Artist & Painter Rebecca Latham’s Nature & Wildlife Art

I was "Tagged" by one of my friends, Cindy Hasse (a colored pencil artist whom I’ve mentioned in my blog earlier..). So, now I am "it". From what I have been told, I am now (voluntarily) posting 5 things that may not be known about me and "tagging" 5 other bloggers.

Growing On Me

I love gardens. I don’t have too much extra time to be away from my easel, but I dabble just enough to get my hands dirty. I love growing herbs (and using them in my cooking ), flowers (of course!), and exotic or unusual plants….and a number of them keep me company in my studio.

Decorate Your Face

I got started painting by face painting (where you paint the designs on children’s faces …er, most of the time it was children… ). I was bored sitting at art fairs with my Mom’s paintings and drawings when I was 10 or so, and my parent’s had the genius to suggest that I try something constructive. I guess that was my first ‘job’. …though, initially I felt bad charging too much for them and wouldn’t go over .25¢ each.

Sounding Nice

When deciding on a vocation, I was originally going to be a professional vocalist…not an artist (…though the thought had crossed my mind in first grade ). I took courses at a musical college as well as private instruction. I even placed in a competition at the Minnesota State Fair and was a soprano in the 3M chorus. (I did, however, change my mind – my Mom was already painting and she helped immensely in getting me addicted to the visual arts. ) Members of my immediate and extended family (I have a HUGE extended family) are very arts, music, and creative writing oriented (both sides of my family). My grandfather built his own dulcimer to play. A bit of that rubbed off on me, I play(ed) the flute and piccolo. I was a part of a student’s band at a college here in the cities and also did numerous solo performances. When I was VERY little (um, 3) I performed piano solos for the school’s concerts in front of hundreds of people.

This Is Your Life

I really enjoy biographies when I can. Victor Frankel, Leonardo Da Vinci, and others are very inspiring to me and my work. Also, I am really very, very grateful to all of the amazing people who have touched my life with their knowledge and experience themselves (and not simply from the pages of a book ) ….Artists whom I’ve studied under and those with years of knowledge who have selflessly been mentors to me. What they have given me is priceless.

Dig for the Facts

I love researching things that interest me – today it is the history of my style of art and the wildlife and nature I picture in my pieces. When I was little (probably 10 or so), I was fascinated with Native American history and tried to learn all I could (I have some Native American heritage myself, so that didn’t hurt, either. ). My Mom encouraged me and bought all of the books she could from book sales for me to study. …I even taught my childhood friends to use the symbols and sign language…. I had learned enough at that age to be able to hold my own when meeting an artist who painted authentic symbolism into his works and discuss it. (..but don’t ask me to remember something from that period now… lol! )

Ok, enough about me - here are 5 other artists that I will list...

The first two are built-in (victims ) - My Mom & Sister’s blogs are http://www.lathamstudios.com/karensblog/blog and http://www.lathamstudios.com/bonniesblog/blog

3. These art Beautiful oil paintings by an artist I met at one of our gallery’s events (Whistle Pik Galleries) not too long ago - qiang-huang.blogspot.com. …just love them.

4. & 5.This is an artist I’ve studied with, Matthew Hillier. He obviously doesn’t need a lot of introduction – his beautiful paintings speak for themselves - http://thestudiofloor.blogspot.com/ (and this is his wife, Julia Rogers - juliarogers.blogspot.com ….quite talented, aren’t they. )

(Disclaimer - none of the artists on this list are under any obligation or pressure to post anything if they would rather not ….I’m just showing you off… )

Best,

Rebecca

“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”
- Jim Carrey

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I have been able to study and travel to many beautiful areas, and am very fortunate.  It is fantastic to have so many subjects to choose from. :)  Decisions, decisions.  I will post some of these new paintings that are being planned out in a bit. 

Aside from dreaming of new paintings and past outings and excursions, I have been making the final adjustments to my 11"x14" cougar painting, so I will be posting it on the blog soon.  :)  A photo of an earlier version of the color phase is in my online studio at the moment, for those who are interested.

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The cyber world is an ever-changing place.  It seems that technology is at such a pace that every new feature or component on the web or your computer is immediately out of date — which is both frustrating and encouraging.  It is so exciting to see the new futuristic concepts and technologies that are becoming more and more common.

On the subject of new technology, my online studio received a facelift about a week ago.  Aside from the new streamline contemporary layout and design, it has a few new features in it, such as visitor commenting capabilities and RSS feeds so that visitors can subscribe to for updates if the like, as well as a few other things.  Additional feeds will be added soon. 

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So many paintings, so little time.  I wish I could paint every inspiration.  I get so many ideas for new paintings.  It’s impossible to paint them all.

Aside from my commissions, I have been doing some research for a number of new pieces lately - for the planned exhibition out west in particular.  I will be posting my sketches for the paintings (when I get that far).  :D 

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I recently did a little rearranging in my studio - going through a few things.  In doing so, a few items resurfaced (isn’t that always what happens?).  Among them, were some paints I have been neglecting to use in my work.  It’s strange.  It seems I have so many tubes of color, that I never seem to use all of them at the same time.  Perhaps that’s why artists have been known to go through "color phases".  :roll:

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I get quite a few questions at exhibitions and via email about various aspects of being a professional artist.  One of which is the subject of commissioned work.  As you may already know, I am working on quite a number of commissions at the moment.   All of them on display on various easels in my studio.  I have a great deal more of them than I did a short time ago.  If the murmurings are correct, my prediction is that there will only be more of them in the future.  It is a little overwhelming at times, having so many things just "waiting" for me in my studio. 

I know that numerous artists tend to dislike commissions, and refuse to take them.  Most often, artists paint (or sculpt) things they feel connected to.  There is usually a story behind a work of art that impacted the artist and generated the inspiration to make it.  So, when a subject is predetermined, it is difficult at times to muster enough creative inspiration to plunge through some of them.

With that said, I should clarify that I really don’t mind painting commissions.  It is rather interesting to have a subject for a piece requested.  Often, I find that it makes me think of creative concepts and arrangements to make an idea "work" in a painting that I may have never thought of before.  A creative exercise or puzzle, if you will.  In a sense, the act of painting itself becomes the inspiration.

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I am so inspired!

The weather is changing - it seems there has been a nearly constant thunderstorm or spring drizzle outside of my studio window.  It has also often accompanied by a chorus of songbirds enjoying it as well.  Fresh.  Clean.  Spring 

I recently started on (another) painting - a miniature (well, it isn’t much more than a sketch at the moment ;)  ).  I decided I should paint something from my studies last year in the western US.  Of course, I am spending most of my time brushing up on a number of commissions I have sitting on a number of easels in my studio.  Back to the drawing board….. 

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It has been a while since my last post.  I decided to take a sabbatical from blogging and a few other things.  I will be posting more regularly now that the holidays have passed.

 Happy New Year!! 

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I have been working all day in the gallery (Galleries West Fine Art) painting on my coyote painting.  I think it’s starting to, well, look finished.   I am trying to get the piece finished before we leave Jackson — we’ll see how fast I can paint!!   (I’ll be working on the painting in my hotel/studio also.)

Thanks to all of the visitors that have been dropping by the gallery with such nice comments!! :)  (…and thanks to our gallery for everything!!)

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Today was an eventful day in Jackson.  Later in the day the entire city lost power — even some of the cell phones went out for a while.  Luckily, I did get a bit done on my painting before this happened! :)  With no electric, it did make me (and everyone else) take a break for a while.

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