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!

Plein Air Event Organization & Artist Thoughts

I got an email this week from an artist who works at an art gallery. She and her gallery have been asked by the city to sponsor a plein air event (even though she has never participated in one).  She knows that I have participated in several plein air events and was asking for my thoughts. First and foremost she/her gallery will have much work to do!

Plein Air Organizers Needs:

Organization Item	Artist Note	Questions	My personal thoughts
Application for Artist	Online App preferred,	?Cost/Free? Limit # of Artists? ?Limit size of works	Do not charge a lot for entry & you will get more applicants. Is it open to all artists or will artists be juried in? Regarding limiting artists, you cannot control the quality of artist if it is open to all.
Prizes	IMPT!		Awards are good, prize $ is good. Will get artists interested.
Rules	This is impt, must be painted the day of, from life.	?Location	Rules for where (location) artists can paint/boundaries, rules for no photo ref must be from life, ?size rule (not bigger than), canvas/paper must be stamped, wet paint works must be framed
List/Map of Suggested locations/boundaries	location	What are the boundaries of city where are the parks, businesses etc where artists can paint?	I do expect a list of where I can paint when I participate – esp if I do not know the area. A map of boundaries is good, a suggestion of painting locations is a must. Are there parks, downtown businesses that will let artists paint there?
Printed timeline	VERY IMPT	One day event?	One day event may be a good place to start, but it will be hectic. Artists need an hour by hour schedule and rules print out at check in. ? One day one work? If more than one day, maybe more than 1 work?
Timeline & Organizers, Day of	You need multiple workers for all hours		If it’s a one day event, you will need people for check in and canvas stamp, to hand out printed rules/timeline, wet canvas check in and return<<<this will back up, if you stop at 4pm all artists will arrive around 4 to turn in work. You will need many there to take artist name, title and price of work. And to take the work from the tired hungry artists, framing screws and hammers may be nice to have on a table.
Stamp- for back of canvases and paper	Make it ARTY, not just a ‘date stamp’ – One org did a hummingbird	?Multiple stamps so multiple people can check in at once?	Artists will all show up at once for canvas stamping and waiting in line wastes valuable paint time, the organization must be fast and efficient. Artists will bring MORE than one canvas to stamp, prepare for that, multiple stamping per each artist (as once you get outside you need options). I would say if event is for one day, have check in and stamping from 8-12 (2-3 hours at least). Some will come early some will come late, many will arrive at SAME time magically… One idea – offer canvas stamping the day before the event – with clear rule requirement that painting cannot start until day of event.
Reception	Artists Reception/Show		Is this the same night as the paint out or at a later date? How long is the show?

For me the artist the application process is typically:

Apply for the event online, review rules and location requirements and timeline online, get email notification of acceptance. Yay! Put on calendar, day before pack car and pre-wire frame(s)

The day of the event: the artist process is typically: (my car is my studio)

1.     Pack car: Frames, framing gear, canvases, organization and timeline information, lunch, art supplies

2.     Check in, get 5 canvases stamped (need multiple organizers w stamps as the line will get long and artists need to get out to paint). FYI -- I always take more than one canvas to be stamped as you never know what size you need. Be prepared to stamp multiple canvases per person.

3.     Go to location to paint, hope for nice weather (what will you do if it rains, if weather is severe reschedule or keep event going?) 

4.     If same day event, Take wet painting and frame it from trunk of car (this is a process!!).

5.     Return to location to turn wet painting back in, with title and price (again, you will need multiple people to take in wet paintings and complete paperwork). 

6.     Attend reception, hope for a prize. #exhaustion

Enacting Good Ideas - Joy of Brushwork 2

My Book Cover

In my last post I talked about making a photo book for my old least favorite artworks. I uploaded images and created the book online, then waited for it to arrive! Ok it was more complex than that!

It’s one thing to hear a good idea, another to act on it. It took me several hours to review my thumbnail sketches, to identify early bad works. Then, it took me 4 hours in the basement to sort through the works and photograph them. Then it took time to move the images to my computer and sort them (hours). Then, it took me about a day to place the images and text into a book online. Then I had to wait 10 days for the print book that I ordered. This process took a lot of time, but I was inspired and willing to do it for the benefits and outcome.

So thin!

I just got my book in the mail and I love it. It is a 1/4 inch thick book and it turned out good if I do say so myself. I placed all images in the book, one full photo of my worst painting and then one to four photos (close up) of what I like about the painting. And, then I added ‘what I like’ comments to each page. It turned out well. However, everyone wants to see the book, but this a book of my least favorite works…I may only let a select few see the book.

The biggest plus is space, I will toss forty-something paintings (3 feet tall stack) and replace them with a .25 inch book. Storage savings! And this whole process enables me to let go of my old works that were not good. The first book covers 2 years, so I will have to create 2 more books just for all my portraits painted (least favorites).

And, now I may I want a book or books of my good works too! Something to think about…

Just a glimpse of good...

Pluses of enacting this good idea:

• Being organized makes me feel good
• Creating a book and then tossing old paintings leads to more storage space
• It was good to go through all my old works to remember where I have started and see how I have improved
• I was inspired, to get my artworks and artspace in order.
• I can see how I can do this process moving forward
• I may want to do books of my best works and have those books in my studio

Joy of Brushwork

A nice profile, like the light on the mouth.

And the Need to Stay Positive

I recently reviewed many of my artworks with my portrait and figure drawing instructor. It was great to get a review and analysis with another artist whom I greatly respect. While I cannot remember our exact conversation I did realize as we went through my art, that I was overly negative. My Instructor was positive and asked "What did you learn from this, what do you like?"

I confessed to my art instructor that I had about 450 paintings in my basement, that I held on to almost all portrait paintings that I created these last 5 years. Not all of the paintings are masterpieces, not all are complete. I just had no idea what to do with the art in the basement and no idea where to start and how to let go. Once again, (you are the best) my instructor had an idea for me. "What about taking photos and creating a book, keep the book and toss the paintings?" Such a great idea, I like it! And that will make for easier storage.

And so it begins:

Fabric folds, painted prettily.

Last week, I reviewed my documentation (thumbnail drawings of each painting, by date). Thank goodness I had documentation. I reviewed the early years of my portrait painting: 2014-2015, 150 works. I noted my thumbnails of works that I thought we less successful, and then had to cull through all my works to find those paintings. This took a bit of time, as I had identified about 50 paintings. I was unable to find a few, but most were lying there gathering dust. I decided to keep a few paintings-- those that had color touches or wonderful color blocking (just a few) got moved into small "keep" stack. The toss stack ended up being about 3 feet tall, and this is with mostly canvas boards! Eek!

Next, I used my phone to photograph each painting and then get a close up of any aspect of the painting that was good. This was a long but wonderful experience. It took many hours, but I was able to find something good in each work. I noticed that I had some great brushstrokes in each work, some great eyes (a few) and some lovely fabric folds.

Last, I got all the photos onto my computer and organized them. I ended up with 45 paintings that I should let go. Then I went to Shutterfly to create a photobook of those images. I decided on an 8x11 size photobook, with about 35 pages. I put multiple images on each page, especially if they were images of the same model. After I had tentatively placed the images, I went back in and added the positive text/comments about the paintings.

Yesterday, I placed the book order. I am excited about this small 1 inch book replacing 3 feet of paintings. Once I get the book, I plan to get rid of the works. Wow, if I keep this up I will have a better organized storage space in my basement -- it needs it! And, if this is successful, I still have 3 more years worth of work to go through and another book or two to create!

Steps to Let Go:

1. Review paintings
2. Stack the keepers and the not keepers
3. Photograph the not keepers (full images and close ups)
4. Organize photos on your computer
5. Create a photobook (I used Shutterfly)
6. Toss or paint over the not keeper paintings

Nothin' But Blue Skies

My husband is travelling for work this week and so are my friends and family. I recognized that this would be a hard and perhaps lonelier than usual week for me. What's a gal to do? I tried to organize lunches and dinners to no avail, everyone is busy or out of town--insert the frowny face emoji!

I got out my notepad and calendar and decided to organize some art outings for myself-- inviting 20 of my fellow artists along. High heat warnings and record temps and "feels like 107" dominated the news last week. Sunday night the heat wave broke via a rainy coolfront-- I could not be happier.

Yesterday and today the highs are in the upper 70s and the air feels wonderfully refreshing, the sun beautiful but not burning, the perfect weather for plein air painting.



The Anti Lonely Art Agenda:

1. Day 1, 77 partly sunny, plein air paint in the park
2. Day 2, 77 mostly sunny, plein air paint in the park(yesterday was so lovely a repeat)
3. Day 3 Plein air paint with the Plein Air Troupe, they just happen to be on my side of town this week. Forecast sunny and 79, perfection.
4. Day 4 Maybe plein air if good weather, but if not, need to work on some upcoming show works, Finishing touches from critique, varnishing, ensuring I have frames. 
5. Day 5 A trip to the art museum, there is an impressionist exhibit.

One special note, when I got home from plein air painting Monday, I had a wonderful surprise of flowers and chocolates. My husband had purchased me a "Blue Skies" inspired floral bouquet. And his note was to me to continue " dreaming of blue skies and nice plein air days." --WOW! Thank you!

For all plein air artists, here's to blue skies and supportive spouses today and tomorrow!

Loving Local Plein Air

Last weekend I participated in a local plein air paint out, it was a wonderful experience and we were so lucky with the weather. Early on it was supposed to rain, but it ended up being Sunny 70s and light breeze, gorgeous!

 Scouting the area before the paint out is critical, it is always good to know where you are going to paint so that you can get started right away. My friend and I know the park and area very well and yet we still spent a few hours scouting for painting locations.

Friday morning we got our canvases stamped. I always get too many canvases stamped, about 3 of each size from 5x7 to 9x12. This way once I get outside I can choose my size, it is just hard to know what will appeal on any given day.

Our first spot was on a little pedestrian bridge over a stream surrounded by green trees. It was a lovely location, but we both struggled as it was a lot of information on the eye and a lot of green.

After a lunch break we did a quick walkabout to find another view to paint. I had loved a little fence that was hit with sunlight. My friend had seen some trees that appealed to her. We both set out to paint our second paintings. The sunlight was lovely and our little spot was quiet and nice. I thought my second painting came out much better than my first.

I really wanted to get a sunset painting, and the sun doesn't set on the longest day of summer until 915 PM. So after we finished our second paintings, I went back home, refreshed my palette, and turp and washed my brushes, walked the dogs and rested for a bit. Then at 730, I gathered my things and a water and drove back to the park, I already knew where I wanted to paint my sunset painting. Interestingly, the sunset was over at about 845, because there were trees west facing. I did two sunset painting studies this night, fast! The colors and clouds change and move quickly.

The next morning we met up at my friends backyard, which looks onto a marsh/lake. We had fun painting on her neighbors deck, I painted a little boat that was docked there. I am unfamiliar with boats, but I was happy with my painting--I  had fun with the colors and shapes. We stopped our first painting at about 3 pm, I went home to rest and prep for my next sunset painting. I promised my husband dinner, so we left the house at 630 to have dinner near the park.Then after dinner, I took my paint gear and went back to capture the sunset. I used a lot of paint and was really happy with this quickly captured sunset.

When you do a sunset painting in summer you pretty much don't get home until 10 pm. It was tiring! And, once I got home, I had to pack my next day lunch, refresh my palette, wash brushes --all the next day prep. And, Saturday night I had to choose 2 of my 4 paintings that would be in the show and sign and frame them!

First this was a great experience, second we got so lucky with the weather. Third, I was happy with the paintings that I produced and confident in my creations. And boy a nice frame really does make a difference!

I did not win any awards, but still it was a wonderful fun experience.

Determination: You CAN Do This!

Last week I went up to Petoskey Michigan for an art workshop and the AIS* Small Works Show Opening Reception. It was one of my art goals to get into this show this year. Alas, I was rejected from the show, but I was among hundreds of others. I did not let the rejection deter me from my commitment to the organization. I will work to get accepted into the next SmallWorks show.

One wonderful note about the AIS Smallworks shows is that they typically have an All Member Paint Out  before the show. This means that Members can participate in the Paint Out and then have their wet paint works (framed) hung alongside the show--a nice opportunity as the shows are always in lovely galleries.

My husband and I were going to make this trip a little vacay--an art trip for me, a few days off work for him. I would plein air paint, attend a workshop and we both dine together and attend the show reception. To my chagrin, my husband had to travel to another state for work, meaning that I had to drive up alone. I could have let that depress me, but I tried VERY hard to stay positive. It was tough, I did miss him, especially when I went to eat at restaurants or when I was lugging all of my art supplies up the steep steps into the rental apartment...

First, rejection from the show, then having to attend events alone, lastly the weather! Without determination and perseverance I could not have done this, I could have let any one of those things get me down! Since I had signed up for a landscape workshop (Thurs and Fri), I had to paint for the wet wall on Wednesday. The weather was overcast, cold and threatening rain on Wednesday! Ugh! I would have paid for just a bit of sunshine! I painted from 10 AM until 830 PM, the sun did not come out until 830PM. Seriously!?!

It was grey, cool and in the 50s on Wednesday, and the skies were fairly dark. Yet, I went and got my canvases stamped, then went out searching for places to paint. That is another intimidating thing, trying to find a place to paint, alone. I had the list given to me of locations, but I still had to drive all over town looking for the place that would speak to me on this gloomy day. Luckily, I found a nice spot on the rocks near the water, and I painted. I painted trees and water and sand dunes across the way. I tried very hard to put in a focal point and make the painting interesting. I stopped painting before I was done as the sky turned black (this has happened before, I have gotten soaked). So later I was determined to go back in and work on the sky (more paint). Painting all day alone really made me miss my painting friends.

One error that I made was painting all day, it really wore me out. I should have stayed at the first location longer and worked harder to complete that initial painting, but I feared the weather and drove to other locations. The next few locations were not as successful for me. Next time, I will limit myself to half day of painting. As after that long day of painting, I had to go back and pack my lunch and get my gear ready for the next day workshop. I was not able to finish my wet paint painting and I did not frame it. And, I was tired the day of the first workshop.

Due to the Wet Paint deadline, I had to go back to my apartment after the Thursday workshop and paint to finish my painting. I wanted to add more sky--more paint and more color. I added in purples and blues and tons more paint, then 'ished' in some creamy clouds leading to the focal point, that leaning tree.  Then I added my Signature and  I gently placed my wet work into the frame and drilled it in tight, now it is ready for the wet paint wall. The Wet Paint works were due Friday afternoon between 3 and 5PM and my workshop ended at 4 (so my wet paint work had to be ready by the start of my workshop). WHEW! I was tired, but I made the deadline and my wet paint work, Weather Permitting, 8x10 made it to the AIS Wet Paint Wall for the Show! A nice opportunity, not to be missed, as I can still be a part of the show!

AIS = American Impressionist Society