Acrylic Painting Lessons & Techniques

"Myth#1 The Artist is Special"

The ROLE the artist plays in society is certainly unique and special but the artist himself is not. The myth is that for years people have thought of artists as “special” or “gifted” over and above everyone else. Artists themselves have bought into this Hollywood, romantic idea and often have suffered because of it, and those of us who don’t feel as “gifted” wind up feeling intimidated and frustrated, being relegated to the ranks of the mediocre and mundane. How absurd and insane is this thinking in light of the realizationthat “the artist” is within everyone.

Many years ago, I attended a seminar with approximately 350 participants. The speaker asked everyone who thought that they were unique, special and different from everyone else, to raise their hands. Well, ALL the participants raised their hands! In that moment, it was obvious that yes, everyone was unique and special, but at the same time, were really all the same.

Having seen many people take these workshops, some of whom came with absolutely no previous experience or knowledge or special gifts, and watching the work they were able to produce, I am convinced that anyone can paint. We have all seen the marvelous work children can do with no training, experience or instruction. Their work, if not corrupted by those in the “know”, is genuine, authentic, joyful, creative, spontaneous, colorful, Honest, and literally laughs in the face of the critic. Recently, at a workshop on Saltspring Island, British Columbia, the room was full of framed paintings by students 7-12 years old who were under the instruction of a very wise and loving instructor. I was so inspired to see this work and at the end of the workshop realized, that I could not critique any of those paintings. For me, it was a real joy to be in the presence of such authentic creations.

Each of us has been endowed with the ability to create. Some have actualized this ability more than others and manifested it in many different ways other than painting. We are all creators and exercise our “gifts” in some form or other.

Many people I know, were discouraged early in life from doing anything artistic and adopted beliefs about themselves that made it impossible in their minds for anything “creative” to come from them. These same people were in for a real surprise in the workshops when they allowed some of these barriers to be removed and witnessed with their own eyes wonderful things happening on their canvases. Some, were so excited and surprised, I found them shaking in front of their easels!

"Help children to get through their childhood and out of it without shutting down their creativity or their inner spiritual connections. Help adults to reconnect to their creativity if it is in your realm to do so. Help yourself by doing whatever you need to do to get clear of all cultural suggestions that you cannot succeed at your Art. Never give up. By fully connecting to our Fire Nature and Passion for Life, all things are possible."

Next >> Myth #2 I Need to Know How

"7-STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL PAINTING" A new 125-page, full-colour ebook (pdf) Acrylic Painting Course by Artist Brian Simons. Only $29.95 Can. This Acrylic Painting Ebook is based on the artists highly successful painting workshops that have been running in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, for the last 6 years. It is an inspirational, thought-provoking, instructional book for both beginner and expert alike. NO PREVIOUS DRAWING OR PAINTING EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED! Having seen literally hundreds of people, (many with no experience) go throguh this course and come out inspired by the works they produced, Brian feels anyone can paint. A lot of emphasis is placed on the spiritual aspects of painting and helping the painter to get out of the way and allowing the painting to work, as well as diffusing many of the myths that surround art and artists. 7-easy to follow steps from start to finish. For more details visit: http://www.briansimons.com/id14.html