September 18, 30 in 30

Day # 18, 30 paintings in 30 days
hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Felling so very blessed for all my friends and family.

Okay... now I'm tired. I had such a great time at Greenwich Village Art Fair this weekend. I feel so blessed to be so supported by loving family and friends. How lucky am I do be doing what I love surrounded by such wonderful loving and creative people. I can't thank everyone enough for this weekend. I was thinking last night, even if I never make any money at this fair I will still have to go every year just to keep in touch with the community. I was humbled by the people who knew me through Facebook and the newsletter etc. Thank you. I may not see you everyday but I know that you are there and it fuels my soul. Thank you for the many purchases so that I may pay some bills, buy some supplies and keep doing it everyday. Thank you for the hours setting up, taking down dropping off... Thank you for the pizza, the drinks, the company. I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to everyone. (Therese and Greg I'm sorry I didn't get to spend time with you. Thanks you for stopping in.) Thank you for those who are far away and still support me by liking my posts and leaving my encouraging comments. I felt your presence.

Two things stick out....
      1.      Boy, are there a lot of extremely talented people out there. I always feel so in awe of the other artists and am inspired to go home do more and push harder.
      2.      There are young kids out there who come to Greenwich with their allowance in hand. They are looking at the art. I am impressed every time a young person buys a matted card for $6 or a small canvas for $15. These people are the future of art. They may see the cute stuffed cat around the corner but they are truly drawn to the brushstrokes, colors and textures.

Okay I lied three things...

I am also impressed by the young emerging artists I meet. They are in high school trying to figure out their future path. They ask me what they can do now to help their career. I tell them to share it on the internet. We all want to know what they are doing. Sometimes I can't refrain from saying," Damn, girl you're far more talented than I am." They are... they are out there, and they are good.

The future of art is safe in the hands of the youth. And it warms my soul.

So here's today's offering. A plate I finished painting for the fair. 

Commissions and classes

Taking a bit of a break from blogging 
after doing the 30 in 30?

Yes, I guess so. But mostly I've been busy with some commission and classes. I keep on expecting things to slow down but they haven't. Who am I kidding, I don't want them to. Do I really want to clean out my closet anyway? No, believe me I don't no matter how badly it needs it. And it needs it! My goal of loosing 1000 pounds in 2016 is not going so well. Several cookbooks - probably 20 pounds and a very stuffed bag of clothing... 40 pounds? I also know that one very productive weekend in the basement could mean a lot of pounds.

Now that the show season has slowed down a bit, the commission season is picking up. I've been busy with pet portraits and house paintings for birthday presents and I'm starting to work on Christmas commissions. I never feel good about sharing these picks in a timely manor on the off chance that one of the recipients may come across the photo on social media.

If you are interested in commissioning your own piece

click here for more info. 

There are only 6 more weeks left for commissions that will be delivered in time for Christmas. If you mention this blog post I'll give you 

$10 off any commissioned piece.

 

Classes have been 

going wonderful. 

  

We've painted sunflowers on plates, irises, Gerbera daisies, witches and more.

My next class is with Cristi Kniess at 

the Art Nook on November the 7th 6 to 8:30pm.

We'll be painting pumpkin plates and we still have a few spots open. 

If you'd like to reserve a spot click here

September 15, Pumpkin Plate

Day 15

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I love pumpkins, their shape, 

their color, everything!

Pumpkin Plate

Alcohol Inks and Pen on a Plate

8 x 8

Book a Private Party in your Home
$35/ person, 5 people min., host paints free, all materials supplied
If you are interested in booking a private party please contact me at goldrays910@gmail.com.
Or go here

Or registrar at 317 Studio & Gallery for October 27th class.
Go here for 317

Great Party last Night Ladies!

I love going into a group of people who start out with... "I don't have an artistic bone in my body."
What is it about art that scares people so much? It's like math. I hear a lot of "I can't do math." (Or at least I did when I worked at the Alternative School.)

Well the truth is, of course everyone can do art. It's like this wonderful, joyous gift we were all born with. It's in us all, even you. The trick is to make people feel safe and maybe a bit confident too.

When you get a group of friends together, some nibbles, a bit of wine who knows what the possibilities can be?  Last night was no exception. These lovely ladies support each other at work each day - encouraging each other last night was just an extension of that.

And of course, they didn't come for the food, or the wine, or even the art. They came to be with each other and have a bit of fun. They were bound to have fun no matter what their plates looked like. I'm so thrilled that they allowed me to be a part of their group for a few hours.

I love that alcohol inks have their own "minds" in a sense. If you don't fight them and work with them, eventually they will produce some pattern or texture you will like. They are very "forgiving" in that mistakes can easily be wiped away.

The ladies dug right in and the results were stunning. Everyone produced such a unique piece.

Two friends couldn't come. One had a funeral and one a birth. Kind of unusual, but sure does bring home the point about how important it is to love those around us and spend time together. And at the end of the night, as we were about to pose for our final picture, new photos of the baby came streaming through the phone.

The ladies produced some beautiful plates but more important: another successful night of bonding. I'm so honored to have spent the evening with each and every one of them.


To find more information on how you can host your own paint party please click here.

Now My Art Can be Found a tJust Goods and Womanspace

A busy week.

 Womanspace has been kind enough to name me as their featured artist this month. That means I get to bring a lot of works to display is their front case. This is one of the pieces I finished just for them. I also will be stocking their shop, Art 2 Go with several of my prints. Come see my works at 3333 Maria Linden Drive in Rockford.

 Alstroemerias

Alcohol Inks on a Plate

Yesterday, Judith Loudin and I 

hung art at Just Goods. 

A big thanks to my daughter Samantha for all her help. It's the first time Judith and I have hung together and I'm thrilled that we got to do this together. Just goods is located at  201 7th Street, Rockford, Illinois

Day 26, January 30 in 30

Day 26, January26th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta

I'm getting ready to be next month's featured artist at Womanspace.
I like having little things available to buy. Day 26 is one of those.

Now Serving; Sunshine

Alcohol Inks and Pen

8" x 8" ceramic plate

Not Food Safe