Miss Tess

This is Tess.  Another painting nearly completed. 

Tess has been among the most difficult paintings I've ever taken on.  Just looking at it you wouldn't know, but she is a composite of many different photos.  Her human wanted to see Tess's quirks and special features, her love for her ball and her curved paw, and capturing them all in one photo just didn't happen. I had a really hard time getting a good photo of Tess, as she is a very shy creature, hates the camera and is elderly, too boot.  Meeting Tess helped tremendously and a second visit later helped cement what we ( Tess's mom and I)  thought would make a good composition. The elements would have to come from several photos, a few of mine, a few of hers. 

And that was the easy part.  

This is one of those pieces that I had to work on some, set away for awhile, work on other paintings,  get input from my client, work some more, wait some more, etc.  Getting proportions correct when doing a composite is a huge challenge alone.  Adding to that was my leaning to certain colors that my client wasn't so fond of, so finding what worked for both of us and compromising along the way was a learning experience for the artist's side of me.  I got it from a customer/personal point of view.  But once I hit the palette and easel, it's another thing entirely. 

Complicating this even more for me was my client's keen and critical eye.  When I would ask about one item of concern, she would find another few to point out.  Not that that is a bad thing, it's just that for me, I had my head wrapped around solving one issue and next I knew I had a few more to consider at the same time that I didn't see.   Again, I learned a lot about being in my head and communicating that compared to a client seeing something with fresh eyes and what pops out for them.  

Honestly, there were times when I didn't EVER want to look at this painting again.  ( Since I'm blogging about my experiences,  only posting the good moments would be unrealistic.)

Thankfully, my client was much more laid back than she may sound here.  She simply says what she thinks and while that was hard, it was helpful.  She also has given me time to "get it right" so we are both pleased with the outcome.  How long has that been?  Over a year.  Really.  

I'm back to a place where I'm painting Tess daily, working on the details and not minding a bit. I see progress and am feeling satisfied with the results. It's a good place for an artist to be. 

I'll post the completed piece, after I say "I'm done" and after Tess's mom says "Yes, you are."  

I want her to look at the painting every day and be able to say "That's my Tess."  

Another One Completed

Yay.  Another painting completed and ready to deliver.  

Yay.  Printed my first notecard successfully using the MAC, Print Shop and my trusty Epson printers.   ( that's a huge step in my Mac learning curve) 

Accomplishments abound so I dance with glee.  !! 

This is Ella and Ali, two beautiful black labs who live together.   Once their human and I agreed on a format, this painting was a joy to do.  It was challenging with all the dark hair, various highlights and way too many blades of grass to even contemplate replicating,  but fun to paint.  Originally there were to be pots of geraniums or hydrangeas included, then perhaps more landscaping, but it all distracted from the pups, so away all that went.  Sometimes a simple presentation is all ya need. 

Although I don't include much personal info here, I am quite proud of myself for returning to the gym after a nearly 10 year hiatus.  I splurged to hire a personal trainer, but it's been well worth the expense to get back into the groove.   What does this have to do with painting?  Well, if I am going to continue painting for more than an hour or two at a time, then I need to get back into shape.  Really, don'tcha need biceps to hoist a loaded paint brush? :-)  

Seriously, I just felt the need to find what muscles I had left and make them work again.  Yoga helped me get to where I am now so adding the gym workout seemed to be the next logical step.   So far, so good.  

Short Notes

Geez, already mid-June.  This is just a catching up post. 

I've taken the leap and decided not to do any more festival shows this season.  I won't get back out on the circuit again until next spring.  The economy is making sales slow, there are too many commissions waiting to be done and I'm in a groove.  It's good to see the paintings evolving and even better when I deliver one.  

My classes have started back up again as well.  So yep, some new work may come from demos, but most work will be commission pieces.  

I will be hosting a show and exhibiting around the holidays this year, so stay tuned for that.  

Since it is summer, I'll also be taking time off to spend with my husband and friends on vacations.  Can NOT wait to put my toes in some warm sand. !!   We just spent our first weekend trip in the mountains with my oldest sister, visiting old family haunts and giving Ernie his first look at my parents' home town.  

Week's End

The Lucy's Day event at Cooper Vineyards was well attended last Saturday and Sunday was a pleasant day that included a Blessing of the Animals.  Several of the SPCA dogs and a cat found new adoptive homes.  Here's one fella that wasn't adopted, but isn't he the cutest thing?  He's a sweetie, too.  

I'm working on commission paintings one at a time these days.  I'm finding that my former style of doing several in various stages isn't working for me any longer.  It once was helpful to back away from a piece and see it with fresh eyes later, so I'd work on another in the meantime.  Now it just seems distracting,  and I think I'm working more steadily than before.  Well, at least I think that's the case.  Anyway, Miss Lucy from the previous blog post goes home tomorrow and I'm now working on completing the next two pieces to go to their homes.  Ali and Ella and the sweetest lab named Tess are overdue to their owners.  And a wedding present begun two years ago for a nephew is waaaay overdue. 

I'm still learning the MAC and we have a love/hate relationship.  Most of the time I love it, but when I have an issue I can't seem to easily track down the problem like with a pc.  Basically, the MAC seems to think it has control and humans are idiots.   Solutions are pretty black and white or not at all.  ugh. I know my way around a pc, so I find that frustrating.  I do love the One on One training available at the MAC store....that's the best thing ever.  And the large screen with the resolution is awesome.  

I'm thinking about foregoing all shows for the rest of the year until next spring, to concentrate on painting and teaching.  It's a tough decision, but with a wedding falling on the date of my best selling show and paintings to complete, it seems like a plan.   I'm anxious to begin exploring some new things other than commissions as well.  Working with new paints, mediums, textures and styles has been something I've tackled off and on for two years. It's time to dive in and see where I land.  

Catching Up

I'm learning the new MAC fairly rapidly and finally have my old computer up and running.  I can now read old e-mails and have access once again to my notecards, photos, artwork, etc.  I was a little panicky there for a bit.  Thankfully I have a wonderful computer-geek neighbor Jim who came to my rescue and fixed me up.  

The e-mail thing has me a little frustrated.  I don't want to download to the old computer and I need to reply or make contact on the new computer.  It's time consuming, but it'll all work out. Who knew how much impact a lost computer could have on an art business?  

  

I got back into the studio this week.  I'm completing remaining commissions in progress ( 3 to go) and look forward to getting organized again.  This nearly complete piece is a beagle named Lucy, but not the same Lucy  from Cooper Vineyards that I've done before.  I love this painting. It's quite large and the image is striking.  This particular client simply gave me her color preferences and chose the photo reference and left me to do the rest.  Sketches for another client are on the to-do list in addition to those other two commissions. 

This weekend, speaking of Lucys, is Lucy's Day at Cooper Vineyards.  I'll be there Sat. and Sun. with artwork and notecards.  This SPCA benefit is in honor of Lucy, a beagle found on the side of the road after being hit by a car and adopted by Jacque Hogge of Cooper Vineyards.  The SPCA will have their wagon with adoptable pups and kittens, there are often other vendors with various goods from food to soap, there is usually an auction of items and of course, Cooper wines to taste and purchase.  (my faves are the Noche and the Coopertage and always the Sangria...yum!)  Please come say hello and make a purchase.  Proceeds of Cooper sales are donated to the SPCA.  

New Computer - huge learning curve!

I have a brand new Mac. 

 I've taken the plunge after 4 days of staring at new computers in various stores and asking everyone from salespeople to tech support to friends about what to purchase...a Mac or another PC ?  Hey, it was a lot of $$$ so I had to compare. 

I fell in love with the Mac for it's modern look and ease of use.  Plus it's all built into the screen...no more huge computer sitting on the floor.  Yay.  Yet I think I'll miss the PC and the range of programs available, and the familiarity.  This morning I took my external hard drive to the Apple store and said "prove to me how easy it will be to transfer my files. "  and they did.  That is what sold me.  And the fact that I don't have to deal with Vista vs. XP on windows !! ( ya listening Bill?) 

 But it is still different so I think it'll take a bit to become adjusted and fully functioning. 

For the time being I'm still without my former e-mails and addresses, but I do have access to anything new.  And hopefully I'll figure out how to download into my new mail program before the weekend is over. 

Now I have about 4 days of lost painting time to make up.  !!  

Good Show - Bad Computer

Thank you to all who came out to the Gosport Arts Festival and helped make the weekend a success. In spite of horribly hot and humid conditions on Saturday, those who came enjoyed the show. Sunday was gorgeous to make up for the day before.

On another note, my home and business computer has decided to die a slow death. While I can turn it on, I cannot get it to function, so currently I do not have access to e-mails, addresses, client information or photos. Yes, the files are backed up, but with no functioning format, they aren't accessible. For those trying to contact me, the best way is by phone, mail or via Crossroads Art Center. I'll be back online as soon as a new computer is delivered by the tech stork.

SHOWTIME

It's time for Gosport Arts Festival. This weekend, May 9 and 10. Portsmouth, VA.

Millie Johnson, the show organizer, is celebrating her 25th anniversary on the show festival scene . If you haven't been to Portsmouth, the show is off the waterfront. Downtown is a charming place to visit and there are plenty of places to grab a bite or shop, in addition to all the wonderful art you will see up and down High St. A great place to take Mom for mother's day.

Visit the website www.gosportartsfestival.com for more details on the show. I'll be in booth C29.
Next to good friend and artist Hugh Harris. My ever helpful Ernie will be with me, and we're looking forward to a great weekend.

Rambling Thoughts

Thanks to everyone who came out last 4th Friday night. It was a slow night, but it was beautiful out, so who can blame anyone for indulging in drinks on the patio instead? Here are a couple of photos of the newly updated and clean studio.

On another topic:
I make no secret of the fact that I spend most of April and May painting and prepping for the shows I attend. I suspend my classes for a month. Commission work isn't set aside, but it isn't my priority for that period of time. I basically reverse my usual tactics - I work on new pieces for show and do the commissions between drying times and to change up what I'm seeing. Typically it's the other way round - commission work first, other work as fill-in.

I suspect some may question why I do shows if I have a backlog of commissions to do. Well, it's for the income. Also, because painting for fun is what attracted most of my clients to my work in the first place. I enjoy doing the shows, meeting people and the pets they bring, and selling my work. If I didn't love it and it wasn't a significant part of my income, I would give it up. ( well, the show part; I'd still be painting.)

It may be difficult to believe, but even though they contribute to my income, commissions aren't what brings in the cash. Notecard sales and show sales do. Commissions take longer and are more difficult, as I'm pleasing more than just me. Or attempting to do so, anyway.
So why do the commissions? Because people request them. Because I enjoy the challenge. Because making someone happy with a painting that captures their furkid is a joy.

So, these past two weeks I have been crazy painting every day, including finishing up a commission begun quite a very long time ago. It was a productive ( and tiring) period. I've spent the last two days in the "office" doing the busy work that I must to prepare for the shows. Printing business cards, postcards, notecards and small images; checking inventory, labels, supplies; reviewing the wait list to see who I might see that is on there and getting my books up to date. Oh, and a shopping trip for some new attire, too. yippee!

Like most artists, I am a one-woman operation who runs her business AND her household. I wish I could just paint and had someone to do everything else for me and keep me straight.
But, alas and again, like most artists and really like most working people, I do not. Which is why I continually thank my waiting clients for their patience. I also understand the frustration, so I do understand when anyone tires of waiting, for whatever reason. If I could paint faster, and maintain the quality, I would.

To end my ramble, I'm loving this weather and hoping we have many nice weekends to come.

4th Friday Art walk in Manchester

For all who are local fans and followers it's going to be 4th Friday on the 24th and as usual Mike and I will be in the studio to welcome all visitors and friends. Come see our new look.... totally full walls of art; some fresh off the easels. Mike and I have both been busy.
Also, visit Art Works next door and Art Space in the back of Plant Zero for opening night events. Don't forget 1212 Gallery just down the road at 12th and Hull.

Catching Up

Whew.
I finally can take a little breather and get back to a normal pace. ( I actually went shopping for a jacket on Thursday. I haven't shopped for clothes since last spring! )
The past two weeks have been non-stop working, among other things. But much was accomplished, in spite of losing one client and praying a sick family member would pull through after an unexpected surgery. I'm no different than anyone else; sometimes we just get busy and work on overload. But it always passes.

Our Fetch a cure pup named "Puptart" had her debut last night at the Fetching Art Show held at the Glave-Kocen Gallery in Richmond. ( Thank you Jennifer and BJ for offering your wonderful gallery space to benefit Fetch a Cure)
Here she is in the studio the night before delivery. Those are puptreats from the Three Dog Bakery on the side. Three Dog is our pup sponsor.
Thank you to Alicia who designed the pup and to Mike for helping us with the chalkboards ( not pictured here) that accompany the pup.

Anyone on my client wait list and e-mail newsletter list knows that every May and September I participate in various art shows. Which means I spend much of April and August working on new paintings in addition to the commission work I do. I completed 3 new paintings ahead of time for the Fetching Art Show last night ( which was a fabulous exhibit of 12 artists who have various takes on animals in art). It helped that those 3 pieces all started as demonstrations for classes and workshops. So I'm back in the studio for commission work this weekend and back to photo shoots this month. I didn't say things came to a halt; just that it's return to normal. I'll also work on a new batch of my smaller square pieces for the spring shows. Here's one painting finally complete that you may recognize from previous blog entries. The title is "On the Tip of My Tongue"

Fetch Pup

Today, I watched the pup Alicia and I worked so hard to complete ride off into the sunset. OK, so that's not true...it rode off onto a rainy interstate in the back of a lawn trailer at noon, but still....I was so proud to not only see the results of our work moving on, I was thrilled to be on time. AND I was able to deliver my paintings to the gallery for the Fetching Art Event and auction a day ahead of schedule. ( Plug here: Glave Kocen Gallery, Friday April 17, 7 p.m.
Come see art, meet artists, buy artwork, proceeds to benefit Fetch a Cure!)
Here's a preview, intentionally vague until our pup makes an official debut.

A Week of Nothing?

I'd like to see an entire week where nothing happens. Where the world shuts down and everyone takes a big inhale. No where to go, no deadlines, no expectations, no disappointments, nothing but the sun rising and setting. I'd settle for just one day. A week would be glorious.

What a Week

With no new posts this past week, you can figure it was packed busy.

Here is Miss Vegas, bone included. At least one painting was completed this week. Another 5 or so on the easels and a pup for Fetch A Cure is in progress, with co-conspirator Alicia Zatcoff. Some pics will be forthcoming, but no complete pics until the official unveiling.

Upcoming posts will be short and sweet, as my fingers are needed in the studio.

Demonstration Progress

These images show the progress of the painting I began as a demonstration for the Eastern Shore Art League last week, prior to a one day workshop.
The beginning sketch can be found on an earlier blog.


This one is the first layer of color - mostly reds and yellows, with some blue as a second layer beginning to cover the red. I intended to do a blue dog, and I like red underneath to make the blue richer and deeper in the dark areas.

This is adding more blue, bringing up details.

Here I have decided I liked the red instead of the blue.
But the background green was too dark.
Although I like the effect of that dark green
under this cobalt teal and brilliant blue mixture.

Monday Morning Questions

Well, I lied. Not on purpose. But the painting I was going to work on I did not. I began a new piece and continued another for the demonstration yesterday. Here is one. Thank you to those who came to watch. Some of you had some very good questions.

So now is a good time to address the questions I am most often asked.

How long does it take you to do a painting?
How long depends on a number of factors. The easiest to address are the size of the canvas and the scope of the painting. The larger and more detailed, the longer it may take.
Along with that comes my personal issues as an artist. Do I enjoy the painting? Is it of my choosing ( or is it a client's preference if it is a commission?) Are there things not working in the composition? And, of course, difficulty.

There is no magic formula or "how-to" when I paint. I've been asked "how do you paint a nose?" Well, I LOOK at the nose and I paint the one I see. Seems simple, but not always, and the bottom line is, for me, that I don't use any step by step "rules" when doing an object.

So the answer is - I don't know how long a painting may take. Some may be done in a matter of days, some weeks and even others, over a year. If I set a painting aside and wait, rather than struggle through and fight with it, it can often be a much better painting in the long run. If my signature goes onto a painting, I have to feel like it's the best I could do with that piece.
Thankfully, I have some very patient commission clients who understand.

How do you choose your color?
Totally random. At least in the beginning. Rarely do I ever envision a finished piece. I pretty much paint from my gut and I "listen" to the painting. Once I'm into it, of course I make thoughtful choices about how colors interact and mix, but to start? Totally random.

How do you decide on a price?
That's a tough one for every artist. After years of arbitrary choices, I decided to price per square inch. It makes sense and is consistent.
I choose a bottom line that the local and regional market will bear and yet compares to regional and national artists who also do what I do. I know what my customers will pay. I know what I need to balance the bills and remain fair to my clientele. It's a fine balancing act.

Demo Sunday at Art Works

Want to see what I do? Watch me at work? Have questions about acrylic, color or painting?

I will be doing a 45 minute demonstration of my acrylic painting style at Art Works Studios and Galleries. Sunday, March 22 promptly at noon. Come see. I'll have info about my painting classes available. After, venture over to my studio at Plant Zero, right next door. Just follow me after cleanup. Or stay and watch one of the other dozen artists demonstrating their wonderful work and techniques. See the schedule and get directions at www.artworksrichmond.com.

I'll have this painting in progress at the demonstration.

Other Things

Welcome to the new followers to my blog. Thanks for joining in.

This is gonna be a rather boring addition. No, wait, let me find an image to post. Images are always fun.
There it is. I began this, oh a year ago or so? I was working on some pieces for a demonstration I'm doing soon, and this was calling from the corner table, so I pulled this out to complete it while I had my palette open. This is my Gracie girl - official name Gracie Allen, also known as the daddy's girl ( and oh yes she very much is), pooh, poo-pie, and assorted other names. There is no title for this painting yet.

I'm a little scattered as I get organized for a workshop I'm teaching in a couple of days. I find things as I search for other things, and get distracted. Then I remember to catch up on even more other things. But, I shall be ready and even overly prepared by the time I leave. Such is the result of last minute pressure.

I haven't forgotten to finish up the tale of the collaboration. It's coming.

End of a Normal Week

It's Friday the 13th and other than a dog having an icky personal moment, which I shall not describe, it has been neither unlucky nor lucky. The week has been quite productive, so regardless of all that is left to do, I feel a sense of accomplishment. whoohoo!

For those few who wonder how my time is spent:
I've completed a painting begun quite some time ago, am catching up with those on the wait list and those wanting to be on the wait list, have taught two classes this week, am prepping for a workshop next week and I took temporary possession of a pup for FETCH a cure, all while doing commission work interspersed. For grins, here are two of my "in process" commissions, waiting to get back on the easel. And yes, if you have been following faithfully, the bone is nearly finished in the Vegas painting. :-)

March 10 - Almost Finished: The Collaboration

Here we are, nearing completion of the project. We're both tickled with what's been happening. Mike, who paints loosely and by instinct, is learning application techniques and tightening up his style. In the meantime, I'm getting freer and less deliberate and enjoying letting things happen. It doesn't matter to us at this point whether the paintings are wonderful or not. It's been a valuable experience for both of us and we learned that we make a great team, even when we would disagree. The process became what we both looked forward to each weekend, and if some wonderful things happened on canvas along the way, we were even more excited about the day's work.

These images are near the end of the project. We've gotten to a point where now the challenge is to make them both complete. We'll go through a few more stages and this is where we really did collaborate. We'd both stand in front of the same canvas and one might add paint, the other alter or remove it, or repeat that application. Sometimes we'd throw paint at the same time or teach one another something new to try. We honestly had so much fun working on these two paintings.

The outcome was that both went to the show in Portsmouth. Mike and I decided to do more collaborative work. Our first step to that end was to rent one large studio together and move from our smaller studios nearby. We each do our own work there and we're mulling over what to do next together. The completed paintings will be in the next posting. Along with some thoughts about working with another artist.