I was really touched and impressed by a letter I received a couple days ago from blog reader Edward Morris, who was kind enough to allow me to share it with you. He says:
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| Edward Morris, before and after |
"I discovered you a few years ago while reading an article in an art magazine about the color of the sky that you penned. I wound up buying your book Color and Light. When I started reading your blog two years ago, I discovered sketching. I tracked down your book you coauthored many years ago and learned that sketching is really more than just sketching!"
"Since then, I have found that the more I sketch, the better my paintings get. But, I also found that my volume of finished paintings also went way up...go figure. Thought you might like to see a "before" 2012 sketch compared to the sketches I do now. For the past 6 months, I usually work from sketches now for my studio work which seems to be more painterly and artistic to me. All of this is due to your blog and books. I recently branched out into color as well for my sketches."
"I look forward to my daily dose of you everyday to see what's on your mind. Thanks again, Ed."
Wow, what a dynamic sketch that is shown to the right! Very inspiring! Great job, Edward! I agree with Ed also, that it's fun to read this blog everyday. I learn a lot from all the comments as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks to both Ed and James for this post. Ed has demonstrated and expressed what thousands of us have experienced; an enrichment in our artistic endeavors, thanks to Gurney Journey.
ReplyDeleteWell Ed has really improved… and what a great letter to get for such a giving teacher like James. I look forward to your blog every day, and loved 'Color and Light', and your recent DVD on watercolor painting. How you find time for all of it is amazing, does your day have more than 24 hours James?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Connie said about the comments. I look forward to reading this blog every day, plus the books and DVD's. And no matter how busy I am, I always take time to read the comments on this blog. Best blog--and comments--ever. Thank you, Teacher James!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great letter! Can't tell you how many times something from your blog or videos has helped me improve my work! You are a national treasure for artists, thanks to your generous sharing of expertise and straightforward, genuine teaching style. And yeah...what Elaine said!
ReplyDeleteThank you, James, for all you so generously share with us, daily. You are by far both my favorite blogger and my favorite (of many great ones) art teacher.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is first blog I check each day, I purchased the Color and Light book, the Watercolor in the Wild DVD, etc. all have been immensely helpful... if I have a complaint, it is that Edward's progress is better than mine!
ReplyDeleteFirst time commenting....I stumbled across your Imaginative Realism book this past year and felt like I had found some kind of hidden treasure at a local used book store. Since then, I've started following your online journey and soon realized that the book was only the 'tip of the iceberg' in regards to the experience and knowledge that you share with us everyday. Your words and images have inspired/strengthened/improved my own artistic pursuits, as well as countless other 'silent' blog observers. I aspire to be 1/100 the artist/man that you are, and look forward to your posts everyday. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy progress hasn't been as impressive, but I spread myself thin across multiple interests. Nonetheless, your books and blog have helped me tremendously, and I'm quick to suggest your materials to others. Thanks for everything, James!
ReplyDeleteGreat comments from everyone. I think Steve said most closely what I was thinking...But I would like to add one more sincere thanks.
ReplyDeleteEd has put in words what many of us feel. I say, ditto - your blog and subsequent books have inspired & pushed me in my artistic journey, and continue to do so. Thanks for making the daily effort to translate your experiences into words that the rest of us can learn from.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful "after" sketch! Beautiful and inspiring, I do want to improve my sketching. Is the sketching book Edward is referring to the "Artist's guide to sketching" written with Thomas Kinkade?
ReplyDeleteI have to say I also have bought more of your products then any others. I have most of your books and your recent Watercolor video [with bonus material]. I find your blog very informative. It is like the are class that I never got.
ReplyDeleteThanks for so much,
Steve