How to Paint in Acrylics - an Abstract Woman

Hello My Color Dancer Friends,

I just recently finished a painting called “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle”.

I have always loved the proverb, “the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world”.  So, the person who raises a child determines the character of that child and so influences the type of society that the next generation will create.

While raising 6 children there were many long days of cleaning up, making meals, washing loads of laundry, chores with children, homework, 5 boys rough housing, not too mention my children have had 3 brain surgeries, 2 reconstructive facial surgeries (after a sledding accident), one spinal surgery, and 2nd degree hand burns (fireplace accident) which has made me feel weary to the bone.

I am a person that loves to be in the limelight, but that is not my calling right now. 

I remember one day thinking in my mind, "When will it be my great performance?" 

I felt the Spirit of God whisper in my mind, "This is your great performance!"

God appreciated me being a mother. 

God appreciates you.

God sees the work that parents do and He is so thankful for us!  We watch over his children and train them so when they grow old they will not depart from the truths they have learned.

One of my favorite quotes of all time is by David O. McKay which follows:

“The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserve the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will exert influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God.”

Mothers are priceless!  Mothers truly effect generations!

Enough, about the meaning of the painting.  Below is a one hour video tutorial of me teaching how I painted this painting.  It's interesting.  I give lots of tips and then the last 10 minutes I finish the painting like a speedy rabbit to music.

You can see the video here!

Be sure to like my post and leave a comment. See you soon!

Welcome to Krystal's Blog!!!

I love to write, teach, and paint!  I am so excited we have found each other!  Are you an artist or do you just love art!  I think we may find that we have a lot in common!

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Krystal Nanette Cooper Meldrum.  I am 40 years old and I am a happily married artist to my high school sweetheart Jeremy Meldrum and we have 6 beautiful children in Payson, Utah.

I graduated in 2001 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration.  I love to paint very colorful, fantasy paintings that have powerful motion and rhythms.  My dream is to create art that teaches, enlightens, and inspires!

I put my art on a shelf for several years when my children were young so I could train them to run the house when I was ready to start painting again.  I got myself and my family organized and built a home organizing business which may help you get organized as well at www.house-organization.com.  I love organizing because it opens up time to paint!!!

Finally, 2 years ago I started painting again! 

At first, I was scared.  I hadn't painted for years.  What if I'd lost my talent?  What if my family couldn't support my dreams?  What if my children became vagabonds because they're mom became a famous artist!  Anyway, you can probably tell I am a worrier (and a little nutty.)

Anyway, I found strategies to paint that I would like to teach you - even if you have a busy life as a mother, caregiver, employee, business owner, student, etc. 

You can paint! 

You can draw. 

And it can bring you a lot of joy and satisfaction!

Here's my first tip!  Sketch or Paint 15-20 hours a week and log it on an logging app on your phone or keep track in a notebook.  15-20 hours a week may seem crazy, but it's surprisingly doable!  Keep track of your hours for 90 days. 

When I started logging my hours, I found that by Friday usually I'd only painted 5 hours so I started carrying my sketch bag with me all day Saturday and I'd somehow get my 15 hours finished! 

Always carry a sketch bag with you is my other tip! 

I remember one week my son said, "Mom, you have painted 60 hours this week!  I am struggling and I think I will have psychological damage.  I need you to clean my kitchen!"

I listened to him and wondered, 'did I really paint 60 hours this week?'  I checked my log. 

I calmly responded, "Son, I only painted 17 hours this week.  I've been home the whole time and I think you are going to be ok.  Go and clean the kitchen."  He wandered out of the room and cleaned the kitchen.

BooYah!!!  I am a mom and I can have a LIFE!!!  I can do something for myself and the house will not fall apart!  I became a lot happier developing my talents and my children eventally, were happy that their mom was more happy too!

So, remember my tips:
1-  Log your sketching hours for 90 days
2- Always carry a sketch bag with you wherever you go!

Your friend,
Krystal Meldrum
The Color Dancer

P.S. How do you accomplish your talent hours?