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.

An Update on Classes and Shows

It's official! I love teaching classes in series.

I just finished up my four week class of intermediate alcohol ink classes. It was wonderful! To see people apply what they've learned into their own styles is terrific.We had a variety of paintings; dogs, owls landscape, abstract, then we started coping a favorite.

              At first the swirls of Starry Night were really difficult. We all felt maybe we had made a mistake trying this painting in alcohol inks. But then, we were mesmerized, we couldn't stop.

 Some of us went on to try other Masters.Some had projects they wanted to try.

                
                                                                                                                                                          
 

Things are getting busy as we approach the warmer weather. I'm working on a show at Sinisnawa Mounds - a Dominican retreat and conference center. The show will run April 5th through the end of May.

 The next 4 week series of Alcohol Inks on Canvas starts on Tuesday, April 18th. 1-4pm Info and registration here

Spring Art Scene is April 21 & 22nd. I will be showing with the Rockford Art Guild at the Trinity Lutheran Activity Center, 215 N 1st St. It  will be include my first Art Installation in the parking lot. I admit that it is my first one and I don't have a lot of time to pull this off. I know I'll learn a lot.






Then, the 14th annual Unforgettable Art, an Affair for Alzheimer's is April 29th. If you have any suggestions for my canvas please let me know. I plan on doing a vertical canvas this year. For more info and tickets go here

 Looking for a more adventurous painting experience?
Fascinated by the performance art that's becoming so popular?

Well, grab a friend (or not, we'll be your friends ) and come for a night of fun and exploration. Each person will start with their own 11" x 14" canvas. You'll choose your own acrylic color palette, up to 5 colors and be asked to fill out a simple questionnaire about what you like. We'll all start off on our own canvasses by painting the background and a few details.  We'll give you a few pointers along the way. You'll have to be quick because in 15 minutes the music will stop and you'll move on to another canvas. After reviewing that person's likes you will use their palette to continue painting on THEIR canvas! We're sure to come up with some very original pieces by the end of the night!

Tuesday, March 21st
6:00 to 8:30pm
New Dimensions Studio
Womaspace
3333 Maria Linden Drive
Rockford, Illinois 61114

$35/person
Everything you need will be supplied. Feel free to bring your own adult beverage if you'd like.

Register here

The Lonely Life of an Artist?

When I first left my job three years ago, April 1st, my husband and I were both concerned about how I would deal with the loss of socialization that would occur due to the many hours that I would be locked away in my studio painting.  I think this is often the stereo type attributed to artists. I'm a social animal and I need my peeps. What I have found is that art can be an extremely social field.

It is true, that there are hours where I am alone in my studio with just the cat and dog to keep me company. I crave to have big chunks of time to paint alone now. When I am lonely I simply turn on a pod cast or call a friend to chat awhile while I paint. See, that's the big surprise in all of this... I love painting with other people.  I still love to put on the head phones and isolate from the world but the surprise is painting in public, hosting classes or meeting people at shows.

I love all the new people that have entered 

my life, all in the name of art.

I spent all day yesterday doing taxes and cleaning palettes. Okay bad example! No seriously, I'm getting ready for my plate painting class at 317 Studio & Gallery on Thursday. I'm finding that I can't keep up with the cleaning of palettes because of the many classes that I have been doing.

My last class was at Wesley Willows at the end of March. What a delightful group of women I met. They actually get together every Wednesday to paint and I'm looking forward to joining them soon for an afternoon of friendship.

     

 











This weekend is Spring Art Scene in Rockford!

With the temperatures expected to hit the seventies after several days of April snow storms this will be one incredible city wide party. Art scene always is a great place for the community to take to the streets and visit the 25+ places that are displaying art, food and wine. I will be a 317 Studio & Gallery this time. I've been told it hosts one of the best parties with live music, food, wine and of course, art. I can't wait! Art scene is a great way to connect with friends and there is always some kind of surprise or bonus meeting. One year I met a childhood friend that used to live 3 houses away. Can you believe it - she moved to Rockford.
 Here is the FB page.

 

Let me pour you a glass of wine on Friday night between 7 - 9pm and introduce you to many of the fine artists I have come to know. 



 
One of my new friends is Lisa Loudin of Soul Spa. We're joining forces on a few new projects coming your way next month and in July. I'll tell you more about that on Thursday. Or maybe I'll just hurry up and write my post today. I'm so excited about it I can't wait to tell you!





With all these art parties is there any 
time for family? Always.
I just spent a whole week in Columbus enjoying the company of my five beautiful sisters.  

Top: Lynn, Jill, Terri, Kim. Bottom: Diane, Karen

On Monday of that week, my daughter, Beth and her fiance returned from a weekend in San Diego. Matt and I got to spend a few days with them. We presented Beth with a "bride to be" kit to help her plan her wedding.

Beth and Matt

So I guess I'm socializing enough... awwww. What's enough? Give me a call... we'll paint together sometime.

Next week it's on to Unforgettable... another great art event that takes place in Rockford.

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.

Art Scene is More About Community and Arts For Everyone Than Anything Else

There's a lot more to art shows than just the sales.

Yesterday was the first day of Art Scene. It's a lot of work getting your pieces together, framed ,bagged tagged etc. Then there is the setting up of the space and overseeing others who are in the show. By the time the show does start there is a lot of excitement in the air. You wonder if maybe that right person may walk in and love your painting enough to buy it.

But selling art work is really just a small piece of the event - even though everyone does hope to support their efforts with a monetary show of appreciation. 

Community shows like Art Scene are much more than sales. They're about the community coming together to see art in 39 locations throughout the city. A community of artists, art enthusiasts who converge to network and appreciate all that is creative. For me last night was very successful for this reason alone. Just getting the opportunity to get to know my fellow guild members better is a wonderful thing to me.

I always meet artists who are passing through the venues introducing themselves and showing interest in various works. Last night seemed to be the night of graphic designers; I think I met four or more. Maybe it was because my daughter, the graphic designer, was with me and the universe was just doing it's crazy " you get what you need" thing.

I love meeting the new artists who are so receptive to a little encouragement and shop talk. But it's more than artists. It's the travelers who see your Venice painting that want to talk about Italy or the gardeners who talk about their favorite flowers. All these people converge on your little area and all you have to do is to be open to them.

My friend, Sandy of Sandy's Sweet Treats dropped off 6 dozen mini cupcakes for me to hand out to those who visited my table. I loved doing that because, not only was it a great draw to get people to my table and market a little for her, but it's an in to every kid there. You know those kids walking with mom and dad are dying for the chocolate cupcake with the sprinkles on top.

Stepping outside to cool down a bit, I couldn't believe the energy on the State Street. There were so many people walking with their families and friends. Every parking spot seemed taken and the traffic was steady. There was such a sense of excitement in this party atmosphere.

I must share and the unusual thing that happened last night. I was talking to a woman about my Margo's Poppy print promotion, telling her the poppies were from La Grange. She directed me to her friend whom she believed also grew up in La Grange. Can you believe it was a childhood friend of mine whom I had not seen in 41 years! Sue lived two houses away on the next street. It was wonderful to catch up with her as I learned we went to the same college and were living in dorms that were across the street from each other. We had many similarities such as both moving into the Rockford area and having three children. We even live in the same style house. (Okay, I admit that I took her address off of her check and looked it up on map quest. Oh come on - you'd do the same.) Anyway it was such a thrill and certainly one that I never expected.

So I'm looking forward to another round tonight. And yes, I'd like to go home with a few less paintings than I started but I know now that whatever happens, I'm ahead already just by showing up.

The Business of Art or is it the Art of Businses?

I've been busy with the business of art.

I'm having been in the studio for three days and I'm dying to get back there today but the truth is there a lot more to an art business than painting. I want to make some negative comment about this fact but the the variety of  chores keeps me challenged and engaged in other ways and I'm grateful (I guess). Besides the daily marketing done on social media there is much more to keeping JR Finally Art up and going.

Cho and I at Picture Salon in Madison, Wisconsin

Friday I was notified that two of my pieces were chosen for a show at our local museum. (Yeah!) These along with pieces to be hung at Katie's Cup and Rockford's Art Scene all need to be framed. That means a trip to Hobby Lobby for mats and Michaels for frames. In the event that they may be sold, a trip to Madison for scanning is in order. Each piece will need a description. Why I painted it. What I was thinking at the time I painted it.

7 new prints will be available soon.

And...

It's almost April 15th. Then of course, there's taxes. I use Quick Books for my record keeping. I like math but accounting in not something that comes natural for me. Although it should all be pretty straight forward at tax time... well, for me, it's not.

Katie's Cup

These are the months to sign up for the summer art shows. As invitations and rejections come in it's time to scurry and find shows for the weeks that are still available, make reservations and plan the summer schedule.

But my heart is in the studio today working on the Katie's Cup alcohol ink  - for Saturday. I have it drawn out, that's it, so I need to move on it.

An idea for Unforgettable Art

I'm also working on tester paintings for Unforgettable Art on the 18th of April.








So there's lots to do today! 
Where does your business lead you?
What do you do on the days you're not in your studio?

My New Series - Drive By

One of the reasons I want to do a series on Rockford is so I will have several pieces to choose from when it come time to submit paintings for Rockford Art Museum show. Only one piece will be chosen but I decided I could use this series for several upcoming shows.

My work will be on display at Katie's cup in April. I love going there twice a month to paint and always find myself in conversations with someone who is interested in my art. Yesterday, it was a gentleman who was a graphic artist major in college. He spoke about all his fraternity brothers who were going into business or law and didn't understand why he'd go into art. Wild flowers were his big interest so we had a nice conversation. I'd like to have at least one Katie's Cup painting, large enough for over the fireplace. But I'd also like a few more paintings of Rockford there also.


April 10th is the Spring Art Scene where I'd also like to hang several of my Rockford pictures done in alcohol Inks. So I think I'll need several paintings and this time I want some large ones say 23" x 35".

Yesterday, after the above mentioned conversation with Kyle, another one about labs which hopefuly will lead to a comision and the conversation with the two guild members who introduced me to Dr. Ph Martin's watercolors - a must try, almost bought them today- I drove around Rockford collecting photographs of some of the wonderful buildings Rockford has to offer.  I never left my car and must have looked quite silly hanging my I Pad out the window. Some pictures I took while I was driving - I know, silly and I did stop doing that, but I adore some of these buildings and wanted a shot. The result was some pretty wild pictures, but I think I got enough to start my series. Some of the pictures I'll have to piece together but that may be a fun challenge. My name for this series? What else but "Drive By". What do you think?

Rockford used to be the second largest city in Illinois until about 14 years ago. From about 1850 to 1970 it was a  thriving industrial city with a lot to offer including a wonderful a college. At the turn of the century there was a lot of money around to build some beautiful mansions and gorgeous buildings, many which are still in service today - several which are just too costly to bring the buildings up to code and they have fallen into disrepair. When industrial jobs went overseas a lot of these companies moved out leaving a lot of people without jobs. Today Rockford has plenty of problems with crime and gangs but it continues to be this city where one can have access to wonderful concerts by top performers like Elton John or see traveling Broadway shows along with wonderful orchestras, several gardens, an arboretum and museums.