This weeks color inspiration again comes from @elledecorationuk. They share these really great Vision Boards, all ready setup with wonderful color combinations. Be sure and check them out. 
   

   I love the soft spring colors in this grouping. It gives me so many great possibilities and directions for this weeks paintings. I have recently committed myself to completing a minimum of 10 new pieces each month. At first, this was a really big challenge and it seemed I may have taken on more than I could handle. I tend to work reasonably large and 10 pieces was something of a challenge to accomplish month after month.
    

   Now, after seven months of this new process I find that this is a really beneficial part of my painting process. Painting in a series is no longer an unattainable goal. Exploring new palette combinations is an exciting process. New materials and techniques can be explored over a number of pieces, allowing for experimentation and giving myself the time to develop the expertise of the new technique.. I would honestly have to say that  this self imposed challenge has turned into one of the best things I have done to move my art forward and I am Loving it.

   Have you set your self a challenge that has become an integral part of your creative process? How did it effect your process? I would love to hear from you. 
​Sanna

    Like many artist, I wear my palette Oh So Well. It is everywhere. I try so very hard when I finish over at the studio to get the paint off of me, but I never fully succeed. It will always be on my clothes, even with the black apron on. there is that drip or splatter that ends up on the floor, your shoes or pants. 

    Trying to get it off of my hands, arms and elbows is a constant undertaking. I have been known to even change clothes and head out to a dinner get together only to discover that I am still wearing my paint in my hair or on the back of my elbows. I just smile and know this is all part of being an artist.  

 Hope you are enjoying this Wednesday.

Suzzanna Frank
​Sanna Fine Art

     I have always had a number of visitors to our monthly Open Studio Walk inquire as to where I am able to find inspiration for the weekly new paintings I complete. I frequently turn to home decorating magazines. They are on line and many of them publish room ideas, decorating ideas almost daily on Instagram, Twitter or their own websites. 

     A good example is the room below. I saw it on my Instagram feed and just ;loved the soft, neutral palette of colors. 

     I was already working with a rose, spring colored palette and knew these softer tones would work out beautifully. The final Image is pictured below.

     I also gather my inspiration from the world around me. Often times I will pull some of my inspiration from the colors in the garden. Or the quiet calmness of the winter landscape. I will make a visit to the local paint store or are box warehouse and check out new paint colors. There are always those stripes that provide the painter with harmonizing colors.
     I know a lot of people will tell you that you can't have too much color, but sometimes, it almost feels like I am in color over load.  When that happens, I simply pick a three color combination and work with it for awhile.

     Color is all around us, in the buildings of an urban setting or the quiet of a wooded hillside. The key is to just enjoy it.

Suzzanna Frank
SannaFine Art

The size was perfect, it wasn't so deep that I would
have any trouble using either my brushes or palette knife. The lid had a really tight seal(since it was originally meant for a cake). The best part, it was about a third of the cost to replace the no-longer sealing stay-wet palettes I was able to pick up three trays for the cost of one traditional stay-wet system.

So What supplies will you need:
1. A metal cake pan with tightly sealing lid. ( since finding mine at HomeGoods I have also seen them at other stores for about the same reasonable price)
2. Spray bottle /water
3. paper towels
4. wax paper/baking parchment paper
5. disposable palette sheets
​

  3.  Cut or tear a piece of wax paper or parchment paper to the approximate size of the tray. Lay it on top of the damp paper towel.

Montana Markers.
​There are many times that I want to add marks or specific shapes to one of my paintings and really want more control than a brush will give me. A marker would be my first Go To Tool, but most markers will bleed as soon as I apply additional acrylic paint over the marks.This is especially difficult to deal with, when working on a canvas surface. The marker ink seems to float on the surface of the canvas and smear and run as soon as the water based paint comes in contact with it.

  The Solution:Montana Acrylic Markers
They feature water-based brilliant pigmented, acrylic matte colors. The ink is lightfast, water-proof and abrasion-proof allowing application to almost any surface including canvas, wood, metal, walls and glass. The ink is also ideal for brushwork and airbrush.
 I have not tried this brand on glass or wood yet, but on paper and CANVAS it is great. It stays exactly where I put it, even when painting over it or spraying it with a little water.
NOTE: Use on an appropriate surface. It stays just as permanently on your new favorite shirt or table top.
Available at Any Art/craft supply store.

​
Enjoy Life Now
It Has An Expiration Date!
Suzzanna Frank
sanna@sannafineart.com