“An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.” -Charles Horton Cooley
~Ana
So the Artist works…
“Just as the bird sings or the butterfly soars, because it is his natural characteristic, so the artist works.”
-Alma Gluck
~Ana
Ana Livingston Fine Artist
Happy 2019 to You!
A Christmas Carol…
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” – Charles Dickens
Surround yourself this holiday season!
Love, Ana
Happy Thanks Giving
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” -Edgar Degas
“Every artist writes his own autobiography.”
“The man who has no imagination has no wings.”
“Creativity takes courage.”
“Imagination is the eye of the soul.”
“Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space.” -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
“Architecture is the will of an epoch translated into space.” -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Principal design by: Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
~Ana Livingston, Fine Artist & Muralist
“The Art of a People is a True Mirror to Their Minds.”
“The art of a people is a true mirror to their minds.” -Jawaharlal Nehru
The School of Athens by Raphael, 1510-1511, painted during the High Renaissance, Italy
~Ana
ART EXPANSION PLAN: HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS!
Hello, friends! I thought I’d stop by and let you know that I have been working diligently on a new art expansion plan that will be coming to fruition within the coming months.
As many of you may not know, between working in the Tampa, FL area as well as in Los Angeles, the vast majority of my artwork sales are generated from private commissions–either the individual has seen my work in galleries, private homes or on the side of very large buildings. 🙂 In addition to my current workflow, I now plan to create and offer affordable works on various online sites such as Fine Art America, Saatchi Art, etc. This is an exciting new phase for me as I can now create works that will be available to many more people. So I’m happy and excited to have you along for the ride! (I also intend to check in here and blog more frequently– I promise!)
I will continue to accept commissions, as always, so if you still have that wild idea you’d just love to have put on canvas or paper, contact me and let me know the specifics!
We’ll talk again soon!
~Ana
Happy Holidays! :)
Springtime is right around the corner…
Spring is always such a beautiful time of renewal. And it’s right around the corner…
Celebrating life!
~Ana
My Wish on Valentine’s Day
Lead an Extraordinary Life
A Very Merry Christmas to You!
Please Help Me Promote The First 2 Books in The Blood Stone Saga!
Mariah June is my youngest daughter and an amazing up-and-coming author. I am so proud! She currently has a campaign on IndieGoGo with the immediate goal of getting the first two books in her series published! In her own words:
“I have had this story whirling around in my mind for 11 years now, and it would bring incredible tears of joy to know that all those long nights spent fleshing out, writing and rewriting these books wasn’t all for naught. It has been my never-ending dream to share my stories with friends, family and the world. If I reach my goal with this campaign, it will MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY!“
To see Mariah’s IndieGoGo campaign in full, in addition to the great Rewards she’s offering her supporters, please click here.
Your help—be it promotion, contributing or both—would be greatly appreciated! There are links on her campaign page that assist you in posting directly to Twitter, Facebook, etc.!
Thank you!
~Ana
Happy Birthday to Me! :)
#Believe
“I don’t want life to imitate art. I want life to be art.” Ernst Fischer
~Ana
“Art is the Signature of Civilizations.” -Beverly Sills
The glorious Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
~Ana
“Chat with a Dead Man” – Excerpt From the Short Story by Ana Livingston
“His name was Guido. I‘d been enjoying a crisp, spring morning at my favorite outdoor cafe in the Montepuliano outskirts when he arrived. By “arrived” I mean one moment I was alone, and the next I wasn’t. I’d stolen a quick moment to study him as he settled on a stool across from me and estimated his age to be about 55; he soon confirmed that fact.
“Well,” he said, “At least I had been…right before my death.” And so the tale of his ending begins with a chat over the too dark and much too rich morning coffee I shouldn’t have been drinking.
“It’s funny how when one conducts their life responsibly for a short period of time they feel they deserve to be rewarded with the very thing that should be avoided like the plague. As my personal testament to that fact, when I was cheerfully dressing that morning my internal dialog went something like this…”
<stay tuned for the next installment!>
Beautiful Montepulciano, Italy. Opening for the short story by Ana Livingston titled “Chat With a Dead Man”.
Excerpt: Copyright © 2015 by Ana Livingston. All rights reserved.
Firenze and Fiesole
My new friend, Margie. Feel free to take part in her adventures! 🙂
Thursday April 21
Before 9am I was on the bus to Firenze, an hour and 15 minute ride with views of the Tuscan countryside. Bellissimo! Once I arrived in Florence I made my way to the Duomo and bought a ticket to climb the campanile, which is also known as Giotto’s Bell Tower. It is 276 feet high and there are 414 steps, which are about 30 inches wide, and much more narrow as the staircase spirals. There is only one staircase, so visitors use it to ascend and descend, necessitating that you have to stand sideways at times to allow a group to go in the opposite direction. Thank goodness it was not July or August, or the heat would have been unbearable.
There were a few levels where you could stop and walk around, so I had a chance to catch my breath. It is a strenuous climb…
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A Bright Future Begins With You
The future is an open landscape resting at our feet. We each define it, day by day, through our perception of it and the steps we knowingly choose to take.
By perpetuating the good, we can make it a bright, shining playground for all!
~Ana
Happy New Year! I Love You With All My Art!
Peace to All!
May peace and happiness be with you, my friends. ❤
~Ana
“The Responsibility of Artists” by Ana Livingston
“The reality is that artists have a gigantic hand in injecting the beauty and vitality we all enjoy in present day life. I wrote an article about this very subject: the role of the artist in society and how their creative impact is broad and deep.
“Without the beauty continually brought into being by the many players in the various genres of art, this world would be a dull soulless place. My personal role and responsibility as an artist is to not only create beautiful work that uplifts others, but to also actively support my fellow artists.
“Art is my job, my life and my love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
~Ana Livingston, Fine Artist
www.analivingstonfineartist.com
Canandaigua Train Depot Mural is Complete!
Beautiful work! 😀
Shipping Gods by Pichi and Avo
Fantastic work!
Graffiti artists Pichi & Avo recently completed this jaw-dropping mural in Werchter, Belgium for the Rock Werchter music festival.
Every year the music festival features five street artists to adorn the ‘North West Walls’ with art. Curated by Arne Quinze, Pichi & Avo were invited to complete a colossal 360 mural on 7 large shipping containers. Check out the progression photos below along with a video documenting the process.
[Sources: Street Art News, pnkmist0138]
Artwork by Pichi and Avo
Artwork by Pichi and Avo
Pichi & Avo first hooked up in 2007, fleeing the egocentrism of graffiti and joining forces to give birth to single works. The duo begin in their hometown of Valencia, slowly branching out to the rest of Spain. Since then the duo have been showcasing their work across Europe and North America.
Artwork by Pichi and Avo
Artwork by Pichi and Avo
Artwork by
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Typical Day at the Office – A Mural Artist’s View
Van Gogh’s Advice for a Blank Canvas
Next month will come Ever Yours: The Essential Letters of Vincent van Gogh, which runs to nearly eight hundred pages and is frequently more absorbing, expansive, and instructive than a collection of letters ought to be. >Read more at the Paris Review here.
A sketch of a cicada in a van Gogh letter from July 1888
Hope you enjoyed.
~Ana
Lazy Day on the Skagit River in Mount Vernon, Washington State
I apologize for my long term absence here! There’s much updating to do, but that will have to wait for another day. Currently I’m back up in Washington State to visit my father, family, and this time around, to attend a school reunion. It’s been a great visit so far and here’s a shot from earlier day: the Skagit River in western Washington state. More photos and stories to come!
Hope you’ve all been well. Speak with you soon! 😀
~Ana
Hearty THANK YOU to my Current Art Supporters on Patreon!
Hello! I recently created a “Support-An-Artist” page on the crowd-funding website Patreon*, and I’m here to thank those who have already made pledges to me and my art! I appreciate you all SO much for having faith in my artistic goals!
My heartfelt thanks to:
Vivian Samuel
Megan Crew
For more information about PATREON, MY ART GOALS, as well as MY PATREON PAGE, please click the images below!
*What IS Patreon?
Ana’s Art Goals!
Ana’s Patreon Page!
If you are interested in supporting me in my artistic journey, Patreon pledges begin at only $1/month!
You’ll have my unending thanks! 😀
~Ana
Day Eight, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: COMPLETION!
Yes! I finished and have a very happy client! Here is his testimonial:
“Thank you so much. I love the artwork! My sisters are jealous and want to ship you to Ohio to do their houses. Thanks again, it’s just what I imagined!” – S.M.
And the final panels:
Happiness like this is what makes my job so very worthwhile. 😀
Day 1 In The Studio – My Musical Journey by Mariah June
Hi Everyone! Please take a moment and check out my daughter’s progress on her Musical Journey. Her new website is now live and she’d love to have you subscribe and follow her updates! Thanks!
~Ana
Day 1 In The Studio by Mariah June
Day Seven, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: My Place in the Sun
I’m back! Here are two shots from today’s progress. The first is my scene every morning. I love it. 😀
The second is today’s image of panel #1. Still more work to do but it’s coming along!
I’ll be back at the walls tomorrow around my usual time of 6:30am; I’m getting excited as I can feel completion day coming soon. 😀 More tomorrow!
~Ana
Day Six, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Changes
Well, the inevitable day arrived where I decided to make a change. I wasn’t happy with the grapefruit segments on Panel #2 (with the curling rind), so painted over them and began the detailing process anew. I think, all in all, it will end up looking more “correct”.
My day today was cut short so am hoping to spend a bit more time painting tomorrow.
Before on the left; revised on the right. Even though I’ve just started the repair process, I think it was a good decision to make the change.
Panel #1: just now starting some refinement on the segments
Still a ton of work to do, but am now more content with the segments. Stay tuned for the evolution next week!
I hope you all have an excellent (and quick!) Friday tomorrow so that we can all jump into our weekends. And again, thanks for your interest. It is appreciated. 😀
~Ana
Close-Up Shots of my Grapefruit Mural Progress
Here are two close-up shots of my progress. It was 84 degrees at my back today; the sun heats up the walls like a hotplate, and the paint dries almost on contact. Despite all, I love what I do! 😀
Artist in action: panel #2 of the Grapefruit Mural
Panel #1 of the Grapefruit Mural. Progress is slow but sure!
I’ll post more pictures tomorrow!
~Ana
Day Five, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Things Are Heating Up!
Today marks day 5 of my ongoing 2-panel mural here in Clearwater. With the hot spring weather firmly in place, it’s becoming a little more challenging. I am satisfied thus far on my progress and will be back at the walls around 6:30am tomorrow (gotta stay ahead of the sun!).
Panel #1 of the Grapefruit Mural. Making progress!
Second panel of the Grapefruit Mural
I appreciate your interest! 😀
~Ana
15 Days Till I am in the Studio!
Day Four, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Refinement
Today I feel like things are finally coming together. I still have much more refinement to do on both panels, but that might have to wait a bit. It looks like the bad weather that has been sweeping through the midlands (my sympathies) is now due here. Consequently I might not be back to the walls until next week. We’ll see…
I hope you all are well and happy. When you have a moment, do check in and let me know how you’re treating life. 😀
Love,
Day Three, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Coming to Life
Day 3 in the lovely Florida sun. It’s quite beautiful out as long as you can withstand the high temperature…in the direct sun..for hours. I happen to like it (as long as there’s a breeze,) so no complaints here.
I worked on the two whole grapefruit today; one each on the two panels.
I’ll probably be working on the grapefruit halves tomorrow. Lots of reshaping and defining to do with these. All in all, I’m just happy the blobs are starting to come to life!
More tomorrow…
~Ana
Day Two: The Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Adding Layers of Paint
Second day at the two-panel Grapefruit Mural. No refinement as yet; just applied some bright colors. At least they’re pretty blobs now. 😀 I’ll be back at it tomorrow!
Close-up of applying a second layer. I am primarily left-handed, but when it comes to painting I am ambidextrous
Over the next couple of days I will be refining the shapes while adding more layers. Thanks for your interest!
~Ana
Day One: The Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida. Quick Base Coat on Both Panels
First day on a private commission dual-panel piece here in sunny Clearwater, Florida. Perfect activity for Earth Day!
~Ana
Quick Sketch of First Panel: Grapefruit Mural in Clearwater, Florida
Perfect Earth Day activity: Day One of my private commission piece, the two-panel Grapefruit Mural. It was great being outdoors with a pencil in hand!
Happy Earth Day!
~Ana
My Little Slice of Heaven
I wanted to share my special place—just a couple blocks from my home. It’s where I feel like I can connect with the rest of the world.
Wishing all my friends a wonderful weekend and Happy Easter. Be well!
~Ana
Coming Soon: Clearwater, Florida’s Exterior “Grapefruit Mural” by Ana Livingston, Fine Artist
COMING SOON: The “Grapefruit Mural” is a privately-commissioned exterior mural by Ana Livingston, Fine Artist in the city of Clearwater, Florida. It will be comprised of painted grapefruit on two entryway walls.
What can I say—my client LOVES grapefruit!
Stay tuned for daily mural progress updates!
~Ana
Ana Livingston, Fine Artist 