Inspiration from Artist Marc Chagall

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching so I'm thinking about Marc Chagall's quote about creating art from the heart:

"If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing."  - Marc Chagall

Creating art from the heart sounds like a cliche today...

Using art created from the art as an expression seems overly ubiquitous in its use for art sales, events and even classes. For expressive artists being in touch with emotions and feelings is just as important as intellectual planning and thinking. Using only your head to create art, as the Chagall states, will create very different artwork than artwork made completely from deliberate thought-out ideas. 

Marc Chagall’s Paintings as Art Inspiration 

Shown here is a Marc Chagall painting The Birthday from 1915. The artwork is in the public domain so I'm allowed to share this beautiful image painted by Chagall and now in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Painted in bright vivid colors a few weeks before he and his wife Bella were married, the paintings shows the couple in a floating embrace. Marc Chagall lived from 1887 to 1988 and was born in Belarus and traveled between Russia, Paris and Berlin to study art. He later lived in France and the U.S. During his long and prolific life as a painter, he was involved in different modernist art movements. Chagall is known for his bold use of colour and narratives in his paintings. His artwork often features humans, animals in painted memories, fantasies and Jewish themes. Chagall was multidisciplinary artist who created paintings, designed theatre sets, tapestries and other art forms. Chagall made famous stained glass windows including Jerusalem (1962) and Peace windows for the United Nations building (1964) in New York City. 

How I Paint from My Heart

In my Toronto art studio, I am often challenging myself to remember to make art using my heart, not my head. When feeling creatively blocked or thinking too much about life and non-art issues, I relook at old art books and the artworks of favorite artists like Marc Chagall. I often set a timer for myself and just start painting or drawing. Sometimes I’ll draw a toy or stuffed animal because with 3 kids home schooling, lots of toys are all over my home! Other times when painting, I’ll make random or patterned brushstrokes in acrylic or watercolor paint on canvas or paper to just get started on a new artwork. I may not make the best painting or drawing but I’ll create a new sketch or art piece that can be changed in future studio sessions.

Are You Ready for Valentine's Day?

This past year Canada Post and USPS have been incredibly slow with the huge increase in online shopping and gift ordering. So if you're planning to order an online gift for Valentine's for your loved ones or yourself, I encourage you to shop early! Below are some Valentine's Day gift suggestions for yourself, your friends or family.

Shop Valentine’s Gifts for Your Loved Ones or Yourself...

Use Your Heart When Making Art!

Want more art inspiration and famous quotes?

Find me around the web and on social media as @RachaelGradArt on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and other social media platforms. Get news first of updates, art sales, events and more by signing up for my VIP Art List (click here to learn more).