Troubleshooting Creative Problems 

So nice to see Mrs Van O on camera. I love her thoughts too. Even the most practiced artist can use an eye that’s fresh.😊

I do nearly the same thing. Start a build get it to a point and then get frustrated or dislike how it looks. I always head inside to ask my wife for her opinion and that will usually solve the problem or give me a new direction.

A delightful "peek behind the curtain!" Thanks to both of you.

Creative/artistic problem solving is my JAM! I especially appreciated you using the columns as a discussion point because issues of things people will see up close versus 10-15-20 feet away are very different. Plus the additional issue of yard decor being viewed at night versus in the daytime, and the temperature or even color of the lights used have to be considered.

Sorry I missed this today. @1:57 “...she had thoughts...” is such a diplomatic way to put it. Many times with things in art it is the layering that offers a certain level of authenticity. One of the hardest aspects to re-create can be natural variation which is why it’s better the let nature HELP you rather than trying to control it. I really enjoy listening to creatives discuss their work and process. Keep collaborating and being creative! Looking forward to seeing the final bust. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for always showing us your process, and all the bumps in the road, and not just the nicely finished project.

It was so nice to see Mrs VanOaks. She/ Her/ They have a lovely laugh. It is clear to see how in love with each other you are and they compliment each other so much.

Outstanding video! Required viewing if one is stuck, or needing a fresh perspective, or just life lessons on collaboration and partnership!

Awesome to see more of your evolution and collaborative efforts in creating the awesome projects that are VanOaks.

Excellent episode. I can totally see a spin-off series of MVO provide artistic insights based on her experience in real life creative problem solving! 👍🏼❤️😀

Thank you for introducing us to Mrs. Van Oaks. You guys work really well together. Enjoy your creations and videos very much.

This is fabulaous! I hope to see more of Mrs. VanOaks in the future.

Great interview-ish episode…. We need more like this!

I adore these two awesome human beings! 💗

Very informative, entertaining, and I know I'm going to get some good use from the tips. Great to see/hear Mrs VO 🙂

Great episode. Love the back and forth

This was FABULOUS !!! I agree, you guys do make a good team. I enjoyed this !

That was great, sure was nice getting to spend some time with the lovely Mrs. VanOaks.

Awwww… Mrs. Van Oaks 😃 Hi! It is awesome to see you. Great pieces, technique and thanks for showing us how. ✌🏼❤️🙏🏼

Great job!! Can’t wait for More behind the scene. ❤

Lately I've been saying, "every project is a compromise." Doesn't mean don't try your best to make the best thing you possibly can, but it does mean to accept your own limitations and the limitations of the medium your working in. Sometimes its better to make something thats not quite what your vision was than to not make anything at all.

So wonderful to "meet" Mrs. Van Oaks like this, and see the the two of you together. The synergy is you have is wonderful and genuine!

This took me back to art school critique days in the best way.

That was fun!

Great to have her input! And I’ve always loved the old timey silent film captions. 😅

Really enjoyed this. Weaving the great lessons (the questions at 10:49 are going to stick with me) into how the three projects evolved worked really well. You may want to consider an unscripted “post mortem” vid on each build. From a technical standpoint your audio on this vid was surprisingly good, minimal echo and very crisp, given it was a change from your normal setup and had to capture you both.

Teamwork makes the dream work! Hi Mrs. VanOaks!!! You're an amazing team on and off camera❤

Thanks for the wonderful conversation between you both! Love hearing from both of you about the creative process!

aging and weathering seam really difficult, shiny and new seams easy, thanks for sharing,

Y'all are so adorable. Love learning how you two work together.

Really nice creative conversation. Having another set of eyes often helps, as well as someone invested in your success. Cool!

What a fantastic episode i learned a lot great stuff !!

Love this video!!!! I would have liked a podcast or more of this type of videos!

Although, it might seem counterintuitive to you, sometimes grabbing some clay, (any clay or plastilene will do), and sculpt a rough maquette of what you are trying to create will help a great deal. No, it doesn't matter whether or not if "you can't sculpt". It's not about creating a finished, presentational sculpture. It's purpose is to help you visualize, three-dimensionally. Due to the fact that the clay is ultimately, infinitely maleable, you can reshape it easily, and quicker than any rigid substrate would ever allow. If it doesn't "feel" right, you can push the clay further. Or not... it is up to you how much you need to sculpt. But, amazingly, it will get you to the point of "aha!", the fastest way possible. Strangely, this technique also helps, when you reach an impass when drawing, too. Also, if you're having problems sculpting something, (for example, a portrait), doing a sketch or two will help as well. How it works, is that by switching momentarily to a different medium, it forces you to see the subject from a different perspective. Which, in turn, gives you the opportunity to ,(mentally), step back from what you are concentrating so hard on. This works in the same way as you asking your wife for her opinion. It lets you "see the forest through the trees". Not everybody has their companion, associate, friend, etc. available to help, like you have with your very kind wife. A piece of clay, and/or sketchbook & pencil can really help. 😊

When painting is it better to paint for daylight so it carries over to night properly or do you have to adjust painting methods to account for night viewing where there may well be out of the ordinary lighting?

I still think you would make a great voice actor.