Be Extraordinaire March News

Hello Artists!

How's is 2026 going?

This month's focus is on improving skills and finding inspiration. Do you make plans.and set goals? Then real life happens... and before you know it a  week or two goes by without any art making. Here are a few strategies to help get back on track.

Improve Skills and Find Inspiration

1. Focus on mastering the basics of art, such as drawing, color theory, and composition.
2. Understanding these elements is crucial for your development.
3. Make art consistently, even if you feel uninspired. Regular practice helps improve your skills over time.
4. Study the works of other artists. Reproducing their art can help you understand techniques and styles.
5. Consider enrolling in art classes or workshops to learn from experienced artists and gain new skills.
6. Share your art with others and seek constructive criticism. Feedback can guide your improvement.
7. Look for inspiration in your surroundings. Nature and everyday objects can spark new ideas.
8. Explore new methods, mediums and techniques. A positive mindset can enhance your creative process.
9. Keep an Art Journal to document your observations and ideas. This practice can enhance your artistic vision and technique.
10. Paint with others. It is fun and inspiring to paint in a group setting.

By following these strategies, you can foster your growth as an artist and develop your unique style.

Here's what's happening now in our BE community:

Maria Ojacastro was recently chosen one of the Saint Louis Awards Honor Women in the Arts Names 2026 Honorees! Ojacastro was awarded Outstanding Teaching Artist!
Congratulations! The press conference can be accessed here.

Nancy Van Ness is exhibiting two of her paintings at “Art On Tap” presented by Craft Alliance at Alpha Brewing Company & Distillery. Reception will be held on March 27, 2026.

Kathy Corey had the pleasure of hosting Sarah Lorenz from St. Louis for a weekend workshop in Key West at the Key West Art Center. She had the chance share the island's history with a tour of the island, afternoon sunset painting on  Shark Key, then two beach days, Boca Chica Beach and Fort Zachary Beach, then the final painting day at one of the Shark Key lagoon.  Then off to  a Key West artists and friends party with the unveiling of a mural by artist Sam Alverez. Congratulations, Sarah sold her beautiful painting of Fort Zach beach.

Book Recommendation:

I love reading art books and books about art. Not too long ago, there was a break-in and thief at the Louvre. The Last Mona Lisa by Jonathan Santiofer is a fun detective style about the thief of the Mona Lisa.
The Last Mona Lisa
Santlofer, Jonathan
"August, 1911: The Mona Lisa is stolen by Vincent Peruggia. Exactly what happens in the two years before its recovery is a mystery. Many replicas of the Mona Lisa exist, and more than one historian has wondered if the painting now in the Louvre is a fake, switched in 1911. Present day: art professor Luke Perrone digs for the truth behind his most famous ancestor: Peruggia. His search attracts an Interpol detective with something to prove and an unfamiliar but curiously helpful woman. Soon, Luke tumbles deep into the world of art and forgery, a land of obsession and danger. A gripping novel exploring the 1911 theft and the present underbelly of the art world, The Last Mona Lisa is a suspenseful tale, tapping into our universal fascination with da Vinci's enigma, why people are driven to possess certain works of art, and our fascination with the authentic and the fake"

Send Your News
We encourage you to share your news and updates with us. Your stories, exhibitions, and achievements strengthen our community and inspire one another. Please send your artwork submissions and news regarding exhibitions to keep us all connected and informed.  Please reach out to him at [email protected] or by text at (858) 243-6929 or me at [email protected] or (314) 494-9543.

Please share your news, exhibitions, or exciting projects  so we can feature you on the website and social media. Together, we can celebrate the creative spirit that drives our community forward.

Be Creative,
Kathy