How to Discover Yourself as an Artist
This week I share deep thoughts about how to discover yourself as an artist and how to get discovered. I have a video for you and also, some photos of making a recent large oil painting called “Atlantis”.
When I paint, I am an introvert, but after the session, I want to connect with the world.
When the painting is not finished, I may look at it with a very critical eye.
Then I think: Only if you knew what I think, how I feel, and how I have made myself to always reach higher.
This week, I want to tell you. I want to share some things I have found helpful in my artistic career. How I have discovered my artistry and more: how I have got discovered as an artist.
How to Discover Yourself as an Artist and How to Get Discovered – Watch the Video!
I hope this was helpful. Tell us what you think!
I am always waiting for your comments!
Flower Painting Comes to Life – Watch the Video!
This week you get to paint with me in my little studio. We follow the birth of this flower painting from blank canvas to an exhibition.
In the video, you see me painting and chatting, and also get to visit my current exhibition at the gallery Gumbostrand Konst & Form. The exhibition is from Feb 12 to March 9, 2025 in Sipoo, Finland.
From Blank Canvas to Exhibition Piece – Watch the Video!
While I paint the flower painting, I talk about making art, becoming an artist, and what it’s like to paint freely and not use any reference photos. This is a longer video than usually because I have collected the material for it many months.
In the video, I talk not only about painting but drawing too. I love to play by drawing, and that play affects my paintings. Never underestimate the effect of play, and always keep playing and drawing, no matter how high you want to reach!
Hearts and Stories – Sign Up Now!
Let’s draw for your inner child and make the most out of simple shapes!
Hearts and Stories will begin on March 17, 2025. >> Sign Up Now!
Art On the Wall – Displaying Canvas Paintings
Our home is full of art. Almost all my canvas paintings are displayed on the walls. The arrangements change when old ones are sold and new ones are born. In this blog post, I show some of the paintings and how they are displayed at the moment.
When using stretched canvases, framing is not necessary. I hope this inspires you to create some canvas art. Check out my acrylic painting course Floral Freedom and see more of my paintings at paivieerola.com/gallery!
In the Gallery Corner
Our library room is on the darker side of our house, but I think that the lack of daylight and a heavy atmosphere goes well with the books and nostalgic-style paintings.
Displaying different sizes of canvas paintings on the same wall looks great but needs planning. I made a plan in Photoshop first, and then we hung them all at once.
Above the Aquarium
People often say that all my canvas paintings express the underwater world. That hasn’t been intentional because I am actually afraid of deep waters. But my husband has had aquariums for decades, and they must have affected my art.
The painting continues the aquarium view. And it was not planned at all!
Best Lit
Our dining area has special lighting for a big painting – LED strips in two directions that have adjustable color and intensity.
The colors of any painting are highly affected by the amount and color of light.
When I Wake Up
The bedroom is our darkest room, but every morning when I wake up, I look at the wall that is filled with my paintings.
There is also a collection of my cross-stitch projects. Stitching is just a hobby but I like the combination.
In the Hallway Gallery
I love our yellow hallway and how the color unifies a mixed collection of paintings. Displaying canvas paintings can be this easy!
This narrow hallway was super boring before we painted it and added art on the walls.
Entrance Art
Our house has a space right after the entrance where I often change a painting to one that feels current. I also decorate the top of the sideboard cabinet that’s under the painting. Now it’s time for some darker art.
Happy Halloween!
Painting a Childhood Dream
A childhood dream came true when I finally made a painting with my favorite subject.
I’ve always wanted to paint mammalians, but reaching this point has taken a long time. The best must be protected before it comes out exactly as it is meant to be!
“Predators, Right?”
In July, I picked a brush, and said to myself: “Predators, right?”
As a child, my friends talked mostly about horses, but I was a lion girl. I drew a lot of lions and antelopes: predators and prey. I had learned from nature books that the world works that way.
When I went to school, my parents bought a black and white television. Back then, my favorite profession was lion tamer. I wanted to be the new Joy Adamson!
“Paint What You Want!”
It is easy for a child to draw what she wants, but an adult is more critical.
After seeing life and understanding all its complexity, prey and predator are no longer separate, but part of a whole.
And to get hold of the whole, we have to get in touch with our inner self and grow our skills.
Art is like a meadow that grows seed by seed.
Love and sunshine are needed!
I try to speak softly to myself when I paint. Like it would be a child who paints, not an adult. I hope this friendliness also comes through in my classes!
Your Childhood Dream?
Painting big and detailed takes not only friendly self-talk but also patience. That’s why I like to practice with smaller drawings.
Big or small – we are on this journey together!
What was your childhood dream? What subjects did you draw as a child?