Art for Showtime

I've had an interesting few days.  I received a phone call from a gentleman who I met a few years ago. He is promoting a local event which includes a small number of artists and he felt like my work would be a good fit.  I was tickled and honored to be asked to exhibit at this high-end event and was considering it.  After some thought, I decided the timing and expenses were just not right.  Then I received an e-mail about another high end show in another state, and again, the timing and expense of doing such a show just won't work.   But I'm beginning to think that maybe the Universe is telling me something and I need to pay attention.  I usually do and in the past, I've found it beneficial to listen.  One door closes, another one opens. 


 I AM going to be doing my usual show, the Gosport Arts Festival in Portsmouth in May, so I've begun working on a few new pieces while finishing some pieces I began one and even two years ago.  In addition, as seen in recent blogs, I'm still painting on commissions and getting those completed.  


So here are pics of the most recent new piece.  "Party Girl," which was posted not too long ago, was such an easy painting - flowed like melted butter- I expected that to happen again... but no.  I realize I should be thankful when those paintings do come along.  Anyway, what I love about this is the challenge of dealing with folds and muscles, depth and a sense of place, and personality. 

Here is an early photo of the current piece, not yet titled.  
I've drawn loosely, freehand and am working on laying in color here.  I discovered a new mixture of cobalt green and cobalt teal with titanium and just love the blue tones.  

                                                          Here is the next phase: detail in the folds of the sofa cover, tightening up the drawing a bit and finding the lights and darks.  










Here is where I left off today : the color is building up to create the depth I like in my work and I began to play with the darks and lights nearest the body.  I like the red as a place to focus and have the dog lie flat while the folds curl around her as she wiggles on the sofa.  I'm toying with darkening the background to enhance the light focused on the chest and legs.  My color challenge now is to make sure the palette remains in harmony.  I love the green, but think it's going to need to change.  Or take the red back out.  And maybe that floppy ear needs to go. We'll see.    

What's Going On

I haven't posted photos in awhile, so tonight I'm doing a brief post of pics.  

First, this is a photo of Bounty paper towels.  


After a trip through the washing machine.  


(they should pay me for this!)


Yep, my husband cleaned up a doggie accident and left paper towels stuffed inside the dog bed cover that he threw in the laundry room.  Days later, I put it in the wash not thinking to look inside and after the trip through on Heavy Duty mode - hot water, double rinse, high speed spin- I found a long, wrinkly mass at the bottom of the tub (we have a front loader, so it was just inside the door.)  I pulled it out and found this - 4 paper towels, still attached to one another and intact.   I've always favored this brand in the studio due to it's absorbency.  I'm sold for life.  

This pic on the right (or it's supposed to be on the right) is a painting I'm currently working on for an upcoming show.  
I began this one as I often do - a demo for an evening class.  It's slow going, as I'm still working on two commissions and doing this one half in studio, half in class. 

And this is Mikki - you may remember from prior posts. After settling on green for a background color, I'm now laying in the setting and finding tones that don't compete with the dog.  I've resolved a few other issues - a quirky front let, some odd shadows and once that background comes together will put final layers in her hair.  This painting went from frustration to fun after my aha moments.  (which I talked about in a prior post.)  

Nothing Quite as Planned

Some weeks things just go all awonky.  It's been one of those weeks and I can honestly say that my life is never boring.  It may not be exciting....but that's another thing altogether.  (chuckle)

I had planned to complete another painting this week during my studio time, but plans do change.  My husband's work schedule forced me to rearrange a future date to happen NOW, so yesterday I had Susan B. and Will Turner join me in making notecards.  Will is a local artist who has envisioned a project called The 1000 Strong Project.  The intent is to sell the artwork of 1000 artists to raise (oh, shoot me Will - I can't remember! ) 10,000 dollars (I think) for the benefit of Comfort Zone Camp.  In exchange for helping me to print and prep my notecards for sale, I showed him the program I use and how to create the cards.  Susan was here of course to learn and help, as I hope she will take over that task in the future. 

I work mostly from home, so we convened in my small and cluttered office filled with everything from golf clubs to a paper shredder (my cat loves to sleep in the shreds) and computers and printers and more; oh my.  First the program acted up while showing Susan how to find and recreate a card.  Then Will arrived and we got things running fairly smoothly.  Then the ink misbehaved.  I had to discard cartridges with ink, as none of the remedies were working.  In the meantime, I switched to printer B and that was worse - it has never liked chatting with my Mac and refused to feed paper properly in protest.  About 30 minutes, 3 ink cartridges, about 10 or so damaged notecards and 6 sheets of test paper later, we began rolling again.  Missions somewhat accomplished.  Thankfully both Will and Susan are good-natured souls who go with the flow. And I'm just happy that at least there is that much less I have to do later. 

Today's to-dos include changing out art at a gallery, delivering sketches to be matted and shrinkwrapped, and spending time with aforementioned husband at some point.  Previously I would have stressed over NOT getting into the studio and how much further behind that would put me.  But, things come along and I can be only in one place at one time, mind and body.  If I do get into the studio, great.  If not, there will be another moment when I shall.  

The Effect of the Creative

Last night I attended Talk 20, an event sponsored by C3 (The Creative Change Center) and 1708 Gallery in Richmond, Va.   Talk 20 

It was affirming, enlightening, inspirational and at times moving, to listen to each one share their creative journey. I felt in awe to be part of the gestalt that is art in Richmond and at the same time felt like an outsider, because these creatives are sooo in touch with their destiny and purpose.  The event was standing room full and was packed with artists/creatives, many of whom I recognized or knew.  What struck me as missing were people who are NOT creatives to experience an event such as this.  If we could but reach more of our community with the many positive things artists are offering not only to Richmond, but in some cases the world. 

A few examples:

Brian Korte - founder of Brickworkz.         Brickworkz 

Brian began creating mosaics out of legos which grew into a fascinating business.  His real aim?  To change the world, using his legos to facilitate fundraising for charity.  He has traveled the globe doing so. His personal volunteer passion is with Comfort Zone Camp.       Comfort Zone

My friend Susan Singer's goal is to paint Naked Women - with the purpose of changing how the world views women in often negative, idealized versions that do not exist, and bringing to light how those views affect our collective psyche.  Her blog has an international following.   Susan's blog

Tiffany Glass Ferreira is a powerhouse of energy in a very tiny package.  Her Real Small Art League is bigger than I can describe.  Real Small Art

Sheila Gray is another artist I've been fond of for years.  Her ethic of living her art and making the world a place of joy is impassioned and uplifting.   Sheila Gray

More of the creatives can be found via the Talk 20 link above.

Why am I using my blog to share this with you?  Because after, I was thinking about my own very recent journey from cluttered space to painting again to choosing to leave pet portraiture behind me.  And how all that fit in with my teaching and where I'm headed.  My friend Sarah (who attended with me) helped me realize my original intent when I began painting animals:  To show the relationship between animals and humans and somehow use that connection to change how many in the world treat animals in such brutal ways.  

I'll continue with that train of thought another time.  For now, I'm going to continue to enjoy the "afterglow" of energy and inspiration from last night's event. 

A new Week

I had the best week in a long while working in the studio last week.  Even though I took off most of last Tuesday, I couldn't help myself and did wind up painting a bit in the evening.  And I painted every day after until Sunday.  I never really believed in having a "painter's block" until after sharing with fellow artists what I was going through.  Another is having a similar bout of wanting to work, but getting into the studio and just having nothing there.  She's doing the same thing....a little of this and that, and not much else.  She even has these huge panels ready to goa and I know she's just processing how to tackle them. Even so, it is when she just plays and throws paint or gets into something different that her creative juices begin to flow again.  I suppose there can be a painter's block, for whatever reason.....overload, stuck in a rut, no inspiration, not knowing how to express inspiration.  At any rate, I'm glad to be past that phase and hope it continues.  


I belong to a group called the Collaborative Artists Group - a small division of a larger umbrella in Richmond known as C3, the Creative Change Center.  Members include artists of all genres, but the meetings mostly consist of visual artists lately.  I love attending these meetings, small or large, for the opportunity to get to know other artists and what they are doing, how they work, what they think about.  Our latest meet was this past Thursday evening and I have yet to walk away from one without feeling invigoration and confirmation.  


 That is enough random thought for one posting.  

A Day Off

I did something today I didn't intend to do, but the weather was so nice.  I took the day off.  The only thing I did was to grocery shop.  I haven't done that in quite awhile, take the day off totally that is,  and I haven't done it in several years without the guilt of knowing I had clients waiting for a painting.  You can tell it's still on my mind, but the weight has been lifted. Maybe posting to the blog counts for work?  ummmm - a stretch?   


Ironically, since my decision to inform my clients about the changes I'm making, I have been more productive in the studio. It baffles me and I'm thrilled.  

Here is Ditto, about ready to go home after a little tweaking and tuning.  His parents are delighted and so am I.  This was a pleasure to work on.  Even though it's not my preference to do a head shot, I love this one. It captures him.  It helped that I met Ditto quite some time ago and remembered his gentle manner along with his impressive stature. 
Ditto has been gone awhile now and I was honored to have had the opportunity to do this painting for the couple that loved him. 

I also met with Mikki's Mom this weekend and we chatted about the painting which I'm ready to get finished now. Something really clicked with this one recently and I suppose sometimes that's what happens with a piece...it takes time to pull it together. She sees her Mikki and that's what I struggled with for quite awhile. Still some things to work out, but we're in agreement as to what, so that will happen.


After these two, I have Plum the kitty hanging out in that limbo stage - where I think I'm done, but set it aside for awhile to make sure it's all ok. I've done work on her tail, the background colors and added in a number of layers to make her more solid.  I don't have a recent image of that one to post here, but she is on another post from awhile back.  Once Ditto goes home, Plum gets back on easel # 2. 


On another note, I was contacted by a number of wait list clients who were generous and understanding about my letter and blog.  A few asked to be removed from the list and I'm hoping to help them find the right artist, if they choose.  I appreciate their honesty in wanting to move on, too.  One wrote to me telling me she had found another artist some time ago, and was obviously angry that I was not more often in touch.  I am tickled for her that she went ahead and did what was right for her and now has a painting she loves.  I wished she had let me know so I could have kept my records more up to date, but she felt she was not obligated to do so (and she is right.)  I listen to my critics as well as my fans, as they have insight which helps me know what I should do.  Her response confirmed that I had done the right thing, but perhaps I should have done so sooner. At any rate, most who contacted me asked to remain on the list regardless; and I am so thankful for their kind words of encouragement.    


I keep wondering if this productivity will last, but for now I'm enjoying what's happening.  

Two Days Later

About my decision to quit pet painting as a business (see prior blog post):


If it sounds like I am blaming my clients, I am not.  Not at all.  Any artist who has taken commissions will tell you the same things I have said.  It is a fine balancing act between answering to your call as an artist and meeting the expectations of a client.  It's the nature of the business.  If anything, what I am doing, is admitting this: I am not suited to be a commission painter as a full-time endeavor. I don't like the business aspect of it.  I don't want to spend my time contacting people with frequent updates (and I haven't.) I can't afford full time help.  Clients don't want to wait so long for their painting and they shouldn't have to.  I maintain stress over not painting more quickly. It's even more stressful knowing I have people waiting for a painting, and I can't get there yet.  I don't mass-produce and I don't have a formula, so paintings, when I'm working, usually take a while to do.  Again, not the client's fault, it's part of the business.   I do enjoy meeting clients and pets, taking photos, arranging the sketches and doing the art.  A lot of artists hate commission work and won't do it at all.  I actually like it, but I never expected the stress level to be so high. 


Some paintings weren't quite what I would have chosen, but I am proud of the accomplishments of each piece thus far.  Each client and their animals have been unique.  I get to meet some of the nicest people on earth - how could they not be?  They love their pets!  Nearly everyone has been excellent about letting me do what I do.  Even so, it's very stressful to try and meet someone else's expectations.  They have a certain image in their heads and I have to try and match that.  I struggle with what they want and what I think should be.  


This may not make sense to some, after reading the above and the prior post.  My artist friends will get it for sure:
Although I do not love the business, I love what I do.  I love painting; capturing an animal's personality or a moment in time.  I love the feel of paint on the canvas, the time it takes to mix a color and apply it next to another color.  I love when the painting begins to brighten and come to life in an explosion of color.  I love when I have an aha moment in the studio and silently, or sometimes aloud, yell " THAT's IT!"  I love getting the expressions on an animal that really speaks that animal's soul. I love the smile on a client's face when they see their pet and go "wow."  I cry when my clients' pets leave this earth, because I've connected with them through my paintings.  THAT is why I paint.  


One of my clients wrote back to me "It's hard to be creative when you feel internal or external chaos."  This is so true.  Another wrote, "...after what appeared, much heartfelt contemplation...it made me realize that you had rediscovered the artist I fell in love with so many years ago."  


I certainly hope so.  That is the message I am trying to send.  

Change

Several months ago I realized I no longer wished to take on commission portrait work as the main emphasis of my art.  I was becoming unhappy with the particular demands of trying to make my clients happy while painting to my own muse.  The two often do not mesh.  Painting for someone who has hired me means that I need to meet their expectations.  From both our points of view; the client is paying me to do something they want.  They love my work so they want me to do my magic, but with their pet.  What has happened more often than I expected was that once their pet is in the picture, they tend to want a more traditional painting.  Hmmmm.  I'm thinking '...did you SEE what I do?'   I find it baffling because there are so many wonderful, traditional pet portrait artists out there.  Anyway, that is when our points of view begin to diverge...they see it as they are paying me to do what they want and I see it as they are paying me to do what I do. Then I struggle. Luckily so far I've been able to complete pieces I am proud of and I think, or at least I've been told, that my clients are happy with the results.  I'd hate to think they weren't or felt obligated to take something they didn't love. 

So, after making the decision, I mulled it over for several months before even making it known. I wrote and rewrote a letter to my clients.  I hired Susan to help me get back on my feet in the office and the studio.  Things began falling into place and I wondered if maybe I shouldn't rethink my decision.  But then the stress returned.  So I knew it was the right thing for me.  I would have to tell my clients before making it known that I was going to stop taking on commission work.

My students were the first to hear.  I wanted their reaction and their feedback was interesting.  

Then I was able to finally write the letter. Last night I sent it.  I have not yet checked my e-mail.  That'll be next.  

This is my plan.  I will continue to paint and complete portraits for anyone on my current wait list.  I will create a painting that I would do with or without that client.  I will continue to listen to their input and collaborate with them at the beginning stages of the piece.  Once the image goes to canvas, it's all from my heart.  One of the things I've never done was to take a down payment or require a contract.  So if my client does not like the painting, they do not have to purchase the painting.  I know, some artists gasp at this, "your time! you should be paid for your time!" and I should.  But I want happy clients as much as I want to be proud of what I do.  It makes no sense to me to sign my name to a painting that isn't reflective of my work, and makes no sense to send a painting out there that someone doesn't want.  


In addition to honoring my wait list clients who wish to hang in there, I am going to work on some of the projects I've been setting aside for the last few years.  I've wanted to explore the various acrylic mediums, take workshops, continue teaching, and delve into a few other things.  As an artist, I feel the need to grow and learn.  I need the time to do that and will make that time. 


I think it may be a long day.  I don't know what to expect from my clients.  I'll read their responses and go from there.  I think many will understand, some will not, some I'll not hear from at all and others will want to find another artist.  It will be all right. 

March means Spring

And Spring means new beginnings.  I cannot tell the world enough how elated I feel at having whatever fog was hovering lift away.   I completed the painting, "Party Girl" in less than two weeks.  I know - yes, it DID take time away from commissions, but I needed that.  I NEEDED to get back in.  As I posted previously, it inspired me to get back into the work I was committed to. 


Here she is.   Katie "Party Girl" Richardson

This painting is making its debut at the Riverview Gallery in Portsmouth VA this Friday night.  The show is Celebrations, in honor of the gallery's 12 Year Anniversary in that location. 
Doesn't Katie look festive and dressed for the occasion? 






I just spent the last 2 hours refining a letter to my commission clients, explaining the changes that I'm making in my studio habits and how it may affect them.  I've been working on that since last December, but just didn't know quite what to say or how.  Hiring Susan and getting back into painting put me in the right place to be able to go there.   Once I've had it proofread and sent,  I'll address some of that process and the results here.  




In the meantime, spring is coming and with it new energy.  Renewal.  Yahoo. 

End of February

It is incredibly hard to believe we are already heading into March. March of 2010.   I do mention time often, because I just don't ever seem to have enough of it and it seems to disappear on me.  It can be months before I realize I haven't been in touch with someone or missed a date or deadline.  It's not like I'm sequestered, but my life revolves around painting and dogs, home and studio.  My husband is amazed that I am an avid newspaper junkie - but it's how I keep in touch with where I live.  Why mention this?  I dunno - I guess it's often on my mind.  I also realize as time is passing, that my days here are limited and there is much I want to do.  


In the studio I want to explore textures and techniques with acrylics that I haven't done.  I've attempted twice in workshops, but once the workshop is over - I'm back to my commissions.  I'm so torn!  Obligations vs desires.  


Enough of that train of thought.  

Here are 2 pics, of Mikki and the newest painting.  I painted most of the weekend.  Yahoo!  I haven't spent so much consecutive time in the studio for several years.  It's been awesome.  


More to come.  Ditto and Plum need to be finished, too. 

Mikki

This is Mikki. Still in progress.

Two posts ago I mentioned working on several pieces and one not going so well.  In fact, it took a turn for the worse.  Sometimes that happens with a painting and usually I expect it to have an "ugly phase" just before it begins to take the road home, so to speak.  It's a tough phase to be in and where I can make some pretty huge mistakes.  Coupled with frustration and lack of desire, it's a toxic mix.

I've shown Mikki on here before I think.  Here she is in an early phase.  I was so excited at the time because the companion painting (Tess) was such a bear for me to paint, this one looked great right away.  Alas, that excitement didn't last long.  Here she is again still working out pretty well, but legs and paws are beginning to look odd to me and my client.  Then the background wasn't looking quite right.  Of course, now that I see it here, I don't feel so strongly about it, but at the time....well, I was concerned.

Here it starts to go downhill.  (There are several revisions I am not posting.)

And then I lose her face.  Oh no.  So I set Mikki aside and debate on whether to keep on or give up this painting.

Then a funny thing happened: I decided to "do or die."  After beginning the piece for the Celebration show, and after having Susan B. come help me for the past two months, a load has been lifted off of my shoulders AND now I'm WANTING to get into the studio. 

 I e-mailed my client in January and told her briefly I was having trouble and e-mailed again yesterday to let her know maybe it was time to give up, but I was going for one last gasp.  Although she is particular, she has been very patient and supportive.  Just before getting into the studio,  I picked up my copy of Art Calendar magazine that just came in the mail to find an article about color.  Without going into the detail, it was like a light bulb blazing above my brain.  No, it was like a slap upside the back of my head.  DUH! YES!  All the things I knew about color, but  this article inadvertently addressed my issues.  So I went back into the studio, pulled out the paints I knew would begin to work and Whoa! it happened.  

I wish this photo was brighter in color, but I painted for two days and took this image in late afternoon when the light was not ideal.  But look at the face.  :-) 

 Sometimes we hit a roadblock and we just need to reenergize. Maybe it was a normal evolution of this painting and I couldn't get past it.  I don't know.  I do know this;  I'm in my studio more often and longer plus while Susan is here doing office tasks.   She told me this afternoon she can see the energy has changed for me while I work.  She has noticed I'm focusing on the painting and sees the progress.  What an angel. 

I don't know what my client will want to do.  But I am thrilled.  And I can't wait to get back to work and conquer this piece.  Even if just for me. 

Finding the Joy again

Last year I realized I had to make some changes in the studio, from record-keeping issues, to dealing with my pack-rat tendencies to how I approached my painting.  I was going to paint only commissions and leave behind my other work, with few exceptions. 

Two out of three issues were dealt with successfully.  I hired a part-time office manager who has been a godsend and a delight.  Susan B. is the one who helped me get started on tackling my studio organization skills (see January blog) and I'm now proud to say my studio has been clutter free (ok, not for the compulsively tidy, but for ME it is) for two months.  On the business side, Susan is organizing all my scattered bits of info into a database.  What a time-consuming job it has turned out to be and I'm very happy to pay her to do it.  It has given me extra time to paint.

Concentrating only on commission work did not go so well.  I reached a point where I avoided going into the studio and when I got there, I'd paint a bit, then leave.  My heart wasn't in it.  Difficult commissions made it harder to find the enthusiasm.  I hit a block. My plan to complete commissions was backfiring.  I wanted to try some new work, but felt guilty if I didn't work on the commission pieces.   I didn't stop painting, but any artist will tell you that if you aren't with the painting, the work is awful.  So I hoped for inspiration and painted when I found it.

This weekend I began a new painting for a show at Riverview Gallery in Portsmouth. My friend and the co-owner Wayne will be celebrating 12 years in his space.  Since Wayne was the first person to afford gallery space to me that first year, I work with him on special occasion projects whenever I can.

Yes, I have commissions underway. But I wanted to do this for Wayne.  I had an image from an art opening, taken by my friend and photographer Lynda Richardson, that I wanted to paint.  Oh boy!  I had that drawn and in progress in just a few hours.  I was loving it.  ! The canvas was right, the image spoke to me, colors were happening and I suddenly realized what I had been missing this past year.  The joy.  The JOY in painting.  The sheer delight in seeing something happen that is totally mine....no collaborating, no input from someone else, no pressure to please a client or stress to finish, to move on to the next commission.  Just painting in the moment and NOT worrying about whether another person will like it or not.  I hope this translates back to the commissions, but I do know this; I can't give up painting for me.

( in progress) 

Getting work done - Ditto

With all this snow (ugh! NOT a fan) I've been able to get into the studio to paint a bit more than usual.  It's always wonderful to get into the groove of working and feel/see a painting come to fruition.  Two are near the completion stage, but alas one is regressing.



This is Ditto - the handsome Rottie that I was able to meet and photograph a few years back.  Sometimes it happens that a client has an elderly pet, so I take the photos early on and file them away until it is time for that piece to be painted.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this piece, from the many sketches through the painting on canvas.  The clients are so generous with their input and easy to work with and very importantly, the images speak to me.   I can picture this boy's big head and sweet demeanor when I work on him.

If left to my own devices, I prefer not to do a head shot (with the exception of my small square panels).  It seems too "portraity" for me.  I had many photos of Ditto and his entire body, which was massive and impressive.  His markings, as in all Rotties, are distinctive.  This client wanted to see him up close and it was the right decision. It was his expression and his eyes that spoke to his humans.  If I had done a full figure, you would not have seen his sweet expression so well. In the end, that is what is important to my client.   Ditto will be finished in a few more sessions.

As for the other two paintings, I'll talk about those later.

Welcome to my newest blog followers.  :-)

February is Here

I continue to slowly incorporate changes into my home studio habits.  It's staying tidy and when I do walk in to work there,  it's welcoming.  I am having issues with wanting to work - I'd rather do my own pieces than commissions, but commission work calls.  So I struggle as an artist with the need to be creative and the obligation to produce.  It can be overwhelming and sometimes lately I just turn around and don't do any work at all.  Counterproductive and something I'm working hard on dealing with.

In the meantime, Susan B. continues to come here once a week to put my files and records in order.  She has been a godsend.  For the many hours she has put in, I'd have taken twice as long.  We finally have most of my art images on the MAC and most of my client list moved as well.  And we're using the eArtist application to pull it all together.

So I'll upload "Sprite."  This is an acrylic on panel which I actually did last May, but am now donating to the Richmond SPCA for an auction. (if you are local - it's a good cause!)

The panel is wood (ash, I think) and 4 x 4 inches.  Tinier than I usually work, but seemed right for a tiny dog.

Just for fun. This is my porch.  Those are my cars under snow. 

I'm really not fond of snow or cold, BUT, I've been able to get more done while inside. 

Studio Energy

This past Friday was our monthly 4th Friday Opening night.  Mike and I always have the studio open for those who wander over from their visit to Art Works next door or Art Space within Plant Zero.  We both went in exhausted and cranky from the week just ending, but it didn't take long for us to get into gear and enjoy the rest of the evening.

We both noted how much the studio along with our guests and other artists energize us.  I set up my easel and began a new painting and painted for most of the night.   It's fun to be able to share the birth of a piece with anyone who wants to watch.  I love the questions.  How do you decide the color?  Why do you paint in layers?  What makes you choose your subject matter?  Even though it is officially a "work night" for us, it's more of a social event.
A cocktail party where I get to wear jeans!  yahoo.

Mike greeted visitors and wandered around to see what else was happening.  Several times we were asked if we were married to one another.  I think we get along so well as studio-roomies (it's been a year now) and we mesh well as artists, it does lead some to wonder.  We like to give the emphatic "no way!" but really, I enjoy sharing the studio with Mike.  (shhhhh- don't tell him I said that).

At the end of the evening, when things wind down, we get to hang out with assorted friends and fellow artists.  I look forward to those moments.
If you haven't been out, we're there every 4th Friday night of every month, but December.

The Art Software

My friend and fellow artist Susan Singer has asked me to share my quest for a program to help me keep my records straight.

I'll start with my needs so it all makes sense.  I have over 130 images and counting.  I create notecards and have a monthly income from those sales.  I sell prints on request, due to the number of images available.  I paint on commission, so I have a large database of clients and a wait list to refer to.  I keep a mailing list that is organized into various categories.  In addition I have gallery and retail contacts.  Lastly, I keep track of when and where I met someone.  So I want a program to keep all of that information stored in one place and that has the ability to link most anything if needed.  (For example, if I do a show in another city, I would like to be able to organize a postcard campaign via zip codes.  Or if I sell a print, I'd like to link the image, the print and the client together, yet also keep the print edition and image in their own files)

I have used and liked Working Artist, which is on my old PC.  It is not MAC compatible, so I had to find another option.  First I went to Google and searched for programs for artists.  That led me to a variety of options, so I became more specific and looked for office management software for artists.  Then I found most were not MAC compatible, so I added in for MAC.  That led me to just a few.  I also had an article from a favorite art magazine that had a few listings.

I downloaded trial versions of eArtist  http://www.artscope.net/eArtist/
and Artist's Butler  http://www.lynnsoft.net/
and currently am also using a trial version of the made-for-MAC Bento http://www.filemaker.com/products/bento/features.html.

All are quite useful and none are perfect.  eArtist seemed the most complete for my needs, although not as easy to use or navigate as I would like.  Artist's Butler was the easiest to use and was no doubt designed for a MAC by and for an artist.  I came close to purchasing, but there was no way to keep track of prints that made sense for the number of images I have.  Combine that with the print size options  and attaching a sale to a client, then I would have had to create multiple, unlinked records.  Otherwise, it was just about the perfect program.  And Lynn at Lynnsoft answered my e-mailed questions within hours.  (nice!)

Then I discovered Bento.  It's a fun program and easy to use, with template options in the program and downloadable for free from other Bento users, but I'm seeing that I'd still have to create databases elsewhere and link them.  I like the ease of use in Bento, (oh, drag and drop, how I love my MAC!) and may just purchase it for other purposes at home, but for now eArtist is the program of choice.  I only wish it weren't quite so, I don't know, "officy."  If another program came along that met most of my needs and was simpler to use, I'd probably switch in a heartbeat. ( I'll keep my eye on you, Artist's Butler.)

Thanks, Susan, for the blog-sharing idea.  And thank you to Susan B. who is the one actually DOING all this data entry and organizing for me.

New Post

This is going to be short and sweet.  I've learned now you need to be careful what title you give a post.  Apparently the word "managing" has triggered those itchy little spammers from unnamed countries to bombard me with unintelligible, non-sensical English.   Which is why I moderate comments.  Not to block out the negative (which thankfully I have yet to receive) but to keep out the crazy and profane.

geesh.

Managing my Records

So, what I've been doing this afternoon between my morning and evening class is trying to figure out which artist record-keeping program I want to invest in.  I could spend anywhere from $30 - $700 +.  Which is astounding to me.

I just want a way to keep track of my inventory of art and my clients, and sometimes merge the two.  I need mailing list options and print edition records, plus a way to track where everything is.  It wasn't hard to narrow down my options.  I'm NOT paying $700 for a program really intended for gallery use.  And most programs do not work on a MAC.  So now Susan B. and I are each working the free-trial-options on the two most likely programs to do the trick.

This is exactly the kind of thing that eats into my studio time and annoys me beyond my tolerance level.
Yet, it must be done.  !

Was I whining?  hmphhh.  maybe so.  I'll go do some sketches.

New Year in - Old Year out

In 2010, I will hand over my day to day business to Susan B., my office manager. 

I have come to realize I can NOT do it all.  I can do it all well, just not at the same time.  And as Susan said the first day we met, if I keep spending my time doing business, I won't have a business to run.  She nailed it.  

Thankfully I saw where I was headed and unfortunately I waited as long as I did to remedy the situation. But, in waiting, I met the right match for me in Susan.  I can see us getting the day to day issues back under control so that I am freed up to paint more.  THAT excites me and I can't wait to be in the studio on a regular basis. 

In 2010 I will spend more time painting.  

I have commissions to work on and personal goals to achieve and projects I'm dying to undertake and new techniques to explore.  

 In 2010 I will take care of my body. 

My body fought me for a good part of the last decade.  It seems to think that as I age it's supposed to give up.  My brain disagrees, regardless of what the mirror and scales try to tell me every day.  So I'll continue with yoga to keep my spine healthy and I'll continue at the gym to keep my muscles strong and my goal this year is to remove some of the fat grams from my belly.  oh, I didn't say I was giving up chocolate, did I?  NO I did NOT. 

In 2010 I will take care of my inner peace. 

I have worked diligently to let go of yesterdays.  Not forget, because that is foolish. But let go of those things that like to wallow in the brain.  Live in the moment and make more of the moment I'm in.   I will nourish that which is positive and eliminate that which is negative in my life from my life, whether it be a person or a thing.  That person or thing may not be bad, just bad for me.  I will practice "moving on."


I am looking forward to what may come in 2010. 

From this in 2009

                                                                                       To this in 2010

A Whole Week Disappeared.

I see it has been an entire week since my last post.  I'm trying to do better than that and hope to improve in the New Year.

Let's see - since last time I've received my new easel and work station.  Although the studio is still in disarray, you can see both here.  The easel is in the back left corner and the work station is in the center of the room.  My old easel is to the left in front and the first easel my parents gave me when I was around 10 years old, give or take, is against the bare, back wall. The old easel has my two current commission pieces on it and there is a double-sketch for a client on the floor.  I usually work in a cluttered space, but now that the room is in upheaval as I learn to sort and organize, it's driving me crazy!

Shortly after the easel and workstation arrived, we had a snowfall of 12 inches.  Here is a portion of my backyard (Which 6 days later is STILL covered in white. Look at the snow pile in the chair by the tree.)  Perfect time to paint, no? Well, yes, but I had to spend the time cleaning house for guests, baking and finishing up Christmas shopping when I was able to get out.  I'm finally caught up and plan to go paint, even if for an hour.  Snow really slows everything down.  Taking the dogs outside takes twice as long - the snow boots, the ice.  Driving anywhere took forever, watching out for black ice and worrying about the other drivers.  My husband was sideswiped on a main, undivided highway!  Scary stuff.

I'm looking forward to getting past the holidays and to the snow disappearing.  My office organizer will arrive on Tuesday for our second round of working together.  I can't wait to see how she envisions dealing with what is now an even more disheveled room than the one she left!  And I am anxious to complete some paintings.

Working on it

I'm getting there.
I ordered a "work station" to help organize my supplies and minimize the clutter in my workspace.
I ordered a big new easel (Merry Christmas to me!) to keep two paintings going at once and to accommodate larger pieces.

My new COO to Go arrives in the morning to help me get my act together and learn my business.  The goal is to eventually have her handle the time-consuming, necessary desk work and minutiae that overwhelms me while I, clueless to the world, blissfully paint away.  Well, we'll see how that works out.

Here is one shot of my supply table.  The cat is not always included, but it's typical of some of my workspace. I even have another table in front of that one to hold my palette and another to my left to keep my references, an extra palette, tubes of paint, notes, and more.
 I'll post more before and after pics.  I can't bring myself to put them up all at once.

The hardest part of this is taking the time to actually organize.  I feel guilty!  A catch-22:  needs to be done, don't have the time to do.  ughhh.

Clutter

I am a pack-rat.
I collect things.
I have difficulty letting go.
I might need them someday.  The things.
Why pay for the same thing later when I have it now?  I can save it for later.
It's hard to throw away useful items.  Never mind that I may not be using them.
Too much stuff clutters my creative space - mentally and physically.

Oh, I bet you artists and boomers can relate.

I want a new easel.
I need to do my Christmas cards.
I MUST finish some paintings.
I want to curl up with a book.
I need to clean house.
I MUST finish my Christmas shopping.

What, exactly, is wrong with wanting Peace on Earth.  and a kitten?

I did say, "...with Stay Musings on Occasion."

Raining Cats and Dogs

Ha!  Well, it IS raining.  Again. Endlessly. Ceaselessly.  INCESSANTLY.
Please stop!!
My dogs have to be hosed down after every outdoor venture these days.  Sheesh.  All I can say is that come spring, our plants better bloom and grow like mad.

Above is a painting I'm doing for fun for me in my "spare time."  A style change for sure.

Here are a couple of pieces I've been working on for awhile.  They are in a rough phase now.   Several revisions later, they'll be completed soon, at least that's the goal.

The top one is Plum the kitty and the bottom one is Mikki the Golden Retriever.

On another note, the opening night for Castillo and Company was more successful than I imagined.  We had a huge crowd visit our portion of the gallery at Crossroads Art Center (the Caboose Gallery.)  I'm quite proud of the show and everyone who is participating.  If you haven't seen it yet, it will be on view until early January.  Many of my students do take commission work.  I shamelessly promote them all - they are excellent painters.

Castillo and Company

Wednesday

So the show is hung and I have a day to catch up with blogs and Facebook and sketches and stuff.  Plus go to the gym, cut the grass - yep, that's catching up!  yikes.






I was tickled to finish a piece I've been tackling off and on for a few months.  In my "spare" time.
This is "Running Buddies" and is my husband and youngest pup, caught napping after a run one morning.

Yesterday, with the help of Marcia, I got the show Castillo and Company mostly completely ready.  Still have to get tags and bios and such printed and applied.  We have 14 artists with 43 pieces on display.  I am really proud of all my students, their work and this show.


Now, off to my home studio to finish up some sketches.

Shows and Commissions and Classes, oh my!

Another busy week is ahead.

My fall newsletter is out. If you are interested in receiving a newsletter pop me an email and I'll gladly put you on my email list.

We returned early from what should have been a week on the Outer Banks. In case you missed it, a Nor'easter began blowing in on Tuesday and eventually wreaked havoc on the OBX, as well as in Virginia. So we decided it was best to pack up the dogs and the van and come home before the wind blew us off the roads.

I've spent the rest of my "vacation" time prepping for the show opening this Friday night - Castillo and Company. I am so proud of this show. It's the first one I have organized and mostly showcases the work of my talented students. It also includes a few of my paintings and that of fellow artists Mike Keeling and Hugh Harris. Some of my students are exhibiting artists as well. Even though others are beginners, they are all astoundingly talented. I hope to post photos as soon as the show is ready. The event is posted on Facebook.

I never stop working on commissions and have several in progress again. I hadn't intended for that to happen, but when a few clients didn't respond right away, I skipped to the next client. Before I knew it, ALL responded. (this was several months ago) So yes, I have multiple pieces in various stages of progress. Hoping to get Mikki completed first on canvas, then move on to completing Plum and getting the rest out of the sketch phase following that.

Lastly, classes start up again this week. Just a short class this time around, but come January I'll be offering 3 options, including a daytime class.

So, now that I have caught up the blog with pertinent info, time to get back to painting and getting this exhibit ready.

Saying Goodbye

A month has passed and I have neglected my blog. It turned out to be a month of events and unexpected news. Painting was sporadic, but continued nevertheless.

I try to keep my personal life separate from my art life, but sometimes one affects the other.

Saying Goodbye.

A good friend of 26 years left us a few weeks ago. All too soon. I know she isn’t the first to die too young (I happen to think 70 is too young), but she is the first among my many enduring friendships to go.

I met my friend Terry the first year I taught at a neighborhood school in Virginia Beach. I’ll never forget that day, as there were many of us who became longtime friends that year. Our principal had all of us in a faculty meeting share “how I spent my summer vacation” with one another as an ice-breaker for the newbies and to allow the returning faculty play a quick game of catch-up. We all rolled our eyes and thought about what to share, or not. It was Terry who made the biggest impression as she announced “I got married!” to the surprise of most everyone.

I mention that, because that marriage became a lasting and lovely testament to love, respect and admiration among two people. They adored one another. I not only have cried over my loss of a friend, but for his tremendous loss of his soul mate.

Terry was there for me when I went through my divorce from my first husband many years ago. I puppysat and housesat for her while she and Bobby took trips together. She and Bobby had the most beautiful home and opened it graciously to me. It was a paradise to me and a place where I would draw and paint during those housesitting times.

Terry was an excellent teacher who touched the lives of many children. She had the same effect on all who entered her life and more profoundly on those of us she called friend. And that is a good many people, as it turns out. She had a heart of gold, listened intently, and made all of us feel like we were the most important person in her life. Her sense of humor was keen and crisp, but never biting or harsh. She could tell a story and have us all rolling in laughter or chuckling knowingly at her take on life.

Terry was instrumental in keeping together the group of us who had forged a special friendship at school. We became the Lunch Bunch, and at least once a year for probably the past 20 years we would get together to share our lives, our trips, our failures and our successes. I don’t recall Terry ever missing a single Lunch Bunch. The next gathering will be, well, I don't know how it will be.

Dear Terry, May your energy be sent into the Universe, to be used for the highest purpose and greater good. May your star shine brightly as your memory lives on in our hearts. We miss you.

Fall Season Blending

It is that time of year when I juggle yard work with art work and whatever else comes along. It can be frustrating, but since I have learned, more recently than I should admit, that I can only be in the present moment, I don't worry about what I'm NOT doing and focus on what I AM doing. It's my fall season blending...a little of this here, a little of that there.

Trying to fit it all in is a challenge. I know I'm not alone, but holy cow...I remember days when I would actually wonder, "what shall I do today?" An eternity ago.