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Inspiration from Belinda

How to make a painting in 3 easy steps: start painting

Belinda Fireman

Colourful, Inspiring Art, Paintings & Events

Belinda Fireman Calgary

Art is therapeutic and colour heals - bringing home an original painting by Belinda will light up your living space with a daily explosion of life & happiness. Belinda Fireman's colourful, inspiring art is guaranteed to lift the spirits, generate positive reflection and make you smile.

People who have bought Belinda's paintings say they can't stop looking at them, that they derive joy from them each day. Her paintings make wonderful, enduring and meaningful gifts.

Testimonials:

I look at your work and escape to another world! Your art is amazing. I want to look at it daily.
Debbie
I am thrilled to see the pieces I got from you today on my own wall. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent so generously. Who knew that painting as a way of healing could result in such an explosion of life and happiness... I wish you strength and success. (And I have fantasies of you painting every single wall in my house.)
Heide Tieleman
Felt Artist / Viva Felt
I was looking for art that would make me smile when I looked at it. I love the style of your painting. I love the abstract designs and the depth and the layers. I love that I could spend months looking at it and discover new things in it that I never saw before. But most of all I LOVE how vibrant your paintings are.
Keri
I had some concerns about buying from you because I have known you for so long and we see each other almost everyday.  If something would have gone wrong, would it have made things uncomfortable between us?  My experience was great.  You really took the time to figure out what I was looking for and I think that the painting suits my family perfectly. I would absolutely recommend you to a friend. Your work is beautiful and your prices are reasonable.
Keri
I absolutely do recommend your art to everyone I meet. I'd say to someone interested in buying a painting that "It'll make you happy every day to have a piece or 10 of your art." I love that I can come to your home and buy. That you are warm, friendly and involved with the community. 
Ashley Farris
My daughter LOVES your art, she is inspired by it and it makes her smile when she sees it - as do I. Organizing our drops offs without Aubrey seeing is always fun. I would say to someone considering buying Belinda's art: Do something right now that makes your heart smile.
Lee Horbachewski
SimpLeeSerene.com
I was looking for whimsical, freedom, colour, play and inspiration in art. My experience with Belinda's art is incredible. You are very talented, there is such raw emotion, play and beauty in your art, and you are an incredible free spirit and beautiful soul.
Lee Horbachewski
SimpLeeSerene.com
Purchasing online was really easy and your communication with me regarding the status of my purchase including shipping was really good. As soon as I opened the box, I was extremely pleased that I had decided to take a chance and buy it. Both of the paintings I have purchased hang in my office. Almost everyone has something to say or notices something different about them -- the folks from our fine arts division especially.
Elizabeth Scherer
Your art just speaks to me. Its like a song sung straight to my heart. Do I have enough wall space for everything I want?!! May need to take up a second job for my art addiction.  I give people art tours when they come to my home. I just love you!!!
Ashley Farris
After seeing your posts as you worked on various pieces, I started thinking about the possibility of purchasing one. Although I was worried that I would end up with buyer's remorse, I finally came to the conclusion that, if your art was that compelling on-line, it would only be more so in person. I decided that I'd combine mom's day/bday/anniversary and give myself something special. My experience was phenomenal! Ultimately, I think your art just makes people happy, which is no small thing.
Elizabeth Scherer
Shipping for all paintings and artware in this online store is available to customers in the USA and Canada.  For international customers outside of USA and Canada, please email Belinda directly for orders instead of using this online store.

New pins in my shop!

By Filed Under: Blog, Etsy, Painting Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

For Christmas, my family bought me a button maker! What a great gift! I’ve been making some art especially for the buttons, and some custom designs for other people. There is a woman who sells B.C. apples at our school, and other markets, every week – we call her the “Apple Lady”.  A few months ago, she asked if she could sell my pins at the markets and our school. It turns out that the pins have been a huge hit with some of the kids at our school! Apparently they have become collector’s items, and some parents have even told me how their kids talk about the pins. One boy was so happy to be the first to buy my new design! How cute is that?!

I just started selling pins in my shop! I will also set up a custom design listing, but that may take a little while for me to set that up. In the mean time, you can let me know if you are interested. Here are some of the custom designs I’ve made so far:

The pins are 1 1/2″ diameter. Check out my etsy shop to see the listing for my pinback buttons!

Art Secrets Revealed!

By Filed Under: Blog, Painting Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Last year I posted a tutorial showing how to make a striped painting. I thought it would be a captivating way to show my art, and I never thought anyone would actually try it. Then people started pinning my painting on Pinterest, and re-pinning, and it is still getting pinned. It’s my most viewed painting on craftgawker, too. I was really taken aback by how much exposure it was getting.

Last week, I received a comment about that painting. Part of the comment was, “I can’t believe you gave away your secret!” I’m a pretty firm believer in artists sharing information about techniques. Why should there be any secrets? Artists are “copying” each other by using the same techniques all the time.

I am curious to see what happens to my painting style when I take “Bloom True” with Flora Bowley (whose paintings I adore) at the Makerie in April. I have noticed that paintings by Flora’s workshop participants look a lot like Flora’s own paintings. I am realizing that this is to be expected when an artist is teaching their techniques. I wonder whether my paintings will start looking more like hers, or if I will be able to maintain my authentic look while still using her techniques.

Twins! Tears! Tiring!

By Filed Under: Blog, Family, Painting Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

We went to visit our friends’ baby twin girls yesterday. When we arrived they were lying on a nursing pillow while their mom fed them their bottles. Their eyes were closed, their little mouths were sucking, their teeny necks looked so fragile. Well! I did not expect myself to cry, but I just couldn’t help it! They reminded me so much of our twin girls (who are 10 now) and I had the sense that I missed so much back then. I was so happy to hear how well these parents are doing, and how grateful they are for these babies – I think they are getting the most out of their time with them. I wish I could go back in time, just for a bit, to really appreciate those little bundles! It just reminds me so much to appreciate who they are right now.

I held Jenna for most of the time we were there. While I loved holding her, one thing is clear: I am done having babies! I don’t think I have the energy for that any more. The whole time I was holding her, I was thinking, “How do you do this, with two babies?” How easily I have forgotten!

Here are the paintings I made for the girls:

 

Here’s what I want.

By Filed Under: Blog, Painting Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

I’m such a follow the rules kind of person. As soon as a teacher or coach says something, I stick to it, follow the words like they are the only truth. Then I am reminded that there is no single right way of doing things. This idea that there is a “right” and a “wrong” is so engrained in me, that it makes it tough to break free from this way of thinking. Here’s what I want:

 

 

I want to be authentic, paint what really needs to be painted.

I want to have fun painting.

I want to admire my own work.

I want to try new things, but not shut out the old.

I want to paint rainbow stripes sometimes, even if I think it’s a way for me to feel safe. Or maybe because it’s a way for me to feel safe.

I want to paint things other than rainbow stripes.

I want to take risks.

And now, I will go back and reread these statements without the “want to”. Because it’s really happening.

 

Gift to my Dad.

I have fun painting.

I admire my own work.

I try new things, but don’t shut out the old.

I paint rainbow stripes sometimes, even if I think it’s a way for me to feel safe. Or maybe because it’s a way for me to feel safe.

I paint things other than rainbow stripes.

I take risks.

But I’m not ready to show any risky paintings yet.

Painting for me.

By Filed Under: Blog, Dancing, Painting Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Lately I’ve been painting safe. Painting for others. Painting what I think other people want to see. What evidence do I have that staying safe will actually help me? None, actually. What evidence do I have that taking a risk will benefit me? Surprisingly, there is some; the paintings that people respond to the most, are the ones that I have painted from my heart, rather than my head. They are the ones that piss me off, make me angry, and the ones that I dislike the most. But they are also the ones that people respond to, and the ones that people want to buy. I guess it makes sense; if I’m feeling something as I paint, you’ll feel something when you look.

This is my goal now – to paint more from my body, less from my head. Paint what I like, not what I think others will like. It sounds so simple, but sometimes it isn’t easy. Using watercolors forces me to accept what is happening – they are harder to control than acrylics. I’m going to start playing more, and accepting more and using more watercolors. Oh, and dancing before I paint, to help me get out of my head.

After taking the intuitive painting workshop with Michele Cassou, I thought that I had to keep this kind of painting separate from my “work painting”. Now I am not so sure. This is all an experiment. I’ll let you know how it goes!

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