I love all types of art. I like to wander exhibits. What captivates me every time is how each artist chooses to represent an idea. We all have a story. When we paint from that perspective that is what resonates with people. I have given students the task of painting flowers. They used the same tools but the flowers were different and for a good beautiful reason!

Who are my favorite artists?

Young Hearts

Have you ever observed an artist deep in thought? They go from idea to idea and always ask for more paper. Some of my favorite art moments have been creating with students. Watching children always inspires me to paint. I often ask them,” How did you do that.” They always say, “I don’t know, I just paint. I like to paint. We artists don’t need permission or a reason.

Eric Carle

Have you watched Eric paint and create his lovely collage animals? He encourages me to play. There is something so free about paper collage. You paint the paper with textures and different colors. Then comes the idea. You really don’t know what will happen until it does.

Corita Kent

She is a nun who interestingly was an artist! I love her art rules. I should print them up and glue them in my art journal. We often fool ourselves into thinking that we have to paint like what we see on social media or in an art gallery. Then Corita teaches me to turn an eraser into a stamp.

James Victore

What made you weird as a kid, makes you great today. These are the words that speak to me more than any other of James’ words. Not many people know this of me but I was the kid in class who always asked why. I was curious about everything and the teacher as I recall, wasn’t happy about that. All along I was an artist. I am an artist. The other interesting fact is that I used to do hand lettering. I was learning typography. My writing isn’t as neat as I would like it to be. Then I came across James Victore who was saying nobody cares what your letters look like as long as you have something interesting to say.

Suzanne Allard

I love her work! Suzanne is a big inspiration in my art. I completed my first of many journals. It’s her sense of play and using a variety of tools that makes me want to paint flowers the way I want. More than ever I know that there is no right way to paint a flower.

Carrie Schmitt

I do and I always have. I never thought of those doodles as my signature style. Watching Carrie Schmitt doodle encourages me to paint.

Who is your favorite artist? Let me know. I hope that my art provokes a how, why, and a love for nature. Want to see my art? Click here.

With Love, Mireya