UPdate . . .

Wow! Does time fly by or what? Here I thought I was going to have more than 1 post this month and here it is - post #2 for the month on the last day!!!
Anyway, I've recently completed 2 images for 2 different competitions and here's hoping they place (even if they don't, I've at least got 2 pretty good images from them). So I'll be posting the sketches and finals from these here pretty soon.
Currently working on updating and fleshing out my portfolio. This is one of my blessings and curses as an artist - I'm not exceptionally great at any one thing or "style" yet. I'm pretty good at almost anything I try and I have the ability to roughly mimic most styles. This is not an opportunity to brag or gloat (oh wee, look at me!) but I am just noting some differences between types of artists. Some artists almost exclusively work in one medium (oil, ink, watercolor, etc.) and then in mainly one way, this to me seems very restricting (but of course hundreds of artists have been doing well for hundreds of years doing that very thing). Of course, do what you do and do it well. But, on the other hand there are so many great things that each medium brings to the table that it's fun to mix it up and do something different. Secondly, it's amazing to see the results of what each medium can do in the right hands. Chris Payne, for example, uses almost everything in a single image. It's incredible to watch him work and even more so to see the finished results. [If you're not familiar with him or his work please click on his name to view his site.] So I forge ahead in search of my "style" and preferred method of working. The only way to truly find it is by doing. And doing, and doing. Eventually, I WILL develop a certain look to my work and the next step is finding the ever elusive market for it. But everything in God's time, He has a plan and it will come together in His time. I can do nothing but continue to prepare for whatever lies ahead.
Onward and upward! I am looking forward to doing some more en plein aire landscape paintings and that should help. Also about to start working towards getting my CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster) certificate, which should begin this fall. So, I continue to grow and develop my skills as an artist and soon it will all come together.
Keep an eye back here for more sketches coming soon!