Sales, as Opposed to Tech Troubles

The year started in a somewhat ignominious manner with tech troubles. That stuff is quite alarming, upsetting, and interruptive. I combat this by reviewing all the sales in the previous month (necessary to pay for all the tech repairs, and I am sorry to report that no fat lady has sung yet).

I had sales through Kaweah Arts, the Mural Gallery, Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery, along with commissions. All is not lost – let’s rejoice together!

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Tune in tomorrow, same Bat time, same Bat channel.

P.S. Happy Birthday to Trail Guy!

Peculiar and Annoying

My website/blog is being peculiar, and now I am being annoying by bothering you twice in the same day.

Several of my blog subscribers have let me know that the photos aren’t showing up. In addition, many spammers are slamming my email with unwanted solicitations through the contact button. Then, the “platform” that the site is built upon “migrated” everything to a new location in the stratosphere. (I have no idea what all this means). The cherry on top of this mess is that my web designer closed his business to take a regular job; an employee is taking over some of his clients (ME! PICK ME!!) but she is overwhelmed and thus somewhat nonresponsive at this time.

(I’m fine, just fine, thanks, why do you ask??)

If you are a subscriber, how about following the link in this email to the website. If it doesn’t show the photos on the blog post, go to this link and resubscribe: Jana’s Blog  

If you have trouble, please email me. I have disabled the contact form so IF my link above takes you to the correct version of my website, you will not have a form to fill out. (and neither will the Spanner Slammers). But since your Central California artist is trying to navigate this all by her lonesome, it may or may not solve the problem. As with everything, more will be revealed.

Thank you for reading through this annoying information about my peculiar website. You may resume your nap now.

P.S. Sometimes the titles of the blog posts don’t show; other times there are weird spots in the titles because the word “cabinart” is going over the top of the titles in white, which matches the background and further confuses the viewer. (I just work here. Sort of.)

 

No Supply Chain Troubles Here

This will be my only post to remind you that I have things for sale. This is because we are deep in the Christmas season. (I am addressing the fun segment best classified as Excessmas, not to be confused with the solemn segment I think of as Nativity.)

There is a new coloring book, Heart of the County.

Mineral King Wildflowers is still available.

The Cabins of Wilsonia is now $40 instead of $50.

Notecards in several designs are available. (Is it rude to give someone Thank You notes as a gift? Prolly. Might want to get the version without “THANK YOU”  on it as a gift and get the Thank You cards for yourself.)

There are many more designs of cards available on this page.

There are ZERO 2022 calendars remaining. 

I don’t have any paintings or pencil drawings at my studio. They are at 3 different locations: Kaweah Arts in Three Rivers has cards, all the books, and paintings; the Courthouse Gallery in Exeter (limited hours – see them here) has everything except pencil reproductions (those are only available online or through me in person); the Mural Gallery in Exeter has paintings, cards, and the books. (The Mural Gallery’s website is looking wonky so here is the address: 119 South E Street, phone 559-592-3160)

I can mail merchandise to you but doubt it will be there by December 25. You are welcome to call, email, or just flag me down if you see me around Three Rivers*, and I will do my best to help you get some gifts for your Excessmas celebrations.

Now if you will excuse me, I have to go find a pair of pants to ruin while painting a mural.

*Driving my faithful and somewhat still sporty ’96 Honda Accord Coupe, “Fernando”.

Second Chance at The Courthouse Gallery

Did you miss the opening reception of my show in Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery, “Images of Home”? Here is another chance to see the show while I am present and, most important, while snacks and beverages will also be present. 

Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery is having another reception for me.

Okay, it’s not really for me. It is a celebration at the gallery to thank docents and gallery association members, and the gallery asked me to invite you, my friends, collectors, and other interested parties, because my art* is still there. So, if you wanted to attend the opening and weren’t able to come, this is a second chance for you. 

Here is an abbreviated version of their official invitation:


Let’s celebrate!
Come to the Museum and Gallery and enjoy some snacks and refreshments – and great art by Jana Botkin – on Sunday, December 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s a great way to thank our friends for their support!

It would be fun to see you there! Where is “there”? 125 South B Street, Exeter, California

*Yes, I still have a few 2022 calendars.

P.S. I will be painting at the gallery today, Friday, December 10, from 11-3.

The Show Goes On

“The Show” refers to my solo show at Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery. I have not been given an end date other than “sometime in January”.

IMAGES OF HOME

Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery and Museum

125 South B Street, Exeter, California

HOURS: Saturday and Sunday, 12-4

Eight pieces have sold, which means there are 41 left for you to choose from. (If you want to take your piece home with you, the gallery will let me know, and I will bring something else to fill that empty spot on the wall.)

In addition to original oil paintings and original pencil drawings, there are:

  • 2022 Calendars
  • Heart of Tulare County, a new coloring book for grownups and older children
  • Notecard packages
  • Single cards
  • Collector matted cards from Christmas in Exeter in the 1900s
  • ONE original colored pencil drawing of a poinsettia (in a mat)

IN ADDITION TO THE SATURDAY/SUNDAY HOURS, I WILL OPEN THE GALLERY (but not the museum) ON TWO MORE FRIDAYS FROM 11-3.

How I Designed a Logo, Chapter 8

The new drawing was in place, but I thought the type was overpowering to the drawing. The customers had a different thought, which really surprised me: they preferred the placeholder drawing to the new one!

I realize that what I consider to be a good drawing versus what people who don’t draw consider to be a good drawing differs. But, I could not not not let this drawing from the last century go into the new logo. NOT.

So, I drew it again.

Before:

Edited to:

After:

The road and the fence were what spoke to them in the old drawing. I did better mountains, better foothills, and because they grow both oranges and lemons, we included both. 

But wait! There will be more. . . stay tuned!

How I Designed a Logo, Chapter 7

My customers chose this version of their logo.

Now, it was time to do the original drawing to customize the logo for them.

They requested color, but before I added it to the drawing, I put it into the logo instead of the place holder.

Getting there, but more polishing and adjusting ahead. Logo design is tricky stuff, and there has to be clear communication between me and the customers in order to get it just right for them.

To be continued. . .

How I Designed a Logo, Chapter 6

I sent 3 rough-drawn logo options to my customers, and they chose this one for me to refine.

I downloaded the typeface that was closest to this, and then began manipulating it to fit around the circle. We began talking about what to do with “Orchards, Inc.”, whether or not to include it, how to make it look good.


Which one did they choose? Stay tuned. . .

How I Designed a Logo, Chapter 5

After looking at Western typestyles, sketching out some ideas, and turning a pencil drawing of a citrus scene into a circle, I began refining the five design ideas.

Time to mull it over, chose three, and show the customers. I sent the first three and scrapped the other two. They might have been workable, but enough already!

To be continued. . .

 

Hanging Around With Great Friends

A few days before we went to Exeter to hang the show, this was drying in the dining room. 

Wait! This seems familiar. Hmmm, last year we had a similar situation. (You can read about it here.)

Trail Guy loaded the pickup (not the Botmobile — the fancy pick-em-up). I had already taken a load of paintings and drawings, and there also were large pieces propped up behind the front seat. We headed to Exeter’s Courthouse Gallery for a day of hanging art.

After spreading all the pieces around the gallery, figuring out a basic arrangement and groupings, we started figuring out how to hang the pieces. The system is a little bit of a challenge, but we were up for it.

Look at these wonderful friends! They made a big job, full of unknowns, into a fun day together.

This photo is to show you that there will be more than just original pencil drawings and oil paintings.

COMING SUNDAY

IMAGES OF HOME

Exeter Courthouse Gallery, 125 So. B Street

Opening Reception, November 14, 1-4 PM

You can read about me and my art in an article from the Visalia Times-Delta by going to the Mineral King District Association website; the article is “Recent Fires Don’t Deter Artist From Highlighting Tulare County Beauty”. Lisa McEwen is the most accurate writer/freelance reporter/journalist I have ever had the pleasure to work with.