Be generous with yourself

I talked to an artist a while back who was
proud because he'd only used one tube of
paint in 20 years. One!  I've noticed that
artist is using more than one colour now, so
I'm assuming that more tubes have been cracked
into, but I was shocked at the austerity of the
idea.  This fabulous artist, one of the best in
town would not allow himself the luxury of having
ample supplies.

 The baby's asleep

(work in progress )

Acrylic on canvas

8 x 8 inches

Barbara Muir © 2010

(This is the second phase of underpainting.

In the first phase I underpaint the

entire canvas and draw my

rough image.  Then I start fleshing in both

colour that may stay, and more underpainting.)

But I also understand.  When I was a watercolor
painter for the most part, a sheet of paper cost
about $15.00, so I deliberated about every sheet
I bought.  In Canada the actual watercolours are
pricey too.  I was shocked when I went to a
workshop in the U.S. and people bought
their watercolour in huge tubes.  Alyson Stanfield's
artbizblog current entry says that you should not start an
art career when you're desperate. I would add
that although people have created art out of every
possible medium and found object, if you can
possibly afford it, (and my friend with the one tube
of paint could) you need to treat yourself to a
quantity of good canvasses, or paper, the best
colours you can afford in your medium, and as
many colours as you want.  If you paint all in
gray fine, but otherwise, get what you need.
You deserve it. Another reason to treat yourself
like you deserve supplies.  If you don't think
you're worth it, who else will?

Have a let's-go-out-and-buy-some-paint day.