Finding Inspiration for Art ~ Just Look Around You

"Where does your inspiration come from?"

This past weekend I had the nicest couple over to my studio from a local gallery located out in our Temecula wine country.  They had come by to view my palette knife paintings for exhibit.  As they looked around at the paintings that I had on display, they asked the inevitable question that I get almost each time someone views my paintings in my presence; "How did you get the idea for this?  What was your inspiration?!?"  Now, since I am a humble, quietish gal, I always find it so tricky to answer this question on the spot.  I figured since it seems to be a popular question asked of me hundreds of times over by friends, family, clients and other artists, I would try to answer that question in general terms, here.



"Summer Red Poppies" Floral Palette Knife Painting by Christine

Basically, when I see something I think is beautiful, I stop for a moment and stare at it.  It truly is, almost as simple as that!  Since I was a little girl, I have always been asked during car rides, "Why are you so quiet, Chrissy?  Are you OK?"  Of course I am - I just sometimes get lost staring out at the scenery.  I get absorbed in how many colors are in grasses, how they are blowing, how the sunlight falls on trees and flowers and can create 5 different shades of one color.  If you look at my iPhone, there isn't just the typical photos of my kids, but random pictures of flowers I saw on a walk, butterflies on flowers at the zoo, or the sun on the hills behind the ranch my daughter rides horses at.  I get inspired throughout my days from the smallest, yet stunning things found all around us.  And, as we all know, the outdoors truly is amazing and beautiful.

"Hydrangea at Daybreak" SOLD painting - Available as Print

July Sunrise Over Temecula - from my patio

I am fortunate to live in a gorgeous part of Southern California.  From the ocean to the mountains... it is hard NOT to be inspired to capture beauty on canvas!  The weather is almost always perfect, and I am surrounded by beautiful vegetation and the rolling hills of wine country and vineyards.  The flowers here bloom practically year round!  One way I find inspiration is by waking up early, and sitting out back with my coffee.  I find that it is the most peaceful time of day.  As the sun rises, I get lost in my thoughts as I watch the light and shadows change on the hills, trees, grasses and flowers.  I love watching the sky with the wisps of clouds go from dark to light, and am so often amazed at the stunning colors that are found within a sunrise.  It is during these hours that I am often inspired of a new landscape or floral to begin painting.



"Stormy Breeze" White Flowers Palette Knife Painting by Christine Krainock

Temecula Wine Country Hot Air Balloons over Vineyards

I usually find that it can be the littlest things in my day which can inspire me.  For example, I happen to live extremely close to Temecula Valley Wine Country.  (If you are local, in CA, and you haven't come to visit, you should!  With our many award-winning wineries, restaurants, and Inns, it is a great little weekend getaway.)  Each morning I get to enjoy watching the hot air balloons rise up over the vineyards from both my patio, as well as from my studio window.  I always stop and stare for a moment.  The patterns and colors of the balloons in the sky are different every single day.  I am grateful I get to see them, I know not everyone gets to, and so I make it a point to stop what I'm doing just for a moment and look.  Something as simple as the 2 minutes I may watch them, can inspire an idea for a vineyard painting, or landscape, or just lift my mood to begin a new piece.

"Misty Morning" Hot Air Balloons over Wine Vineyards Painting, Contemporary Landscape, Palette Knife, AVAIL as Print

I truly believe, that not matter what it is that you create, inspiration can be found in the smallest, most "normal" things in life.  The things that many people unfortunately overlook.  The key to being inspired in whatever it is you do, is to take small moments to enjoy whatever it is that you love and find beautiful.  It is in your minds relaxed state of enjoyment that new creative ideas will flow!

Follow your Passion ~ How I went from a Teacher to an Artist

     I receive such sweet messages ALL the time, asking how I got started painting, and how do I do it?  So, I figured I will go against my shy, humble nature and attempt to share a short version of "My Story" here. 

    My name is Christine Krainock, and I am a contemporary, palette knife painting artist.  I reside in beautiful, sunny, Southern California.  I feel absolutely blessed to be able to say that I am a person who is lucky enough to make a living doing what they are absolutely passionate about... for me, that is, and has always been, creating art!
 
     I come from a family of artists, including fine artists and musicians.  Like many artists, I was drawing and experimenting with watercolors at a very young age.  Art  was, of course, my favorite subject in school.  However, upon graduating with a Master's Degree, I was deterred from becoming a "Starving Artist", and so I pursued teaching as a profession as a more "realistic" and "steady" career.  I taught my sweet little students for many, many years while painting on the side, (no one even knew I painted -it was my little secret for years).  I loved teaching, and, if I do say so myself, was a much loved and exceptional teacher. :) However, the more I painted, the more I wanted to ALWAYS paint.  Eventually, my paintings were being requested, and collected from clients all around the world.  I loved painting so much, but there was hardly enough time to meet demand for my art while also teaching.  It was time to make a change...

Original, Contemporary, Palette Knife Paintings by Christine Krainock

     So, as you have probably guessed, with the encouragement of a few very special people, I took a BIG leap and decided to follow my passion for painting. Full time.   I did what so many who "create" dream of doing; I "quit my day job"!  It was a little frightening at first, but it was quickly apparent that I had made the right decision.  ...as much as I loved teaching... I just absolutely ADORE painting!  Giving up my first career has meant more time dedicated to not only painting, but to running my entire business.  Committing to my art full time & the business that surrounds it, is what I dreamed of doing, for a very long time, but, there was a time when that dream had been hard for me to fully admit ...even to myself. 

     I feel more than thankful every single day that I am able to create art in my own unique style, and that others enjoy and request my paintings as they do.  Creating art, painting, in my free, thick, impasto, palette knife style that I love, gives me so much happiness!  I am currently working out of my studio in the wine country region of Temecula, CA, just outside of San Diego, where I am  inspired daily by the beauty of my city, and where I am constantly kept busy painting commissioned paintings for designers, office spaces, wineries, hospitality spaces, and collectors around the world.  I currently sell some of my original artwork on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop/christinekrainock at shows around the southern CA area, and local gallery exhibits.

Christine Krainock in her Temecula, California Art Studio

     So, on this site I will try my best to add posts about my paintings, the processes, art events, and beautiful things in not only my home and quirky life, but hopefully ideas that can be applied by others.  Please contact me at any time with any questions that you may have for me about my commission work, exhibits, or available original paintings.  Thanks so much, I rarely share "my story", and though this is the VERY abbreviated version, I hope that it has, at the very least; inspired some readers to follow their own true passions in life ... doing so really does create happiness.  My best to you all! 

   “Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else's path -unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.”
― Ellen DeGeneres  
;)

~Christine Krainock

Setting up an Artist Studio: How to Make it Functional, Comfortable & Inspiring

     I am often asked how I set up my permanent art studio, and what features I would recommend.  The location of an artist's studio is often dictated by convenience and availability.  Many artists rent a small space, either commercial, retail, or private to use for their work space.  This is a wonderful option if you have the money to cover the rent, and don't mind traveling each time you have the urge to create a new piece.  In my case, rent for spaces in Southern CA get get quite pricey, and I have a family who often needs me, so I chose to create a studio within my own home.  I have had a few different art spaces, and since I have moved and reset-up my studio a few times, I thought I might share from my experience, what I find necessary for a proper art studio.  Whether you decide you will rent a space, or create art from home, I feel the following are important things to consider as you settle-in to create your works of art.

FUNCTION: 

• SPACE- Have more space than you initially think that you will need.  You are creating art, so no matter what it is that you create, you will need a good amount of space in which to not only work and move around, but to also store and display all of which you create.  If you are setting up a home studio, consider taking over a large bedroom, loft or office in your home.  Basements and garages can also work, however, they can be dark if not properly lit.   I have a 250 sq. ft. space.  It is wonderful!  I have lots of wall space to hang  and display my paintings for clients to view, room for furniture, and supplies. 

Photo: Christine Krainock's Art Studio

• LIGHT- First, you must have what all artists need in your space; LIGHT!  Seek out the room or space which contains the most natural light, and receives sun for a great portion of the day.  Then make sure you also have proper overhead and directional lighting for evening work.  My studio has windows on 3 walls so I have sunlight from sunrise to sunset. 
• FLAT TABLE-  This can be an old dining table, a desk, or a craft table.  Even if you paint only on an easel, you need a flat surface to spread out your materials, or use as a desk for computer work, and business.  Although I use an easel for some detail work, I happen to like to work on a large flat craft table.  Mine is wonderful, a Pottery Barn knock-off, I got mine years ago from Target Adams Black Craft Table & Shelves - Target  The shelves on the sides are wonderful for storage.
• ORGANIZED STORAGE-  All of your materials need to be stored in convenient, organized locations.  Use shelves, old dressers, cubbie systems, etc. for your basic storage spaces.  There are also many vendors who specialize in creating furniture and shelving solutions for your organizational needs.  For example, ALY and Company carry unique handmade shelves, furniture and boards in wonderful, vintage, distressed finishes.  One you have furniture, you can use separate bins and baskets to sort and organize your materials so that they are easy to find and you don't need to go digging for them.  For ex: a basket for acrylics, a basket for oils, a basket for mixing mediums, etc. 

Photo:  As a palette knife painter, Christine Krainock often paints on a flat surface. 

• WHITE BOARD/CORK BOARD:  A great idea if you are one with so much going on in your head and you don't want to for get your ideas or thoughts!  You can jot down lists on the white board, pin up inspiration photos, or quick sketched to the cork board, etc.  Mine is great, it even has hooks on it for me to hang up my art apron, paint-covered hoodies, and my camera.  It is similar to this one I found on Etsy White Dry Erase/Cork Board.

COMFORT: 

• ENTERTAINMENT:  No, this isn't at all necessary, I know.  I just think it is important to make sure your space has what makes you feel relaxed and at your creative best.  If you like to listen to music, then have a stereo.  I like to flip open my laptop which is always close by and just open up iTunes or Pandora Radio.  If you like to listen to a show, a movie, or the news as you work, then install a small TV.  I like to have music on that puts me in a happy, positive mood which then is reflected in my paintings.
• SEATING:  If you sit at a table, counter, or easel, make sure you have proper seating that is cozy on your behind, and good for your back.  Hours and hours of straight painting, drawing, etc., can really reek havoc on certain muscles, do what you can to make the process as comfortable as you can so that you don't need to ask for a massage later.  (Although massages ARE always nice.)
• FOOD/DRINK:  Have access to a kitchen or other space where you can make sure you drink water and grab a snack.  This prevents you from getting light-headed and dehydrated. Maybe this is just me, but I can paint for hours and totally forget to eat and drink.  SO, I usually grab a Starbucks, or make a cup of green tea and have it and some water on my table for the day.

INSPIRATION: 

• This is completely up to the individual artist.  Just surround your self with things which may inspire you.  Pin inspiration photos to a board, add photos of your family, hang pictures of your world travels, bring in fresh flowers, look out the window at the view outside.  The point is, your space should be a place that gets your creative juices going.  My studio is filled so much with my own art, and that in itself inspires me.  I paint many florals and love the roses from my yard, so I almost always have a vase full of them.  I am so fortunate, that the most inspiring thing in my studio is my view.  From my largest window I look east, over a golf course, and towards the Temecula wine country and the hills beyond.  In the mornings I am able to see hot air balloons rise, it's beautiful.

     Wherever you decide to set up your art studio, have a great time doing it!  Make it YOUR space, a place that is not only functional, comfortable, and inspiring, but a place where you will ENJOY spending your days doing what you love... creating art.