:00 GMT

Hi Friends!! Art is such a personal endeavor!! Every artist has their own reason for why they do the art that they do. And many artists will have a totally different answer to that question. Today I thought I’d share with you my “WHY” for what I do each day in the studio.

Childhood Dreams

There were a few years in my teens when my love of color really came in handy. We were looking at many houses and model homes with the thought that we might move. There were so many we would look at in a weekend, and I had a crazy knack for remembering each one down to the wallpaper on the walls in the downstairs bathroom. I think my parents thought I was crazy most of the time. But I know that my uncommon talent was helpful for them. I became obsessed with homes, and thought that I would become an architect. I would paint the outsides of beautiful buildings and would draw home floor plans. That was until I took a drafting class in the 8th grade. I thought I was going to poke my eyes out with the protractor!!! I hated it!! It was too restrictive, too controlled, and took way too much patience for me. Plus, there was no color!!

I really never thought that I could use my art as a career. Being a gifted girl meant I had a lot of opportunities to choose whatever career path I wanted to, but for some reason, art was never on the list. I was very interested in the human body and what a miracle life was. I chose to go to pharmacy school. But every chance I got to take an art class, I did. In college, I loved to take pottery classes with the throwing wheels and the big kilns. I have such amazing memories of those days in the art classrooms, but I didn’t think that they were meant for me. I always felt like I wanted to be independent and professional. I wanted to know that I would be stable, and thought that art would always be there for fun. And it really was.

After graduating college, starting my career, and starting my family, I made my way back to my art as a way of finding myself again. You know what happens to us as young moms. We spend all our time taking care of everyone in the family and forget to take care of ourselves. We forget who we really are!! So for years I took art classes with acrylic or oil paint. I loved them all. I even got in student shows and thought that was absolutely amazing.

After stepping away again due to rough family issues, I returned again 10 years ago with a vengeance. I really studied my life experience. I really tried to realize what it was that always drew me to art and how could I truly express all the the art living inside of me. It was then that I realized that all along since even a young age, it has always been about the color. I am just transfixed by color. I know I see all the extra colors that are available to the human eye. And I think I actually have a little synesthesia, which is when you feel physical feelings/emotions in response to certain color combinations. And what an amazing feeling it is when I reach that space in a painting where I get a “ZING” of energy racing through my body because the color combination really speaks to me. I even have negative energy when colors are not jiving right. I have a very hard time leaving a painting in the studio when its going through that ugly phase that all paintings go through. I want to keep working to get it out of that phase. But in life, that doesn’t always work. Most of the time at this point I am OK with it, but there are nights that I feel so bothered that the work is just not coming together. Sometimes I even put paintings away for a couple weeks, but for some reason, there is always a new direction to take when I rediscover them.

So that’s it. My life’s work is to explore color, color palettes, and all the ways that colors interact with each other and the viewer. My hope is that my work spurs on the amazing emotions that I feel within the viewer. I hope the energy gets transported from me to you. I hope that the wonder of the color interplay hold the viewers attention, with new minute details to discover each time you view it. The process of creating the work is for me, but the painting is not for me. It’s for YOU, the viewer. And that my friends is truly the most remarkable thing to me. I’m honored that this is how I’ve been created. I’m thankful for every time that I was not understood as a child or teen, because I think my whole life experience led me here - to my life’s work. Without the love, the children, the travel, the nature, the beauty of Florida, I would not be able to create this work. I’ve never felt more like my true authentic self than I do when I’m painting, and I’m so thankful that I have this platform to share it with you!! I pray you always feel that energy from me in everything I do, because I know I was created to be a creative!!!

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

— Edgar Degas

For as long as I can remember, my life has been about color. As far back as age three, I would sit and color for hours while my mother would care for my new brother. I remember the great joy of a new box of Crayola Crayons, and what a joy it was to receive a fresh box of 64 with the built in sharpener on the back. That didn’t happen very often, but when it did, it was magical. I can still smell the crayons now!! Can you?? I always wanted the large box of art supplies for Christmas and Birthdays. Art class or crafts at Sunday school, summer camp or Girl Scouts were always my favorite. As I got older, I used my own money to buy some cheap watercolors in tubes and fell in love with the painting process. I would spend hours in my room swirling water colors into whatever interested me at the moment. I had a make shift painting tabletop that I would lay on my floor in my bedroom to work on and it was glorious.

Writer’s Block

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:30:00 GMT

“A mother’s job is to teach her children not to need her anymore. The hardest part of that job is accepting success.”

So, I am going to work yet again on healing this momma’s heart from the loss. I’m going to celebrate every amazing opportunity that comes my boys ways as they move into this next phase of adulthood. I’m going to look forward to the time that I do get to spend with them. I’m going to celebrate my wonderful life with my husband and the amazing family that has come along with him. I’m going to celebrate the new daughter that has come into my world with David and enjoy fun new adventures with her as well. And I’m going to be gentle with myself as I process through this new normal.

And if any of you have any great advice on how to walk into this next phase in life gracefully, I’d love to hear it!!

Thank you so much for listening!!

Writer’s Block

Hi friends!! I know it’s been a few weeks since I’ve sent out a blog. And I know that in order to be successful on a blog, you have to be consistent. ARG!! So what’s been going on?? I’ve been blocked. I know that this blog is to share my art journey and wonderful art tips and tricks. But the message that has been coming has been one that doesn’t fit that mold. I’ve been running from it, not wanting to share in fear that no one would want to read it. But after these weeks have passed with no new message to share, I’ve decided to give into what is gnawing inside and share.

Life is hard friends!! And I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir with the state of the world right now. But for some reason, I have been struggling on a deep level that I couldn’t identify. It’s been almost 3 years since my life blew up and I went through a divorce, moved to a new city, and started my life again. Oh, and did I mention that there was a pandemic in there. My family had always been my most treasured thing, and so I had to fight hard to come back from that kind of a blow. I needed to focus on who I was and how I wanted my new life to look and feel. Just weeks before my divorce was to be final, I met the most amazing man who showed me love like I had never known before. The lights started to come back on in my life and I started to live again. This week, we will be celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary, and I can’t believe the life that I get to live with this handsome man. So what is the problem, you ask??

Sarasota as my new Art Home

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:24:00 GMT

I am very excited about this new chapter moving forward. I’m so thrilled to be a part of this special group of artists in this exciting city on the bay. If you are thinking of visiting this area soon, please contact me!! I’d love to meet you in person and talk all things art and Florida - two of my most favorite things!!

There is also a very renowned Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD). Needless to say the art presence in the city is incredible. Within the beautiful and clean downtown area, you can find sculptures at every traffic circle. There are so many opportunities for the preforming arts, as well as many great art galleries along the streets. There is also the Art Ovations Hotel that is a boutique hotel with an amazing art theme. Beautiful works adorn every wall and an amazing rooftop lounge provides for a beautiful view of this artsy city. There are also many fine arts and craft fairs to round out this amazing city.

While I was juried into an art exhibit last summer at the Art Center of Sarasota and did a week long residency at the Art Ovation Hotel, I will finally have a permanent location to showcase my work at the Art Uptown Gallery in downtown Sarasota. This is one more step in the right direction of making Sarasota my new home for my work as well as for my family. Art Uptown Gallery is located at 1367 Main Street, Sarasota, Florida 34236 right in the heart of the shops and restaurants!!

Sarasota as my new Art Home

— Charlotte Eriksson

“I will find comfort in the rhythm of the sea.”

Hi friends!! If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that the last 5 years have been difficult for me personally. Or, maybe I’ve been good at playing that off through social media. After having been married for 25 years, I had a very abrupt divorce. I knew that there had been issues in my marriage that I thought we were trying to work on, but in August of 2019, I learned some news that would change my life forever. It led to our divorce and me moving from Naples, FL, which we had called home for 15 years. It was such a hard transition to leave my friends and home, but very necessary for me to move closer to my family who live just south of Sarasota. I arrived here just after the new year in 2020 hoping to lay down some new art roots and meet some new art friends. But that was not to be - all the world shut down with Covid within a couple of months of the move. It greatly delayed my settling into my new town and making it my home.

Two and a half years later, life is looking so very different. I have gotten remarried to the most amazing man, I have a new home, and I’ve gotten a chance to settle into this new hometown. And what I can tell you is that I love it here for so many reasons as I’m am finally able to settle into my new art life in this amazingly artistic Sarasota hometown.

If you are not familiar with the this beautiful city on the west coast of Florida and you love art, you should research this amazing area. While I’m not a historian or anywhere close to that, I thought I'd share with you my favorite artsy parts of this great city!! Sarasota was the home of John and Mable Ringling from the famed Ringling Bros. Circus, along with his brothers and made Sarasota the winter home for the circus. Ringling was a huge proponent of the arts and spent much of his time in Europe with his wife collecting art for an art museum. The Ringling Art Museum owns the largest collection of Rubins in the world, and the entire area around the museum includes the stunning home of John and Mable Ringling which is spectacular, and circus museum buildings.

Finding Inspiration Within Your Own Work

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:19:00 GMT

Another way to do that same thing if you don’t like to use your smart phone is to use a framing matte. You can move the framing matte around your piece to find new compositions that you like and would like to further explore. You might be surprised at the gems you find, even on the paintings that you really don’t like. I say this all the time, there are no mistakes, just happy discoveries. You can learn as much from an experimental piece that you never use, but what you learn from that piece can be priceless for future work down the road.

Lastly, I will put a painting on the easel next to me to look at for inspiration on a piece that I am working on with a totally different palette. It really helps to move paintings forward and remind you what you loved about the other piece and want to include in your new piece. We forget what we liked about previous pieces. We move on and sometimes will totally forget what we’ve done if our work is neatly placed in a rack somewhere. I like keep my work out and hanging on the wall in other parts of my studio to serve as reminders for me. Plus, there is nothing better than having your work around you to see all that you are accomplishing on a daily basis!!

I hope these have been great tips to help you move forward in your own work. I also hope that my words help you to understand my own creative process better. Understanding how an artist works is so helpful to me, and I love that I get this platform to share with you in a more detailed way!!

Finding Inspiration Within Your Own Work

There are so many ways to find inspiration for new work. I’ve covered in a previous blog how I use nature as my most important muse, and how I use color, texture and patterns in nature to inform my work. Did you know that you can use your own work to propel you forward in future directions that you would like to explore? Yes YOU can be the inspiration of your own work.

How many times while your working on paintings do you get ideas for new ones? This seems to happen to me quite a bit. Sometimes when working down a rabbit hole of my intuition, I will come up with new colors, marks or compositions that I love. I will write down ideas or color swatches in a journal to further explore later on a different piece. Many times they are a surprise to me, which makes me so happy, but being ready to remember and record them is important for future use.

Another way that I like to use my own work to inform future work is to look at the details within my pieces. There are so many smaller abstract compositions with in a large piece that could be explored on their own merit. You know that favorite corner of your painting that you wish were the entire piece. Yea!! That’s what I’m talking about. You can practice this by working on paper or loose canvas. If the piece isn’t working as a whole, then you can cut out your favorite smaller piece to be your painting.

What if there are no parts of the painting that stand out to you, or you’re looking for a more subtle composition, there are a few things you can do to find new compositions. My first favorite way is to take a photo of my painting and crop it down to find my favorite details and see the new possibilities that I could further explore. You can also use filters for ideas for new color palettes for your next piece right in your smart phones basic photos app.

Happy Creating!!!!!

How I Stay Motivated As An Artist

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:15:00 GMT

I’ve been asked many times how I stay motivated to create the amount of work that I do. Are you motivated everyday? How do you keep showing up in the studio? There are so many days that I don’t feel like creating, how do you do it? And so I decided to write a blog post with some tips and tricks that I use to keep my motivation high or how to keep going when I’m not motivated.

I couldn’t agree with this quote more. The number one way to increase your creating is to just sit down and do it. In the beginning of my painting career, I was so eager to learn and grow as an artist. I didn’t need a lot of inspiration. I woke up so excited to learn more, to play more, and to explore color more. You see, I feel that I was created by the Creator to create and intuitively it just comes naturally to me. But I also had a mentor tell me that the best way to improve my work was to paint everyday. I had to make it a priority. If you paint a couple times a year, once a month, or once a week, you’re going to have a great time and love the process, but true learning curves happen when you are creating everyday. When you’ve done a process 100 times, then you know how the paint is going to react, you know how to fix mistakes, and you can be bold enough to push your work farther knowing that you can always come back to what you had if need be.

This was a mixed media piece that I created and put on my kitchen counter many years ago to remind myself that I was responsible to make all my own dreams come true. Now, it is a little beaten up after a couple moves and the glue failing, but I think you get the point. Even my daily inspiration to myself had to be beautiful. I am so inspired by written words, and that is why I use them throughout my creating process. Seeing messages of how I want to live my life during my day is one way that I inspire myself to keep working toward my dreams. You might find sticky notes on my bathroom mirror or inside cabinet doors. They all serve a purpose to remind me of the life that I want to live and to not fall for what my lazy self might want to do at that moment. We are responsible for the life that we live. And I don’t want to waste a minute on the things in life that don’t serve me or grow me into the “ME” I want to be.

Now, life does happen. You or a family member gets sick, you get married (HaHa!!), move to a new home or studio space, you get asked to volunteer weekly, or a myriad of other life events. I try to say “NO” to as many things as I can in my life, so I can say “yes” to my creativity and my dreams. I try not to have too many lunch plans with friends. I try not to volunteer for too many things. I really prioritize my studio time, because that is what I want for my life and my dream to come alive. It is not selfish as we may have been told or taught growing up, because we are not here solely for everyone else’s needs. Again, we are responsible for the life we want to live. And I can tell you, I have made this mistake before in my life by putting everyone else’s needs before my own, and it just doesn’t work. Proper boundaries are good for everyone, and I am so much happier since figuring this out. But if life does get in the way, don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself grace in the moment. Take small breaks to create, even if its just in a sketchbook for 30 minutes when you can create with pencil, pen, and watercolors. Know that your creativity will not go away. It will be waiting for you like a long lost friend you haven't seen for a while. And sometimes these breaks cause break throughs to happen when you do get back to the studio. It seems that after I have been pulled away from the studio, I have a huge burst of creativity when I return.

How I Stay Motivated As An Artist

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

— Maya Angelou

And what happens if all else fails. What happens if you just can’t seem to make things happen?? Here’s my top 10 things to do: take a walk outside, run an errand, clean brushes or tidy art supplies, do finish work on paintings (like varnish), just get a white canvas out and scribble with no expectations, sit in the studio to read emails or social media, crank up some fun music, look at magazines or art books for color inspiration, listen to a great art podcast or read art blogs, or sometimes just stepping into the studio to begin with will be enough. Most of the times, these things work like a charm for me. Just getting around the paint, the smells, the color, and in the room will do the trick.

It’s all about showing up for yourself. And when you make yourself and your desires a priority, then things can happen. You will experience growth that you never could have imagined in all parts of your life. Because that is how the creative process works. It becomes a part of who you are to your core, and seeps into every part of your life. I’m a true creative, and I could never go back!! Come along with me!!

Nostalgic Art

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:12:00 GMT

Once I got the gesso on both canvases, I started the abstract in the palette that she wanted. She loves my neutral paintings and had one that is on my website for sale that she favored. So, I set out to push this piece in that direction, of course never knowing when or how it would exactly turn out. I always go with my intuition, and will change a piece at the drop of a dime to follow down a path that is more interesting if there is one provided to me. I also decided to flip the canvases on their side and have them in a stacked orientation. And here is how the finished project turned out.

Alexis Lovell is a joy to have in my life and a true gift from God!! I’m so excited to know that she has a little piece of my heart with her every day!! Happy Birthday sweetie!!

I hope this gives my fellow artists a new idea for gifting your work to other special people in your lives!! Its such a great way to reuse something that has sentimental value, but is either not the other person’s style of color palette. I love when we can reuse things that would just be discarded away. I guess that’s my little way to save the planet. If you want to gift something, you can always look through thrift stores to reuse canvases that are no longer wanted. The key is to make sure that they are not oil paintings if you are using acrylic paint. If it’s a canvas with a frame, that’s a special score too. While I wouldn’t do this for a piece that I am showing or selling, it is still a great way to pass your art in your own home or pass onto friends and family.

So sorry that I have not been around the last couple weeks. I have been working hard to get my new collection done for Ready2Hang Art, which is the online company that handles the sales of my originals on online sites like Perigold, Wayfair, and 1st Dibs. I’ve worked on so many larger pieces the last couple months to send off and make available in the coming year. But I do have a little thing I did that I wanted to share with you, because it turned out so well.

Last month was our daughter’s 25th Birthday. She has been asking me for a painting for a year now, but I got an idea to make it extra special. We had some art we were storing that had been her grandparents. They were canvas prints that were outdated, and no one wanted them. But our sweet girl had a special relationship with her grandparents before they both passed away, so there was some sentimental value to them.

They reminded her of her grandparents home. So I decided to use them as the base for our daughter’s pieces. Together they make a 40”x 40” diptych which is a perfect size to go over her couch in her apartment. So to start, I gave them a couple good coats of gesso, so that I would have a nice base on which to build my work.

Nostalgic Art

Art During Times of War

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:06:00 GMT

“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds us that you have one.”

Are you having a rough week with all that is going on in our world today? Is the war in the Ukraine something that you are struggling with today? Me too!! I’ve truly struggled. And today I realized why. Its not that there has been peace in the world in recent times. There has always been issues in the Middle East for my entire life. And I don’t mean this by any means in a racist way at all, but they don’t look like me, they don’t live like me, and they have always been fighting about things that I don’t understand. But the war in the Ukraine is different. The people on both sides of this conflict look like me. The soldiers look like my boys. They have lives that look more like our western cultures - in cities, towns, homes, cars, and even landscapes and weather like ours. (OK, maybe not Florida weather, but US weather in general.) I realized that all of these factors have affected me more than I would have expected. I realized that I have truly felt so much sadness for the people who are living a life similar to mine now in the midst of war. And I find myself thinking why?? Haven’t we learned anything from the past?? Aren’t we so past all of this?? Seriously?!?!

And my sadness is not just for the Ukrainians who obviously are trying to live new, free lives and are enduring war crimes that they didn't ask for in these modern times. I also feel sadness for the Russian people who continue to find themselves under power hungry men who could care less about their lives. I feel for the poor young men who were told one thing, and then found themselves in the middle of a war that they don’t want to be fighting in either. I’m sad that the US seems to be so distracted on things that don’t matter nearly as much as life, or death, or hunger, or shelter. And I don’t want this to be about politics at all!! As a deeply feeling person, I’m just sad…

Art During Times of War

— Stella Adler

So how does this have to do with art? I actually feel it has so much to do with art. I feel that art helps us to feel alive and feel human. Whether we are making art or enjoying it, art brushes off the cobwebs of our everyday lives and reminds us who we are and why we are truly here. It reminds us that we are human, that we have souls, and that there can be great beauty found even in the midst of great pain. Whether we are reading the amazing tales of what is transpiring in the Ukraine or a great novel that helps our minds to escape, the art of the writing is what our souls are needing. If we are watching a movie or listening to beautiful music, we are enjoying the craftsmanship of the crafters. And if we are creating art or enjoying the beauty of an art piece, then we are living in the present - this special moment that we are given like a gift. To be present in the present is truly so important when you consider how this life can swing on dime. My art is always where I turn to find and create beauty in this time in which we find ourselves. This time that seems to be groaning through troubles of disease, political unrest, financial struggles and now war. I need all these things so desperately. My weapon during these times are two-fold - a paint brush and prayer. The paint brush is more for me on the daily, but my prayers are for all those that are stirring up these feelings inside of me. I pray for both sides, because I know that God doesn’t have a side. And I hope you will join me too!!

Recovering Perfectionist

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:04:00 GMT

The more I painted, the more I wanted to get more expressive and impressionistic. I couldn’t seem to get there on my own or with my local instructors. I started to get very bored. I would get started on paintings, but would never finish them. I struggled and stopped painting for years, while I focus more on my growing teen boys.

My creative focus was reigniting through some mixed media artists that I started to follow online. I started taking classes and enjoyed the process immensely!! Finding my groove again felt so good, and I couldn’t wait to wake up each day to work on a new project. But what I found was that I couldn’t go half way. I was all in to the process!! The more classes I took, the more I loved creating again. I eventually found a professional artist who asked me, “why do you paint what you choose to paint?” I had never been asked that before. After some deep thinking, I realized that I didn’t care what I painted but picked my subject matter on the colors I got to play with while I painted. At that point, I realized that I needed to stop painting the “thing” and just paint the color. WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN??

I’ve been a closet painter my whole life. I’ve always loved to paint anything, and a new box of 64 crayons with the sharpener on the back has always been my favorite thing!! Most of my high school was filled with college prep courses and after high school, I went to pharmacy school. I was the first one on my mom’s side of the family to go to college, and I didn’t want to be a starving artist. Honestly, I didn’t know what I could do with my art. I didn’t know that I could make a career out of it. It seemed that my college choice was more centered around what I could make the most money doing to have the “best” life possible. While pharmacy gave me a wonderful paycheck, it didn’t feed my soul. I was always creating in some way, whether in my home, my kids parties, or my craft projects.

After my first son was born, I needed to stay home to care for him and I needed art in my life more than ever. I started painting again while taking night classes at the Cincinnati Art Academy and the Bonita Art League in Florida after our move. I painted realism with acrylics and oils. I even got into my first art exhibit.

Recovering Perfectionist

After having been a contemporary artist for 10 years, there are so many things that I realize about working this way versus people’s perceptions of this type of work that makes it hard for people to understand what I do and why I do it. It is so different from a traditional way to work and make a living, that I find people are so baffled when I say I’m an artist. A lot of times, I get the look or even the response of “ how nice” with a note of “isn’t that cute” in their voice. I don’t take it personal at all, because I know they just can’t relate to me. They are picturing what their own personal idea of art is, which for most ended in high school or with their favorite craft. And I like to do those too.

— Erwin McManus, The Artisans Soul

“From the discipline that comes from passion, we find our way to mastery.”

It took me a year to learn everything I could about abstract art, abstract composition, supplies, and design from books and the internet. I was obsessed. I scoured YouTube and any online art teaching that I could. Then I spent some years with some amazing in person mentors that generously shared their craft and helped to direct me on the path of how to make an abstract painting that was good and was my own unique voice. At the same time, I adopted a practice of painting every day Monday through Friday in my own studio at home. Slowly over the years, my work improved and my Instagram following increased!! I entered in person and online exhibits and started getting into them. My paintings started to stack up. I had a local show in Naples. I got into my first gallery that didn’t sell a single painting. I started teaching beginning Abstracts at a one night event at the Bonita Art League where I had taken lessons for so many years. I kept applying to and getting into art exhibits. And next came the R2H Modern Gallery in Jupiter, Florida, followed by my online representation and licensing contracts with them.

What I hope you come away with here is that this art journey is a process and definitely a journey. It doesn’t end. It just moves from one step to the next right step. It is not something you do to get rich quick, or get rich at all. The art needs to be made for me from deep wells within me. I couldn’t quit now if I wanted to, and never see a point that I stop creating, God willing. It is who I am. I pray this helps you to understand me and other artists like me. I hope you understand the process and the great drive within me to make that next right step.

Art Ovations Artist in Residence

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:42:00 GMT

And lastly, I learned that my art is not just for me. When painting in my studio day after day, I realize that I become mono-focused on my work. I forget how much my art is not just for me. Art is a bridge to our humanity, and something that can take away the divides of age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Beauty is something that brings us together to share. While I feel the creative process itself is for me personally, I don’t feel that the art is ever mine. I feel that it is for others to enjoy, which is just as much a part of the art as any. If you create the art but no one sees it, is it truly beautiful? Does it have meaning? This week, I was reminded that beauty matters, that my work matters, and all the amazing people that have joined me along the way matter as well!! The random connections that I had with strangers over my art and my process were so inspiring, and helped remind me why I do what I do. The beautiful connections that I have made through social media over the years and how they came to meet me in person was such a special, heartwarming feeling. Yes, social media connections are real friendships when they are connected through our common loves and giving hearts. And lastly, the people from my family and friends who came to support me reminded me how much I am loved and seen!! This creative journey can be many hours of a lonely grind in the studio for many years with only our friends and family knowing what we are doing and how hard we worked. And without their love and support, I would not be what I am today. You are my true rock stars!!

And I’m happy to say that this triptych will remain above our bed for now as a reminder of the great week that I had. Thank you Art Ovations for the amazing experience. I hope that I will get to comeback again soon!!

Art Ovations Artist in Residence

The last week of January was a very special week for me. I spent the week at the Art Ovations Hotel in downtown Sarasota, FL. Each night from 4-8pm, I painted live in their art studio which is in the main lobby of the hotel. If you’ve never been to Art Ovations, it is a beautiful boutique hotel totally centered around the arts. From the curated art collections on the walls and the artistically prepared food and drinks, to the live music and art entertainment, as well as the gorgeous rooftop bar with city and ocean views, this hotel is really an experience to behold. I wanted to write about my experience, because I learned some very important things from this opportunity that I wanted to share.

The first thing I learned was how amazing my husband is at being the spouse of an artist. We were married in June, and this is the first big art event that I have had. He helped to make all of this possible, which was so much easier than any of my art endeavors have been in the past. From helping me load my work in and out of the hotel, to hanging the show, and sitting with me every evening, he truly has become a solid foundation that I can lean on in my life and my business. Friends this has not been my experience in my life before, and so I can’t begin to tell you how much this truly has meant to me. He makes me feel cherished in every part of my life, and this was just another example to me of how much my life has truly changed in an amazing way. I don’t take one second of it for granted, and thank God each time I’m reminded of how I’ve truly been redeemed from such a hard place.

Even an experienced artist has pieces that seem to paint themselves, like the green painting above. The piece seemed to come together with out any issues, even though I was constantly stopping to talk to people passing by. But the second piece was a different story all together. I approached them both the same as I always do with some bold moves and a lot of bravery, but the second piece didn’t want to work for me. Some people may have liked the many different phases that the piece went through, but they just never sat well with me. You can see three different phases and three different outfits, so you can see that I worked hard each time for days to get this one right. And I went through the typical artist stages of

1) this painting has potential,

2) this painting is ugly,

3) this painting sucks,

4) I suck,

5) oh wait I think I might like it!!

Can you relate?? And to go through that experience in your studio is one thing. But to go through that experience in a public setting where I know that people are watching me is a very humbling experience. But what I was reminded of again was how brave you have to be to paint this way. That holding back because of fear keeps my pieces stuck and me small. In the studio I have to be brave and push the boundaries at every turn to bring into creation something that has never existed before. Doing that in public was much more intimidating, and made me so thankful to have my husband there to bring me back to myself and my center. In the end, I was very happy with how the piece came to a completion, and I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with those that watched through the process. Even when though it was uncomfortable, I would do it again in a heartbeat!!

Nature As Inspiration

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 20:05:00 GMT

What I have found is that those internal parts in my world come out in my art in the form of color palettes, marks, or feelings. It’s extremely hard to explain that because its something that I’ve always done, but trust me, it happens more than I can count. I internalize my world to the extreme that even though I have pictures of what I’ve experienced, I don’t usually need to look at them before creating an art piece. The colors become a part of the experience, and I’m sure to match them in my paintings because I’m painting the feelings I had at the time. I even look at colors in nature and think of how I would make those colors using the paints that I have at home. It happens so frequently that I don’t even realize I’m doing it anymore.

The movement, textures and color palette reflect all that I saw and experienced!! And what came out of me was a two week exploration of my time in the mountains. And I’m not done with this palette at all. I really enjoyed working with these colors and love the work that came out of this trip. This is why it is so important for me to get out into the world to explore all there is to see and do - especially in nature. Who knows where any of my adventures may take my work? But that is part of the excitement of the journey. My art = ME!! And I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my life!!

Nature As Inspiration

With my current pieces that I have been working on, I did not look at the photos before I started creating them. It wasn’t until I started posting them on social media that the color matches we so obvious. The marks and shapes all remind me of the inner feelings and dialogue I had while experiencing the mountains throughout the drive, through the windows of the cabin, on hikes, and on horse back. I try to pay attention to the shapes and feelings I experience while in a particular place. I try to then mimic some of those shapes in the work - leaf patterns, terrain, rock formations, bird feathers, shapes of the campfire, calm spaces that reflect the serene feelings of being in nature.

Creating abstract art is very confusing to people, and sometimes it’s even harder to describe as the creator. But for me, it’s about creating something from nothing. And in the process, I get to have a personal experience with my process. I connect very deeply with the world around me. I thought everyone did that, but it wasn’t until I was older that I realized how much of the world I internalize in comparison to others. The sights, the sounds, the smells are all internalized and can be very over stimulating at times.

“… and then, I have nature and art and poetry. and if that is not enough, what is enough?” - Vincent Van Gogh

The first week of 2022, I spent the week with my family in the North Georgia Mountains. It was a glorious trip for this visual person. With nature being one of my largest sources of inspiration, travel to new or different landscapes is so very important for me and for so many other creative people. In nature we see with fresh eyes and take in the sounds and smells of the places we visit. So as an artist, I thought I would share with you my process of using nature to inspire the abstract work that I create.

Blue Christmas

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:58:00 GMT

The tree was a gift that was made from the original molds from back in the day. Adding just the blue bulbs really makes it a show stopper and it goes so well in the theme.

This year, after getting married and moving to our new home, David and I have had fun decorating using some of his decorations too. I think this tree that was made by David’s dad is the perfect piece for our new dining area. I love the simplicity that it adds to the space with my painting as a perfect blue backdrop.

Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays. Since childhood, I’ve always loved to listen to Christmas music, bake Christmas goodies with my mom, and decorate our house. When I grew up and had my own home that was in Ohio, I couldn’t wait to follow suit. I quickly collected a lot of beautiful traditional decorations and decked the halls.

But after moving to Florida, I realized that so many things were different here. One thing that I quickly figured out was that the traditional decorations just didn’t work for me here. I went through many different types of decorations just by switching colors up to gold, silver, green, and the combination of the all of these without really changing my main decorations. But, about 6 years ago, I decided to flip the whole decoration scheme on its head and started collecting items to make the holiday BLUE. It was so much fun and made my house look so beautiful. I started sharing these photos on my Instagram account, and got great feedback, so I decided to share some of these ideas with you here on the blog.

Blue Christmas

This next beauty always makes me smile!!

This was the last piece that we put up this year to continue the midcentury modern theme for our newly painted home. I love how the white of the house and the black door really highlight this sparkly, retro piece. All I did was wrap tinsel around a grapevine wreath and used a hot glue gun to add the trees and ornaments. It was an easy project that really added a nice feature for all our guests that will be arriving in the next few weeks. Of course, the blue theme is in the wreath, but I also added in some fun midcentury colors to really make it pop.

My mom and I put our minds together again to design this colorful, midcentury inspired tree skirt out of felt and colorful fabrics. It was such a fun project. Then I added retro ornaments to my tree to really complete the look.

I started my Blue Christmas in Naples, Florida where the fireplace was so much fun to do. Adding glass trees, the beautiful blue and green wreath that my sister-in-love gifted me, and the fun stockings that I designed and made with my mom the amazing seamstress of the family. What a warm feeling this space was for us to gather.

I painted my own Christmas decorations to go with my theme, as well as ornaments too.

Right after the new year in 2020, I moved to the Venice, Florida area and the pandemic hit. Everything about that year was hard - I went through a divorce in the middle of a pandemic. Need I say anymore?? I wanted a new start and a new vibe in my home for Christmas in 2020, so I went one step further with my holiday theme and added a midcentury flare to my home and my decorations. I so love the groovy feeling it gave to my space!! It truly felt like me, and helped me to come out of such a hard season. Its amazing how a home and what you fill it with can truly make such a difference on your outlook.

Thank you so much for letting me share my festive space with you. Making my house a home has always been so important to me. I love to entertain and love on the people in my life. My artsy brain doesn’t just stay in the studio, but continues on into all parts of my life to home and fashion. The last few years have been so hard to move from my home, relocate, and get settled into a new city and house. But there is so much joy in this new home this year!! I am so grateful for so many amazing blessings that have come my way since my move. There is so much hope for the future and a permanent home to plant deep roots into again with my new husband David. I can’t begin to tell you what a blessing that is for us both. No matter where your life may be right now, know that you are so much appreciated by me. Whether this is a year of sorry over loss (oh how I understand that!!), or if this is a year of rejoicing to life finally getting back to a new normal with family and friends (I get that too), I will be celebrating all of you this year. The connections I have made through my art journey have been such a huge blessing, and I am so excited to connect with you all in this new space!! I pray you always find hope, love, acceptance and peace in my world, as well as all things art and lifestyle related!! Here’s to all the new opportunities that are coming ahead in 2022.

From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!! And wishing you a joyous holiday season no matter what you may be celebrating!!

Tammy & Dave

My 5 Favorite Acrylic Paints To Use to Create Beautiful Abstracts

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:45:00 GMT

My 5 Favorite Acrylic Paints To Use to Create Beautiful Abstracts

There are so many art supplies out in the world to choose from, which makes starting out in abstract art so daunting. Each class you takes asks you to buy different supplies, and before you know it, you’ve spent a fortune and you have art supplies on every flat surface of your home. Since it was so helpful for me in the beginning to hear from more seasoned painters what their favorite supplies were, I thought I’d share them with you.

1. Gorgeous Paint Colors - I have always hear my mentor Theresa Girard’s voice when I think about paint. She said to always, “paint like a millionaire”. The idea with that is to not skimp on the paint. You want to use enough to do the job. Tiny piles won’t work. So, the best thing to do is use the best paint that you can afford and paint like a millionaire. I really like Liquitex Basics for a student grade paint, because they have beautiful pigments and you can find them at your local craft store.

2. My next cheaper option is a company called Nova Paint that you get from the company directly, and it is shipped to you from California. They send you a color chart with hand done color swatches so you can really see the paint colors in person. The paints come in jars which I like to use silicone spatulas to put the paint onto my palette. They are somewhere between a heavy body and a fluid paint in viscosity. They have gorgeous colors and definitely my favorite reds of all. I still use them in all my work. They also have metallics and different acrylic mediums at affordable prices too . This is the hyperlink to their websi te for your convenience.

I use a lot of white paint in my work to get a good range of values within each piece. There are so many white paints to choose from, but my favorite white is to actually use Gesso. I love the Utrecht Artists’ Acrylic Gesso. It’s like butta’’!! Haha!! Seriously though, I can’t tell you how much I love the smooth, thick texture of this product. It is more affordable than a regular white paint, and I order it by the bucketsful!! Here’s the link for that.

3. Lukas Cryl Paints is my next favorite. I love that they are in squeeze bottles, I love the prices, and I love the pigmented color. They are a little thicker than the Nova paints. They have great colors to choose from and work well with other paints. I usually buy the Lukas from Jerry’s Artarama when they have a great sale.

5. Lastly, my all-time favorite paint, but the most expensive by far, is the Golden Fluid Acrylic. It is super pigmented with gorgeous colors to choose from. Someday, I will do a blog post on my favorite colors and why. The fluid acrylics are very transparent and make excellent washes, or mix so well with the gesso to make beautifully rich, saturated color, without feeling watered down. Their fluid nature makes them perfect for mark making. You can pick a few favorites and build on your collection as you paint. I love that they are in bottles to squeeze out, and I love that a little goes a long way. Here is a hyperlink for that product as well.

I hope that you have found this helpful. As a painter, I could go on and on for days about this subject. Just know that this is a quick rundown of my favorites, and that I will regularly be sharing this type of information in the blogs to come. Also, if you really want to see all my favorite supplies, sign up for my email list to receive my free downloadable Supplies PDF. I would love to have you along for the ride!!

Huge Announcement

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 19:40:00 GMT

Huge Announcement

In order to honor myself, my hard work, and the beauty that I bring to the world, I will be changing my professional name back to my maiden name. I will be –

Tammy Keller Contemporary Artist

And it feels good!!! My prayer for all of you is that my story might encourage you. We all go through the hardest of things in this world. At times, they are soul crushing. I can honestly say that I am glad that I have gone through what I have, because its taught me so much. It’s taught me what true love is and what it is not. Its taught me who my real friends are. It’s taught me that we can live through things that we never thought possible. It’s taught me great compassion for the hurting in this world, and Lord knows we are all hurting these days.

So from now on, you will see my name T.Keller signed on all my paintings. And I pray that when you see it, you will see it as a sign of an Overcommer!!

Today, I truly know who I am and what are the most important things to me. I have met and married a new love … truly the kindest man I have ever met in my entire life. We’ve moved into our own new home and are in the process of renovating it. And that leads me to my big announcement.

As a fullt-ime artist, there have been so many changes in my life since I started. I had always been a closet painter, but I made the decision 8 years ago to take my art seriously. I felt blessed by the Creator to be a creator in His image. That was who I truly was and what made me come alive. I knew it would be a slow process of becoming, but as I did, my life changed. My self-realization started about who I was and the type of person I always wanted to be.

As I was growing and starting to gain traction as an artist, there became a huge disparaging difference in my marriage. I tried for a couple years to figure out why we were struggling so badly. We had two amazing men-children, a home we loved, and what I thought was the perfect life. And then I abruptly learned some things about my husband that I couldn’t fix or look away from anymore. This led us to divorce 2 and a half years ago. Never in my life did I think I would be in that place. I mourned for months the loss of my family that had been my number one priority. I mourned the loss of the person who I thought had been my best friend. And I mourned the future that was never going to be.

But slowly, I got off the couch. I hired a divorce coach and went about the hard task of healing and self-discovery. I had to relearn who I was, and make new dreams for myself — dreams of a new future that included the things that I wanted for the first time in so long. Dreams of who I wanted to be, what I wanted to do, and the type of people I wanted in my life. It was hard work. I had to work through the good and the bad. I had to see myself for who I had become and how far I had strayed from myself to keep my marriage afloat. And slowly, things changed. I changed!!! Slowly, I was thankful that I had this new lease on life – a second chance. A chance to be the person that I’ve always wanted to be!! A chance to live a life I always wanted to live.