Dot Flowers Inspired by Yayoi Kusama | Watercolor Painting by Sarah Cray of Let's Make Art

[@amberr2934]

I like the way you talked about the artist that paints polka dots, and how we are pretty much all combined into little dots! It is really interesting that everything even that smallest dot you could look at it could get tinier and tinier! The tiniest dot you can see that is here could still go and on! But here's a really cool thing I would love to share with you. Even if everything is a dot also like sand or dust, we are all created by God and we are loved by him even if we are dust we still have value!!

[@AngeliqueStevens]

This is a good project for stress relief. It's meditative when doing the dots. THANKS

[@ArtBrain]

I remember showing a quilt to certain people in my life who thought the purpose was to harshly criticize. I just wanted to say, "here's what I've been doing to pass my time and aren't these pretty colors". I was not expecting a critique of the precision of my corners and seam thread choices. I was just spending time relaxing. My reaction was to stop showing these people. Simple as that. My art is for me, not for anyone else. It's why I love sketchbooks. I want to put them all in a lock box that nobody knows how to open after I'm dead because it's just for me. I've looked at many quilts that I would never make, but I always see the love behind the work. I've seen many quilts that are just random patches sewn together for grandma or whatever. And the bottom line, is that the person did a tribute to how much they love, love, love grandma and want her to have something that they worked hard on and something that would keep her warm. Tears well, just thinking about that. I see beauty and I see joy in art. Some people don't try at all. If you're trying, you're achieving. Your efforts shouldn't be criticized. (It's different if you submit your art for critics. If you're asking for the critique, it's positive to get it.) Anyway, one of your lines of conversation "triggered" me ;-). Don't even know which one anymore.

[@LetsMakeArt]

AMEN Teresa. We totally approve this message. And we could not agree with you anymore, your art is for you and that's how it should be. Thanks for tuning in and watching along with us!

[@bettablue2660]

Art for B….if you make anything for anybody there will always be a critique. Now, the critique may be out loud or not. It depends on manners. As an artist we would do critique’s at the end of semesters, and I always noticed that everyone was careful about each other’s feelings. I never found this helpful, but I understand. As I’ve become an older lady, I don’t care what anyone thinks about my art. Getting to this place was difficult. When you get there, you naturally won’t want to keep our sketchbooks locked away. When you have kids or grandkids, you’ll love to share and teach. Nobody can tell you not to care, you just have to get there on your own. You will, and I hope you’ll make some of your dream quilts.

[@BrendaSchock]

This was a beautiful project. Thank you :)

[@wendycarlson1801]

So many people have problems with communication and there art is like them screaming out all the things that are inside trapped trying to get out. what a relief it is for them to get it out.

[@charmy3021]

I love you guys! I love your tutorials! They help me improve my watercolor artworks!!!!! Thank you Sarah and Let's Make Art Team!

[@LetsMakeArt]

Thank you for painting along with us and allowing us to be part of your creative journey!

[@ghentsy1]

Love love those polkadots🥰. I'd use the pencil eraser too in addition to the bottom of brushes. This painting is just cool. ❤️

[@LetsMakeArt]

Aren't the polkadots just everything!? Using a pencil eraser is totally a good idea as well.

[@denises9455]

I always enjoy your work.thank you

[@CP-rc9sw]

And I love that there is discussion. You all hold a conversation about art and creating, even as you teach and encourage us to create and explore. Thanks!

[@LetsMakeArt]

So happy to hear that you enjoyed this tutorial with Sarah and Michael. Thank you for learning and creating with us!

[@karenharkins5213]

Absolutely loved the chat in this video, thanks so much for sharing 😀

[@mycreativeescape]

I just looked up Kathe's art. Wow! Love this quote from her.... “I do not want to die… until I have faithfully made the most of my talent and cultivated the seed that was placed in me until the last small twig has grown.” Kathe Kollwitz

[@Nitabo5150]

I love how the conversations ebb and flow on here with you both. The conversation about your visit to the museum and your experience learning about Cathe Kallwitz and her art was so validating because I often leave the Nelson Atkins (Kansas City) after studying a piece feeling emotional. My kids and husband actually think I’m crazy at times. Also, thank you for reminding us that art is a personal experience whether we are making art or experiencing art. Negative criticism just doesn’t matter. I was lucky enough to experience a Yayoi Kusama installation in person. It was an amazing experience. She and her art are fascinating! I have a big fat table book of her art. ❤❤❤❤ Love this session/tutorial. Thank you!

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed the conversations in this tutorial with Sarah and Michael. We could not agree with you more that art truly is a personal experience that warrants all different emotions. HOW COOL that you got to experience a Yayoi Kasama instillation piece in real life!! We can only imagine how absolutely incredible that was.

[@AnimalArtbyTerraCotta]

What a unique style! Painting pointilism and the sample of minute brushwork is insanely complex but so under-appreciated for all her work. When you added the water smears over the dots, it was like the coloring dot books for kids, but so much more satisfying! The blues and purpleys are fabulous! 🥰

[@janefoust2785]

Feel like I've been to an art class. Thank you for presenting this to us. I learned so much! Ready for some fun art that is beautiful and relaxing. "Be kind to yourself!" Love it!

[@janefoust2785]

My second comment after painting this with dots: Not as easy as Sarah makes it look. Almost decided to quit, but eventually I feel in love with the look. Painting a card with dots today. The paintings make your eye wander and feels relaxing. Thanks again Sarah for teaching us a variety of ways to create.

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so, so happy to hear you didn't give up and ended up falling in love with the look. We hope your card-making today goes wonderfully! Thanks for creating along with us.

[@CP-rc9sw]

Fun!

[@x51Ntheticx]

This is a whole art class! This was so much more than a tutorial and I loved it!

[@x51Ntheticx]

I also love how quickly and effortlessly you apologized and changed your words from insane to extreme. Beautifully done! Thank you for keeping that in the video to show us how it’s done.

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so happy to hear that you enjoyed this tutorial and art lesson with Sarah. Thanks for tuning in and creating along with us!

[@marykaywilson8821]

This would be fun to do in a landscape.

[@LetsMakeArt]

YES!! That would be so, so cool. You totally gotta try it out in a landscape and let us know how you enjoy it!

[@debbiegutman5445]

I love this painting and tutorial. Thank you!

[@mycreativeescape]

I'm excited to try this one! 😀

[@LetsMakeArt]

Yayyy!! We hope you have the best time painting this project.

[@KitKat-ge1cb]

Loved this episode focusing on an artist and it looks like a lot of fun creating with polka dots. Indigenous Australians create artworks with dots too. Not sure as to their meaning behind the use though.

[@LetsMakeArt]

We're so glad you enjoyed this tutorial, thanks for teaching us something new as well!

[@mikesackmary]

Whenever I hear negative comments about art, I always remember what I learned in LMA and I say "Go paint your own picture" LOLOLOL

[@conniemesce4093]

Interesting! ❤

[@danmoreaux2778]

My dads favorite quote was you better have a back up plan. But he was a ship yard worker so now I get it, at the time It was a downer but he meant well.

[@mandypittman1154]

Does Sarah say the title of this book? I would love to look up some of Yayoi Kusama's art...

[@jhebrooks]

They're not poka dots They're dots

[@Angie-pl3uw]

I think that art, and I mean all types of art, need a viewer, a, a listener, a reader to be complete. I believe tat all artists convey a feeling tha meant to be shared. That person who receives that artist;smessage then completes the goal by his own interpretation. That was very wordy, sorry!

[@LetsMakeArt]

We love what you said Angie. Art needs a viewer, a listener, and a reader. Beautiful!!

[@bettablue2660]

Pointillism is the artistic term, but polka dots work😂

[@anitakim]

I wouldn't call this pointillism; pointillism is painting many dots (paint dabs) so that, put together, they create an image. To paint a lake, for example, one might daub many dots of slightly different shades of blue. Stepping back, the blue dots look like a body of water and the different shades call to mind the ripples. Yayoi Kusama paints images/objects and then black dots *on top* of them. The black dots don't blend together to create the object/image.