The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

The featured painting called Flowers by the Window is a favorite done a few years ago.   How it came about is still a mystery to me.   Yes, I painted it, but I am not sure how. In the process of its creation, I was sharing progress online. I got to this stage, and then, proceeded to bring it more into focus. A friend and my sister both strongly admonished me to leave it alone. I took a good look at the piece, and realized, it was quite wonderful. The truth is, had I continued, I would have ruined the painting!   Why do I bring [...]

It is hard to believe another year is wrapping up.     When I look back over the year, I am content with my efforts to advance my proficiency as an Artist and also, with my efforts to promote the business of Art. It was not always easy but it definitely paid off.   On New Year's Day, 2025, I had a very CLEAR RESOLUTION: GET THE WORK OUT in front of people! JOIN, ENTER, APPLY. Become a member at local art coops and galleries, enter shows and exhibitions, and participate whenever possible.    I did it! This past year, I exhibited work in 9 exhibitions. It was [...]

    This weekend, at a "Meet the Artist" event, I was asked if I paint from photos. The technical answer is no, although photos can be involved.       I paint what I see. My portfolio is akin to a visual diary. Generally speaking, what is catching my eye wherever I am, is what ends up on the canvas. Most recently, I have been watching the goldfinch devour the seeds off the volunteer sunflowers that sprang up in my raised bed! This delightful experience has inspired 3 very different paintings so far.   Every Painting begins at a real life moment when I witness something that [...]

I am painting every day, really I am.    I am also having a somewhat strange summer. We usually travel in the summer but this year, we are home until late September for various reasons.   The daily schedule looks roughly like this:   8:30                 Studio work 12:00               Pause for lunch. 12:30               Studio Work  2:30                 Coffee, and/or Nap. 3:30                 Swim 4:30                 Prepare supper.     Sometimes, I will work on a painting in the evening [...]

Does the creative life require a degree of selfishness?   I hate the thought, but often, struggle with it.    In order to work, I need Quiet, Time, Alone. Opportunity to retreat into myself to think and dream. Then I can work. It is not an instant-on situation. It takes time to let go and achieve that meditative state. Showing up, ready to work every day sets the stage for the magic to happen.   This definitely can appear selfish. My studio is in my home. My husband is retired and home most days. He is very supportive, but I do think, sometimes, he must take it [...]

Ha ha.....quite a build up, eh? Well, that's how I felt this week.   My New's Years Eve resolution was to arrange at least 6 places to show my work this year.   Last year was a wash. We were caught up in fixing and selling a rental property, then dealing with damage from surprise flooding here on Pleasant Hill where we live. I continued with my daily painting practice but could not manage arranging ways to get the work out into the public view.   I am determined to not let that happen again this year!   I am making good progress turning that resolve into reality. So [...]