Me as an Artist

Over Hagatna Bay, 4x8 inches, oil on canvas

I have many hats and fill many roles.  The discussion today is my role as an artist and my heart for art.  Often times artists start at the beginning, when they were young.  Today, instead of doing this (I can save this for another time), I will start with introducing who I am and where I am now. 

My name: Tara Sood. 

What influences my art: -grabbing time to work, -clearing my mind of the duties to stay in creative mode, -documenting ideas as they come as I’m doing other duties so I don’t forget them, -tiredness

All of this sounds so normal: It is.  Because art is something I do every day and as my job.  I have to work through all these ‘normal’ things to get to the point of putting brush to canvas.  For me, it’s always been like this since I started my career.  But as one of my teachers and mentors said, “It is not always the amount of time you have that makes great art.  Sometimes the best art comes in time crunches, when you are the most tired, and at the end of your rope and must get those things on canvas.”  This statement for me has been true.  So as I pray for time, God answers, I am able to get my ideas down and then head out to the next thing. 

How do I get inspired?  I work at my art, show up in the studio, and pick up that brush.   As soon as I begin working all the ideas start to flow.  I love painting (and drawing).  The idea of painting a figure or portrait that I’ve seen or have been thinking about makes me run to the studio to try it out.  Sometimes, I’ll get an idea for application or color combinations and the best way to try these out are with a still life set up.  As I complete paintings, my mind reaches to the next iteration or idea to try and expand this painting.  I love to paint – that is what draws me to the studio and outdoors!

As a person, artists often have the ability to identify themselves and others at a deep psychological level because of painting the emotions on the face and with the gestures of the hands.  Therefore, I believe I am a tenacious person, I will stick to ideas and see them through to the finish – sometimes successfully, sometimes not.  I have grown a thick skin – in order to deeply curate my work and accept critique and change my practice accordingly.

One other thing – I do love to teach others to paint and draw as well.  At first, I thought I only wanted to paint and draw and sell my work because I teach in many of my other ‘hats’.  With requests, I have taught and found I love leading people through the creative process and helping them reach for excellence in their art.  For now, this is on the backburner, but pretty soon – art instruction will be available.  Watch for the announcement. 

And for the piece today: it is an older piece that I would like to finish someday.  It’s a picture of my oldest 2 sons when they were very small.  They were hanging out with me at a plein air festival and I grabbed this scene of them standing in front of their love: cars!  I love the loose brushwork and suggested quality.  I hope to finish this soon and add it to my On Life, On Home, On Light series. 

Work in Progress Boys & Cars, 24x20 inches, oil on board

Check out my website www.tarasood.com for current work and write me through the Contact button or here for Purchase or Comments. 

Until next week,

-Tara

Tara Sood Fine Art