Art Every Day Month

Art everyday means a commitment to listening-- every day. This is what I heard today.

One People
7x10
Ink on Paper
©Antonia Ruppert

"Mount Shasta progress"
©Antonia Ruppert

Colorado + Art Every Day Month 2015

Packing for Colorado

Before church started, I saw a post from my friend Elaine about Art Every Day Month 2015.  I decided to jump in and agree to being creative in some way daily.  That should be easy since I am on my way to Colorado this week for Art Biz Breakthrough and there will be loads of new people and places to see.

I've already committed to creating new Colorado paintings upon my return home.  My pre-sale of those paintings ends on November 10th.  See more about those here.

Also, in the works is a commission of Mount Shasta in California.  So there will be lots to see here on the blog creative wise.  I may even post a song or two. Who knows what November will hold creatively?

For now, here are my doodles for today...

Candy Dish ©Antonia Ruppert

Doodle to the Message ©Antonia Ruppert

This last doodle was done while listening to the message in church today. As Pastor Henry was preaching, I captured some of what he was saying in words and images. 

Doodling has actually been shown to keep the mind engaged while in meetings.  Next time you're in church taking notes, doodle them visually. (Let me know how it turns out.)

If you want to jump on board the creativity bandwagon--there is still time. Check it all out here on the Creative Every Day blog.

What creative adventures await you this November?

Join me in Colorado?

Next month, when I arrive in Colorado, I'll be bringing my artist eye, my sketchbook, camera and my own ray of sunshine.

When I visited northern Wisconsin earlier this year - I painted and picked up lots of greens and blues along the way.

Something tells me that with the change in locale, I will be especially inspired. Hence, I am planning a series of landscapes based on sights I see while there.

You can join in on the adventure!

Welcome to Colorado - seen through my eyes!

Here is how it works - from October 27th - November 10th:

1. Select two colors that I will feature in your original 11x14 painting.
2. Purchase your painting on my website.
3. At checkout, let me know the two colors that you selected (If you miss this step, simply email me your selection.
4. After the painting is completed, I will post it and ship it to you.

Congratulations on joining with me in Colorado! Stay tuned - as I will be blogging here about my Colorado adventure.

Have you been to Colorado? Do you have any travel tips? Where will your next adventure take you?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

20 Years and Counting!

"Saugatuck Revisited"
Oil
36x48
©Antonia Ruppert
2015

A few weeks ago, I went to the La Grange Art League in La Grange, IL so that I could submit my work to jury in. Their art jury committee was meeting to review art and select new artists eligible to show in their gallery space and other locations they manage.  At the gallery, I was asked how long I have been painting. I had to think...

20 years.

As I left the gallery, it dawned on me that it had been since before 1995 that I started painting. My baby was in diapers as I finished my final show for college.  Most people who know me well, know that it's been a labor of love for 20+ years. The paintings below are from 1993 and 1994. 

"Family Reunion"
Oil
24x30
©Antonia Ruppert
1993

"With the Gas Off"
Oil
24x38
©Antonia Ruppert
1994

After 20 years, I'm still attracted to color and story and pushing paint. I have met some beautiful young artists in the past few years including Camerina, Divya, Michael and Kayla H.. The tips below are for them and anyone else who desires a creative practice.

12 tips that help one stay with a creative practice:

1. Make room for it 
2. Be prepared to sacrifice 
3. Allow change to happen
4. Always be curious 
5. Expect growth
6. Prepare to see God in the mundane
7. Be prepared for yucky stuff to happen
8. Expect amazing things to happen 
9. Practice and play often
10. Be prepared to get lost
11. Be prepared for detours
12. Have a support system

Oooh one more - 

    13. No matter the outcome, be thankful for the opportunity to create.

Have you found other tips that have worked for you? Do share in the comments below. 

...While Visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia

Beyond My Mountains

Oil on Gessoed MDF Panel

12 x 12

Available through my website

This piece is titled, "Beyond My Mountains." It is from an experience I had while visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. It is meant to depict the feeling of joy when moving through something --whether spiritually or figuratively.

Such an amazing view...

Once we all got out of the car...it was pure perfection.

What was your last "take your breath away" experience?

Be creative while on vacation: 10+ tips

"Taking it All In"

12x12

Oil and Acrylic on panel

$350

Available through my website 

Yeehaw! Can you be creative while on vacation? 

My Experience 

My family visited central Wisconsin this week and we went horseback riding for the first time. We took a tour along a scenic route in Mauston, Wisconsin at Red Ridge Ranch. It's about 20 minutes from the Dells and away from the touristy stuff. The scenes were just perfect for invigorating creativity.

© Antonia Ruppert

While walking in unfamiliar surroundings, I saw such beauty all around. Do you ever close your eyes and soak it all in when you experience such joy? Later, as I started to paint, I noticed the trees were doing a little dance in the wind. This piece "Taking it All In" is birthed out of that moment.

After taking it all in this week, I wrote a list of things you can do to stay creative while on vacation.

10+ Tips

1. Take notice of local plants and flowers you might not see normally. I saw this arrangement this week while walking.

   

   © Antonia Ruppert

   
   
2. Bring a pad of paper or sketchbook along.
3. Use the sketchbook with limited tools.
4. If you paint, use a limited or different color palette.
5. Try a different way of crafting, cooking, exercising, etc.
6. Change the layout of things- it will loosen you.
7. Notice beautiful things that are similar yet different -- that sunset may be a little redder than back home. Here is one I saw this week.
   
8. Use downtime to revisit goals and values.
9. Catch up on that devotional book or Bible study you've meant to do.
10. Practice reflection on all the things you're grateful for.
11. Begin or end the day with a prayer of gratitude for your life.

These have been helpful to me. I hope these help you too. I would love to hear your own ideas in the comments below.


Joy and peace!
Antonia

  

Flow Paintings: Paintings I Paint to Music Within

Do you have a song that plays in your head over and over?  I do. It seems I'm always singing or humming. Music just takes me there, you know? These paintings are my response to music within. I call them flow paintings...because they simply flow out. 

"Bold and Beautiful"
Oil on Panel
12x12
©Antonia Ruppert

"Breathing in Joy"
Oil on Panel
12x12
©Antonia Ruppert

"Joy is Within"
Oil on Panel
12x12
©Antonia Ruppert

Here is a sprinkling of the music that I have played while painting - 

1. K'Jon - On the Ocean  - it plays over and over...
2. Paul Bolache - Praise is Rising
3. Colorado Mass Choir - Stir Up the Gift
4. Judith McAllister - Halle Halle Hallelujah  - I can't help but dance in worship...
5. Lamar Campbell - More Than Anything
6. Youthful Praise - Lord You're Mighty
7. Kim Walker - I Exalt Thee
8. Lord, Do It - Hezekiah Walker
9. William Murphy - It's Working

What music do you listen to? What influences your work? I'd love to hear from you.