Mini (March/April/May….June/July) Madness

During the month of March, I was preparing for the spring season. For me, this usually means that I’m coming off of a slow period after Christmas and holiday sales. I have to work hard to make sure my planning is set for spring and summer classes, shows, events, and promotions. I’m always excited to restock my printed items (and a few exclusive original pieces) with local shops like Presque Isle Gallery and Gifts (Tom Ridge Environmental Center Gift Shop), Gallery 104, and the Presque Isle Lighthouse. I had shows and art markets in my schedule for this summer. Obviously everything changed for the Pandemic.

First, I want to say how grateful I am for my community for sticking together and making best efforts to keep each other safe by following CDC guidelines and implementing common sense hygiene practices. I already work from home (in my home studio) but I know that not everyone is used to sharing professional space, and it is challenging to feel trapped or stuck in your home.

I hope everyone is well, and I hope you are taking time for yourselves. Please allow me to offer some unsolicited advice:

It's really important to set guidelines for when you are working vs. when you are not working in the same space. Set boundaries. Get your work done, but don’t feel you need to be accessible 24/7. Communicate with your work team and your family, and make sure that you are setting up time and space for everyone to have off hours. Boundaries are important. It’s not selfish to need time to recharge or reflect on things in solitude. Everyone needs some time to themselves. Conversely, if you are alone in your home, take some actions to connect with the world. (*Try one of my virtual art classes! You can connect with others taking the class, from the safety and comfort of your home!) Take care of yourself. Try your best to find some balance in your current situation. Everyone is struggling with some kind of anxiety or stressor right now. Please be patient with others—but more importantly, be patient with yourself.

Okay, now that I’ve made a food-blog-esque intro into what I want to say, let’s get into the series of Miniature Watercolors.

Basically, my spring and summer plans were cancelled. My usual vendors could not place orders, and purchasing art was not a priority for many families who were (and perhaps still are) struggling to find money for groceries, rent, and medical supplies. My business was obviously struggling, but I had also received many words of support and a lot of interest in my work. I know that art is important to mental health. Obviously it is important for my own practice to create, but I also think it is important for people to see and connect to things that can bring them joy.

I decided to release a series of bluebirds, at a heavily reduced price, so that people who had been looking to support local businesses (while brightening their own day) could purchase a special piece of art. After their success, I continued the series with other birds, florals, foxes, bunnies, and even chickens! I still have a few minis left, and I might list them here….or include them as gifts with large purchases. For those of you who purchased a mini (or any other art) I want to thank you for your patronage and support. It has really helped keep me (and my business) going.

As for the future…I have no idea where to go from here, but I have been taking it one day at a time. I am now offering virtual Art With Brian Painting classes via zoom, and have plans to do another facebook live tutorial. Let me know what you’d like to see from me in the future!

Take care.



Fine Artist and YouTuber?

Follow along as I paint this simple red barn, using classic watercolors and my signature style! This is the first (of hopefully many) painting demos and vide...

…I made a YouTube Channel! I’m trying out a new way to post art demos and tutorials while everyone is stuck at home. Check out my first video, “Classic Red Barn” and paint along with me!

Since I’m uploading these videos in lieu of normal in-person classes, I would appreciate any support you are able to give! Likes, Comments, and Shares are appreciated—along with any support you’re able to give financially. Use bpayne@brianpaynestudio.com at paypal.com to help support my business!

Thanks for watching!

Begin Again: Artist Statement and Explanation

I am often asked about my creative inspiration, or about my conceptual intention for each painting I create. I usually don’t have a careful answer, and instead talk about general influences and my personal history as an artist.

I am an artist and I create art because it’s what I do; I have a need to create art, which makes me an artist.

This past year (2019) I entered a few exhibitions that required a formal artist statement, so I have been pushed to articulate my creative process. With the help of my “editor” (studio assistant-art school critique language expert-media marketing specialist-middle child) I was able to analyze my work, and deconstruct all of the influences and ideas that went into its creation.

Begin Again, 24x36 inches, watercolor and mixed media on cradled panel. (Sold)

Begin Again, 24x36 inches, watercolor and mixed media on cradled panel. (Sold)

I thought I’d share the statement from one of my favorite pieces that I wrote about:

Combining my admiration of the natural world with my own nostalgic visual experiences, I worked intuitively to create “Begin Again”. Historically, poppies are a symbol of loss, while forget-me-nots serve as both a play on words and my late mother’s favorite bloom. The juxtaposition of these two symbolic floral elements represents a rebirth; celebrating the growth and continuation of life while remembering the loss of the past. The directionality of the paint drips on the poppies works in balance with the forget-me-nots reaching upward. The overall image has no beginning and no end, just as the cycle of life continues in a harmonious loop. It is this blend of both realism and abstract expressionism that gave me the inspiration to create this piece.

I did not think: I want to paint something representative of myself and use obvious metaphors to represent exact people and ideas. I was inspired, I began painting, and this painting came into existence. It was only after its completion that I was able to consider what I felt about it, and what I was trying to express. I thought about the composition as a whole, and its mood. I thought about why I might have chosen the flowers I did, why I am drawn to certain shapes and colors, and why the placement of each element just felt right. I had to introspectively reflect on my process, and remember the exact steps of creating the piece. I had to find a way to rationally explain my intuition and my creative process, and I’m still not sure I was successful. It sometimes feels insincere to create a statement of intent after the creation of the painting, like I’m trying to deliver some deep profound truth that only I can explain. It feels pretentious and makes my work seem less accessible. I enjoy art that allows each viewer to relate to it in their own way; art that acts as a mirror, reflecting the viewers’ ever changing perception of life and themselves. I appreciate art that isn’t stagnant or too formal. I paint so that I can express myself visually, not verbally.

I wanted to share this because I think it's important to understand that art (my art, anyway) is not intended to represent only one idea. If you feel something while looking at a piece—even if that feeling is just that you like it—you are in on the conceptual meaning behind it. There is no other secret than that. You are an expert on your own mind. If something resonates with you, I hope you allow yourself the confidence to believe you understand its meaning, regardless of any official statements or reasoning. I use my intuition to create; you can use yours to discern what you think is “good art”, and what is meaningful to you.