Art Matters

Even the brilliant artist Henri Matisse felt insecure at times...

May 03, 2019 • Barb Toland • Art Quotes

I find it hard to believe that popular, innovative & highly creative artist Henri Matisse felt insecure at times about his art. But this quote, captured in one of his diaries, leaves no doubt that he did...

If you're not sure, mix it up ;-)

April 26, 2019 • Barb Toland • My Stuff

I've been living with a dual creative personality for a long time now. What, you might ask, is that? (Welll of course I made it up!) Basically, it's when you love the heck out of multiple mediums, and are trying to figure out how to creatively exist while being "torn between two lovers" so to speak...

Sometimes I get lucky & a day of play turns into something more...

April 19, 2019 • Barb Toland • Creative Sparks

Today I'm going to focus on a new piece I recently painted, all the reasons why I love it, and some of the ideas I experimented with that ultimately got me there. It happened one day after I decided to take my own advice & just play around to get those elusive creative juices flowing again...

Wandering around in the world of art & trying to find your "type"...

April 11, 2019 • Barb Toland • Art Bites

Today we're going to talk about the 3 major types of art ... figurative, abstract & non-objective. It's one of those art concepts that should be straightforward, but isn't really as cut & dry as it seems....

Chagall's art has poetry & magic in it, and so did the man...

April 05, 2019 • Barb Toland • Featured Artist

Last week we talked about this quote by famous artist, Marc Chagall. I also listed some of the things I do when I'm feeling too much in my head, and not enough in my heart while creating. Hopefully you'll experiment with some of them, and they'll help you along your creative path. (By the way, I do want to mention that I'm aware I have many art fans who read my blog, and don't think of themselves as artists or makers. But I hope you know that when I say "following your creative path" I mean anyone who delights in the beauty & art around them, whether...