Latest art show

I entered two paintings--a watercolor called "Out of this World" and an encaustic called "Stormy Seas" into an art show. The juror selected the encaustic. I put a lot more work into the watercolor and was surprised it wasn't selected--but you never know. I was happy to get in. The art show is at the Starkweather Gallery in Romeo and the opening is Friday of this week from 6-8 pm. See you there!

Entries

I recently heard about a local juried art show. The jurer does fascinating surreal/realistic watercolor paintings. I didn't want to miss the opportunity of entering this show. I didn't have much time to get something together for it. I had a few paintings I could enter but I needed to frame them. Yesterday I went through my old framed pieces to see if the paintings I wanted to enter would fit into an old frame. The one painting I really wanted to enter did not fit one of my frames! Bummer! You would think I could have found one! I decided to enter one watercolor and one encaustic. I don't have to frame the encaustic. I had to get the paperwork in the mail yesterday so I took it to the post office. I will take the paintings in on Saturday. Wish me luck!

Demonstration

I had a call from a lady from the Warren Art Society the other day and she had left a message. On the message she said she was interested in having me demonstrate my art at a meeting. I thought wow someone wants me to demonstrate?! I was thinking about what I should ask her- how is the room set up, will there be ventilation if I do encaustic, will I get paid a fee? I called her back-- she couldn't remember even calling me! I thought this lady admired my work and wanted to contact me so I could share my wisdom! Ha! Jokes on me! I guess she is having some memory problems. I should have called her back sooner then at least she might have remembered calling me!

No kids home today

No kids home today. Thursday and Friday they have half days so I have to be productive today. Worked on four encaustics today. I think they are done not counting the hardware to hang them. Which reminds me I need to order more hangers. I am trying to decide what to enter into the Michigan Watercolor Show and what to put into the Sisters of the Brush show. I have a few contenders. I will take them to my next "Sisters" meeting and get their input.

I had someone show me a piece of "art" and ask me why I don't do something like that. Don't I want to make money? Of course I want to make money! I don't want to compromise why I am an artist. I could work at a restaurant if all I cared about was making money. I have to produce something I can be proud of and is my creation. Not something that looks mass produced that you could buy at Target! People that aren't artists--just don't get it!

Portraits?

I finished putting together a grouping of three paintings that I will put encaustic on later. Hopefully tomorrow. Now I am considering starting some portraits. I like doing lots of different types of paintings but I feel I need to narrow my scope down some. I have had good feedback on my portraits I have done from antique photos. Oh to have a little focus. Sometimes I think I have ADD! Attention Deficit Disorder! Are all artists like this or just me?

Mom duties

I had to do some Mom duties today. I cleaned out the refrigerators ( something I really avoid), cleaned out the hall closet of outgrown boots and shoes and large dust bunnies. I feel like I really accomplished something and now I can get back to painting tomorrow.

Fabric samples

I ordered some fabric samples today from karma kraft. New opportunity awaits!

Fabric Printing

I just heard about a company where you can design and print your own fabric! That is so exciting! It is called Karma Kraft. It is based out of Raleigh, NC. The article in the Detroit Free Press also listed other companies that also do this--cottage-industrialist.com, miatelastudio.com, spoonflower.com and fabricondemand.com. This opens up new opportunities! More later...

A singular act

"Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do" Shaquille O'Neal.

I am experimenting with cutting up paintings into strips and creating something new. I do repeatedly work on my art and it the excellence that I strive for. Here is artwork in progress.

It must be January

As I was cleaning out cabinets in search of paperwork from my doctor I got an idea for my next blog. This is for all of you artists out there. How many unfinished paintings do you have? How many would you really like to finish or would you rather abandon? I am challenging you to see how many paintings can you finish before the end of January? The challenge is on! Let me know how many you did by February 1st!

Hello world

As I struggle to get this blog put together I realize how much I have to learn about working on anything involving the computer. I would much rather spend time on my art but in order for the world to see my art I need to get it--out there. As I finish artwork I will post it on my blog and will have links to being able to purchase my work. It will be for sale on etsy soon and I will let you know as soon as that happens.

I picked up artwork from the art centers where I had work for sale for their Christmas markets yesterday. I will still have artwork for sale at the Anton Art Center in Mt. Clemens, Michigan and Paint Creek Center for the Arts in Rochester, Michigan.

My mother-in-law's health is poor and I might be tied up with helping with her in the coming weeks. I recently lost my Uncle Roger and my sister's good friend and sister-in-law Elaine. It seems to be a lot to deal with at once. You never know what life will throw at you. More later...