Caution:Artist at Play-Artwork by Shana Rowe Jackson

Do you have an artist that you know and love? Or perhaps you are an artist who is looking to treat yourself? Here are some fun gift ideas for artists!!  P LEASE NOTE : Most of the things on this list are things that I have bought myself or that have been gifted to me, this blog post is not sponsored in any way. All the photos were taken by me and remain under my copyright. Click on the photos and links to be connected to the gift you are interested in, or to a place where you can find something similar! Also, please see my wish list below for other fun ideas!      We all know that the best gift for an artist is usually a specific art supply they have asked for, or a gift card to their favorite art supply store, but sometimes it is fun to give (or receive) gifts that celebrate the person as an artist. Here are some of my favorite gifts ideas!  Inspirational sketchbooks or journals and fun pens : Every artist I know loves paper and writing utensils! Sketchbooks and journals ar

I have to say Autumn is my most favorite season of the year!! The gorgeous leaves, no humidity, even temperatures. The colors are wonderful, the smells are intoxicating. Pumpkins, Candy, Apples, I love everything about this season.  This year I have been particularly inspired. From Halloween, to fallen leaves, here are a few of my newest fall paintings done this year, and there are more on the way!!! "Free as Autumn Leaves" "Trick or treat?" "Fallen from Grace" "Morning after Autumn rain" "Pumpkin Palooza" "Life is Golden" Here are a few of my old favorites inspired by fall!! "Self Portrait 2" 2011 "New England Drive" 2011 "When October Comes" 2012 "I'll be the teachers pet for sure!!" 2012 "What's for dinner?" 2012 "I want THAT one Mom!!" 2012 "Thanksgiving Dinner" 2011

      “The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, fro m the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.” -Pablo Picasso    Funny question I know. Surely it means different things to different people. Many say you are an artist if you are able to create, be it architecture, cooking, crocheting, singing etc. Then there are those who say anybody can be an artist. Others say you are only an artist if you are good at what you create. That's where things get so confusing. Who decides what is good and what isn't? Art is so subjective. What is Art? That question is one that may never have an answer that will satisfy everybody. "My Life as a Painter" Oil © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2013    An easier way to answer is to narrow it down. Art is very personal, so forget what others think makes you an artist, why do you think you are an artist? I asked myself today, what does being an arti

   Inspiration is an artist's best friend, but at times it can also be an artist's worst enemy. When I am inspired I feel like I am on top of the world, but even being inspired has its down sides, like lack of sleep, and an obsession with a certain project that can take over my life. The only thing worse than being inspired is being uninspired. When I am uninspired, in a slump, I don't even feel like myself, I'm depressed and irritable. I second guess my artistic talents. It is one of the worst feelings a creative type can go through. These ups and downs on the roller coaster of creativity is one of the main reasons I think artists have a history of mental illness. Just saying ;).  "Inspiration-The Musician" Part of my "Be Inspired" series © Shana L Rowe Jackson 2012   So how do you get out of it? How do you break out of the slump? The best way is to keep on keeping on. It is so easy when in a slump to just give up and say you are throwing