The wonderful world of art blogs

Steven and Fiona,
I think I'll have to turn this into a painting

I'm sure I've written about this before, and will
again, but I find the whole world of art blogs,
and the people I've met this summer through
their work -- so exciting.

To honour Theresa Rankin, and her kind choice
of me as one of the artists in a list of very good
people whose work she admires, I must
put the list of my choices for the "Brilliante Weblog Award"
in here tonight.







1. Flora Doehler, because without her inspiration
I would not have had an art blog in the first place
http://floramary.wordpress.com/category/bear-river
Flora is my friend in art, and in the world. We
met through her painting, and have been firm
friends ever since. We've shown together numerous
times, and she writes a fantastic blog about her
big move to the small Nova Scotia town of
Bear River, and her happy life there.

2. Theresa Rankin, who gave me this incredible
award, and has been a source of support and
inspiration since I first saw her blog, and she
saw mine. I am indebted to her, and delighted
by both her work and her thoughts, and
frequently have to laugh as I drive to school
north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that I have
an artist friend in Carthage, Missouri.
http://theresarankinfineart.blogspot.com/

3. The same holds true for Eldon Warren,
who is a superb landscape painter in oil.
Eldon, like Theresa is a good writer. You
feel like you would love to meet him over
a coffee, and listen to him tell stories
about painting in the Colorado mountains,
and his blog does that.
http://eldonwarren.wordpress.com/

4. Aaron Lifferth is the painter who introduced
me to many of the other blogs I visit. He doesn't
know that, but when someone comments on
his blog, I frequently look that person up,
thinking that if that person likes Aaron's work too,
I will probably enjoy seeing her/his paintings. I can't
remember how I found Aaron, but I think
it was through Karen Jurick's blog.
Every time I look at Aaron's work I am
speechless with admiration. I don't know
how he paints like that, but I'd love to
learn. Besides I love what he says on his blog tonight,
and I agree. "Tired, tired, tired."
http://aaronlifferth.blogspot.com/

5. Karen Jurick is an astounding painter.
She paints people, scenes, cityscapes,
animals....just about everything.
She has a series of paintings of people
looking at paintings in galleries that is
just brilliant. She is self taught,
and has a divinely inspired talent. Plus she
does wonderful painting videos on You tube.
http://karinjurick.blogspot.com/

6. Belinda del Pesco is one of the most
experimental daily painters I've seen on the net.
She does most types of painting and gives
wonderful clear demonstrations of how she
proceeds. She produces woodcuts, lino
prints drawings, and monoprints, watercolours
and the list goes on. Her work is vibrant,
moving and beautiful. Most of the paintings
on her blog are small works, and it boggles my
mind that she can pack so much into a small
space.
http://belindadelpesco.blogspot.com/

7. Laurel Daniel is a magnificent landscape
painter in oils. Her work is fresh and exciting,
and her design is unique. I love her use of colour,
and I could spend a week just trying to learn
what it is she does with trees. Then I'd have to
move on to water, hills, grass, sky. I'd probably
have to move to Texas.
http://laureldaniel.blogspot.com/

8. I know I'm only supposed to mention 7
artists, but I have to break the rules and add on
two more. Susan Carlin is an absolutely
supreme portrait artist. Not only that she is
fast. She can produce a lovely portrait in
a very short time frame. Susan hosts a
wonderful live online video show on Sundays at
1 p.m., and it is well worth checking out.
Watching it feels like the next best thing to
dropping into her studio and watching her
work.
http://susansartjournal.blogspot.com/

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/susancarlin

9. Liza Hirst, is a painter who brings a
warm southern France sensibility to life in
her paintings. She is incredibly prolific and
paints landscapes, portraits, townscapes,
interiors, animals, and more. As well as
being enormously talented she is one of
the most phenomenally organized
artists I've met through the internet.
http://www.lizamoveson.blogspot.com/

That's it for today.

I will probably give out more awards some time when it's
allowed. It feels like a kind of "pay it forward" award,
and I love the entire idea of honouring the people
who inspire my creative life.

Here are the rules for the "Brilliante Weblog Award".
I'm delighted to give this award on to you. As an artist
I am inspired by everything you create.
Thanks for being exceptional artists and bloggers.

Rules of Acceptance:

1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.
6. Participation is entirely voluntary (of course!).
7. Have fun...honoring the bloggers who inspire you regularly.

Thank you for adding an entire new and meaningful
dimension to my life as an artist.

I won't have time to fulfill the entire assignment tonight.
I taught all day today, and my ankle is hurting tonight.
But I've begun. Thanks to everyone in my life for
making it a joy.

Some of the links don't seem to be working tonight,
so I'll fix that in the morning.

To those bloggers I visit who aren't artists, thank you
too. I love what you do, but unless I'm mistaken this
award is for art blogs. Correct me if I'm wrong Theresa.

I haven't had a chance to paint today, but tomorrow
I'll paint for most of the day, so more pictures to come.

Have a joyfully creative day.