![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/M-3-1024x156.jpg)
November 3, 2023
Are You Playing Catch Up?
A birthday message from Dan on artistic growth and staying the course
Keeping up with the Watercolor Jones’ can be nerve wracking, annoying and will only add to artistic frustration. Do you ever find yourself comparing your journey to that of someone else? What can we do when negativity takes hold of the thing that we love and (used to) enjoy so much? Not everyone finds themselves tumbling down the rabbit hole of- “I don’t paint as well as so and so”, “I cant express myself with watercolor in the way that I want”, “nothing comes out how I want it to”, “I couldn’t copy that picture”, “I didn’t get accepted into the show”, etc….but to be perfectly honest with you, I have. I can tell you it’s not a good environment to foster creativity and personal growth… is it? Its the age old “Artist Imposter Syndrome” that myself, my professional peers and maybe you have experienced from time to time. On and on it goes until the frustration builds to a point where you don’t even feel like taping your paper, let alone lifting a brush. When I experience any of these feelings, i’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to focus on what’s truly important… and frankly… it’s myself. My own art and watercolor journey is mine. I am solely and completely responsible for my own growth, art happiness, shortcomings, consistency, success and enjoyment of doing what I know I love. It has nothing to do with what anyone else is doing. Hard work pays off and if i’ve become stagnant or complacent it’s my own damn fault. Kudos I say to those I may want to compare myself to, they are doing it! I can do that too!! I will ask myself honestly
When I cant honestly answer a resounding YES to these questions I get right back on the ball and get moving. If you find yourself needing a little extra inspiration and creative push, stop just playing catch up and take steps to get back on track! |
What Can I Do? |
A few simple ideas to re ignite that special spark
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What is your special spark starter?It doesn’t matter what it is as long as you can identify when you need it and remember that you and you alone are responsible for your art happiness. I wish you well on your watercolor journey and am honored to be able to offer even just a little help in your growth and development HAPPY PAINTING -DAN |
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/HAPPYPLACE-1024x768.jpg)
In one of my happy places
out painting the day before my birthday, keeping the spark alive
October 20, 2023
Laguna Beach Dispatch
The 25th annual LPAPA Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational has been in full swing all week. It’s been so much fun painting with friends, meeting lots of new people and enjoying the Laguna Coast. It’s been a fantastic week with the Invitational and looking forward to next weeks workshop on Balboa Island!
Read on to see what’s happening!
I turned in all my paintings yesterday (pics below) and finally have a chance to relax before the big Gala tonight. It is a ticketed, sold out event but you can still come in person to see all the art! Sunday the 15th is open to the public, all the artists will be there, some (including me!) will be doing demonstrations, painting, sketching etc. If you’re in the area, please come by and say hello, look at the art and if you’re moved to.. buy some! The exhibition is open from 10-4
(I will be painting on and off with no set demonstration time)
THE QUICK DRAW
The week kicks off with The Quick Draw event. Artists have a 2 hour time limit to paint at Heisler Park. When the painting is finished it’s a rush back over to the Festival of the Arts grounds to frame and turn in, followed by the Auction! The site is limited to 9×12 so I usually have time to do 2! I can only enter 1 though, below is the one I chose, the second can be seen below in the Library section.
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-9-1024x825.jpeg)
Laguna Stroll (Quick paint #1) 9×12 Sold
PAINTINGS FOR THE GALA
From the work painted only during the week, artists choose 4 paintings to be considered for award selection. Below are the 4 I’ve submitted.
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-1024x508.jpeg)
Umbrella Shade, Cafe Serenade 8×16- SOLD
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-1-1024x473.jpeg)
Cove Connections 10×20 Available- contact danmarshallart@gmail.com
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-2-1024x772.jpeg)
Canyon’s Quiet Reverie 14×18 Available contact danmarshallart@gmail.com
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-3-1024x490.jpeg)
Beach Bonding 8×16 Sold
PAINTINGS FOR THE LIBRARY
In the “Library” artists can hang work not eligible for judging, it can be either extra work created throughout the week, studio work or paintings from other locations etc
Here are a few (plus more!) that I had have available.
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-5-1024x812.jpeg)
Crystal Cove, Morning Glow 11×14 SOLD
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-4-756x1024.jpeg)
Coastal Lines (Quick paint #2) 9×12 SOLD
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-7-1024x777.jpeg)
Laguna Happy Hour 11×14 Sold
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-6-1024x801.jpeg)
Pier Twilight 14×18 Sold
![](https://danmarshallart.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/image-8-753x1024.jpeg)
The Striped Blanket 9×12 Available contact danmarshallart@gmail.com