Tools

Sorry again to miss Tuesday.  I was out shopping for clothes for my little one.  I just couldn't help myself....I just had to buy him some Hawaiian shirts for the summer.  My husband loves Hawaiian shirts so my son just had to have some to wear with him.

As you work on your artwork, you know that more often then not, you are using tools to create the work.  Some artist use recycled material to avoid high cost of tools but in the end...you always need something to create...well something.  If you paint for example you could choose to buy your canvases and frames or you can choose to make your own.  In college I had a whole wood shop at my disposal which I miss because there were tools available to me that I am still trying to acquire.  The quality of your own work when you build your stuff yourself....is so much better.  But sometimes when you are in a pinch and you still have yet to own all the tools you need...like me....sometimes buying pre-made stuff just has to happen.

But, this is not just limited to power tools, this can talk about the quality of your paint brushes.  I have a variety of brushes that range from the cheap craft brushes to the higher quality more expensive brushes.  I have found the difference is....the bristle. With a cheaper brush you will find some of your bristles falling off into your paintings which is just a pain in the bottom.  So sometimes owning a nicer brush makes all the difference.  But do not get me wrong....you can create art with just about any tool as long as you know how to use it.  One of my favorite brushes was this little tiny one that I used to add my detail and one day I was cleaning it in the sink.  Well, my hands were soapy and it slipped between my fingers and fell down the sink.  That brush is greatly missed but I recently replaced it with a simple craft brush.  I love it and it goes to prove that you can use a tool of any kind to create work.  Luckily, I have not had to pick out bristles in my paintings...so far.

So remember your tools and to take care of them.  With paint brushes clean them well....not with just water but a little dish soap really keeps those bristles soft and clean of any excess paint. If you are using oil paint, the best soap is Murphy's, it cuts the oils to get that brush clean.  Take care of all your tools to make them last as long as possible.  Tools can cost a lot of money so keep them clean, taken care of so they can last as long as you do.  Maybe my Hawaiian shirt wearing toddler can inherit all my tools one day hopefully to create artwork.  Take care and keep being the best artist you can be!!

Humbling (for sale)