It's funny how so many of us suffer from the same affliction! I have always struggled with landscapes. I've always thought I suck at them (sorry for the bad language, but it's basically the right description). Well this winter I took some time off from the portraiture stuff, and tried my hand at "fine art". I did figuratives/landscapes. I find I really like doing landscapes as long as someones in the painting. It's like, for me, when there's just trees I don't have a subject to focus the painting around. But I tried a true landscape and did think it went well. So I showed all of it to some galleries, and they are carrying the work!
it inspired me to start a second website with the work -
www.LindaNelsonStudios.com
And then one connected me with Winn Devon Artist Publishing, and they actually like the landscape I did enough to ask me to submit a series of landscapes for their latest audition. I did 8 paintings in 2 weeks. It was exhausting, but I learned alot about what kind of landscape artist I want to be. It was exhilarating.
I won't hear til July about whether they like it enough to offer me a contract, but I'll be thankful either way that I had the experience.
So I got even more gutsy and landed some appointments to show my artwork to some major corporations. Medtronic bought a giclee, and Fair Issac actually commissioned me for a 4 x 6 foot landscape.
Unbelievable beginners' luck.
I also through this discovered Richard Schmid's work all over again. I ordered all his instructional stuff and am really impressed. I haven't had a chance to apply anything, but he really is a great landscape ans still life artist.