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.

One of those Random Posts

I hated missing the 43rd Street Arts Festival in Richmond this year. I had many of you tell me you missed seeing my work. Believe me, I only "skipped out" because I attended the wedding of a nephew that evening in North Carolina. Which was a beautiful mixture of southern tradition and contemporary fun. The couple is just adorable and I was tickled to see the men, as well as the bride, in Toms shoes. No heels under a gown fit for Scarlett O'Hara for my new niece. Back to the subject, I hear it was a beautiful day in Richmond and 43rd Street was well-attended. It's my intention to return next year, if accepted back in.

Last night was busier than anticipated at 4th Fridays in Manchester. I saw a few old friends from Tidewater (Hampton Roads shall forever be Tidewater in my heart) who came in on a charter bus with fellow members of Chesapeake Bay Artists Association to see their own group show at Art Works. Thank you to all who wandered over to Studio 8 for a visit.

Later, fellow artist Susan and her husband popped in late and we have decided to paint out of our comfort zone. Soon she and I shall meet and do landscapes. ! I'm dying to have the opportunity to explore and grow. I love painting my pups and kitties, but I've been doing it for so long, I need to tackle something new. It will help me to be a better painter and is always energizing and refreshing. AFTER the upheaval and cursing, that is. (I really despise painting landscapes and even more doing so outdoors. But I shall persevere.)

Classes are underway and I am so excited that 3 of my students are branching out and exploring other subject matter. Hmmm, I just caught the connection there. Maybe there is an energy out there calling to some of us right now. Well, here is to taking the next step.

On another note, I had the opportunity to see the show Flesh Made Paint just before it closed at the Phillips Collection in D.C. I understand it has moved to New York. If at all possible and you are an artist, or even if not, it is one of the most fabulous shows I've seen. It can be found via google. ooooh, ahhhh. amazing.

I'm going to end this post with an image from one of my customers. I am so glad one of my random photos become painting found its rightful home. You can see in this photo that Diesel is admiring his newly acquired portrait, titled Taking Notice.

I take photos of dogs whenever I do an outdoor show. Then I paint the images that speak to me, usually for exhibit or as demonstrations for my students and workshops. This pup caught my eye with his unusual eye patch, so YEAH, I took pics and painted him.

In the meantime, his owner contacted me about commission work. I sadly relayed that I wasn't taking on new commissions. This particular person would check in from time to time to see if I was ready to take on a new commission. I didn't make the connection right away and I had no idea at the time that this person contacting me was the dad of the dog I wound up painting later for fun. Thankfully I often make notes about the photos I take if the owners are willing to chat with me at the time. And sometimes I even check those notes. :-)

This ends happily a year and various e-mails later (yep, I didn't say I was quick.) Once I connected the dots I contacted the pup's owner to let him know I had actually already painted his dog. Once he saw the pic, he confirmed. A painting I did at random was united with the pup's humans. How sweet is that?

I've neglected my Blog!

Well, September is here and I have neglected my blog. This is a quick post to catch up with basics and then more posts will follow.

Classes have begun again at Crossroads and at the studio. It's good to see everyone and be back.

This Friday night will be 4th Fridays in Manchester and as always, our Studio 8 at Plant Zero will be open for you to visit. No special plans this month, but Mike has been working on new paintings he'd love to show off.

I spent more of August working on home projects than I had anticipated, plus took a sweet beach vacation that was most wonderful and much needed. I pulled out my crayons and sketch book for the first time in several years. Lastly, I spent my creative time in August working on sketches for several commission clients and I'll soon be putting about 5 new commission pieces on canvas. Then there is Mikki who is in the final stages of completion. So, while things didn't go quite as planned, which is soooooo typical of my daily life, it was a kind and gentle August for the first time in several years.

Ahhhhhhhh.

End of August

It's nearing the end of August. I had hoped to accomplish more, but am tickled I got as much done in the studio as I did. Not too unexpectedly, household projects took their share of my time. Nevertheless, here are two pieces in progress.

This one is Sundance.

And this one is Micki, Tess's companion.

Sundance is a small 8 inch square panel and Micki is a larger painting on canvas.

Ditto, Plum and King are all in the sketch phase and I'll post their images as soon as each makes it to canvas.

Remember this Friday night, the 28th, is 4th Friday celebrating the arts in Manchester, downtown Richmond and we'll have the studio open with our guest artist exhibiting for the first time. We're pretty excited about that. See the Art Tails info in the column to your right.

My latest e-mail newsletter has been sent out. If you didn't get it and would like to, email me and I'll get it to you asap. If you do not have my email, visit my website and you'll find a way to contact me.

Lastly, I'll soon be setting down the brushes for a much anticipated week on the beach. Yay!! Then back to work and classes begin. I need another month of summer. Any way we can order that, for takeout?

Good Energy Good Month

So much happening in a month that was meant to be quiet and productive for me. Productive it is, but in ways I had not anticipated.

Last night I attended a meeting with a diverse group of artists representing an array of media - from actors to painters to writers and an architect, and my favorite of the night; a professional pumpkin carver. The energy was relaxed yet invigorating. Bringing so many together to network and share knowledge and ideas was for me just what the doctor ordered. Wow.

You can follow this group on Blogger

http://www.collaborativearts.blogspot.com/

and once I remember how to, I'll include it in my sidebar here.

Carley is another commission completed which goes home this weekend. She's a precious King Charles Spaniel. As with all of my images notecards are available and prints by request.

More commissions are in various stages - from sketches awaiting approval to Tess, progressing nicely. Tess hasn't been seen by her humans yet, so still no post for that one.

Lastly, my studio partner Mike and I are trying something different. We have invited our first guest artist to show her work in our studio. We always open the studio on the 4th Friday of every month, and my student and friend Shirley Silberman is looking forward to her artistic debut in August. Hopefully I also figure out how to post her invites, but you can read more on my Facebook page or look for the event titled Art Tails. Shirley's style and work has intrigued me from the day I met her and I am proud to show off her work at The Eight, our Plant Zero space.

Time for a Break

So, more sketches and paintings are now in progress and I'm gonna take a break and put my toes in the sand for a bit.

Before I leave, I'm going to share something I've been pondering that puzzles me greatly.

I paint in color. You can't miss what I do and how I do it. I do not paint in realistic color....I interpret with color. I assume people are drawn to my work largely because of the color, or if they want one of my paintings, they know I'll be using unusual color. So I am baffled when a client (and it's been more than one) asks me to paint their commission piece in realistic colors. For me it's like saying "I love what you do, but do something different." And I do accommodate the requests to some degree. After all I want my client happy. But my best paintings are the ones where I have the most freedom to let the subject matter speak to me.

Similarly not too many months ago, I took my paintings out of a gallery that was not successful in selling for me. The gallery director, upon my leaving, thanked me for bringing my work and told me how much he and his clientele loved seeing what I do. And that he'd love for me to bring more work in the future if I desired. And that maybe I should do landscapes.

Now, I was feeling pretty good and ready to thank him profusely until that last sentence.

Huh? I dunno.

Would you ask a landscape artist to paint green dogs? A portrait painter to draw bowls of fruit?

Again....I dunno.

Share your thoughts if you are so inclined.

Moving on in the Studio

Tess will be delivered this weekend.  Her companion Micki is now underway.  Carley is nearly finished.  

So, worried I would be in a lull a couple of weeks ago with the pending completion of current work,  I contacted those next in line for a painting.  Got a photo shoot done.  Contacted the next person and didn't hear back.  So I contacted the next person.  And response was slow in coming.  So I contacted the next person and got in another photo shoot.

Oh, you know what happened next. 

ALL of them made decisions at once, so now I have 3 simultaneously waiting for sketches.  and yet a 4th person to get back to me about photos. yikes.  It'll be a busy August, but it's manageable.  The good news is the wait list gets shorter and shorter. 

In the meantime, classes have ended for the summer so I can enjoy uninterrupted painting (theoretically, that is) and get in some beach time.  Classes will start up again in September. 

Lastly,  I'm still transferring e-mail addresses manually to my new computer.  Once I have that done, a newsletter will be forthcoming.  Are you on the wait list and haven't received an update? Don't hesitate to call or e-mail me.  It's quicker for me to respond to your request than for me to send out updates. 

  

Tess is DONE!

Finally.  I have completed sweet Tess.  I'll probably keep tweaking til it leaves the studio ( or rather til the varnish goes on) but I am done.  Yahoo!  

Am working on a spaniel for my next client and waiting for decisions from several clients after that.  It's nice to be in a groove and have a gentle pace.  

This is Carley.   In progress.