Newsletter

Only when he no longer knows what he is doing

Only when he no longer knows what he is doing does the painter do good things.

Edgar Degas

As artists, we all have a favorite medium(s) to work with.  When a kid, I started out with charcoal and graphite—mainly because that was what I could afford.  But I did like getting my fingers into the charcoal and blending to create different shadows and effects.  Eventually I was able to learn how to use student-grade oil paints.  But they were never my favorite as I did not have the patience for their drying time.  Oil pastels were my first big love.  Again, I could get my hands into the process.  The only problem was that oil pastels never dry.  I did experiment with some spray fixatives, but that did not negate the issue that underneath that fixative it still was not dry.  Again, I could not afford to frame all the work I was creating at the time.  I was never a fan of “stick” pastels but did enjoy using pastel pencils as they more often rewarded my need for working with detail.  I needed a change to inspire me.

That change for me occurred when I started painting abstracts which led to working with acrylics.  As in the quote by Degas above, I didn’t know what I was doing at first.  It took me awhile to appreciate the versatility of acrylic paint, but I certainly have become a “believer”.  Watched a lot of videos, got some books, and eventually I fell in love with acrylics.  When it comes to my painting habits, I absolutely love to create multiple layers, working with transparency and how the paints retain their vibrancy.  Lately I’ve begun experimenting with different textures using various acrylic mediums, even adding small items to my paintings or creating collages.  Having a material that encourages experimentation makes the process even more exciting and rewarding.  I also appreciate the quick drying time of acrylics so that I don’t have to walk away from my painting to wait for a long drying time.  Another plus—the ability to use gallery-wrapped canvas takes away the need for framing!  

I still have a 120-count Sennelier oil pastel collection and decided to try them out again this week.  I enjoyed working with them—they have such a beautiful creamy substance.  However, I decided the need for framing is not something I want to deal with.  This collection currently sells for over $400 but I am willing to let it go for very cheap if any of you are interested. 

Whatever medium you have chosen, don’t be afraid to try something different.  It might unlock a “good thing” inside you!  Hope you are all finding joy and solace with your artwork.  

Looking forward to seeing some amazing artwork at our monthly meeting!

Respectfully submitted by Diann Klink, President

Diann Klink – President

Do not fear mistakes

Do not fear mistakes – there are none.

Miles Davis

Perfectionism has haunted my art all my life.  At the core of perfectionism is fear of failure, rejection, and not measuring up to someone else’s expectations.  Typical signs of these fears, all of which I have experienced, are:

  • Before you can start a piece, you think you need more—more supplies, more studio space, more fully-formed ideas, even more practice.  You feel this will give you a better chance to succeed, but it’s just an excuse to not begin. Try creating a ritual before you start your artwork.  Be prepared with a clean work area before you start, meditate for 5 minutes, just start painting or drawing and your mind will follow.  
  • You never feel that your piece is finished and there’s one more thing to change.  Have you ever made so many changes you’ve ruined a piece?  Begin accepting where you are with a piece, love your work even if it’s not where you want it to be.
  • You constantly have creative block, leaving a blank canvas for days.  Try practicing mindfulness to accept challenges, lower your expectations of yourself.  You don’t have to create a masterpiece every time—or even once!  Enjoy your work.
  • You have too many ideas and can’t focus!  Write down ideas and prioritize them. Start a second piece before you finish a current one—change can refresh you!
  • You long to produce perfect pieces tied to an impossible standard or fear that it’s not good enough to present to customers.  Ask yourself if the work is as bad as your anxiety makes it seem. What is the worst scenario if it’s out in the world and doesn’t sell?  What do you gain if you do nothing?
  • You dwell on past failures, like a bad critique or piece that never sold.  Remember, true creativity comes from where anything is possible.  Try something else.  Learn, improve and move on.  Be proud of what accomplishment you’ve made, no matter how small.  Just putting your work out there is an accomplishment!
  • You compare yourself to other artists.  Everyone is at a different stage of their career.  Admire those artists’ talent without jealousy or anxiety.  What can you learn from them and compare in a positive way?
  • You never show your works in progress to others.  Showing your process helps you connect to other people about chances you are taking, details you want them to see, even the messiness of it all.  And it helps people understand your final work.
  • You are losing your motivation.  But being perfect is exhausting!  Don’t take yourself too seriously and have fun when you can!

Remember, there are no mistakes!  Hope you are all finding joy and solace with your artwork.  Looking forward to seeing some amazing artwork at our monthly meeting!

Diann Klink – President

Artists of the Month

Thank you to our talented artists for participating in the March 28 competitions for Artist of the Month and Blue Ribbon Gallery. The first place ribbon recipient in Artist of the Month is now eligible to enter into the Blue Ribbon Gallery.

Second Place • Diann Klink
Moonlit Marsh • Acrylic Mixed Media
Kim Smith
Alumn Rock Bridge • Acrylic
Patricia Heeney
Afternoon Stroll • Acrylic
Kris Rogers
Shipwrecked • Watercolor

Abstract art was the equivalent of poetic expression

Abstract art was the equivalent of poetic expression;
I didn’t need to use words, but colors and lines.
I didn’t need to belong to a language-oriented culture,
but to an open form of expression.

Etel Adnan

We had a great start to the year during our January 24 Membership Meeting. Members brought amazing artwork, some of which you can view in this newsletter. It’s such a delight to see so many different artistic styles and watch members’ artwork develop over the years, sometimes going in surprising new directions. Archana Jain did exactly that with her demonstration of a technique to add painting “sculpture” to her artwork. The Spring Group Art Project will be exciting when we view your inspirational pieces in April, reflecting one or more of the three subjects: Insects, Cosmic, and Landscape. Quite a creative choice!

During the last month I’ve been viewing different abstract painting demos on YouTube. One of the artists I found particularly interesting is Chris Loud. He’s an excellent communicator who has an easy-to-understand process with intuitive abstract painting, primarily using acrylic paint. I love the way he illustrates his approach to paintings without a focus on the outcome, more as an ongoing exploration through layering and revision.
He embraces the unknown and allows the painting to reveal itself through his use of line, form and color – not trying to create a realistic depiction. I encourage you to check out these two of his videos on YouTube: Layers and Nature Inspired. In Layers, he demonstrates putting down some paint lines and then uses acrylics, alcohol markers, silicone brushes to scrape paint, and creates transparent overlays. In Nature Inspired, he uses acrylics, wax pastels, a catalyst wedge, palette knife, brushes, and his fingers while creating shapes and lines. I think you’ll enjoy these video demos as well as his others. I’ll review additional abstract artists you may not be familiar with in future Guild newsletters. Have fun!

Looking forward to seeing some amazing artwork at our monthly meeting!

Diann Klink • President

Painting is Easy

Painting is easy when you don’t know how but very difficult when you do.

Edgar Degas
Smruti Kurse

Happy New Year!

The quote above, I believe, perfectly encapsulates the artist’s complex relationship with their craft. In the beginning, creativity is free, guided only by impulse; there is a pure, easy joy in the act of creation and unburdened by the rules of technique or perspective. However, as the artist matures and acquires mastery, the initial ease vanishes and they become acutely aware of every subtle nuance – the precise quality of light, the physics of a pose, or the historical weight of their chosen medium. This knowledge transforms the act into a profound struggle; every brush stroke is now a deliberate and difficult choice in the pursuit of perfection. When we look at the work of a professional artist, we are not seeing effortless genius, but the result of disciplined difficulty which deserves our deepest admiration.

As we enter a new year, I send the warmest of wishes to the creative artists of the Campbell Artists’ Guild. May your palettes be rich and your inspiration boundless, and may you find both the quiet joy of creating and the triumph of sharing your art.

Here’s to forging new paths and making this your most creative year yet. Best of luck to everyone in all your future endeavors in 2026!

Smruti Kurse – Vice President

Artist of the Month and Blue Ribbon Gallery

Thank you to our talented artists who participated in the December competitions for Artist of the Month and Blue Ribbon Gallery. The first place ribbon recipient in Artist of the Month is now eligible to enter into the Blue Ribbon Gallery in February 2024.

Group Art Projects

The 2026 Spring Group Project will start January 24 where artists will have three months to create one (or all) of the three randomly selected themes to be presented at the April 25 Membership Meeting.

Special Announcements

Congratulations are in order as Jude Tolley made a concerted effort to get her work out there by entering her art in some online shows. She received a Merit Award in Light Space Time’s 15th Annual Nature Exhibition for Half Moon Bay (right) and a Special Recognition Award for Toulouse Bridge. Whoo-who!

From Wood-burn to Glossy Pages – A well-deserved recognition. Two of Smruti Kurse’s pyrography pieces were selected for the latest issue of Monochromica magazine (Issue 006). Smruti loves how pyrography creates such rich, natural tones without using a drop of paint and she is honored to be featured on page 132 alongside so many talent artists. Congratulations Smruti!

Special Announcements & Events

An Exhibition of Thanks

Barb Overholt’s painting,Unrest, was among the 18 artists’ works on exhibit in Triton’s Supporting Artists Exhibition from December 12–January 4, 2026. The exhibition was a thank you for the artists’ generosity in donating art pieces to the museum’s 60th Anniversary Gala silent auction.

Triton’s Member Appreciation Night, Friday 12/9

We’ve been missing Guild member FAranik Sinaiat our membership meetings for some months and Barb Overholt was very pleased to have an unexpected meet-up with her at Triton’s enjoyable membership event.

Coastal Arts League Annual Members Show – Half Moon Bay

Talented Guild member, Jude Tolley, who is also a member of the Coastal Arts League, was among other artists on exhibit on Saturday, December 13. Barb Overholt was on hand to support Jude’s new art pieces (two upper left) at the opening reception. We had a great time catching up and I met all kinds of interesting and talented artists!

Festive Annual Holiday Potluck Meeting

Twenty-five members enjoyed our year-end meeting on Saturday, December 6. We presented our monthly competitions, confirmed the reelection of our Board and Officers, exchanged Artist Trading Cards, and feasted on members’ fabulous potluck dishes while listening to holiday music. Thank you to our Hospitality Chairs Serena Murray and Smruti Kurse for their dedicated work in adorning the tables with such flair, style, and whimsy! A fun time was had by all.