New blog about being an artist

Hi everyone! The last post was a goodbye but I'm back again. Pamela and I started a new blog about navigating art's challenges over the years, and especially now. 

We'll be covering many topics ranging from how we found an audience in the earlier years to understanding the in and outs of social media today as an artist. 

Once we've established a following we plan on inviting guest artists to share their experiences.

We hope that we'll be able to provide valuable information and inspiration to our community of creators.

Please join us on this journey at Two Seasoned Artists and share your thoughts with us!

I've been busy cleaning up some websites and realized that I still have this blog! It's been 6 years since I've posted and many things have changed and much is the same.

Pamela and are still painting. Although she moved across the country to Utah 2 years ago we still maintain contact weekly.

This will probably be my last post but I will keep the blog up as a positive memory. It was a lot of fun when we ran it and we really appreciated everyone's participation while it lasted.

If you're interested in following our progress click on the images to visit our websites.
Thanks for stopping by!

Pamela White Murphy

Ria Hills

Day 8 of the February Art Challenge

It's day 8 of our challenge. I (Ria) decided to focus on shapes today. Pamela's painting will be up soon!

"Garlic Head"
Ria Hills

Day 7 of the February Art Challenge

A week of completing a painting each day feels pretty good. Finding a new subject to paint daily is easy as long as I don't care what it is. It's the process of painting that's magical.

"Man Chair"

Ria Hills

"Fashion Statement"
Pamela White Murphy

Day 6 of the February Art Challenge

We're moving right along with our challenge!
Please check out Pamela's website, especially if you are local to our area. She's been teaching art to adults and children for many years. Her classes are filled with inspiration and budding talent.

"Daisy"

Pamela White Murphy

"Simple Pear"
Ria Hills

Day 5 of the February Art Challenge

We both didn't have much time for painting today. I decided on something small. There's always an hour or less in a day to do what you love to do.
Pamela choose water soluble pastels to paint the apple sketch.

Artists! It's never too late to join in the challenge.

"two carrots"

Ria Hills

Pamela White Murphy

Day 4 of the February art challenge

It's day 4 and we're still moving along. Completing a painting a day sometimes takes rescheduling and tightening up the plans for the day. It's all worth it!

"Tangled Mess"

Pamela White Murphy

"Sugared Doughnut"

Ria Hills

Day 3 of the February art challenge

It's day 3 and we're still going strong although I had my doubts. We all have so much to juggle in our daily lives. As working artists painting every day isn't an option but completing a painting a day can be a challenge.

Artists! Please join us.

"Angel Statue"

Pamela White Murphy

"One More Bite"

Ria Hills

Day 2 of the February art challenge

It's day 2 of our art challenge! I set my alarm earlier than usual to get to work. 

We hope you'll join us! To learn more click on the text above the 3 peppers image in the top right menu.

"Roaring Waters"
Pamela White Murphy

"2 Peppers"

Ria Hills

Day 1 of the February art challenge

Hey everyone!

Pamela and I decided that we want to challenge ourselves to complete a painting everyday for the month.

We're a day late but better late than never ;-)

Please join our challenge! You don't need to finish a painting everyday. There are no rules but to challenge yourself to paint more.

When you finish a painting send me the image, the title and the page you want it linked to. I'll post it here the same day. I'll create a new page for each day of the month.

We're looking forward to seeing what you've been inspired to paint! The trick to completing a painting a day is to keep it small.

Starting late? No worries . .so did we.

NOTE: Only hand painted or drawn works in any traditional medium will be accepted. Please keep the size of the file you send below 700 pixels wide or tall.

"Hot Chili Peppers"

Ria Hills

Pamela White Murphy

October good bye

We're sorry to announce that Shoot and Paint will be closing this month. Although we would love to continue, Pamela and I both have too much on our plates at this time.

We've been sharing your art for almost 3 years and it's been a lot of fun. Your submissions have been great and we will continue enjoying your work online! Thank you for the support!

If you would like to follow our work here are our websites.
Ria Hills
Pamela White Murphy  and The Artist Palette Studio

Happy painting!

September Challenge

This month's painting challenge is to paint your art supplies. Those are my favorite supplies in the photo but I have yet to decide what to paint.
Have fun painting what's in front of you or get creative with it, but be sure to include your tools!

~ Ria

carla raffaelli

Renate Arends

Pamela White Murphy

Ria Hills

August Art Challenge

Wow it's August already!
I watched a video of a drawing exercise in values and  accuracy a while back.
Here's the idea: If you have an old pack of cards take one of them and rip it in two or more pieces. Lay it out and start drawing or painting.
I used an ace because of it's simplicity. Use any card from the deck (or use the image on the left). I almost chose the King but I didn't want to overwhelm myself.


This could open up many ideas . . .it did for me but they are yet to be painted.

Aniko Makay

Cheri Homaee

Carla Raffaelli

Renate

Pamela White Murphy

Mico

Ria Hills

July Art Challenge

 

Last month the process of plein air (painting outdoors) was suggested to us. We thought it was a great idea! So take your supplies with you and find a gorgeous spot to paint and enjoy the outdoors. Or grab you camera and take photos to bring home to the studio. Have a blast and we look forward to seeing your creations!

(Sorry we are a few days late)

Aniko Makay

Hanneke

Mico

Ria Hills

June Art Challenge

JUNE 7th Update

Pamela and I thought that painting a favorite animal  would be a fun challenge for the month. If you have a pet your subject might be sitting next to you.
If you grab an image off the web be sure that it's available for public use.
Here are a few free stock sites if you need a photo to work from:
http://www.sxc.hu/
http://morguefile.com/
http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/

Thanks to Clarissa Estrada for recommending a plein air (outdoor painting) challenge. Since painting plein air is dependent on weather we decided to reserve it for next month's art challenge.
As always we look forward to your submissions! We will be posting our paintings soon.        ~ Ria and Pamela

Carla Raffaelli

Cheri Homaee

Delia Pacheco

Mercedes Ares

Aniko Makay

Mico

Pamela White Murphy

May Art Challenge

Finding a subject to paint can at times be the thing that holds you back from painting. I've had more experience with this than I care to remember.

The beauty of still life painting is that there's always something right in front of you.
The challenge this month is to grab an object that's nearby and paint it. It could be right in front of you on your desk or in the frig but don't over think it.
~ Ria

By the way . . have you checked out the 'where we are' link? Contributors to our challenge covers 4 continents!

Anika Makay

Mico

Mico

Cora

Cheri Homaee

Laurie

Roger Åkesson

Ria Hills