Sometimes an artist doesn’t want to just use what nature gives. The world is filled with infinite beauty and inspiration, but what do you do when you want to paint beyond a blue sky and green leaves?

Kathy Corey interviews Michael Halbert about his work, “St. Louis Imagined,” his artistic and creative process, and his advice for other artists.

The question that every artist hears at some point is “How long did it take you to paint this?” It can be a very complex question to answer.

Composition and the ability to structure your work on a flat surface takes time and practice to learn and understand. Dennis Babbit recommends, “The Composition of Outdoor Painting,” by Edgar Payne.

Since many of my paintings incorporate wildlife, I must frequently rely on quickly taken photos to capture the moment. Rarely, if ever, are these photos usable as stand-alone photos. Therefore, my reference photos serve as the initial inspiration only.