Treasury- some of Etsy's great painters

This evening I got a Treasury West, as they call it. I decided to find some great paintings of the sky to fill it. I was very happy with the artwork I found. To visit my treasury, and link to the individual artists, click here.

The Five Senses

The other day, I was contemplating what would happen if I lost one of my senses, which would affect me the most, and how would it change my art.


I love hearing nature and music, and being able to hear no doubt makes daily life and communication easier. However, losing my hearing wouldn't affect my artwork. If I lost my sense of smell or taste, it wouldn't affect my artwork. Though losing either of these could pose extra dangers in your life, I think for me, these would affect my life the least.

If I lost my sight, it would dramatically affect my day to day life, but artistically, I imagine I would shift to a more sculptural bent. I have no doubt that I would continue to create and feel artistically fulfilled.

Finally, the sense of touch. I am certain that this is the most important to me. For the people and animals in my life, I love seeing and talking to them, but it is the touch that creates the bond. It would definitely be a great sadness to lose my sense of touch. I can imagine myself happier blind, than unfeeling. (Imagining myself blind in a hospital bed, feeling the faces of my loved ones.) When I create artwork, I really enjoy the feel of the material in my hands as I work. I am happy to let my hands work of their own kinetic knowledge. It is that sense of touch, combined with the visual aspect of seeing the artwork, which leads to the emotional connection and fulfilled sense of work well done. While I am certain I would continue to create artwork if I couldn't see, I cannot say the same thing if I couldn't feel. I don't think solely the visual aspect of creating artwork would be enough for me. I know I would continue in artistic expression. Without the sense of touch though, I am almost certain I would turn away from visual media to a greater focus on music.

I guess the important thing for me to do about this realization is just to fully appreciate my sense of touch while I have it, and pray that I'll be able to keep it.

An artist just is.

Another artist on Etsy, Krystyna81 posted an article to the Gallery United Blog referencing the article The Financially Successful Artist: Commercial Sell Out or Role Model? by Denise Ivey Telep. I think the questions posed in this article are important for today's artist to think about.

One statement in the article that really resonated with me is: "An artist is. It’s soul deep."

That's how I feel about being an artist. I just am, to my very core. To me, it doesn't matter what media I have to work with, I am happy to create with it. I am just as happy making a painting, a collage, a photograph, a digital drawing, a clay pot, drawing on a napkin, carving a potato, or sculpting with pipe-cleaners. If one media isn't available, I see what else there is to work with, and each inspires a whole new line of art.

How I suffer for my art...

I am adding new work to TholeImagery.etsy.com. We went up north the other weekend. Whenever we are up there, I like to take pictures of all the small elements of nature. The fall colors were so gorgeous, but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate, so we weren't able to go out as much as we would have liked. Saturday, we were able to take a long hike through Chippewa National Forest, which was fantastic. Sunday, however, I woke up to find a deer tick feasting on my belly. I didn't appreciate that very much. I've been to the doctor about it once already, because the bite site had a small ring, and irritation. They said it is unlikely I contracted lymes disease, because I found the tick within 24 hours, but they wouldn't be able to tell yet, so I should just wait and see if I develop more symptoms. Well, I hope you all like the photos I got, to make it all worth it ;)

Also, I've been spending some time online, beefing up my Photoshop skills. What I've really learned this week, is how to utilize adjustment layers and layer masks. These help me do the things I've already been doing, but in a way that is easier to affect just a portion of the image as well as remaining adjustable and reversable at any time. I've been having fun playing with them. Here are a few of the images. If you are interested in seeing more, or purchasing any, just visit TholeImagery.etsy.com.