“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
So the Artist works…
fine art
“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
Typical Day at the Office – A Mural Artist’s View
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 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
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 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
Birth of a Renaissance Master: Michelangelo – March 6th, 1475
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on the 6th of March in 1475. In my opinion he is the epitome of the High Renaissance.
“David”. Created between 1501 and 1504 from Carrara marble. Currently located in the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze.
Thank you, sir, for your endless inspiration and contribution to our culture. You are missed but could never be forgotten.
Renaissance master, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni – 6 March 1475–18 February 1564.
Love,
My Heart and the Last Light of Day
There’s something magical about watching the sun calmly drift across a room.
After arriving home, I’d placed my earrings on a nearby table and burrowed under a soft blanket on the couch. While the sun continued its gentle march and evening slowly consumed the last light of day, it was by chance I looked down at this moment: when my heart danced to life.
Life truly is beautiful, isn’t it?
~Ana
To My Friends and Loved Ones on Valentine’s Day – from Ana Livingston
Today I hope we all take an extra moment and let the people we care about know how truly important they are to us; how they brighten our days and enrich our lives; how they make this journey called life so very worthwhile.
I’m wishing you all a wonderful day of love, admiration and respect as each of you are important to me. 🙂
Love,
Introducing www.AnaLivingstonFineArtist.com
Hello everyone! It’s been awhile since I’ve checked in. I hope you’ve all been well and happy. 🙂
I’ve been a busy girl and one little project I just completed was creating a new website – www.analivingstonfineartist.com – for lil ol’ moi. I hope you can take a moment, browse and send me your feedback. I would appreciate it!
http://www.analivingstonfineartist.com – New website of Ana Livingston Fine Artist
We’ll be talking more soon—here’s to each and every one of you having a wonderful weekend! (BIG wink to NFL fans).
~Ana
On My Birthday this September 27th…
…I will be happily maintaining the style and decorum for which I’m known…
Enjoying life to the very last crumb.
Happy Birthday to me. 🙂
~Ana
Sending Love to Oswestry, England from Clearwater, Florida
I was pleasantly surprised to find that a splendid group of contemporary artists in Oswestry and the North Shropshire Borderlands, England (Inside Out Art Group), wrote an article about me and my murals (thank you!). The most heart-warming part of this gesture was the standing invitation they issued for me to come create beauty alongside them in their lovely town.
My answer in three short words: I would love to! Please drop in and see what these wonderful and creative folks are up to at http://insideoutart.co.uk/
Inside Out Art Group: a band of delightful contemporary artists in Oswestry and the North Shropshire Borderlands, England. http://insideoutart.co.uk/
Located in the North of Shropshire close to the English-Welsh Border is the ancient market town of Oswestry. Photo courtesy of http://www.oswestry.com/
Again, thank you John, et al. for your kind words and hopefully see you next summer!
Love,
With a Piece of Chalk
Artists: Living the Present, Creating the Future
I have been an artist since I was old enough to pick up a stick and carve in the dirt. From there I took an even more active interest in art, and with my family’s support (and access to a small studio where I was allowed to paint a few times a week,) I finished my first framed oil on canvas at the age of 6.
Artist tools at an early age: any stick and a patch of dirt will do.
Now, I would never say I was a prodigy. I simply had an unquenchable desire to create beauty wherever and whenever, and it was sometimes nothing more than taking a crude watercolor brush to butcher paper or weaving a daisy chain while sitting in a field. The fact remained that there was a creative flow within me that never ebbed.
To state that I was most happy when I was creating art is a fact and probably true with most artists. But within that fickle activity called life, circumstances, sometimes out of need or ignorance, can take one down a path into the mundane and complacent. And if anybody ever wanted to know how to extinguish artistic urge, it’s to submerge it in the day-to-day humdrum routine of the ordinary. Surefire killer.
The best thing you can do for artists is simply let them do art.
That being said, it is of the utmost importance that an artist keep his head above water—vital, actually. 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.
Ana Livingston, Fine Artist & Muralist. My Clearwater Mural project which is chronicled at http://www.ClearwaterMural.com and http://www.TheMakingOfAMural.com.
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 actively support my fellow artists. Art is my job, my life and my love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
~Ana
Happy Holidays from Ana Livingston
Tis the season, my friends. I am wishing you the very best in the coming year.
Just walked through my dining room and this was waiting for me. Happy Holidays.
“A Small Reminder” – Poem by Ana Livingston
He’ll feel no sorrow
As I turn and leave,
Except for losing
A small reminder
Of someone else.
“A Small Reminder”. Poem by Ana Livingston. Copyright © 2009. All Rights Reserved
~Ana
Mischa Maisky plays Bach Cello Suite No.1 in G
“Michelangelo” – A Poem by Ana Livingston
Here is my published poem entitled “Michelangelo”. It has been printed in multiple publications:
“Michelangelo” by Fine Artist, Ana Livingston
Additionally, I have read this piece at poetry exhibitions as well as being a featured poet on the Suncoast’s own WTAN, Tan Talk Radio, here in Florida. I recited from memory on all occasions.
Poet Ana Livingston reciting her published poem “Michelangelo” to a crowd of poetry lovers at an outdoor poetry exhibition in Clearwater, FL.
Standing in the Rain – by Ana Livingston
Sometimes I miss being a child. The innocence. The grandeur of the world.
Standing in the Rain. Ana Livingston, Writer, Poet.
But maybe I can just change my mind.
~Ana
“Shadows” – A Poem by Ana Livingston
I can’t turn
or escape from
these shadows
that are me.
“Shadows”, a poem by fine artist and poet, Ana Livingston.
~Ana
Copyright © 2011 by Ana Livingston. All Rights Reserved.
Author Ross King’s “Leonardo and The Last Supper”
I have tremendous admiration for the stellar figures of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci being one of the most prominent. The book “Leonardo and The Last Supper” (author, Ross King) was recently recommended to me as an intriguing look into the man and his life. It’s on my list of “to-reads”.
Leonardo da Vinci’s famous wall mural “The Last Supper” situated in Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.
~Ana
“The Meaning of Success” – by Ralph Fiennes
“The people I consider successful are so because of how they handle their responsibilities to other people, how they approach the future, people who have a full sense of the value of their life and what they want to do with it.
“I call people successful not because they have money or their business is doing well but because, as human beings, they have a fully developed sense of being alive and engaged in a lifetime task of collaboration with other human beings — their mothers and fathers, their family, their friends, their loved ones, the friends who are dying, the friends who are being born.
“Success.. is all about being able to extend love to people… not in a big, capital letter sense but in the everyday. Little by little, task by task, gesture by gesture, word by word.”
-Actor, Ralph Fiennes
“My Fragile Stream of Love” – A Poem by Ana Livingston
I claw at self-made walls,
For decades they’ve stood firm
My fragile stream of love
Now seeks its way, unearned.
“My Fragile Stream of Love”. A poem by Ana Livingston
Copyright © 2011 by Ana Livingston. All Rights Reserved.
This Really Cuts to the Heart of the Matter…
She wasn’t doing a thing, that I could see…
On My Birthday by Ana Livingston
I’m hoping today that maybe I’ll be remembered for having done a little more than just having lived; for having loved; for having helped; for having brought my own special light into the world; for having made a difference.
~Ana
“He Haunts My Mind” – a Poem by Ana Livingston
A Tribute to My Aunt Betty by Ana Livingston
This is a tribute to my Aunt Betty; a consummate pianist and all-around lovely lady who never compromised in her desire to live by her craft alone.
I remember she and my uncle, an incredible chef and business owner, ran a high-end dinner club in Marina del Rey back in the time when rubbing elbows with the likes of John Wayne or The Rat Pack was just a typical Saturday night.
My Aunt Betty. A screen capture from the 1958 classic “The Young Lions”.
The photo I’ve included is a VHS screen capture from the movie entitled “The Young Lions“. It’s an old 1958 war classic starring Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift and Maximilian Schell, as well as other notable names. That’s her happily playing while gazing towards the singing gentleman on the piano bench to her right: Dean Martin.
So, she was sometimes an unbilled pianist at a movie studio, amongst other things, all in addition to entertaining in their club. And the one gig she rarely missed in all her years was Sunday morning service at their local church.
I remember there used to be this beautiful black and white framed glamor photo of my aunt that graced my grandmother’s foyer. As a young, wided-eyed girl, I’d stare at it often and dream of the wondrous life she must have led.
My aunt is older now and long since retired, yet she’s still the lovely, warm-hearted soul she’s always been. I’ve heard ever since I was a young girl that I “look just like Aunt Betty”. What a wonderful, wonderful compliment.
~Ana
Ana Livingston, Fine Artist and Muralist: A Photograph
Shell Series, Charcoal on Paper by Ana Livingston – Part II
Here’s the second piece in my charcoal on paper series entitled “Shells”.
~Ana
www.ana-livingston.com
www.clearwatermural.com
www.themakingofamural.com
The second drawing in my charcoal on paper series entitled “Shells”.
By Fine Artist and Muralist, Ana Livingston of Tampa Bay.
Clearwater Mural featured in The Comm Line Magazine!
The Clearwater Mural is featured in this month’s edition of The Comm Line Magazine online (page 12)!
The “Clearwater Mural” by Tampa Bay Fine Artist, Ana Livingston, is featured in this month’s edition of The Comm Line Magazine online.
I want to thank the editor, Sally Heath, for publishing my article, and I hope it opens new avenues for many artists in this area.
Stop by the mural for a closer look. It’s located in the East Gateway District of Clearwater at Honka Automotive, 1266 Court Street. Tell them Ana sent you!
Thanks again!
Shell Series, Charcoal on Paper by Ana Livingston – Part I
This is the first drawing in my charcoal on paper series entitled “Shells”.
~Ana
www.ana-livingston.com
www.clearwatermural.com
www.themakingofamural.com
The first drawing in my “Shell” series (charcoal on paper). – Artist, Ana Livingston
My Hand-Picked Bouquet from Dunedin Edgewater Park
I hope you find this as lovely as I did.
~Ana
Ana Livingston
Fine Artist & Muralist
www.ana-livingston.com
www.clearwatermural.com
www.themakingofamural.com
New Clearwater Mural Website by Fine Artist, Ana Livingston of Tampa Bay
Good morning, all! I hope you are enjoying your Sunday, as I am. I just wanted to stop in and give you an update on my mural-related activities.
I’m not a website designer by any stretch of the imagination, but just as I approach many things in life: “something is only unknown until you know it.” So, in wanting a more comprehensive representation of my mural on the web, it required me to quickly learn the basics. The result—www.clearwatermural.com—provides a chronological slideshow plus more information on the making of the “Clearwater Mural” here in sunny Clearwater, FL. I will add more informational tidbits and photos as the website grows.
ClearwaterMural.com – the new website featuring the chronological painting process of the Clearwater Mural by Fine Artist Ana Livingston of Tampa Bay.
As mentioned on the website as well as in this blog, painting the mural was a 45-day process—from the preliminary sketching to the final strokes of signing my name. The reason for this extended amount of time was the intense heat, humidity and sunshine during the summer months here in subtropical Florida.
The surface I used was the west-facing wall of Honka Automotive (1266 Court Street). This meant I had until around noon or 12:30pm each day before the sun crested the roofline and I would be in complete sunlight. At this point it was impossible to work, not just due to it being insufferable for the human body, but because the paint would literally dry on my brush.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, “An Article on Endurance“, there are many factors on exterior mural painting in extreme climates that most people would never consider. Just the sheer heat itself emanating from the wall is incredible; that coupled with the direct summer sunlight make it a furnace.
But these, quite simply, are nothing more than small, negative facets of the mural-painting game. The goal is to overcome them and create as close to your vision as possible. I feel I did this.
I had someone ask me yesterday if I learn things from my projects. Absolutely. Above all I gain a broader understanding of myself, aesthetics, and the human spirit. I acquire a deeper discernment of all the good in others, in myself, and how the beautiful effects we create in the world are reflected and magnified in others.
And what could be a grander lesson than that?
Clearwater Patch News features Fine Artist Ana Livingston
In the news with the Clearwater Mural I recently completed at Honka Automotive! If you’re in the area, stop by, chat with the friendly staff, and have a closer look at Clearwater’s newest exterior mural!
The Clearwater Mural by Tampa Bay Fine Artist, Ana Livingston
http://clearwater.patch.com/events/the-clearwater-mural-by-fine-artist-ana-livingston
~Ana
The Clearwater Patch News site features Artist Ana Livingston and her mural located at Honka Automotive in Clearwater, FL
Clearwater Mural, Day Forty Four: Nature Calls
We’re nearing home base on this mural project! I had a short morning at the wall, but was able to complete ALL touch-up of the wall surface, with the exclusion of the bottom left-hand shoreline corner, from the horizon line down to the blue base.
Adding vegetation to the shoreline on the Clearwater Mural by Tampa Bay Artist, Ana Livingston
It feels good! 😀 In addition to all this, I started dropping in a few trees on the shoreline as well as tidying up some of the existing lines and colors.
I’m off tomorrow, but will be back Sunday with the plan to COMPLETE! This means finishing the vegetation as well as repainting the entire blue bottom of the wall (paint drips that have accumulated for 44 days). All this is possible if Tropical Storm Isaac bears far enough west.
I’ll be back to report on the project, come Sunday! Have an excellent weekend!
~Ana 😀
Clearwater Mural, Day Forty Three: Painting the Perimeter
Though not obvious from a distance, the entire length of the mural perimeter edge needed touch-up. The two shots below give you an idea of what I’m talking about. Here I had to touch up the top edge using the gradient sunset colors, in addition to painting over any of the colors that made their way onto the white eaves.
Painting the perimeter edge at the Clearwater Mural, Honka Automotive
Second example of the perimeter painting taking place at the Clearwater Mural on Court Street. Artist: Ana Livingston
I’ll leave you with a shot of the wall as it is now. Until tomorrow!
~Ana
More touch-up today at Artist, Ana Livingston’s Clearwater Mural
Clearwater Mural: Car Transformation, Step by Step
T
his might be of interest to some: the transformation of one of the cars on the Clearwater Mural, at Honka Automotive, 1266 Court Street.
I started this playful little car late one day and left it as you see it in the top image. When I arrived at the wall the next morning, I took one look and decided it needed to change (but had not really defined “how”).
Well, I obviously altered this and that, and finally came up with the right degree of “playfulness”. I think it’s kind of cute. 😀
~Ana
Clearwater Mural, Day Forty: It’s All About The Cars
Today was my “car” day at the mural. I refined the large pink car on the bridge, first of all.
Day 40 at the Clearwater Mural at Honka Automotive, 1266 Court Street, Clearwater, FL. Artist: Ana Livingston
“Refined” is a nice word for almost painting out the entire thing and starting over. 🙂 I didn’t like what I had left at the end of the day on Friday, so repairing that section of the mural was at the top of the list today. I also dropped in two smaller cars on the beach road at the bottom left.
I will be completing the mural this week; definite mixed feelings here. I love what I’m doing, I love the “family” at Honka Automotive (where the mural is located,) and I absolutely love all the feedback from folks who tell me that seeing the wall, with all its bright colors and playfulness, makes them happy. THAT’S what it’s all about!
My mental list of “to-do’s” at the wall is growing smaller and smaller. Life just won’t be the same without pulling up to my slot in the parking lot each morning and hauling out my gear. Ah, well…I’ll leave these thoughts for the end of the week.
More color to apply tomorrow!
~Ana 😀
Clearwater Mural, Day Thirty Nine: It Was a Pink Cadillac
Well, not quite a pink Cadillac, but my youngest daughter sure loves little pink cars, so here you go, Sweetheart!
Adding another car to the Clearwater Mural bridge. Florida summer weather has caused the artist to have shorter days at the wall. Artist: Ana Livingston
First off, I want to say that I am actually very close to catching up on my backlogged mural blog posts that have been lying about in my head and on my computer for the last two weeks. That’s just how busy I’ve been. Luckily, I am able to “pre-date” each post, giving it the apparency of being posted on time. I promise not to fall so behind again!
Today’s artistic endeavor was short and sweet: I started on the third car on the bridge. I wasn’t able to complete as the lightning storm overheard chased me down from the scaffolding.
I will be back at the mural tomorrow (weather permitting); I don’t usually go to the job site on the weekends as my “rack” is securely locked up in the building. I do, however, have enough bottom work (requiring nothing more than a two-step ladder,) to keep me busy, so I’ll be there bright and early. Coming up on Day 40…how exciting. I hope to work til noon.
I’ll post a new image if the weather was compliant. Happy weekend! 😀
~Ana
Clearwater Mural, Day Thirty Eight: Road Work Ahead
Today at the mural was spent adding to the shoreline in addition to working the roadway section. Very warm day = paint drying as soon as it’s touched the wall. That makes it a wee bit difficult to move the paint around. Essentially, it just adds time. That’s ok—I’m here on this project until it’s truly finished.
Artist, Ana Livingston adding more refinements to the Clearwater Mural located at Honka Automotive Service.
Tomorrow I will tackle the next car on the bridge. One more step closer to completion.
See you then.
~Ana
Clearwater Mural, Day Thirty Seven: It’s For the Birds
My time at the mural today was devoted to changing the suspended black blobs into something recognizable as well as being appropriate for the sunny Floridian skies: birds.
Birds were added to Artist Ana Livingston’s Clearwater Mural, located at Honka Automotive on 1266 Court Street
I also applied several different base colors—in turn—to see which I liked on either side of the road. I will probably continue to tweak this area; we’ll see. Slowly, but surely, the mural is shaping up.
Onward and upward…
~Ana
Clearwater Mural, Day Thirty Six: Working the Skyline
I spent some of today divided between the skyline—changing some subtle colors as well as refining the buildings—and working the ground on either side of the mural roadway.
Working on the skyline and beach areas of the Clearwater Mural. Artist: Ana Livingston
I’m not exactly certain as yet what I will be doing in the bottom left hand section. I tried several different colors and effects, only to paint right over them. Not as drastic as it sounds, but sometimes one can’t really tell how something will look until the paint hits the wall.
Florida’s summer is definitely here. I hope to accomplish more tomorrow.
Until then…
~Ana
Clearwater Mural, Day Thirty Three: Dolphins at Play
Here’s the promised image of the mural with the dolphins added. I think they bring the needed “life” to the Honka Automotive project that it has been missing.
Dolphins added to the Clearwater Mural at Honka Automotive (1266 Court Street, Clearwater). Artist: Ana Livingston
I’ll be back tomorrow with more news and an updated image.
See you then!
~Ana
