Over 60 Competition: 10 Lessons for the Art Life
Edited by Doreen Manning
The collection of memories and adventures that make up a lifetime is inspiration for many artists, and none more than those in their later decades. When it comes to the winners of Artist Magazine’s 17th Annual Over 60 Competition, nothing has deepened the connection between creativity and the canvas more than this storage bank of experiences. We asked our top 10 winners for their best advice for artists looking to grow. Their answers may surprise you.
“Just keep practicing. You have to do the work.”
– Sally Cooper
“One of the most important pieces of advice I can give was given to me by my gallery dealer and mentor, the renowned late Tim Wilson: ‘Keep on painting, and it will all become clear. When you keep painting, not only do your skills improve with practice, but you also discover things about yourself and your work that move you forward. This can produce amazing results.’”
– Alison Gilmour
“If you’re a realist painter, learn to draw. This is a fundamental foundational skill that must be mastered. When I was in art school, for the first two years we were required to draw from the human figure in life-drawing classes at least twice a week, along with other classes in design, color theory, painting techniques and various other courses required for a B.F.A. I drew a lot of nude people in my four years at Chouinard Art Institute!”
– Ken Granning
“I believe that time and dedication are what it takes to succeed. I follow the methods outlined in the book Atomic Habits. I work at it every single day. Here’s a quote from James Clear, the book’s author, that I keep on my drawing board: ‘Winners and losers have the same goals. You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.’”
– Eileen Nistler
– Susan Perrish
“Paint from life. All my instruction has been with live models, and I feel it’s by far the best way to learn. Also, draw! Draftsmanship skills are a must—especially in portraiture.”
“Create from what you love. Whether that be a certain subject matter or medium, or both—you must enjoy what you’re doing. I have a theory: If I like something, I can’t be the only other person who’s attracted to it. The challenge is to get the right eyes on your work. Explore media and techniques to find what suits you. There’s no right or wrong way to approach art, but if you’re going to break the traditional rules, you should understand those rules before you break them. Create a consistent body of work once you figure out what it is you enjoy. You can always choose another path and create a new body of work, but having a hodgepodge of art styles isn’t necessarily beneficial. None of this happens overnight, but drive and dedication are key.”
– Ann Ranlett
– Anda Styler
“Don’t copy. Be who you are. Be original. Be inspired. Look at the artists you admire and see how they went beyond. Study what inspires you. Draw, draw, draw. Draw everything. It will teach you to see. Study the light and how light follows form to create shadows. Notice how the wind changes the clouds, the temperature, the time of day, the time of year. It all changes what you’re painting. Watch yourself evolve. Allow for change. Experiment with color. See what resonates with you. We each have an internal palette and unique painting style. Find yours. And, lastly, use more paint!”
“After teaching on-and-off for 10 years, the advice I would have for all skill levels is pretty simple: The only way to get better at painting is to paint—a lot. Take classes, pick the brains of good painters, look at good art in books, magazines and galleries. Then make a lot of paintings. Expect that most of them won’t be very good at first, especially if you’re attempting techniques with which you don’t have much practice. Don’t let anything discourage you.”
– James Turner
“Never give up. Don’t allow criticism to sway you from the vision you see in your soul. Keep moving forward in the face of any and all adversity. Don’t be afraid to fail. When you do fail—and you will—learn how to recover rather than getting bogged down in a pool of self-loathing. Don’t take anything for granted.”
– Thomas Valenti
“If you make painting a priority in your life, you’ll see growth in your skills and improvement in your technique, and you’ll start to see your own work more critically. When painting becomes your life—and you’re having fun with this passion—your work will make you proud and happy.”
– Soon Warren
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