Kevin "SK" Simon - Artist. Painter. News

Happy Birthday and Happy Painting!

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 03:27:34 CDT

This year's birthday is a bit more significant than past years. I'm fortunate to have painted more this year than in previous years. I'm really happy about that accomplishment.

I look forward to improving personal best as an artist-painter in the years to come.

Thanks for visiting.

Sincerely,

Happy 2012! A New Year of Freedom

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:45:54 CST

Freedom to choose. Freedom to Be. I am appreciative and I thank you.

August Is My Favorite Month!

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:56:54 CDT

Hi, and thanks for visiting! My month of August is my favorite of the year as it is my birth month. Each August is when I actively review, reflect and restart on my life's path. This August was truly delightful! I meditated. I drew and painted. I strummed my guitar. I walked, weight trained and began yoga for life-long fitness. I also traveled on a road trip. Wow! I was able to do most of things I really enjoy doing. I look forward to many more years of doing what feels good and being at peace. Thank you, Universe!

Nevermind The Interruptions, Just Make Art

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:00:57 CDT

Hello! How are things on your end? Great, I hope. As for me, there always seems to be some hurdle, obstacle or crisis that I must get over, around or through.

I know my passion is Art as it always has been. In addition to my personal faith, I use Art as a light, a beacon, to keep to my path. I constantly fill my mind with positive affirmations and art study to weather whatever I currently face. I intend to continue in this way because my own brand logic works well for me.

I'm on the road again and away from my small studio. I did manage to pack some art materials as I hurried out the door and to the airport. Here's what I brought along: (2) 9 x 12 Smooth Newsprint pads, (6) 2B Conte pencils and a single-edged razor blade to keep the pencils ready.

I'm comfortable using the smooth newsprint and Conte pencils these days to get down quick sketches. I hardly ever erase although I make mistakes often. I just try to learn and remember from my uh-oh's and move on. Much like life.

Yesterday, I was able to visit an art supply store and put together an on-the-road art kit. Try this list of art materials for your Art Bug-Out Kit. Please feel free to add and omit as necessary. Oh, and please write me with your personal on-the-road "must-haves".

Liquitex Professional Acrylic Heavy Body--

Titanium White, 138 ml

Cadmium Yellow Medium, 59 ml

Cadmium Red Medium, 59 ml

Cobalt Blue, 59 ml

Ivory Black, 59 ml

Brushes for Acrylic Paint - Revised

1-1/2" Gesso Brush

12 Flat

10 Flat (Optional)

10 Round

8 Round (Optional)

6 Filbert (Optional)

4 Round

2 Filbert (Optional)

Gesso, White, Super Heavy, 237 ml - Liquitex

Gesso, White, 118 ml - Liquitex

(Remember, you can mid-tone or color your painting surface by adding a small dabs of color to the Gesso applied to your surface.)

Bucket, Plastic - 1 gallon. 5 quarts maximum for portability. *Fill your bucket half-full with water to dip and wet your brushes for thinning your paints as desired and for brush and area clean up.

Canvas Pad, 9 x 12, 10 sheets - Fredrix

Palette Paper Pad, 9 x 12

Brush Soap - "The Masters" Brush Cleaner and Preserver, 1 oz. (I like Murphy's Oil Soap the best.)

Rubbing Alcohol - 70% or higher - (Use to remove paint and clean up. Also, use to create your preferred painting surface. Think texture, splashes and spots from drips and splashes of alcohol on your painting surface.)

VIVA Paper Towels

Floor and surface covering materials. Options--

Tarp, 6 feet by 8 feet - (A good portable size. Found at hardware stores. Get two tarps, if possible, to cover everything that should not get paint on it.)

Drop Cloth, Painters', 6 feet by 8 feet or larger - (Inexpensive. Found at Dollar Stores and hardware stores. Get two to cover everything that should not get paint on it.)

Shower Curtain, Plastic - (Inexpensive. Found at Dollar Stores, Walmart and Target. Get two to cover all that should not get paint on it.)

Table "Cloth" - (Inexpensive. Found at Dollar Stores, Walmart and Target. Get two to cover what should not get paint on it.)

Trash Bags, Large, White or Clear, Box or Roll

Newspaper

Masking Tape or Painter's Tape, 1"

---End---

Thank you for visiting KevinSimon.com/.

Sincerely,

*Oh, and Please watch my video on travel art supplies! Click on link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqyKRsr65vc

Full Speed Ahead

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 00:28:13 CDT

Wow! I'm feeling pretty good now that I'm back in good routine of painting and drawing. I'm pushing myself to draw more to paint better. Under a great painting there is usually a strong drawing. There's no way around it to become a great painter. I have to draw more and draw often. So it's full speed ahead with my art while feeling great too.

SK preps canvas panels with Gesso.

SK continues to prep surfaces for new oil and acrylic paintings.

SK visits Utrecht Art Supply Store! A super place to hangout.

SK practices Tonal Drawing with charcoal pencils and brushes.

SK practices light and dark with a fun pear.

SK practices values in a landscape study.