Last post I spoke about a schedule.
Well that's been kinda shot but I am managing to get done the things I need to so far.
 I still have my schedule but have been busy with house guest and Easter dinners.

I dropped off 10 pieces to 317 Studio & Gallery this morning for the Spring Art Scene. I'm so looking forward to it. It was kinda cool to drop off my pieces knowing  that's it - I don't have to prepare anything else for Art Scene.

I Dreamt of You

Alcohol Ink & Pen

12" x 24"

I have been working out my piece for Unforgettable on April 23rd. I thought this would be a nice painting. And it would be IF I could do it in 6 hours. It's more of a 6 day painting. So, I have simplified  my design. 

August Afternoon

Alcohol Ink & Pen

11" x 14"

I found these wonderful canvasses that come framed at Michael's. I thought they'd be great for Unforgettable. This is a possibility. Although I did not sit down and complete this in 6 hours, it certainly is something I could do. I feel like the yellow flower is too large for this composition so again I will tweak the design a bit.

I am continuing to work with my client on the perfect design for her abstract commission piece.

Yellow Orchids

Alcohol Inks

11" x 17"

My orchid painting is completed, framed and hung.

See you at Art Scene April 15th and 16th!

 I'll be at 317 Studio & Gallery.

Growing Pains

Things have started picking up a bit for me.

There are more commissions, classes and opportunities to show my work. Great ha? Yikes... it has meant that I need to pick up the pace a bit. Add that to the loss of my assistant and I'm having a hard time with the internet  and marketing.

Yellow Orchids at Nicholas

Alcohol Ink

11 x 17

I've been playing with my schedule - waiting until the afternoon before I answer emails and post works. It makes great sense on paper but in reality it's not working so well.  In the evening I'm rushing downstairs to make dinner and feed the dogs by 7PM. Oh well, I'll keep plugging at this. The big push is to create 4 or 5 new works by March 29th for Spring Art Scene. Art scene is April 15 &16th. It's usually not such a push for so many new pieces but this Spring I will be showing with 317 Studio & Gallery and they will be keeping my works until October. Yeah for having pieces in a gallery for that long! Yikes for the beginning of show season and having to give up 10 original pieces.

This piece is taking far too long to be a design for Unforgettable, but it will be great for Art Scene.

Work In Progress

Alcohol Ink on Canvas

So, I'm just plugging away.
Working on new pieces, playing with a commission and designing my piece for Unforgettable Art, An Affair to Benefit Alzheimer's (April 23rd).

Still playing with the design for this mixed media commission.

It's interesting watching people do art in my alcohol ink classes.
Their seems to be certain "types" that keep reoccurring. I see myself in all of them.

You have the creative type who jumps in with childlike abandonment. They are there for the fun and exploration. They're going to enjoy this because they are free enough to take delight in the process and generally end up with something they like.

Then there's the more cautious but totally willing type. They are waiting patiently for instructions and ready to follow the rules. They seem to have more expectations about how their work should turn out. Here is were you have the perfectionists.

Maybe as a sub group of those above are the ones who want their work to look just like the example. (I can't repaint the same painting twice- colors change, moods change. So it's hard to help someone achieve the same painting.) Not to mention, in also every class there's usually at least one person , often several, who do a much better painting than my example. So I encourage people to do their own thing.

Then there's the one who pulls at my heart string. The person who comes in saying I can't paint.... I can't draw a straight line. I just want to point out, "What's so interesting about a straight line?" These are the quiet ones, who ask for nothing. You have to be on the lookout for these people because they certainly aren't going to bring attention to themselves. These are the people who can make the night wonderful if you can just infuse them with just a pinch of confidence.

 I'm still learning how to help this last category. I believe everyone is born to create in one way or another. We all have our gifts. Art is a wonderful way to express oneself and if I could just help one person capture a bit of the joy, I would be thrilled.

I guess my job is to learn how to help all of the categories. And to remember that most people are their own mix of all of these. The fun of the evening is in the process; getting together with friends, enjoying each other's company and reveling in each other's uniqueness and our own.

I had a great time last night with these wonderful women. These ladies have all been friends since grade school. What a beautiful group.

Running in Circles

Sometimes it just feels like I'm 

running in circles to keep up.

I'm sure no one else ever feels that way. ha ha. With a bit more success comes the challenge of keeping up with everything. I'm busy working on two commissions while I develop, plan and execute 4 classes. I'm working on having new pieces for 317 Studio & Gallery while planning my painting for Unforgettable Art. I admit to feeling a bit nervous. But I have to remind myself to chunk things down to smaller pieces and not to get too wrapped up on the computer. (ie. Facebook)

Running in Circles

Preliminary work for a commission

I'm excited about my new Orchid painting and hope to have it completed and ready for 317 Studio & Gallery in 3 weeks. 

Work in Progress

Orchids 

I think I'll be just fine as long as I remind myself to keep going, paint more and not to forget to enjoy the journey. 

Hope you're having a great week.