Happy New Year!   Do you have a ritual you go through to help create a happy year?  Do you plan for it?  Each year I do a creative exercise that shows me what is possible for the upcoming year. This exercise requires having a good relationship with creativity and not being blocked in any way.   What is the worst creativity blocker?    Artists know that creativity is not a simple or effortless process. In fact, it may even feel like a war against yourself sometimes. You may be thinking that lack of resources, time, or inspiration are the main creativity blockers ..read more

     I’m updating some of the lessons in my online Landscape Alchemy Course. This is one I’ll be going further in depth with but I thought it is something all artists need to know.       This is regarding the use of stock photography.     What do you think? If a collector asks an artist…”IS THIS YOUR PAINTING?” yet the artist used a photographer’s stock photo how would the artist answer?    Yes, if it was their own photo reference or if it was painted from life.    No, if the artist used another artist’s (the photographer) photo ..read more

There are many great artists today and some are also great teachers. Whenever I receive a compliment for my manor of teaching, it is because I learned from some of the best. Let me share them with you.       Learning to see the value changes in the landscape came from my classes with Garin Baker.   My education started when young and I graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BFA. Robin Arnold influenced me greatly while at college in New Paltz. She nurtured my growing skills and introduced me to paintings and artists whom she thought my style was reflective of. While ..read more

Those who know me well know that for over 20 years I have been teaching how to have huge transformation and healing using imagery. I've even written a book about it (soon to be published). Art is powerful.    You can experience this class (and more) for free on an upcoming international online event....     You are invited:     Enjoy learning about health at The Science of Healing & Consciousness Masterclass   What if you could harness the power of CONSCIOUSNESS to ELEVATE your physical health and emotional well-being? Join Lloyd Burrell to explore ..read more

What's my process for choosing colors for a studio painting?  Why are they recorded onto a grid?   a.  I often look at the colors used in a plein air painting. In this small 8" x 16" plein air piece of  the pier next to the Van Wezel in Sarasota, FL, the unusual color purplish pink offers an unique twist on a landscape.       b.  These colors are recorded in a notebook from the actual painting.  The notebook pictured below is the Painter's Color Diary (Watercolor) from Jerry's Artarama. Notice how the colors in the photo below are o ..read more

  There are many reasons why someone might choose to buy their next piece of furniture but what about art? • One reason may be that you love how a painting helps you feel more alive! • Perhaps a painting stirs a memory that brings you back to a fun time. • Maybe, you love supporting creative endeavors by friends.  • Or, you have a space that needs decoration. • It is better than going to expensive dinners! Art lasts! ​ Rose Garden Path study, 6" x 6", Oil on panel L. Richichi ​                             &nb ..read more

  In the creative process our imaginations are a powerful tool. Or, our imagination can quickly destroy a dream.   It can become our worst enemy or our best friend.   In my most recent creative endeavor, let me share some of the  the thoughts in my head that I had to battle with and how my imagination helped me.   Recently I received a top award from a national magazine's contest and realized I almost talked myself out of painting the winning piece. It may not have happened if I didn't make one decision in particular.     It started a few months ago whe ..read more

In Jan. 2021  I began mentoring and coaching artists in the newly created Landscape Alchemy online course causing my own work to up level.    When the participating artists received the short weekly video (four each month) plus an exercise to do, as the artists worked, so did I.   On the monthly one on one call with each of the  eight artists, I'd help guide them to make sure they end up the year with a strong body of work. This made me look at my own work even more closely each week.     Without a goal, a focus, it is too easy to create a mismatched co ..read more

       When I began my journey as an artist I could already draw. Portraits were easy, landscapes were not. I couldn't understand how to unite all the myriad of parts. There were so many.   I knew I needed help from experienced teachers because fellow students gave me  answers that were helpful but not always on track with my direction. I knew what I didn't know and there were areas that I was blind to. I didn't know what I didn't know.   Student work 1993 , mixed media , first landscape attempts recently torn up but then I thought, you might like to s ..read more

I remember hearing "Value does all the work and color takes all the credit" when in art school many years ago.   Then I heard if you have the right values, any color will work if it is also the right value.     As I developed my online color course I found that to be very misleading.       One of the biggest misconceptions about painting with colors: is that you can mix colors in a painting arbitrarily if the value is right.   This couldn't be farther from the truth because there are relationships between every pair or group of colors and they all don ..read more