"Just Breathe"

"Just Breathe" Another of my "Random Thoughts on Art" is that simple little bit of advice. Maybe it sounds obvious, but when I look back at my years as an architectural illustrator, I am surprised to recall - while trying to paint in as controlled and tight a manner as possible - when I would literally hold my breath for very long periods. My neck, my back, my shoulders were so tight, my head ached all the time. I was concentrating so hard as I painted, and I was not happy. How could I even hope to produce anything that was not also tight, joyless, over-controlled, inexpressive, and constricted? In our yoga practice, we study the incredible value of the breath - matching a relaxed , present, flow of in and out breaths with an equally alert but relaxed set of fluid movements of the body. I cannot stress enough how this practice has improved my life and my painting. Now I don't worry myself so much with final results, but I am just aware of loving the process of painting itself as it unfolds. This has allowed me to express myself in paint in a far more fluid, honest, and emotive way. This view of the dramatic skies over Northern Ireland - done earlier this year - was an exercise in loose and joyful painting.

"Think Less - Feel More"

"Think Less - Feel More" - In my teaching - and for my own work - I keep a running list of ideas written down; bits of advice, memories, fragments of philosophy, etc. that I have loosely named "Random Thoughts on Art" . Since I'm not a big fan of rules - especially in art - where "no rules" is often the best rule - these are more "rules of thumb" or just good things to remember as I travel on. So I thought from time to time, I'd share one from my ever-evolving list here; and this is one of the first and most important for me. While it's good to think about our work, about life, about art,etc. I've found that if I think too much while trying to paint - I can be my own worst enemy. When I pick up that brush, I'd better have all my thinking done. So then, my brush can "think for me" and I can paint more directly from the heart. Here's a painting I did earlier this year "Vertical Study" that began in my head as just an idea - but ended up on paper as a pure feeling.

Hammond Castle - Gloucester

"Hammond Castle, Autumn - Gloucester" thomas w schaller watercolor 15x22 inches 06 dec. 2014

Artist's Page - Facebook

Over the next couple of months, I plan to be posting new paintings and news primarily only on my "Artist Page" on Facebook, rather than on my "Personal Page".. So please join me there if you can. Interaction with me will be at least as easy and direct - and there's more art!! Thank you all so much for following. Much gratitude and all my best wishes, Tom. https://facebook.com/thomaswschaller

Workshop: Rome 10-14 June 2015

I'm very excited to announce a workshop for June 10-14, 2015 in one of my favorite places in the world - the magnificent city of Rome - with the group : ARA - Associazione Romana Acquerellisti . Just incredible plein-air locations have been selected all around this great city to thrill every artist - Hope you can join us! For info, see my website or contact Claudio Castiglioni http:thomasschaller.com

104th Annual Juried Exhibition - California Art Club

My gratitude to the jury for including my painting "Winter Bridge - Ohio" in the 104th Annual Gold-Medal Exhibition of the California Art Club to be held at the USC Fisher Museum of Art in Los Angeles : 29 March - 19 April 2015.

Woods on a Snowy Evening

Woods on a Snowy Evening Thomas W Schaller Watercolor : 22X15 inches 23 Nov 2014