Disqus - Latest Comments for bellfred

Re: What are you focused on?

fred bell — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 12:51:35 -0000

Helpful for me today. I'm working on a series for a show. The theme is flowers and moving toward a less literal representation.

Re: The Canvases Are Off!

fred bell — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:40:01 -0000

It is a great luxury to have someone else re-stretch your canvases. Sending a canvas on the stretchers is a chore. You're lucky.

Re: I HAVE A TITLE FOR MY UPCOMING EXHIBITION!

fred bell — Sun, 19 May 2024 12:35:01 -0000

I am working on a series for a show too. I like the idea of finding the title before the work is done. Good video!!

Re: Using old paint stinks!

fred bell — Sun, 12 May 2024 11:58:46 -0000

https://justpaint.org/shelf....

Re: I’m preparing canvases for my upcoming show…

fred bell — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 21:07:09 -0000

You'd have to ask him.

Re: I’m preparing canvases for my upcoming show…

fred bell — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 17:46:41 -0000

“The back of the canvas needs to remain as is - do not prime, do not seal. The painting breathes, and if you cut off the air supply you may end up growing mold between the layers, as well as creating competing sides which will expand and contract at different rates.”

Re: I’m preparing canvases for my upcoming show…

fred bell — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 10:53:24 -0000

Do they get restretched at the gallery?

Re: Here’s how I start a new body of work…

fred bell — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 11:54:13 -0000

Great advice! Thinking about it usually doesn’t work well for me, but your approach may change that. When you’re doing such large work, like yours, it’s best to have some things thought out as well as you can. I’ve never had a show of super large canvases like yours.

Re: Get in Motion with Palette Paper

fred bell — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:47:17 -0000

Since starting cvp for the 3rd time I have begun to play in my sketchbook again. I had one around that I never used, so there’s no anxiety. I start off with a random blob of color and then respond to it. If the page looks too blank and intimidating, messing it up often helps. Just scribble with a pencil. It’s so relaxing to paint with no goal in mind. 🎶.

Re: I just sent some new work to my gallery…

fred bell — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 11:02:24 -0000

2578

I’ve had trouble with galleries where I ended up painting for the gallery instead of myself. It seems like a pretty good situation with Julie Nester. It’s just a problem I had.

Re: The importance of community…

fred bell — Sun, 03 Mar 2024 10:37:53 -0000

You are right! Years ago I joined a group and we had a show together. It was a revelation to see my work next to other artists. It did make me reevaluate a lot.
I think there is a danger, too, of just painting what the rest of the group likes.

Re: The business side of your art…

fred bell — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 10:40:20 -0000

Selling work is very satisfying but promotion is not fun. Even posting online is very time consuming. I do it and have experienced some success but it’s not fun. I wish I could get the same enjoyment from promoting as I do from marketing.
One way to show your work that is easier is to join an art group or form one yourself. Seeing your work on the wall with others is an educational experience. Start small and hang it wherever a wall is available, restaurants, hair salons, wherever.

Re: Finding new ways to work with acrylic paint…

fred bell — Sun, 03 Dec 2023 12:24:16 -0000

Cool idea. Thanks!

Re: An Essential Truth About Making Art

fred bell — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 12:18:04 -0000

I teach a lot too and I agree about imparting confidence in students. Often making art makes people feel vulnerable. They think that they should be skilled before the class even starts or they will feel foolish. No one takes their first piano lesson and thinks they should enter the class already playing well. It seems like this feeling is unique to painting and drawing.

Re: How does self-love relate to your art?

fred bell — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 11:14:55 -0000

Excellent message. The last point is where I struggle. It is hard to ask others to have confidence in you, for instance a gallery. I think that the more you ask, the easier it gets. At least, I hope so.

Re: Try This New Painting Surface!

fred bell — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 12:52:18 -0000

Cool idea. Like scratch board but stiffer.

Re: Watch how I glaze my oil & acrylic paintings!

fred bell — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 12:33:37 -0000

I’m going to do it. I haven’t tried it in a long time.

Re: Watch how I create cool effects with crayons!

fred bell — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 11:07:34 -0000

Fun!

Re: Working large, small, and everything in between!

fred bell — Sun, 21 May 2023 10:02:09 -0000

Smaller paintings are easier to sell. Everyone has a small wall. Generally, my customers are of more modest means and have smaller homes and smaller walls. I like to paint large but storage is a problem too.
I’m working on a series of 16x16” on panels. The size feels right to me.

Re: The three stages of art-making

fred bell — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 09:18:20 -0000

Always great advice. I do this too. When it feels ho hum, it’s time to mess it up.

Re: Here’s how subtlety leads to powerful art

fred bell — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:12:05 -0000

As usual, inspiring idea.

Re: Stuck in the messy middle of your painting?

fred bell — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 10:48:15 -0000

When I reach an impasse I paint out something. It changes the whole thing.

Re: Intellect or Intuition?

fred bell — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 12:07:53 -0000

I think it’s natural to go back and forth. I feel like when I am doing one, I want the other.

Re: Everyone’s Eligible & Anything’s Possible!

fred bell — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 13:08:10 -0000

Great encouragement. I feel like I am reaching toward some critical issues that have affected my whole life. I can't do Spark but I know it will be very helpful to many people.

Re: Try this to get your art going

fred bell — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 10:39:29 -0000

This is a great idea that I’ve used it before in cvp. I’d like to try it with a representational painting.