Tidal Tango

Tidal Tango
24" x 24" oil

Wednesday, February 21, 2018


 How do we choose? Whether we are creating a painting, a poem, a home or our life, we create through a series of choices. Do I use Ultramarine blue or Cerulean blue, Alizarin Crimson or Cadmium red? What creates the feeling I am looking for? What provides contrast, beauty, success or calm? If I choose by default what do I get? If I choose after careful consideration do I get a different result? What if I choose outside of our comfort zone, like my painting fog (still in process), what happens? Do I create some new, amazing result? Life is a series of choices...
  So how do we create the life we want? How do you choose?

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

  Look around, what Beauty surrounds you? Is it the way the slanting light catches the tree across the street? Is it the giggle of children at play? Is it the strength and character in a loved one's eyes?
 " We were created to be creators. At its deepest heart, creativity is meant to serve and evoke beauty. When this desire and capacity come alive, new wells spring up in parched ground, difficulty becomes invitation... The wonder of beauty is its ability to surprise us. With swift, sheer grace, it is like a divine breath that blows the heart open." - Beauty by John O'Donohue
  The joy for me as I begin to settle into a creative rhythm is I begin to see through the ordinary of everyday to recognize the extraordinary. Look around.What beauty embraces you the creator?

Friday, January 12, 2018

  What are your core values? As I transition back into a creative mindset I have been doing some thought provoking reading. In Judith Teitelman's article in a recent edition of Professional Artist, she raises questions that might surprise some. Like what are your core values? What motivates you? What surprises you? Excites you? Challenges you?
  So what does this have to do with creating art? The creative process is not just about the finished product; a pretty picture or a pleasing pot or an intriguing short story.  For the artist the creative process is about what you learn about yourself in the process. What are you thinking as you wait for that perfect pose from the blue heron. Or what do you feel when you are working out the flow of dance steps to that new routine. What do you learn about yourself as you select plants for that new garden.
  Go create and see what discoveries await you!

Friday, January 5, 2018

WOW it has been a decade since I have posted! Now that I have left corporate life and own my own time again my intent is to post on a regular basis.  There are so many intriguing questions to pose, so many delights to share and oh so many amazing paintings to paint. Stay in touch and join the conversation as I launch my Facebook page Chris Doyle Fine Arts and a redesigned website common-ground-studio.com. Let me know what you think and thanks for visiting!