Ann Sinarski, Featured Artist from Virginia, USA.

Ann Sinarski – listening and observing.

Over the years I have learned that it’s better to listen and observe than it is to be the one doing all the talking. That has served me well throughout my art journey because I have used those observations to improve my art skills.

Observing people, places and things has sharpened my “seeing” ability. What shapes am I seeing? How is the figure moving and bending? What colors are being used and why do these colors work? Where are the darkest darks and lightest lights? and on and on.

Like many artists, I started drawing as a very young child. I made up drawings from things I had seen and using crayons, pencils and collage to complete the works. (To this day I still love the smell of crayons!)  As I grew older, the powers of observation were honed in high school and college art classes.

Family and work before art.

Unfortunately, getting a job in the art field in the 70’s and 80’s in a small town was just not going to happen for me. Working full-time and raising a family were my priorities. But whenever I could, I would grab my sketchbook and draw or take a local art class just to stay viable. Focusing on something I was drawing helped calm my anxieties and add joy to my life.

Ann joins an online art community.

In 2014, I joined the online “Sketchbook Skool” (SBS) community, created by Danny Gregory and Koosje Koene. For me, this was a terrific place to learn new art techniques and share my work safely.

While at Sketchbook Skool in 2015, I did a 75-day challenge of marker work that was just black, gray and white. That challenge taught me a lot about darks and lights. After that challenge, I had to slowly go back to using color and learn what colors translate into the darkest darks and the lightest lights.

The study of color, a priority in Ann Sinarski’s art.

The study of color has always been a priority for me as an artist.

Last October, I found a medium that let me explore color even more: I started using FW Acrylic Inks as paints. With these inks, I can add more bold and vibrant colors to my drawings and at the same time experiment with placing different colors next to one another.

To quote Georgia O’Keefe, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way.”

As long as I live, I will always be a student of the arts.

Although I really enjoy the use of acrylic inks, I will change and look for the next challenge to study when I have learned all that I can from this medium.

To view other artists who have been featured on my website in the last 2.5 years, please visit the Guest Artist page.

I am grateful for all the talented, productive artists and creatives from all over the world (photographer, author...) who have appeared on Louise's ARTiculations. If you are a creative and would like to be featured in this space, please contact me.

Many of them remain in my circle of friends on social media sites, and some, I have even met in person.