New Job

Well I'm tired of looking for a job so I'm going to create one for myself.  I'm trying to do healing art workshops at the local hospitals and eventually work full time at one or more hospitals.  It's very effective helping with pain and emotional stress.  The trouble is that they don't even know who I should talk to. It's hard to sell something when no one knows who's responsible.

New Work

I can't believe it's been this long since I lasted posted anything. Well I have been busy doing new work for Art in the Garden. I just did the first Friday Art Walk for August. I wanted to have some smaller pieces. The more I use my paint sticks the more I like them. Everyone tells me not to feel discouraged it's the economy not my paintings, but still it is disappointing when people look, tell you how great your work is, and then don't buy.  

I'm really excited about then new work though. I feel I'm finally getting a style that is recognizably MINE. 

It isn't easy getting a show together, even just  few pieces for something like Art in the Garden. I think that panels are the way to go for me with the paint sticks. I like a firm surface to work on. I can get

1/4" birch plywood panels fairly cheaply, then I cut them  to size and back them with 1 x1 pine. They can be hung as they are which makes everything easier. I went up to my friend Kevin's frame shop in Lewiston to cut and mount the pieces. I had to go TWICE and still I need to  glue two panels together.
But I think next year I might do a couple of art shows in the summer. It depends on money, time, and how much work I have done. Also I'll need a new car. So keep praying I get a better paying job. Till next time. I'll try to post more frequently. I promise.

Birds

   These are the two paintings

Getting yourself known

There are so many ways to get known and I'm always reading or hearing about people who are making a living selling their work.  But I haven't  found the magic formula yet.  Still I keep trying. I just started trying to sell my work on Esty. But then again so aren't 3000 other people. My daughter set up a website so I could get students. I don't think I'll get rich that way.
 I started another bird painting. It's only just beginning I'll post a picture later. I bought some smaller canvases so I could do some small paintings for "Art in the Garden". Next time I show I hope someone buys something. It isn't easy but I'm going to keep trying because  I can't stop creating. That's who I am. And now as Jimmy Durante would say "Good night Mrs Calabash wherever you are."

Art in the Garden

Last Friday I participated in the first "Art in the Garden" at the Portland Harbor Hotel. They have the most exquisite his garden. It's a center courtyard that you can't even tell is there from the outside. It's a publicity thing for the hotel but could also generate some much needed cash for me. I'm going to do some small paintings which I think will sell better. I'm also looking for another job. So I've been pretty busy.
I really wish a fairy godmother would wave her wand and all my dreams would come true.  Unfortunately I don't seem to have a fairy godmother so I guess I'm on my won.  I also put 2 paintings up on Esty I'll see if they sell. Everyone tells me they love my paintings. To which I think " Well if you like them so much why don't you buy one!" Oh well.
I'm going to try to do a calendar this year. I used to sell them and did quite well. I have today off so I'll work on my bird painting and do laundry.

New Painting

Sorry I haven't added anything new lately but I needed a rest after the big push to get the show ready.  I decided to abandon the other painting and start a new one. I saw this bird a while ago and have been wanting to paint it for a few weeks. I've made a good start. The leaves need more work and the sky needs to be evened out. The bird is almost done too.
 I'm still looking for a new job.
I've also decided to do a calendar for 2012. I used to do calendars every year and they were quite popular but then I got busy and didn't have  time. Now I think I'm ready to do another one.

The Opening

I bet you're all waiting to hear how the opening went. There weren't as many people  as I would have hoped for. But still some of my friends showed up so that was nice. Everyone liked the paintings. I hope I sell most of them. I saw someone  haven't seen in years. So that was exciting. Right now I'm feeling blah. A reaction to all the tension of getting everything ready on time.  but in general I'm really happy with the way things went.