Comments on: Artist Friends

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 10:33:29 +0000

Hi Marla, loved this and venturing out with you! Your description of loving and needing your ‘cave’ resonates so well with me: I increasingly need solo time and space, all the more so since discovering art, and it’s lovely to hear that echoing with someone like you! I’m never happier than when gazing at something or messing about trying to express it. However, it’s good to be sometimes coaxed out – or prised out! – and be enriched and surprised by all the delights out there too – especially with others on a similar wavelength. I admire you both for setting out on that long drive through the snow. You photos were a joy too – and the chicken welcome! I’m away from home looking after some chickens and ducks and they are such characters. It’s fascinating how, as in your photo, the birds often stand and move in formation, with just one looking the opposite way! Perhaps that’s what we’re doing when we’re making art! Thanks for sharing your treasures with us: it’s always good hearing from you.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 22:44:25 +0000

Hi there Marla, loved this blog and do admire you and your friend for travelling 3.5 hours each way in mid winter (or so it would seem !) for a one day workshop … brave …. I live in the north of New Zealand so snow is an unknown to me … that journey would have sacred me ridged !!!
Looked like a really fun day though and your still life was amazing
I am currently 2/3rd of my way through your Oils for Anybody course and loving it … learning heaps .
Thanks so much for all your dedication and hard work

By: R. Sorrells

R. Sorrells — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:35:38 +0000

First, thank you for the vulnerability you’ve shown in this post. What you wrote strikes a chord with me and many others, I am sure. But also, thank you for sharing evidence of the fact that you are a life-long learner–not necessarily of the principles of art-making, but in the practice of art-making.
For myself, in order to grow and change as an artist, I benefit from realizing not just that I have changed and am not the person I was ten years ago or even six months ago, but also that every time I create I step into an unknown wonderland that helps me move into who I am becoming! It’s a wonderful adventure if we allow ourselves to take it.

By: Linda Crisostomo

Linda Crisostomo — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:25:16 +0000

I enjoyed your blog, reminds me of myself, so easy to become a hermit if you allow it. I’m fortunate to have a friend who enjoys art like I do. We’ve spent once a week together painting at each other’s home studio/dining room for over 10 years. We also take classes together and learn so much. Our last class was in pastels and my friend painted one of your landscapes! She amazed herself and couldn’t believe how wonderful the experience was. I enjoy your creativity and tutorials, thank you for being there with your guidance and support!

By: Sarah Neglia

Sarah Neglia — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 13:09:05 +0000

Thank You Marla for sharing your lovely day painting and learning, or pleasurably re-learning what we already know. You are a Wonderful & Talented Woman, Marla … and I see you attract lots of like-minded people! … Also Thank You for sharing how much solitude is needed to really explore and create art … being a fairly extroverted person, I still struggle with that … a lot of the time I feel like all my friends left the planet … and forgot me! haha! 🙂 … Thank You again Marla! You do such Wonderful Work and we all Love and look forward to your u-tube demonstrations!!! … Much Love, Sarah. 🙂

By: Susie

Susie — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 11:20:26 +0000

Totally identify with this. Never happier than when in the ‘cave.’ More so during my writing career actually, than now, when I paint with pastels. Like you, I sign up for activities and when the date comes around my heart sinks! Also, get the point about non-creative people. Although I have many in my family and love them dearly. Best friends are writers/artists/craftspeople – really people who have passion for something and are driven to create every day.
Love the blog. I do miss your pastel demos Marla btw, however your oils and acrylics are stunning. Love the still life – beautiful.

By: Sigridh Kiersch

Sigridh Kiersch — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 03:53:02 +0000

I so enjoyed indirectly participating in your time with Eric through your blog. Sounds like it was a feast for the soul!

By: Mitchell Freifeld

Mitchell Freifeld — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 02:08:38 +0000

I can certainly understand your “cave” analogy after many years of being a full time painter. I spend 7 days a week in the studio, and on the rare occasions when I interact with anyone out side our home, it’s a strange and experience; I always come away felling like “I didn’t get it right.” My process starts in the 2×4 pile at Home Depot and the crowds can be somewhat inhibiting.

But twice a year there’s something I look forward to well in advance of the event: the spring and fall shows at RSG. It’s twice a year when I get to be with other painters and for those few hours, it’s another world for me and I feel a sense of belonging to something. To be with other painters and talk about, even just for a short time only twice a year is wonderful.

By: Lynda Campbell

Lynda Campbell — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 01:21:11 +0000

This was a good read…thank you…glad you got out of your comfort zone…it is tricky and we have to have some strong talks to ourselves!!! I’m doing just that and am losing sleep. Signed up for Fall Color paint out in White Mts . of New Hampshire in Oct.(an Eric Rhoads plein air event) HUGE venture physically(some HC issues… and logistically. Trying to figure how to travel, take and how to pare supplies down, etc. Know you’ve done this often but me…not so!!! Part of me excited to put myself out there…part of me terrified of how to manage and enjoy. No lectures or demos so all time devoted to painting and sharing then in eves. So your comments about learning nothing new particularly but getting a chance to practice, apply what know and paint everyday sounds exciting. Know I’ll improve.
Anyway…appreciated your thoughts too and just wanted to share.

By: Beverly Sipos

Beverly Sipos — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 01:00:10 +0000

I agree with every thing you wrote. I have a group of like minded artist friends – invaluable. I am alone working a lot – and I really don’t like leaving the studio. Non-artists are pretty boring. I’ve been married to a chemist for a long time. Most of our friends are from my art connections. His work buddies are boring. When ever I do make art road trips, I’m very glad I did it. Art knowledge does transcend the ages – still nice to know. Anyway – I enjoyed your blog.