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Self reward... Most artists seem to answer in these simple terms: + Passion: I must paint in order to express my true self, my vision, my story, and refuel my self worth. + Pride: Pride in ones self accomplishment of a difficult task in the feeling of exposing your self expression to others. + Challenge: Overcoming the fear of failure which I do not find in anyone's attempt at art. Don't judge your work on how it stacks up to others, you will never feel that you are achieving much. Be grateful with [...]

"Finally, a new career" Well the time has finally arrived for Ken Pieper. After 50 years in the construction industry as an Architectural Illustrator and Residential Custom Home Designer, I am starting a new career in Fine Art. I have wanted to do this for many years, but honestly the designing of extraordinary homes across our great country for some wonderful folks has been extremely satisfying. I am self taught and with perseverance, patience, and persistence have accomplished much. This was and is only possible because of [...]

Roy Scheider in the movie "All That Jazz" woke up every morning, went and looked into the mirror with blood shot eyes, slapped his face and proclaimed "It's Showtime." Well guess what? When you are in business for yourself you must be ready for the curtain to rise at a moment’s notice. Let me explain my thoughts.   Many artists feel that since we have been classified as pretty much "out there," we can dress any way we want, say what comes first to mind, have a messy studio, listen to strange music or give their [...]

Being an artist is not for everyone. But how will you know if you don't try? You just might be great! Listen to your inner self, not everyone else. We have all heard the old axiom of the "starving artist." Absolutely folks, and there are many around.   When starting any new venture, examine thoroughly your motive. Honestly. Very few solely emotional decisions turn out well. Believe me, I have made many, and regretted most. My biggest is purchasing something I really did not need and having "buyer's remorse" later.   Starting a new lifestyle, relationship, travel, or a new business venture must be preceded [...]

 Crunching the numbers, marketing, blogs, writing newsletters, visiting galleries, creating submittals, preparing and maintaining a professional portfolio, etc.; when do I have time to create and just enjoy painting? Good night nurse! Well if you want to be successful in any business venture, you will have to devote major time to these tasks, so let’s make them fun. Using the matrix that I’ve created below, assign your tasks to fun activities in the process. Create a business plan: Meet like-minded folks at a coffee shop to discuss your plan. Create your marketing plan: Take your tablet and a picnic lunch and study the [...]

Okay, so I’m jumping the gun on Christmas. I just came from Target and guess what? You got it. I also just received my first advertisement for Christmas cards. So….   This year I want you to think of purchasing a gift that truly “keeps on giving,” Fine Art. When purchasing fine art to have in someone specials home, or your own, you are indeed purchasing much more than an object of gratitude and thoughtfulness. A fine art piece will endure for many years, giving real value to one’s life. When purchasing art, you’re also sharing a moment in time of the artist’s [...]

“Commissions for the Holidays”                                                                                                 Hello friends, last week I wrote about selecting fine art for holiday gifts, and as a result received three commissions for new works of which I am very grateful. A variety of work indeed, as one will be a contemporary black ink on white treated birch panel of aspen trees, the second a traditional oil on linen of a Provence farm scene with sheep, and the third an oil on linen landscape of the Teton range. As you can see, each client has a different genre for their home. Again, I am so grateful for these discerning [...]

I am often asked now, “how are you going to move from such a structured and linear profession to that of more free expression?” While not easy to keep from placing the hard and straight lines of architecture to the more painterly approach of creating fine art, I am working through it with much discipline. I am also seeking instruction from the artists I respect and am taking workshops to learn more.   Additionally, I have a large library of great books on the works of present and past revered artists. I have admired these professionals and collected the writings for years and [...]

“Integrating Materials to Create a Cultural Statement”                                                                                                 I just spent an interesting afternoon with a very unique and creative artist, Gayle Crites of Golden, Colorado. She produces some of the most amazing pieces of contemporary fine art pieces that I’ve seen. The art stands alone in its appeal, but the back story of the materials and unique history of the process in which she works is equivalent to none I’ve witnessed before. You simply must visit her website (gaylecrites.com) to understand and appreciate why I am so visibly moved by her work. When any artist myself included, is creating a piece of [...]

“The Foundation of All Building”   Being in the construction industry for all of my adult life has taught me much about life in general. I guess the mainstay of all construction and indeed most principals of sound building of anything starts with the foundation. How does this relate to art? Simply stated, without good solid foundation principals of color theory, structural considerations, time-honored processes, patience and commitment to your craft, you probably won’t become the artist you could be. Sure, raw God given artistic talent is without a doubt required, but not without the time-honored principals and processes added to this talent. We [...]