My Four Year Artiversary - All on April Fool's Day

I've been doing art in some form for most of my life, but over four years ago I made the decision to leave my job of..... how many years did I work there? 16? (It seems like a lifetime ago.)

There's a lot of misconceptions that I started out with. One is that if I had a web page the people who wanted my work would FIND ME and orders would begin to pour in. Another is that I would be alone in my studio day after day painting away. (My husband was worried that I'd be lonely - being a social person by nature.) Talent will get you wherever you want to go.... another misconception. Never underestimate the power of good marketing.

The truth was that I had entered a life filled with friends, challenges, learning opportunities and days much fuller than I ever dreamed of. All of a sudden I was learning computer programing, bookkeeping, marketing, to name a few of the challenges I would face.


I started out in my studio listening to pod casts of Artist Helping Artist with Leslie Saeta. Turns out, it was an excellent place to start. I knew nothing of marketing, social marketing or very much concerning the business end of art at all. I learned a lot in those 300 podcasts including how to run a biz page on Facebook, Instagram, u tube, Pinterest, pricing, commissions, art shows to name a few.

One of Leslie's suggestions was to join the local art group. I joined the Rockford Art Guild in February of 2014. They were preparing for Spring Art Scene - a city wide art party held two times a year. Getting involved in that show helped me get to know some of the members a bit better. I was hooked. I started going to the monthly board meetings. This gave me a closer look and better opportunities to learn more about the business. Most of all, it provided me with an incredible base of artist friends. Some of whom would become my mentors, advise me in marketing, teach me new techniques, ask me to show with them, paint with me, and on occasion, drink with me.

You can't embark on something like this without a lot of help from those close by. My husband, Mark was incredibly supportive through this whole process - as always. He encouraged to follow my dream, built my first booth for shows and went to every show hauling and setting up all my equipment.


Probably the most significant thing he would repeatedly say to me was,  
"This is not a sprint, it's a marathon." It's a great thing to remember whenever I feel things are not moving fast enough. Things take time. Don't give up.


When my daughter Samantha, a graphic artist, joined my team I began to have a more polished look.She helped me move from my old web page, that I loved but couldn't program to one that was intuitive. She became one of my roadies, along with my son, helping set up each show and staying for the duration, crocheting behind the scenes waiting in case I needed anything. My family and friends have purchased a lot of my work and scheduled private painting parties. They continue to do so and I'm grateful to them.

One of my favorite things about this profession is the roller coaster of good and bad days. One day you're incredibly talented, the next you're some schmuck artist wannabe. The highs boost your confidence and the lows push your creativity and motivate you to work harder. Both are necessary for success.

 

Four years later, I'm

 still chugging along. 

 Things have changed. I know there is nothing else I want to do other than my art business. I never feel as if I have enough time to paint - I'm working on it. I have a new booth. Classes and workshops as well as public speaking have been added to my venue. I'm taking classes at RVC to sharpen my business skills.  There's some great shows coming up. I'm looking forward to moving into the front half of my studio/gallery soon. (Thanks to Mark again, for building it for me.) I even may have some
exciting "news" in the very near future.

Best of all I know what I want to do today - paint. 

And it all started on an April Fool's Day. 

Turns out, it wasn't foolish at all.

Day 2, One of my favorite Things

Jan 2, 30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 2: 2 hours,  Monthly Total: 5.5 hours

One of My Favorite Things.
About two years ago I started painting at a local coffee shop in Rockford. Actually, I have to give Leslie Saeta credit for this one. I was listening to her weekly podcast show, AHA, Artists helping Artists and she suggested painting in public. I decided that I would do this in connection with my local art guild as a social program.  So every first and third Monday I'm down at Katie's Cup sipping tea and painting.

My thank you to Katie's. It now has a home by the fireplace.

Open studio at Katie's Cup was started as a service but I quickly found the benefits. It took awhile for it to catch on. Sometimes I sat there and painted alone. But, I instantly loved it. There was always someone who would approach me and ask me about my work. Not only was I learning to paint in front of people but I was learning how to talk about my art. Slowly, I started having people show up with whatever they were working on and join me. This is one way that I began getting to know my fellow art people better. This is were some wonderful friendships were built. 

I've learned that art is not only about creating work and hoping someone likes it well enough that they buy it allowing  you to paint another day. There's many components to art. One is of sharing.... sharing your time, your opinion, your friendship, your skills.

Open studio is so important to me that I plan to 

keep it going after I open my own studio in Rockton.

Today, I had plans. I needed a few friends to try out  a design for a class I'm doing at 317 Studio & Gallery  on January 26th. Sign up here 

 Winter Visitor

Alcohol Ink and Pen

6 x 6

NFS

When we got to Katie's it was closed.( Honestly, Dee and I asked two weeks ago to see if they'd be open.) We went to Mary's Market instead. Who know it was BOGO day on breakfast entries. (Thanks for the yummy quiche Laura.) We had a great time talking, laughing and painting.

I got just what I needed, some tips for my class and a great morning with friends. Isn't art wonderful?

 

 


 

Day13, January 30 in 30

Day 13, January 13th.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I finished this piece from day 12.
I'm glad I went ahead and continued to work on it. I had a hard tome photographing it today... sorry.

Indigo Blue

Alcohol Ink and Pen

12" x 8"

Quite a different picture

from yesterday.

 I still like the lighter picture but feel it's too soft. Maybe, too hard to read.

Day 12, 30 in 30

Day 12, January 12th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Day 12 is a work in progress. 
These are Indigo Blue and Peonies from my back yard. They remind me of late Spring (just 68 days away!) It's a good reminder on a day that the outside temperature is 17 degrees.

I started this painting a while ago and 
was happy to revisit it yesterday. 
 When I put on the first coat of paint then removed the masking fluid I liked it as is. I like the white outlines and find them a welcome change from my usual paintings. But, after "living with the painting" awhile I see I have a lot more work to do today. what do you think? Is it done?

Indigo Blue

alcohol Ink

Work in Progress

Day 11, January 30 in 30

Day 11, January 11

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Today's picture is from an oil class at the art guild.
I love oils and want to spend more time working with them so the class just seemed like a great way to see how someone else's process.

Spotted Blue Bird 

Oils 

Before the snow hit the painting.

An interesting thing happened on the way to my car. It snowed. I didn't think a thing about it before, these are oils after all. But if you look closely at the above painting you will see little orange spots all over the painting. It took me awhile to figure it out but I think I know what happened. To prepare the boards, the instructor first painted them with orange house paint that she had around the house. House paints are water based. Then we painted with oil paint on top of that. It's just like salad dressing... oil and water don't mix. When the snow melted and became little drops of water, the water repelled the oil paint.

Actually, I think it looks very interesting. Although you would never want to sell something like this. But the lesson is oil and water don't mix.



HOWEVER, you CAN put acrylics on top of oil paints but never the other way around. Excellent lesson for a Saturday.

Day 10, January 30 in 30

Day 10, January 10th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

A lot of people set themes for the 
30 paintings in 30 days challenge.
Not me. There is so much I want to do that coming up with what to paint is not a problem. This month I have a commission, am taking 5 two hour classes, getting ready for a show and making some small paintings for a gift store. Then there's the pieces I want to try on my own; batik, mixed media and more oils. There's a lot of work I need to get done. 30 days may not be enough. Oh, and I want to start working bigger.....

Today's piece is a product of a two hour class. 
These classes are taught by fellow artists of the Rockford Art Guild and are meant to be just a small taste, if you will, of that artist's process. I signed up for all five of them. Even the mediums that I do work in; oils and pastels, there is still plenty I can learn from other members. I will be teaching an alcohol ink class next Saturday. After my class I will participate in a pastel class.

Not only am I enjoying seeing what materials and what techniques these people use, but I'm watching their teaching too and making mental notes on what I'd like to add to my classes.

The first class yesterday was Encaustic Painting.
I had painted encaustics once before but still consider myself a newbie to the medium. It was challenging to say the least. I enjoyed it quite a bit and would like to revisit it with some pictures to collage or some word art.

Early Flight

Encaustic Painting

9" x 9" on Masonite Board

Day 9, January 30 in 30

Day 9, January 9th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Dahlias are one of my favorite 
flowers in the garden. 
I usually buy a flat of them and spread them around everywhere in my garden. This is one of the larger bulbs which produces much larger flowers.

I have asked to bring some art to the gift shop of one of the places I am teaching. 
I will bring cards and prints and some originals but I am experimenting with these smaller pieces. I think they are easier for people to buy, not just because of the cost but a smaller size can fit in many more places. They even look good sitting in an easel on a table.

Perfectly Pink

Alcohol Ink and Pen

on gallery wrapped canvas

6" x 6"

 

Day 8, January 30 in 30

Day 8, January 8th.

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Developing my next alcohol ink class for 317 Studio & Gallery. I thought painting on canvas would be a good challenge for those who have taken a few courses with me. I love the way the inks are absorbed into the canvas. They still react to their neighboring inks a bit but not as much as they do on Yupo paper. The result is a painting that has vivid colors but looks a bit like watercolors. I love the high contrast between the yellows and reds - and greens for that matter. This painting is done on gallery wrapped canvas as turning the corner and continuing the painting is so appealing to me. And of course, then you don't have to frame the piece.

Gerber Daisies

Alcohol Inks and Pen

6" x 6"

Where are days 6 & 7? 
Well, I haven't done them yet. I didn't paint in the car and just couldn't move very fast after vacation. Honestly, I'd love a few days on the couch with a good book and a blank canvas with lots of time. Having said all that I am hoping to make up for lost time soon. We'll see.

Day 5, January 30 in 30

Day 5, January 5th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Today is from the waterfront where the
building are 250 + years old.
Thanks to Samantha Golden for letting me use her photo.

Savannah Candy Kitchen

Watercolor and Pen

9 x 11

Day 4, January 30 in 30

Day 4, January 4th

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Tybee Island Beach Pastel

It was a windy day which made drawing a bit challenging. But really,,,, on the beach? Who can complain?

We leave this morning. 2 days in the car. I'll see how drawing in a moving car goes. It was a wonderful family trip filled with a lot of memories.

Day 3, January 30 in 30

Day 3, January 3rd

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

A view of 405 Tattnall Street.

Carley's Retreat
This is the house we have been staying in while here in Savannah. 405 is a light yellow Italianate with green shutters. This really was just the perfect house for us. Not only does it have an incredible view of Jones Street out the front windows and is 40 feet from Crystal Beer Parlor, but it has some wonderful similarities to the house back in Rockton that Mark, my husband, is restoring.

This building was built in 1878 by Milton Homer Cooper, a civil war veteran who became a railroad engineer. He and his wife Jane lived in this house for the remainder of their lives. Their son remained in the home until 1920 when he moved further south.

The house has the same door knocker as our 1858 home in Rockton.
The stairway post is almost identical to our house and interestingly enough, broke in the same place. The layout is very similar to our house although this is a bit smaller. It was exciting to see the renovations the current owners made; modernizing the place while keeping the original flavor of the house.  The Ikea cabinets in this house are the same as Mark is currently installing.

We will miss this house as it was a truly memorable trip.

Day 2, January 30 in 30

Day 2, January 2nd

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Hello from Tybee Island Light House, or one of the buildings which houses the office. I found a quiet little place in the shade and painted as my family climbed to the top of the lighthouse. I don't like heights much and I have been up there before so I thought this would be a good time to paint. It's a bit of a challenge to paint while on vacation with the family but I feel determined to make a go at it.

Someone asked me if I really planned to work while on vacation. My answer is simple. Painting is my vacation... it's what I love to do.  I just need to keep busy and plan my free time well.

Day One, January 30 in 30

Day One, January 1st
30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Happy New Year from Savannah, Georgia!
I am here with my family to bring in the new year and celebrate my husband's 60th birthday. I stopped doing anything art related about a week before Christmas so I could concentrate of my family and the holidays. It felt good to pack my little black bag of pastels and watercolors in preparation for the trip. I'm traveling light, of art supplies at least.

It felt good to pick up my supplies and paint a bit.
I forgot my pastel pencils so I needed to work with the larger pastel sticks. Oh well. Today's pic is the view from the living room of the house we're staying at. It's incredible! Our street, Tattnall makes a T as in intersects with Jones Street. The view is incredible as the live oak trees frame the street along with the Spanish Moss that drips off of them. The street is framed by beautiful Colonial  Houses each one unique. In fact, Jones street was named as one of the most beautiful streets in the country. What a sight last night was with the Christmas trees and festive lights all glowing up and down the street as people scurried to their New Year's parties.

September 30 in 30 collage

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Thanks everyone, for your support during this
30 in 30, especially my family.

That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm back to cooking dinner most nights or that the house will be cleaner. Just say'in... Too many paintings still waiting to be painted.

Many of these pieces are still for sale right here on this blog.

September 30 in 30. Day 30

Day 30

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta .

It's been a great ride.
I'm happy to see the 30 in 30 come to an end but a bit sad. There was great happiness in waking up and saying to myself, " better paint something today". So what I'd like to do is to keep the spirit of the 30 in 30 alive by posting at least two or three new works a week. Some days it's hard to get in the studio when the business aspect of art demands so much. Today will be spent bill paying, figuring taxes, getting ready for tomorrows TV interview and getting ready for the week's show.

The 30 in 30 reminds us all why we are
doing this in the first place.
For the love of art. And a delicious truth comes with the 30 in 30.

The more you do your art - the better you will get.
Practice doesn't necessarily make perfect but it does make better. That's what I want... better, more, better.

Colocasia

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

8.5" x 12.75

Matted and Framed in Silver Frame

$195

OR...
Colocasia
8.5" 12.75" Giclee Print
$22

September 30 in 30, Day 28

Day 28

30 in 30 hostrd by Leslie Saeta.

I must be getting confused by the days.
Yesterday was actually 28.... but who's counting.

Today's painting is an en plein air from 
Klehm Arboretum in Rockford. 
This afternoon is lovely, but the day didn't start out that way. This morning was cold and rainy. Not wanting to miss my plein air day, I stayed in the car and painted from there. It worked out pretty well until I realized that I left the back hatch open when I retrieved my painting supplies. Two hours later the battery was dead. Just another wonderful thing about my daughter... Thanks for the jump Samantha.

What do you do when you have a dead battery 
and are waiting for a jump?
Well the obvious of course... go to the bathroom then the gift shop for a new hummingbird feeder and chocolate, then return to the car and paint more.
(Sorry about the photo. That is also from the car.)

A Rainy Morning at Klehm

Watercolor and Ink

8" x 12"

$75

September 30 in 30, Day 29

Day 29

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

A commission for a good friend. 

When Jennifer, Bill's wife, asked me to do a commission for Bill's birthday, I was thrilled.
What fun it would be. Then she started describing what she wanted. She was looking to a representation of their blended family together including many of the things he loves; wine, photography, art, and cheese.  She had a pretty good idea of what she was looking for. I soon realized that Jen is just as creative as Bill is. She came up with some wonderful suggestions that really made the piece fun to do.

So happy birthday to you Bill and 

thanks for the honor Jennifer.

Our Blend

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

Personal Commission

September 30 in 30, Day 25

Day 25

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Again from the Nicholas Conservatory.
What a beautiful place it is.

Nicholas Orchids 2

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

$129

September 30 in 30, Day 26

Day 26

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

Truth is, most of the alcohol inks require more than one day.
Day 26th is one of those paintings… a work in progress.  Today our nephew Ben weds his Jamie. Much to do and much to celebrate.

Bleeding Hearts

Alcohol Inks on Yupo Paper

11" x 14"

Work in Progress

September 30 in 30, Day 23

Day 23

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

When we moved into our house 17 years ago there were no trees on the back lot.
Heck, there wasn't even grass, but anyway…  My husband loves trees. He bought two little crabapple trees for ten dollars and planted them. Our Labrador Retriever ate one of them. This is the one that survived. Located right outside the door it is a visual treat every Spring when it blooms, and then again in the Fall as it produces it's cherry sized, crab apples.

Crabapples

Alcohol Ink on Yupo Paper

12" x 8"

$95