Ripe with Possibility

Morning is my favorite time of day and often part of my paintings. Not the physical morning, although they are beautiful at Corroluna, so much as the psychological. Each morning is a new beginning that is ripe with possibility.  It must be this positive thought that makes positive things happen in my life. That and taking action. The unknown is not a scary place but fertile ground for creativity, a blank canvas on with to create the art of happiness.

Multi Tree Morning by MJ Beswick 2009

 

Keeping an Artist Journal

Keeping an artist journal can have a big payoff for any aspiring artist. “Keeping”, in this case, means capturing moments of your life’s journey with regularity. Doing it takes discipline but it soon becomes a habit that is also a pleasure and a valuable tool. I have been doing it for over 10 years now and have some twenty or more of these little books in various sizes, colors and shapes on my studio shelf. They are much more than sketch books. I have set no limitations on what I can put into them. My journals are filled with my deepest thoughts, my dearest desires, ideas for new paintings, drawings of things I see, drawings from my imagination, inspiring quotes, mindless doodling, and lists of things to do. I include photos of completed paintings next to the idea that inspired it, and pictures of other artist’s paintings that inspire me. This “keeping” has become an important tool in my creative journey. It teaches me about myself and clarifies my intentions and desires for both my artwork and my life. My journals give me a documented history of my journey and growth as an artist. Even when I cannot get to my studio because life gets in the way, I can take a few minutes to add something to my artist journal. I know that when I do get to my studio, I will have a wealth of information on which to draw authentic inspiration.





Line and Shape

Line is the most powerful, personally expressive element used in art making. Lines can be straight or curvy, fat or thin, broken or solid, dark or light, smooth or rough, sweeping or tight, or lost and found. Most artists have natural tendencies to use certain qualities of line.  I like curvy, lost and found lines as in my painting above, called Cleo’s Bouquet. It also uses light and dark repeated lines that read as patterned shapes. A shape is a line that closes. Think about drawing a circle or any other shape. The edges of shapes are considered lines too. Line is very personal. It carries energy and information about the maker. Think about signatures. They are basically lines that visually represent someone in a personal, expressive and unique way.  It’s the same in drawing and painting.

What is Corroluna?

Corroluna Studio at Corroluna Cottage is located on the river banks of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. The name Corroluna is made up of Corro from the Corrotoman River that the cottage overlooks and the word Luna or moon that shines a path on the river to our door.  It is an inspiring place to live and paint surrounded by the beauty and quiet rhythms of nature.  Here one is transported back in time from today’s hurried man-made world to the slower, simpler natural world. It reminds me daily to appreciate and celebrate life simply for the experience of being a part of it. That is what my art is about.



Pattern in Painting

Pattern is an element that I love to use in my paintings along with color, line, and shape which actually make up patterns. Although I love traditional patterns like checks, stripes, and dots, almost anything can be a pattern.  Think leaves on a tree, tiles on a roof or waves on the sea. Pattern can be loose or tight, large or small, calm or active.  Pattern can unify and separate shapes as in my painting above called Fiesta Table.  The different patterns define different objects or shapes.  But at the same time, the patterns can appear unified when they are contrasted with plain shapes. Then all the patterned shapes are more alike, in contrast to the plain shapes which are different.  Can you find the contrasting Plain shapes in this painting?