Meet Adam Vanhouten

We recently connected with Adam Vanhouten and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam , we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

In my teens I was not confident and extremely shy about my art, to the point that I didn’t want others to see it. I remember going to our local river that runs through the city and doing some drawing, always looking over my shoulder to make sure someone wasn’t noticing what I was doing. That insecurity in adulthood has faded and with it I definitely have more confidence. How has this happened? My experience at University getting my BFA and being around other like-minded artists gave me a huge creative boost. Secondly, Plein Air painting has taught me to be more flexible and confident in myself. Getting outside more often in groups and doing it consistently in the summer has given me the tools to be more confident. I now expect others to come up and talk with me and I have made great relationships, and art collectors through conversations while I paint.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am painter/artist living in Northern Michigan just outside of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore. I mainly paint landscapes plein air and in the studio, with a focus on oil and watercolor painting. I love color, light and shadow, and seek to use lively brushwork and shapes in my artwork. I am excited about going into nature and completing artworks on location. This year I have been experimenting with making larger artworks outside (18″ x 24″) and want to continue to paint larger canvas in the open. In June I competed in Paint Grand Traverse, a major plein air festival in Traverse City, MI. I am also showing 8 artworks through August 27th at the Traverse Opera House with a group of local artists. On August 21st I will be participating in the Old Art Building Clothesline Art show. This fall I will be updating my website with new work from the summer months.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Draw! Find a way to make art even when life is busy. For me this means drawing. When I can’t paint I keep a sketchbook and pencil handy and take it with me so that I can spend at least 20-30 minutes daily drawing. Find groups of people to paint and connect with. I have learned so much from painting with others that are better than me. Find your group of artists and continue to connect with them in the community. Third, keep making art! Don’t just do art when you are taking a class, make sure to carve out time in your busy life to make art. Is it hard with everything going on? YES… but keeping consistent practice has impacted my art profoundly.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

As an artist the number one obstacle I face is balancing time. In addition to my pursuits as an artist I have a family and an art teaching position in the public schools. During the summer months I can devote more time to my own artwork. When I am out painting I hear others say, “I wish I could do that but I just don’t have time.” That is definitely an obstacle. But I have found ways to use my time efficiently! What I am doing to resolve this is to be prepared and have art supplies ready for all occasions. If I only have 30 minutes I will carry a small watercolor sketchbook and paints. During my lunch at my teaching job I will spend 10 minutes sketching. Finding ways to infuse your life with art is a challenge but it is possible.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Adam VanHouten painting sunset next to guard rail taken by @Judy Kelly Artist

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