January 30, 2025 In art, creativity, fine art, inspiration, teaching By Patricia Saxton

Creativity!

We sure live in wild times, huh. Some good, some ugly, some filled with hope and promise and possibility.

And while I may not know how to speed up the good stuff or how to solve the world’s ills, I do know a little something about creativity. Much of that is from decades of experience (oh but how quickly they go by!) as a creative professional. Like a muscle that grows stronger with use, creativity only expands.

An artist is never done. Ideas are never gone. The drive, and the thrill, for creating something from nothing never stops. There are different stages, of course – some “less exciting” but satisfying nonetheless, where practice happens and skills are honed; some “more exciting”, like when breakthroughs break through, when plateaus are crossed and newly inspired worlds open up that leave you wonder-filled and giddy.

Another part of what I know is that we humans are incredibly creative beings, each and every one of us, whose creativity can be expressed in a multitude of ways from language to science to the broad spectrum of the arts, and on and on and on.

Whatever it is, these seeds of imagination, these inspired thoughts and actions that lead to creations of all kinds – I find all of it irresistible! Give me a pencil point and I’ll create a thousand visual versions. Give me a blank canvas and there’ll be twenty more waiting their turn.

But there’s something else I truly love about creativity… which is seeing what others create. How amazing we can be! And I have a special soft spot for those who don’t think they’re “creative”; especially seeing them accomplish something that an hour before wasn’t an inkling in their thinking.

And beyond that – the very act of making something with your hands is good for your soul. In fact, there’s actual scientific reasoning behind it, which escapes me at the moment so I’ll leave that for another day – but I do know it to be true.

ALL THAT SAID …

UNLEASHING YOUR CREATIVITY

I welcome you to join my 4–part “Unleashing Your Creativity” class, meeting each Friday afternoon in February at the Sedona Arts Center. Painting with acrylic, oil, or watercolor, you’ll be encouraged, nurtured, and guided every step of the way.

Beginner? – that’s great! Experienced? – that’s great, too!

Whatever your artistic level, this class is an invitation to expand your imagination, experiment, ask questions, find answers, and make art in a supportive environment. It’s about permission to play and freedom to explore. It’s about tools to learn and rules to break!

There will be prompts and direction (and maybe even some homework!). There will be color and collaboration and camaraderie and lots of creating. Getting messy is optional, but welcome. Every Friday afternoon, leave your cares at the door and prepare for fresh possibility. REGISTER HERE!

PS: Let me know if you’d like this kind of class offered again as a consecutive-day workshop (as opposed to once a week). A little slow out of the 2025 gate, I’m now getting around to planning ahead! Private mentoring is also available.

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— visit patriciasaxton.com to see my full fine art portfolio —

January 8, 2025 In art, creativity, inspiration, life and the universe, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Stepping Into 2025

WHAT STORIES WILL WE WRITE?

I don’t know about you, but 2024 felt exhausting to me!

Even so, through all the time and effort and the this and the that, there were some superb bright spots – and at the end of the day (or year), those count the most. Much of my world revolves around art and creativity, pursuits of beauty and peace, a lookout for magic and the valuing of deep connection – so with those as measuring sticks, I feel much gratitude. That said, hopefully we learn from the more stressful bits, adjust going forward and write an even better story.

Meanwhile I’ve made a little video compilation of some of 2024’s art pieces sold and adventures had, as a kind of marker of time and a welcoming for the year to come. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you find your own ways to honor where you’ve been and to invite goodness in with every step.

October 11, 2024 In art By Patricia Saxton

When Pencils Meet Ideas

With my Drawing Class over, Illustration Workshop complete, and my Creativity Workshop on the horizon, part of me is in teacher mode, so I thought it a good time to answer a pressing question some of you have asked! … which is:

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What’s the difference between drawing and illustration?

Aren’t they the same thing? … Well, yes and no.

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DRAWING is pretty much as straight forward as it sounds. A subject is chosen, let’s say a bowl of fruit, which is then recreated using pencils, ink or charcoal. Styles and techniques vary, and the subject may be interpreted realistically, simplistically, or as an unrefined sketch – but the subject is still being represented as a bowl of fruit.

ILLUSTRATIONS can be representational (think botanical, anatomical, medical, architectural) – however, they become more than a drawing, and often a different animal entirely, when pencils meet ideas.

An illustration visually interprets an idea. It problem-solves how best to depict a narrative, a feeling, thought or emotion, often relying heavily on imagination. And while an illustration might be executed in the form of a drawing, the stylistic range is much broader – it could be painted, collaged with paper or made with a mixture of mediums, all of which open whole new doors to creative expression.

For example, instead of a simply drawing of a bowl of fruit, the fruit might be rendered to look like it’s made of flower petals. An illustration can also be a brilliant New Yorker magazine cartoon. Or a business promotion. Or maybe the adventures of a cat, a fiddle, a dish and a spoon. Or the life of a beagle who imagines himself a pilot. Or, of course, a book-reading dragon. The possibilities are endless!

So.

Drawing tells us about a thing.

Illustration tells us a story.

And there you have it.

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UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

Next up, a 3-day workshop on November 5-7 called Unleashing Your Creativity. On Fridays in January I’ll teach a Writing & Illustration a Children’s Book class, then a class version of Unleashing Your Creativity on Fridays in February. All are held at the Sedona Arts Center. Join me if you can!

August 31, 2024 In appreciation, art, creativity, fine art, inspiration, life and the universe, teaching, travel By Patricia Saxton

Postcards from Austria

First, a note: Something is amiss with my blog. Recent posts that I’ve shared with you have (for the most part, I believe) arrived in your email inbox without the accompanying pictures (also with fonts changing, which you may not notice, but I definitely do!). Finding the solution has been harder than expected and is most frustrating – so my apologies for the less interesting visuals you might be seeing. Your patience is appreciated! For the fully pictured as-intended version, please visit the blog itself. 😉

Art Retreat Extraordinaire

Mission complete – the 2024 Art Retreat in Austria was beautiful! Art was made. Exquisite food was consumed. Spectacular views were breathed in at every turn. Friendships were discovered and deepened and memories were carved. Magic walked among us.

There was painting from life and painting from pictures – and certainly no shortage of inspiration. We were wowed at the gorgeous mountain lake known as Lünersee (and for some, a blissful relief when finishing the lengthy drive up zig-zaggy Alpine roads going ever higher!). We reveled in the sheer immensity of the Alps during our foraging-for-herbs expedition, and were awed by the nighttime James Turrell SkySpace art installation. We were regularly treated to flower-filled window boxes in charming towns and the sweet chime of church bells on the hour. And we all left a piece of our hearts in this magnificently picturesque country.

I am deeply grateful to our Chalet-M hosts Franz and Laurie for our top-notch accommodations and spoiling us with incredible, drool-worthy meals, for making us feel cared for in every way, and for our seamless teamwork in creating an amazing experience that will long be cherished.

And to my “retreaters” – what a great group! I couldn’t have asked for a better, more cohesive collection of souls on our maiden Austrian Art Retreat. Living, laughing, painting and exploring together, it felt like the best kind of family.

‘Til the next time… Es war eine wunderbare Zeit!

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There are far too many picture choices to make into actual postcards, so please enjoy this special 1-minute reel of highlights displayed below!

August 26, 2024 In art, creativity, inspiration, life and the universe, travel, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Where It Began

At five years old, this little girl with sparkly glasses from the small town of Warren, New Jersey, was about to embark on the trip of a lifetime.

She would travel with her family across the Atlantic on board the original Queen Mary ocean liner (where, among many other adventures, she’d befriend a waiter named Tony, who would sneak her extra boxes of Sugar Pops, her then favorite cereal), landing on the shores of Southampton, England. From there the six-some would travel by train to Karlsruhe, Germany. (Of note, one brother was inadvertently delivered elsewhere, after strolling onto a car of the train that broke off and headed to France. Fortunately, despite initial panic, he was found and the family remained in tact!)

Once settled into a little house on a street called Gretelweg, she would walk a cobblestoned path to the bus that brought her to kindergarten, where she mostly remembers drawing a lot. She would also play with the neighborhood children, develop a fondness for Toblerone chocolate, visit castles and lap up their lore, travel on winding alpine roads, gape at tulip fields, and collect a doll from each of the umpteen countries they’d visit before arriving home a year later, by then fluent in German.

It was an impressionable age and may very well, as her father suggested, have unwittingly sparked her love for seeing other parts of the world.

While it wasn’t a long stay, Austria had been one of the family’s travel stops. Twenty something years later, she would again visit Germany (and their old house on Gretelweg, which looked even smaller then!) and would again see Austria, noting the similarly striking beauty of both countries. And now, about 60 years later, she’s off once more to Austria – this time to lead an art retreat in the Alps.

Life works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it? I kind of like that. It’s not exactly where it started, but close enough. And part of me will bring the spirit of “little me” along on this next adventure, where I’ll also, no doubt, be drawing a lot and playing with friends.

♦

Side note: I wrote this pre–Austria trip, and have since come and gone (it was glorious), but am just now getting caught up here on my blog. Retreat details coming next!

July 26, 2024 In art, children's books, creativity, drawing, fine art, illustration, inspiration, painting, teaching By Patricia Saxton

Let’s Be Creative Together

IT’S TIME!

I’ve been drawing as long as I can remember. And those of you who’ve known me a long time, know that I’ve been professionally designing, illustrating, writing and painting for decades! All in all, pretty much a lifetime of creating. And I dearly love what I’m able to do – but something felt missing. That element? Sharing what I know in a more official way – and maybe, just maybe, helping you to tap into your own magic.

Soooo, in early September I’ll be teaching a class in Drawing at the Sedona Arts Center in my beautiful town of Sedona, Arizona. In October I’ll lead a 3-day Illustration Workshop, followed in November by a 3-day workshop that I’m calling Unleashing Your Creativity. In January I’ll teach a Writing & Illustration a Children’s Book class, and in February a class version of Unleashing Your Creativity.

Beginner as well as intermediate level artists are encouraged to join in. Whatever your experience, my goal for each offering is to help you explore and expand both your skills and your creativity. To stretch, play and grow. To feel inspired, build confidence and honor your own artistic expression. And to enjoy the process while receiving plenty of individualized attention.

Registration is now open! You’ll find full descriptions, pricing and dates at the Sedona Arts Center website – this link will take you to my instructor page – just click on any of the classes you’re interested in.

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THE TRUTH IS, WHEN YOU DRAW SOMETHING, YOU SEE IT DIFFERENTLY AND SOMEHOW MORE PROFOUNDLY. AND WHEN YOU PAINT SOMETHING, YOU CONNECT TO A WORLD YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED. IN ALL FORMS OF CREATIVITY, YOU’RE MAKING SOMETHING FROM NOTHING – AS IF BY MAGIC. BUT THE MAGIC IS ALREADY IN YOU, JUST WAITING TO BE TAPPED.

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June 4, 2024 In art By Patricia Saxton

Passion or Bust!

Does anyone else feel like time is moving at warp speed? Every year it seems faster, but, so far 2024 feels crazy fast. Like a relentless, churning sea rushing against an invisible clock.

One of these days I’d like to master time. It’s been said that time exists so that everything doesn’t happen at once. Which sort of leads to another line of thinking that the past, present and future are actually occurring at the same time – which is a hard concept to wrap one’s head around, which can then leave us with the classic wisdom of the present moment being the only one that matters – the only one where we have any tangible influence – and that that is where we should bestow our precious attention.

It’s pretty fair to say that I don’t always know where the time goes, but there’s lots of attention on creativity over here, so I’ll share some of what’s been happening around the studio.

ART COMMISSIONS continue to be flowing. (Including a work in progress that aligns with this Year of the Dragon, making for the ethereal company of marvelous, fantastical beasts while I paint!) Not all artists like commission work, as there’s an extra pressure involved painting for someone rather than painting whatever flows. That said, I appreciate my commissioning clientele – they respect an intrinsic need for artistic freedom; they understand that while I can produce what they’ve asked for, there’s very much an element of “as the spirit moves” to my work. (After many long years at the proverbial drawing table, this was inevitable.) “Passion or bust!” another someone once said, and I concur.

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APRIL saw a nice feature article on yours truly in Sedona Monthly, a well-respected and beautifully produced magazine. (Read the feature here.) There’s a lot of talent in this town, so I extend many thanks to the team over there for including mine.

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IN MAY Sedona was graced by the Aurora Borealis.(wow!) The wildflowers and cacti are blooming now, and the golden sun on the red rocks continues to hold my heart hostage.

IN OTHER NEWS, I’ll be teaching several classes/workshops this fall at the Sedona Arts Center. I’m not sure what took me so long to offer these, but I’m looking forward to them all. Lots of planning … stay tuned for announcements on those!

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THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING AND I MUST GO . . .

Also stay tuned for postcards from Austria. (Maybe not actual postcards? Although I like the idea now that I think of it …) Considering how quickly the months are flying by, our Art Retreat in Austria is just around the corner. August 4 – 10 to be precise, and it’s going to be grand. I see it as a bit of a “life, art and the universe” experience where everyone can not only expand their creative expression but, in the process, just might infuse some hand-and-heart-made love, joy and beauty into this very messy world we live in. Cheers to that, I say!

October 25, 2023 In appreciation, art, creativity, drawing, fine art, inspiration, life and the universe, painting, teaching By Patricia Saxton

Austrian Alps Art Retreat: August 4 – 10, 2024

Would you like to …
Make art in a gorgeous, relaxing setting?
Amp up your drawing skills? Learn to paint?
Find new ways of seeing the world?
Feed your spirit?
Share the joy of creativity?

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Join us for a week of making art guided by lifelong artist Patricia Saxton. There will be learning and feasting and camaraderie. There will be mountains, lakes, forests, cows and goats. There will be soaking in the incredible summer beauty of the Austrian Alps.

All experience levels are welcome.
Come along, be inspired, create some magic and nurture your soul. It’ll be amazing!

– e a r l y b i r d o f f e r –

Register with required downpayment by December 1, 2023 to receive 10% off the listed price for the retreat.

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For the best experience with personal attention, the retreat is limited to 10 participants.
Click here for the details, itinerary, pricing and sign-up form!

December 26, 2022 In art, color, creativity, fine art, painting By Patricia Saxton

New Work / Show Time!

Paint dry. Signatures done. Hardware on. Five new pieces have been delivered and are now on display for The Azadi Exhibition at Sedona, Arizona’s Rumi Tree Art Gallery.

This was an inspired – and fast – turnaround. I’m just now surfacing from the creative process (which often feels like a spirit driven, caffeine-fueled alternate universe…) and wanted to share this update with you.

About five weeks before the exhibit opening date, gallery owner and fellow artist Sahar Paydar felt moved to make the theme of the show about Azadi, which translates to liberty in her native Persian language – and so, The Azadi Exhibition was born. Featuring four women artists and focusing on Art, Women and Liberty, I was all in. It meant switching creative gears in a short period of time, but I loved, loved, loved the concept and realized it was a perfect opportunity to begin a series of portraits that had been on my never-ending list of ideas for quite a while already.

I conjured up and completed three strong women for the exhibit (more are waiting in my wings), and I’ve called them I Am Freedom, I Am Grace and I Am Wisdom. Painted in oil, they represent empowering qualities that I believe all women inherently possess; qualities I feel should be embraced, honored, and unabashedly lived.

In addition to the portraits, I included two of my joy-activated acrylic pieces in the show: Joie, and The Grove.

These five new original paintings (shown below) are available for purchase at Rumi Tree Art Gallery; email rumitreeartgallery@gmail.com or call 928-862-4221. (You can contact me with questions as well.)

Clockwise from top left: I Am Freedom, I Am Grace, I Am Wisdom, all three.
Each piece is 20 x 20 x 1.5″, oil on canvas.

On left: Joie, 10 x 20 x 1.5″, acrylic on canvas.
On right: The Grove, 10 x 20 x 1.5″, acrylic on canvas.

More original works are available through patriciasaxton.com, where (as you may already know) I also offer giclee prints of select pieces.

Enjoy the holiday season! Warmest wishes to you and may love abound.
~ Patricia

July 14, 2019 In art, color, creativity, drawing, illustration, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe, painting, work and play By Patricia Saxton

After the Leap

I’m a bit giddy about my new series of abstract paintings, so why am I choosing to share this pen and ink drawing from my early days? Blame it on Mercury Retrograde? Or the sense that my own sails are raised and ready for new adventure?

A symbolic piece then, of voyage; of casting off and setting sail; a metaphorical departure from the safety of one shore to the wilds of an unknown other – in this case, a marked departure from an innate, well-practiced tendency towards detail to a deeper, and ultimately freer, realm of instinctive expression. It’s exciting to look ahead, but the occasional revisit to where you’ve come from can also be worthwhile – like puzzle pieces of how you got from A to B to P to Z.

Here I can feel my younger self dipping her calligraphy pen in and out of the ink jar to get just the right amount of liquid on the nib (delighting in each stroke that didn’t bleed or drip!), her steady hand and sharp eyes playing with light and shadow to create a recognizable two-dimensional thing, the pleasure of her then new-found discovery of knowing when to stop. I was in college for this piece, and someone (a professor?) had the brilliant idea of turning it into a metal engraving – I’m guessing to make prints of some sort, which I don’t recall happening – but I still have the engraving, which somehow feels like a work of art in its own right.

In this moment though, perhaps this pen & ink sailboat jumped out because the past two years have seen quite a lot of casting off and setting sail. I took a leap – from the sea, from green mountains and lush gardens and quaint, old-moneyed towns, to clever cactus and red rocks that reach into your soul and great big breathable skies with extra shiny stars. A leap from knowing lots of people nearby to knowing no one. From a home of 20 years, to 3 homes within one year. There’s been the shedding of tired emotions. Letting go of old stories. Creating new stories with new faces and new hearts. Making new paintings, writing new poems. The waters have been choppy – other times smoother than silk (even marvelous dare I say) – and I have not one regret.

Now as I sit poised for another step in this high-desert adventure, I thank my younger self for her artistic diligence; I thank my illustrator self for her imagination and storytelling, and the landscape and pear-painting me for her care – just as I welcome my current self’s desire to throw paint around willy-nilly. Because what’s created with joy will breed joy. Or so one hopes!

Here’s to everyone’s adventure, whatever form it takes. It can look like moving across the country with dreams yelling in your pocket, but it might not. Adventures start inside, and may just take you around the corner, but if you hear the call – whatever calls to you – I think you ought to listen hard.