In Gratitude

Dear Artists,

Thank you for being positive, giving, intelligent, determined, strong, prolific, energetic, thoughtful, talented artists and friends! You help me to grow and to want to improve as an artist. Your strengths and dedication to art help keep me going and inspired.  

I am so happy to have found such a wonderful art community, I love that you are all willing to share information, to mentor, to talk about art and art books, to critique. I love that you are all professional artists – art is more than a passion, it is a dedication, a willingness to learn and to grow and share and a determination to present your art to the world.

I have struggled hard to become an artist (I know we all have). When I moved here I felt very alone-- particularly in searching for like-minded people. I searched online looking for art classes, workshops and events (not finding much) and I attended community classes where I focused on art but it was hard making art friends. I was happy to have found the community center but it did not fulfill me. I needed MORE--more art discussion, more camaraderie, more inclusion, more ART! I have become more serious and stronger as an artist since I have found our art group.  

And, ‘M’ has keenly and quietly guided us to be stronger better artists who paint from life. Every time I go to a workshop or art event I hear the “Paint from life” mantra. I know artists who do not have access to a studio, who are not lucky enough to have the opportunities to paint from life (and it shows). Thank you ‘M’ for allowing the artists to descend on your studio every week. Thank you ‘M’ for always being a calm and gracious host. Thank you ‘M’ for sharing your art knowledge and your art library truly we are lucky to have such a tremendous and giving art resource.

Thank you for all that you bring to the studio each week. I value each of you and encourage you to keep making art and entering shows!

Working Toward a Moment

Me & my SOLD painting at the reception! 

My Moment: Gallery Art Reception 

I am sure I have mentioned this before, my art group and I have been working for the last year an a half for an art exhibit, all of us artists were working toward a moment. The exhibit is currently at the Padzieski Gallery in Dearborn until October 13th. I hope you get a chance to see it!

It was much time and dedication in order to create a a volume of work for our show. We worked extremely hard. As an artist, you want to show your very best work. Not every painting will be worthy of a show. I think I created about 40 works in anticipation of this show and 9 went into the show. Many of my paintings were iterations of the same pose. I have at least 2 versions of each pose. For the pose that I set up (my inspiration), it took me 4 paintings to get it right. Four! Also, after a year and a half, I was changing as an artist. I did not like my early works as much as I liked my later works; in several instances I worked from photos and earlier works to create newer more modern works in my more current style.

Once artwork is painted it almost is another beginning as the work still needs to be varnished, signed, and framed. Frame choice is very important, as display is critical. Lately I am loving a black frame with gold trim, but that doesn't work for all of my art. I had a lighter painting -lots of bright white and pastel colors and it needed a gold frame.

Finally, the moment arrived. The Opening Reception for our show at the gallery! I was beyond thrilled, not only at showing my work but also at seeing the works created by my fellow artists. Amazing, I was so impressed! I spent the entire Opening Reception meeting and greeting and talking to those who came to the gallery. Thank you all for showing up, I loved chatting with you! And, I was very pleased that our show had several sales--unusual but wonderful! Toward the end of the night, one of my paintings was purchased too! One of my best, newer paintings (in my mind) so I was very very happy that it sold! The Parisian sold and it is a proud moment for me as this was my painting from the pose that I set up -- my inspiration!

Time to celebrate! Oh wait, our next show opening is in two weeks! Off to ensure all those artworks are ready to go!