My Art Then Vs. Now – 3 Years of Progress
This month marks the three-year anniversary of when I started painting. Little did I know when I went to Michaels three years ago, spent twenty dollars on some cheap paints, brushes, and canvas board, that I would continue that hobby and actually turn it into a small business.
I wanted to write a few thoughts about my progress and show some photos of how my work has evolved.
I started out by watching YouTube videos on how to do basic painting techniques such as blending, mixing colors, and how to create different effects with different types of brushes. I was so fascinated by the thought of creating something from nothing that I was immediately captivated by it.
Here are the photos of the first three paintings I did:
After getting the basics down, I started going on Pinterest just looking for pieces of art that I liked and then I would try to replicate them. I found each piece had its trials but helped me learn a new technique and I was able to learn more about my own personal style.
Here are some photos of some paintings I did during that first year.
From there I started doing some more architectural paintings. Still, abstract but I wanted to start painting places. Here are the first two I did in this fashion.
I enjoyed painting those places so much I wanted to continue learning about painting buildings and cities so I did another piece in Rome that actually turned out to be the first painting that I sold. It was in June of 2016 to a friend. I couldn’t believe someone actually wanted to buy a painting of mine. Yes, I was proud of this painting, but I still just pictured it as a hobby piece. Here is a photo of that one.
Then in the fall of 2016, so two years after I started painting, I sold my first piece to a stranger overseas. Now I was very shocked. I had made an Etsy shop early in 2016, had received a few views a week, but I never was sure if I would actually make a sale. I was excited and motivated.
From there I continued to try different styles of paintings. I did more architecture paintings, animals paintings, landscapes paintings, and fluid abstract paintings. I have enjoyed each of them and each has taught me something new.
This year, 2017, has been a successful year for me. I entered my first juried art competition and won 2nd place in the acrylic section. I repainted the Spanish Steps painting I sold in 2016 for the competition. It is always nice to hear from friends and family that my paintings look nice, but receiving an award at a competition with over 100 other paintings really was a sign to me that I need to keep on painting and developing this hobby of mine.
I also received many commission requests this year that have all turned out successful. It is fun to be asked to paint a scene or a place that has personal meaning to the future owner.
My latest painting, Mule Deer in the Rocky Mountains, was probably the most fun I have ever had while painting. This is a style that I will be focusing on in the near future as I enjoy nature and animals.
I had no idea when I started painting three years ago that all of this was going to come of it. I find that I see the world in a different way now. Colors seem to pop, shadows seem to create more contrast, and everything I look at makes me wonder how I could recreate it on canvas.
From my early paintings of just simple colors and silhouettes to a majestic mule deer in the Rocky Mountains, my painting journey has been an adventure. I still am learning so much from every painting which is both daunting and exciting. I encourage any artist new to creating or anyone who has recently, or not so recently, started learning a new skill or hobby to continue to work at. Have patience with yourself, observe from those around you, make a lot of mistakes because that is the best way to learn (I can say that it may be frustrating but it is a very impactful way to learn), but most of all, enjoy the journey! You’ll be able to look back 3 years from now, or 10 years from now, and be amazed at what you are now capable of, and what you have accomplished.
Take a look at my gallery and tell me which is your favorite! And if you have any feedback I would love to hear it, I’m still learning!