Blog

In my previous episode, I paid tribute to Doug Byrum, my first artist friend, who began art when he was bedridden in a body cast for more than a year as a young man and remained nearly bedridden for years after.

Despite all the obstacles, he found what he loved and dedicated his life to it. He became a world-class artist.

So how can all of us get started even if we're too sick or too busy? I cover the simple, affordable ways to overcome the obstacles and share my own life's lessons.

Keep trying. As one artist in our outdoor painting group said, "It feeds the soul."

Here's the easiest way to start, especially when you don't have time or a lot of money.

A sketchbook and a pencil are always ready.

Believe it or not, Doug's portrait of Frank Sinatra was done in crayon and made the program cover for Sinatra's world tour in the 1970s because Sinatra loved it so much.

You can sketch while watching Netflix and not feel like you wasted any time.

Gouache or pastel for quick clean-up and for supplies that are ready the moment you have a moment.

Talent is the same kind of lie as sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. What a lie? Words hurt worse.

Improving at art means making a lot of bad sketches and bad paintings. You learn the most from mistakes and practice.

The most common thing we hear from those who walk up to us during a public paint-out. I can't even draw stick figures.

But here's the best. One man told me, I can't even draw flies?

Well, neither could I. But I kept trying.

The great challenge of art is that none of us is at our best yet. Each painting gets better, even for those who do master works.

I nearly passed away in 2017 from some serious health issues that are now simply chronic but not life-threatening. I have real struggles with balance and fatigue, but it ebbs and flows.

I actually made more time to paint. It was a personal way to celebrate this second chance at life and a way to focus on celebrating the beauty of life.

Olympic skater Scott Hamilton guessed that he fell more than 10,000 times during his career. How did he win those Olympic medals? He said he got back up more than 10,000 times.

I would give my life to play the piano like that. I did, said the famous concert pianist.

Pursue what you love.

I paint with newly found friends in two outdoor painting or plein air groups. Every single person I've met has significant health issues or is juggling a busy schedule. Examples include cancer survivors, recent surgeries, a heart transplant (not open-heart surgery, a complete transplant).

I tried to do this when I was in my 20s. But I let life distract me. I've learned how to make time even if it's only 15 minutes of art at a time.

I shouldn't beat myself up too much. Even when I was working 80-hour weeks, I still made time for art videos or art books.

Check out my website for a gallery of paintings and all 116 videos:
https://www.rogersnell.com

Sign up for an email telling you of the latest work, video or inspiring paint location:
https://www.rogersnell.com/email-newsletter

Check out my vlog and list of videos:
https://www.rogersnell.com/blog

I’m the author of two books:
https://www.rogersnell.com/books

I am a member of Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky and the Kentucky Appalachia Outdoor Painters.