Mixing it up ~ Finding your artistic range!
One good way to remain enthusiastic about painting every day is to mix it up a little. If I were to paint the same birds over and over again the same way, I would become bored and get burned out. By approaching every painting differently and working within a range of styles, I still find painting day in and day out a joy!
Keeping within a “reasonable” range of styles is important for an artist. You don’t want to go too wild or off the wall with a painting if the work you are known for is realistic or traditional in nature. You want your work to be recognizable (in my case, as “a Beebe”). At the same time, creative people don’t like to be pigeonholed and expected to paint the same subject in the same style time and time again.
For me, I consider myself a realist, but I enjoy pushing the boundaries toward Impressionism, with a rare bent toward the Abstract. By allowing myself a range to work within, I can approach painting every day as something new and exciting. I don’t know where the day will lead me and I like that.
My series of Sanderling, Sandpiper and Plover paintings are a good example of the range that I’m talking about. Below you will see a progression of paintings starting with a painting entitled Working All the Angles having elements of the Abstract, leading to several more Impressionistic pieces, and continuing on toward the final painting Beach Boys, which some might consider the most Realistic.
Working all the Angles by William R. Beebe, 12 x 15, oil on board, $2400
Reflections by William R. Beebe, 12 x 12, oil on board, SOLD
Me and My Peeps by William R. Beebe, 12 x 12, oil on board, SOLD
The Sanderling Six by William R. Beebe, 12 x 20, oil on board, $2500
Sanderling Strut by William R. Beebe, 12 x 18, oil on board, $2400
A Pondering Moment by William R. Beebe, 10 x 12, oil on board, SOLD
A Pair of Pipers by William R. Beebe, 12 x 14, oil on board, SOLD
Beach Boys by William R. Beebe, 14 x 16, oil on board, SOLD
I think finding one’s range, as an artist is important. Some artists are quite content with painting in the same style day in and day out. It can lead to being quite confident in your process and make the outcome of each painting predictable. Many artists might find that preferable. Other artists, like me, need to feel creative and like variety. Having a range of styles is not always the most efficient method of painting, but for me it is the most satisfying.
Thank you as always for your interest in my art and my journal. I am in the process of finishing a few paintings so please check back soon to see what is on the easel!
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion...”
What's next?
Drawing by William R. Beebe