mikeyzart at the MarsCon 2022 Art Show!
I am participating in the MarsCon 2022 Art Show coming up this weekend March 18-20 in Williamsburg, VA!
I will have many new originals and limited-edition prints available in the Art Show Auction, along with several classics and all-time favorites!
If you are in Williamsburg this weekend, you won’t want to miss the convention! Click on the image to visit the website.
New ACEO Tiny Original: ‘Octopus’
I just finished applying varnish to this new tiny original:
’Octopus’; Acrylic on Multi-Media Paper, ACEO 2.5x3.5”
Here is a Step-By-Step progression:
Step 1: Initial drawing
Stage 1: Tonal Underpainting
Stage 2: Local Color
Stage 3: Final Color
Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show
Look for the Convention Artists Guild booth!
November 5-7 at the
Colorado Convention Center
Myself, along with fellow members of the Convention Artists Guild, will have a booth at this year’s Colorado Country Christmas Gift Show!
I will be bringing a very large selection of inventory for this event.
Look for the Convention Artists Guild banner to find us and our wonderful wares, and stock up on unique artisan gifts for your holiday list!
FenCon Art Show: Sept 17-19!
September 17-19, 2021 * Sheraton DFW Airport, 4440 W. John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, TX
I am very excited to once again participate in convention art shows!
It has been more than a year since the pandemic shut down conventions across the world. This is my first of the the ‘new era’!
Look for my art and other members of the Convention Artists Guild (CO Chapter)!
NEW - mikeyzart Merch!
The first sample of mikeyzart Merch has just arrived - The mikeyzart LOGO coffee mug!
This white ceramic mug with the mikeyzart logo in black and matching black handle and inside really looks sharp! (Shown here are photos of the actual mug - not just a mock-up.)
Check out the new Apparel & Merch store section!
mikeyzart LOGO Mug!
The topic of TALENT continued…
There is a discussion in a forum on the subject of talent, and the question “Can you teach anyone to draw?”
Well, yes and no.
There’s a difference between “Anybody can learn to draw” and “You can teach anybody to draw,” and an even bigger difference between that and “You can teach anybody to be a really good artist.”
Drawing is a skill, and skills can be learned. Skills can be taught.
I had a young art student who exclaimed “this is hard!” I replied, “All you are doing is pushing a pencil across a piece of paper. That’s not hard, is it?” At that, he smiled and said “I want to draw a dragon!”
Anyone can learn to draw… if they want to.
You cannot teach anybody to draw. The student must be willing to put in the effort required to learn the skill. You cannot force the skill onto them. You cannot teach someone who is unwilling to learn. So the saying would be better rephrased:
“You can teach drawing to anyone who is willing to learn.”
To some people, it’s just not that important – and that’s okay. Not everybody needs to be an artist. There are plenty of other awesome things to do in the big blue world.
Likewise, you cannot teach just anyone to be a good artist. That requires a long-term commitment of time, effort and energy. The student must be willing to endure disappointment along the road to learning and mastering the skills, concepts and principles involved in becoming a good artist.
Nobody was born a good artist; we all had to become good artists. It is a process of learning and growth. Gregg Kreutz states “Nobody was born a good painter. There are no child prodigies in painting.”
Daniel Parkhurst, student of William Bouguereau, wrote that “Talent is just another name for the love of a thing.” My mentor Juliette Aristides adds: “This love gives the person the desire to pursue an objective in spite of obstacles that arise, and provides him or her with the stamina necessary for extended study.”
That extended study - and the extra effort it requires - is what leads to mastery.
You cannot teach someone to love.
Becoming a really good artist is not easy. Just ask anyone who endeavors to become a really good artist.
Patience, Persistence and Perseverance – these are the “3 Ps” of becoming a good artist.
In addition to learning the skills and concepts, one must also find the means to overcome disappointment, frustration, and self-doubt, because these are guaranteed to occur.
“Success involves stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”
Therefore, a requirement of becoming a good artist is the ability to develop and embrace a love of the medium, to foster enthusiasm and resolve to continue over the long haul. Becoming a good artist is not something that can be done apathetically. You must care enough to persevere. Becoming a good artist is an endurance game.
Anyone can learn to draw, If they want to.
Anyone can become a really good artist – if they really want to.
The only limit to how good an artist you can become, is how much you really want it.
My love of creating art, and of becoming a good artist, is what keeps me coming back over and over, and each time moving forward a little more. Becoming a good artist is not a destination, it is a state of being.
After all these years, I am still constantly amazed at how much more there is to learn, and how much better of an artist I can still become.
New addition to the studio - 'The Klomper!'
The Klopfenstein Pro easel - I call it ‘The Klomper’ - in its new home.
I just brought home the newest addition to the mikeyzart studio: The Klopfenstein Pro Easel!
Thanks to Cayce for the heads up, as he was finding homes for the easels we knew and loved from Helikon Gallery (shown are some photos from life drawing sessions at Helikon.)
Of course, the minute I used one of these easels in Life Drawing, I fell in love. I knew that one day I would have one! They are German engineered, built like a tank, and have all of the good features – done right. They are expensive, and I have been saving up for one. But this was an incredible deal – a fraction of the retail price!
Here I am taking a break during Helikon Gallery’s Life Drawing session while using one of the Klopfesnstein easels.
I am delighted with my new easel. C'mon, with a name like Klopfenstein - so close to my own last name, I was destined to own one eventually!
Shown are some photos of the easel in its new home. I call it ‘The Klomper’ (which, coincidentally, was the nickname given to me by my 10th grade math teacher.) 😉
The Klamp!
Mo’ Klamps!
Shown above are some photos of the hardware. I call them ‘The Klamps!’
I am so happy to have my ‘ultimate wish list’ easel and my ‘ultimate wish list’ drafting table, together in my studio space!
The final Virtual Art Show Auction…
As the last Auction draws to a close, I'll take a moment to say:
Thank you to everyone who has participated in the CAG Virtual Art Show Auctions over the past year (plus)!
Congratulations to the winning bidders! And thank you to all the wonderful artists who have offered their incredible work in the auction.
You all ROCK!
mikeyzart now on display at Ethan’s Gallery in Olde Town Arvada!
the mikeyzart display 07/07/2021
mikeyzart update:
It’s official! I am now exhibiting my art at Ethan’s Gallery and Studio in Olde Town Arvada!
It was serendipitous meeting Ethan, and he invited me to stop by the gallery.
After a short discussion it was clear that the gallery and my artwork would be a good fit.
Ethan is extremely personable and likeable, and the gallery has a great vibe.
Today we set up the display and made all the arrangements.
Speaking of good fit, the display seems to be the perfect size for my artwork. :)
I invite you to stop by and check out the gallery – along with my art, there is a whole lot of awesome, colorful, and interesting artwork on display for sale.
Ethan’s Gallery and Studio - 5771 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80002
Ethan’s Gallery was recently voted Arvada’s top art gallery in a Yelp survey, along with the Arvada Center.
Ethan’s Gallery and Studio in Olde Town Arvada
3 Skulls in Blue
Do you ever see something that gives you an idea that you just have to try? That happens to me… a lot!
Here, I saw a post by an artist I follow, which inspired me to experiment with unusual colors and colored inks.
The results were interesting, and are giving me more ideas to experiment with.
3 Skulls in Blue.
Watercolor and Colored Inks, 4x6” each.
Latest commission piece completed!
Here is my latest commission piece Acrylic on panel, 10” x 8”:
'3 Dogs - Blue, Scooby Doo & Brutus' – who are now members of the legendary Dogs of War!
The painting has been completed, varnished, framed, shipped and arrived at its new home. :D
These three were a blast to paint, and I enjoyed finding just the right outfits and accoutrements for each character.
A quote on the subject of ‘Talent’
Daniel Parkhurst, student of William Bouguereau, wrote that “Talent is just another name for the love of a thing.”
My mentor Juliette Aristides adds: “This love gives the person the desire to pursue an objective in spite of obstacles that arise, and provides him or her with the stamina necessary for extended study.”
That extended study - and the extra effort it requires - is what leads to mastery.
Wrap up of Roger Dean Art Course Spring and Autumn 2020 -Thoughts Going Forward
Roger in his studio, painting.
Today I had my final one-to-one video meeting with Roger Dean, the wrap-up to the Roger Dean Art Course – Autumn 2020.
This whole experience has been exciting, invigorating, challenging, and rewarding. I have met some wonderful fellow students, shared many laughs, created some good memories, learned a ton, and had great fun.
During the meeting the question arose: “What am I doing here? Why am I taking this course?”
Aside from the obvious ‘getting to meet my heroes’ answer, there was another.
Roger’s art has been an inspiration to me from the first moment I saw his work. His art ‘took me places’ beyond the boundaries of my imagination. While fantastic, there was always a singularly powerful sense of ‘place’ in his work. I felt like I was * there. *
I am fascinated and awestruck by nature. While I enjoy painting ‘En Plein Air’, and love painting mountains and scenes from around my home, I have always found fantasy landscapes daunting. Even when Roger’s work ventures off into wild colors, land masses and rock formations that are epic and fantastic, his paintings remain distinctively convincing.
I admire that. It inspired me to create art that is fantastic but grounded. That interplay at the crossroads of wild imagination and believability called to me, but I was unsure how to get there.
Roger asked me, “You already know what you’re doing. What makes you want to take another class?” The answer is clear to me: There is more to learn than can be absorbed in a lifetime. Every new bit of information, technique, process, and ideas that I learn deepens my own artwork, and my enjoyment of this path that I have been on for so many years. I told Roger “Every time I learn something new, I experience the same excitement I felt the first time I drew something and it looked like what I wanted it to.” But it’s even better – I’m not just reliving that moment, I am experiencing that feeling in a newer, deeper, richer way.
The answer to Roger’s question “Why are you taking this class?” became clear. I had always wanted to know: “If I had that knowledge, what would I create with it?” How would I integrate what I’ve learned so far, with Roger’s knowledge, techniques, processes and experience? How would I combine imaginary landscapes and epic fantasy vistas with architecture, objects, animals, people, characters and creatures? What would that world look like?
The exciting part is – I am about to find out.
Now that I’ve completed the courses, my brain is full to bursting. I am excited to take everything I’ve learned in Roger’s courses and begin integrating it, bit by bit; applying the ideas, processes, and techniques to my own art…
I am curious, anxious, and excited to see where it takes me, and in turn to see where I can take my viewer.
Thank you, Roger! You have been gracious, generous, informative, inspiring, and delightful. This has been a wonderful experience.
Holidays In July Sale!
Convention Artists Guild is having our
Holidays In July Sale July 23-26!
Flash Sales all weekend long!
https://www.facebook.com/conventionartistsguild
Roger Dean Painting Course
The master of Fantasy art, Roger Dean!
GREAT NEWS!
I am enrolled in a 6-week live online painting course with the master of fantasy painting, Roger Dean!
Roger’s fantasy artwork was a major motivation for my decision to pursue art as a career, and he has been an inspiration ever since.
What an amazing opportunity to study with one of my artistic heroes.
I can’t wait to show you what I learn in the course, and the paintings that will surely follow.
Stay tuned for more!
mikeyzart is on YouTube!
mikeyzart now has a new YouTube channel!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxUvqPCPXv2CDPTQ64cj6ng
At present, it’s mostly varnish videos (but who doesn’t love varnish videos!) That will change as I continue to add content, and refine my video recording and editing.
Stop by and check it out! While you are there, subscribe - once I get to 100 subscribers, I can create a custom URL (with something like ‘mikeyzart’) You can watch as the channel grows from its infancy into…. who knows? :O
Official mikeyzart.com Launch Day!
Today is the official launch of mikeyzart.com !
Let me officially welcome you to my new website. Here is where you can find all things mikeyzart. ;)
Take a look around. There are special ‘launch’ sale prices on all prints!
There’s much more to be coming soon, so make sure to sign up for the mikeyzart newsletter - and receive a special signup discount!
Coming Soon - Dogs of War and YOU!
COMING SOON
Would you like your pet to be part of the Dogs of War universe?
Your dog or cat (or chimpanzee, cockatoo, ferret, pet alligator...you name it!) can be immortalized as a character in Dogs of War or one of my other Animals of Adventure series!
I have limited spaces open for this unique commission opportunity.
I will be posting the details for this opportunity soon,
so stay tuned!
The Bust -
Dogs of War
pet portrait commission
Virtual Art Show (VART) 04/24/20-04/26/20
Click on the image to go to the auction.
Convention Artists Guild - Facebook
This weekend's CAG Virtual Art Show is Live!
Enjoy bidding on some really amazing art from our guild.
Sales from this Virtual Art Show help support Guild projects like sponsoring more young artists at art shows, and teaching classes for the artist community.
Somewhat like at your local con, we'll be running the auction over the weekend. This auction starts at 5:00 pm MT on Friday April 24, and ends at 12:00 noon MT on SUNDAY, April 26. Auction items can be viewed in the album linked to this post.
To bid on a piece, click on the photo of the item and bid in the comments. There is a reserve on some items; others have opening bids. Some items have Quick Sale prices, which means that a bidder placing a Quick Sale bid buys the item immediately. Please carefully read the descriptions of the items to find out how to bid.
For reserve items, the reserve price is usually hidden. We will post when the reserve is met. Once the reserve has been met, the work is officially sold to the highest bid at 12:00 noon on Sunday. This means that until noon Sunday, you can keep bidding on in play items, keep trying to win that beautiful piece from our CAG artists.
If you are the winning bidder, the artist will contact you through Facebook Messenger, and will be arranging for payment and shipping. Winners of the auctions will have the cost of shipping included in the total owed to the artist.
Shipping will happen around May 4.