It took LONG enough!

I painted this little guy for invites to an "Ugly Sweater Party" I was hosting. I didn't really give it much thought, and it took me about 20 minutes from start to finish--but after I finished my husband said "You know babe, I think this is your style."

I thought: Seriously? I spend HOURS and HOURS and HOURS on past paintings, YEARS and YEARS studying art, and NOW I discover my style on this dorky little 20 minute cartoon? But the more I thought about it, I think he is right. Like I mentioned in my past post, I believe style finds you...you don't necessarily find your style. For me, I have spent a lot of painful hours trying to find what my signature on canvas is..the distinct way to make art that is only Ariel Cole...but I think a lot of those hours I was missing the point. Style to me is a synonym with "fun" and "light"..which, I believe, is why my husband made that comment. Your style is what you do when you are not trying too hard. It's what happens when you are just having fun.

But I think it's been forming for a while now....

These are some of my favorite pieces, because I had the most FUN making them. I think they have the same loose, even sketchy feel with a vivid saturated palette and hasty brush strokes.

It feels good to have "finally arrived." ;)

I can't wait to begin my final semester in a few weeks and really hone in on my style!

A Few Words About STYLE...

STYLE is a word you hear thrown around a lot in an art setting. "That's not my style," "I like your style," "Interesting style, man." STYLE, STYLE, STYLE. I think, like with many things in life, there are correct uses of this term, and incorrect.

Incorrect uses of style:
-Using "style" as an excuse to execute 'bad' art...and by 'bad' art, I mean art that you know is ugly, but you justify it's ugliness by professing that is your "style."

-Thinking your style is totally original. Lets face it. NOTHING is completely original. We are affected by everything around us, whether we realize it or not. Artist's personal style is really the result of a lot of other personal styles and preferences all conglomerated and intermingled together.

-Thinking your style is invincible. Think of clothes. Do you wish you wore the same outfits you sported in 6th grade? probably not. Missing that '80's hair? Maybe, but again, probably not. Like fashion trends, art trends and styles change...they come and go, and if you want to be competitive, you must we willing to adapt to some degree, while not loosing your personal touch and a sense of uniqueness. Example: Here is a drawing I did in 7th or 8th grade, that I was pretty proud of. This style was obviously highly influenced by what I saw on TV, and products that catered towards kids who are 12 and 13 years old.

It was a drawing of some friends and cross-country team mates, and I actually ended up marrying that hunk in the middle :)

My point is, thank goodness I wasn't so set on that style. My personal style has changed, and undoubtedly will continue to change for the rest of my life....and I am totally okay with that.

Correct uses of style-

- A style should be "discovered" by doing a lot of research. Find artists you like, then draw what they draw, try to mimic their lines and shapes, the way they apply color and texture. Think about why they do what they do, and how it is working, and why you like it. Style is really being humble and smart. It is knowing what you like, but no thinking you know it all. It is being teachable and then taking what you are taught and making something unique.

- I may need to contradict something I said earlier. Nothing we MAKE is totally original, because it is made up of a lot of different influences..etc, but WE are original. Every person is totally unique and has a special way of viewing the world and viewing art. This is wonderful, and should be embraced. While I may try to imitate my inspirations, I will never make marks EXACTLY like they do, because frankly, I am not them. I am not Norman Rockwell, or Steven Kellogg, or Bill Watterson...

I hold my pencil and brush in a unique way (for me, SUPER tight!)

I see the world in a unique way

I sketch in a different way

I am just a different and unique individual. 

SO what am I blabbering on about? Embrace your individuality! DON'T compare and compete (That is the quickest way to kill your style), just make what you love, but seek to improve. 

AND, make sure you respect other's individual expressions. You don't have to like it, but there is something really neat about seeing some one's brains, mind, soul, emotions....whatever, splattered or neatly organized on a screen, paper or canvas. There is something special about being a person, and that alone deserves respect.

With that said...

 I have been doing some research lately to try and hone in on my "style." 

  A lot of things in my life have changed recently....one in particular....

I became a MOM!

Even though he is only a couple of months old, I take him to the library once a week and I grab the first three children's books that catch my eye. Then, I take them home and read them to my little Miracle. 

I'll be honest, some of the books I have gotten, I really do not like the illustrations, but I try to avoid thinking "I could totally do better" because a) probably not, and b) that is their unique individual way of expressing that story, THEY did it, not me.

But this last trip, was really successful. I rediscovered three illustrators that I plan on integrating into my mental pile of "illustrators I love"

STEVEN KELLOGG (I love his watercolor washes and intricate line work)

G. BRIAN KARAS (Very unique, sketchy quality, great imagination)

SACHIKO YOSHIKAWA (GREAT execution of acrylic paint! I really admire her clean lines and beautiful blends)

Sorry for such a long post, but my little guy is napping, and I just kinda let loose on a topic that has been on my mind for some time. SO, enjoy finding your style. Make it something you are really passionate about, but willing to adapt and make it better. Many artists say you don't find your style, it finds you. I couldn't agree more. Your style will come naturally as you do research and practice, practice, practice different techniques and applications. But, above all, your style is something you LOVE that you create!

For the Intimidation of Blogs

There is something about an art blog that scares the pants off of me. It's like all of the sudden the ideas and thoughts of the innermost chambers of my heart are broadcast for the world to see...It is a little like walking down the street naked, because so much of who I am is exposed. Art, for me, is really a piece of my soul...my brains on paper. So, do I care if people like it? 80% not really...but 20% very much. Make sense?

All of that was supposed to be an apology of some sorts for not EVER posting art on this blog. Really, I just saw 6,000+ people have looked at this blog (which scared me to death), and I have decided to try harder to show what I feel really happy and confident about. Just be patient with me....An art blog is like a blank sketchbook page, only a bagillion times worse because it is TOTALLY out in the open, and all the sudden instead of spewing my brains on paper by my happy little self, I have to show everyone the evidence!

SO please enjoy! These are the 6 "Moments" paintings...awkward moments, touching moments, just moments! They might not look like much, but for me they really mark a milestone in my life as an illustrator. First of all, I completed them just a week before my first child was born (so amid hormones and tears galore). Second, I really didn't have much experience with watercolor. I just loved it, so I decided to do 6 HUGE paintings. By the way, watercolor is hard. You can't just throw white down, you have to leave the white, AND you can't just paint over an ugly area, you have to carefully lift off and glaze and repeat, but only a few times, otherwise you go through the paper.
Really, this series was a great learning experience for me, and really helped me progress.

I hope you enjoy "Moments"--some of which are from actual experiences.

My inspiration comes from Norman Rockwell, who I admire for accurately capturing moments from everyday life. He made normal american moments famous. The dinner painting is a modern take on his "Freedom from Want" painting--my how family dinners have changed since the 1940s! The 'roadtrip' painting also mimiks a simular one of his, as does the  'awkward date.' I think everyday life and moments are worth depicting!

"Moments"

I am have a goal to be more diligent with my blog. So here is a color study and some sketches of paintings I am currently working on. I am depicting "moments" from life that are funny or awkward, and especially relatable. I'll be sure to keep you posted with each painting as they progress. There will be 6 total.

More Watercolor Magic!

So I am having a blast! I think I am finally letting go of the baggage and just making art. The passion comes when you do your best to make a great picture, and you love every second of creating it, and then you can't stop smiling when you look at it again and again. Not saying I love everything I paint, or that there aren't improvements to make, but I think the "fun" I am having creating the piece is starting to show in the final product. I think my artwork is more or less a journey of my personal self discovery as an artist and as a person in general.

Winter 2012

I LOVE watercolor! I am taking my first class and breathing it all in! The top paintings are based on my sister and paintings by a professional artist names Lisa Leeva. I have also had a recent fascination with chickens...and specifically, chickens playing basketball. I am having a lot of fun, and I am working on two other chicken paintings.