Been thinking about this subject lately. A month or so ago, I showed a few of my paintings to a gallery owner. For the first time in my painting career, I was told that my paintings don’t have enough detail, that they look as if done plein air. That is French lingo for on site, which translates into “I’m painting as fast as possible because the light won’t hold still and I can’t possibly be careful at this crazy pace”. Exclamation of Surprise! I LOVE detail! I am a pencil artist, first, last, always! Can’t help it – pencil and the detail possible with that humble instrument have held my attention since 6th grade. So, I don’t have enough detail, eh? Here is my conclusion: my style is still sort of mushy. I don’t mean my paintings are mushy, but that I haven’t settled on the best way to paint. By “best”, I don’t mean best selling, most award-winning, or if I were in school, the highest grade grabbing style. The evaluation and valuation of art is very subjective, and “best” is defined by the viewer, whether a judge, a gallery owner, the artist, or most importantly to me, a customer. As I achieve greater proficiency with paint, brushes, and canvas, I’m hoping that my true style emerges. It will be defined by several things – the subject matter, the level of detail, the way I use light and color, the texture of the paint. My goal is this: to consistently create the most consistently beautiful paintings . Yes, consistent – constant, regular, uniform, steady, undeviating, dependable, reliable. Why? So that people can always recognize my work as mine!
Main Gallery
A new art co-operative gallery will open in Visalia on November 1, 2010. The address is 209 W. Main Street and there are 23 very fine artists participating. It is a privilege to be showing with these folks, some of whom I have known for many years. Our plan is to be open in November and December, and then re-evaluate. The space is large, well lit and in the heart of downtown Visalia. (For those of you familiar with Visalia, it is in the same block as Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. and a few doors east of Pacific Treasures and Gourmet, same side of the street.)
Random Thursday
Today I am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of work in my face. I think list might help me (you can eavesdrop):
1. Price the work for Saturday’s Kaweah Post Office Celebration
2. Remove it from the screens and pack it into boxes.
3. Sign all the newly completed 6×6″ paintings
4. Photograph them.
5. Put the photos on the computer, straighten, crop and title them.
6. Decide the priorities – finish ornaments, finish the aspens, finish the fall sycamore, begin the hibiscus (commission), what?
Miles of Canvas
According to my records, I have painted about 460 canvases and boards since beginning oil on March 8, 2006. (“About 460” is because sometimes I mis-number pieces or do something that doesn’t get into the inventory because that bookkeeping kind of thing doesn’t really float my boat.) If you follow my blog, you have probably figured out that honesty is bigger to me than false pride! So, at the risk of embarrassing myself, I am going to show you some comparisons. My digital camera, computer, and iPhoto skills have also improved, so that is probably skewing the contrast a bit too! (If you are the owner of one of the early pieces and would like a touch-up, bring it back and I’ll fix it for you.)
Here is one of the first oranges painted as a single object:
Here it is again painted a few months ago:
These 2 images of the Honeymoon Cabin were painted from different photos. (I know, “duh”.) It seems obvious to me which was done earlier!
Work in Progress
Have you noticed that www.cabinart.net no longer works as a website? Maren and I have been redesigning it for awhile, mostly in our heads and in conversation, to reflect my current art, which is now primarily oil paintings. Yes, I still draw in pencil and teach people how to draw in pencil. But, now I call myself an Oil Painter and a Muralist. The new website will begin emerging a page or two at a time and I will keep you posted here.
Cranking them out!
One of the best things that ever happens to working artists is receiving a check in the mail for paintings sold, especially when one has forgotten about said paintings! I sent 6 paintings of beachy things to Lady Spencer in Cayucos, California. Gina is an old friend from Exeter, and her store is full of lovely items from various artists. We’ve talked for years of her selling my art, and it took years for us to find the right plan. (Of course, by dragging it out, each time I visit the Central Coast I had an excuse to see Gina and call it a business trip!) She believes that more than just beachy subjects will have a market; I trust Gina’s instinct and experience. Here is what I am sending her next:
Okay, they are just begun in this photo. The flag will be a gift for someone who has gone above and beyond the call of volunteerism on the mural. The large poppy painting is a commission. (K, are you reading this??)
How to be an (professional) artist in Tulare County
That is the title of the talk (“lecture”) that I gave yesterday at the Creative Center in Visalia. The three items are: 1. Love the place; 2. Be flexible and 3. Never quit. The turnout was small, (I think “intimate” is the word used for such things) and I knew all but 3 people. After we introduced, we realized we had known of each other but just hadn’t met yet. The show looks wonderful, thanks to Glen Hill who really placed the pieces artfully. It is surprising how much this matters! Three pieces sold, and the buyers graciously consented to leaving them in place until the show ends.
There was a very bright spotlight in my eyes so I couldn’t see the audience. Now that I see them in this photo, I can see that several who were present aren’t in this scene. They seemed to be enjoying themselves and were all very complimentary. The Creative Center is a great place to show art and to have presentations – thank you Theresa, Glen and Bailey!
The life of a busy artist
Look at what I did yesterday:
- painted the mural
- took paintings to the Mural Gallery
- looked at a mural that will need some repair – climbed onto the scaffolding and took reference photos of it
- got home and unloaded the mural stuff from the car, carried things out to the studio and other things to the computer. Still others had to be moved into the workshop – stuff, stuff, stuff!
- finished 2 little oils of oranges and began 2 more
- put hanging hardware on the backs of 10 canvases
- posted an entry to my blog
- printed out a price list to mail to a customer
- updated the inventory lists of paintings
- worked on my “lecture” for the Creative Center Reception tonight!
There were a lot of other non-work related tasks squeezed into the day, but I just thought you might enjoy seeing what the life of a busy artist can look like! This is really really fun, by the way. 😎
Redbud Festival Review
The Arts Alliance of Three Rivers did an outstanding job of organizing, publicizing and managing the Redbud this year! The music was just right, the booth size was generous, the signs leading the public in were visible and consistent in color and design, the vendors had high quality products, the food choices were plentiful, the parking was convenient, and the volunteers were always available and helpful! This was a great show! The hardest part was having too many people visit my booth at the same time so that conversations were abbreviated or I missed opportunities to greet folks who took the time to stop by. Look at all the paintings that sold:
There might have been more, or I might have shown you the wrong poppies. . . hard to say because I slept last night. You can see that poppies were the favorite subject. What you might not be able to discern from this posting is that the most popular size was 6×6″. My theory is that people’s walls are full and while their wallets aren’t completely empty, cautious spending is the pattern. This is normal behavior in Tulare County rather than an indication of the entire country’s economic woes.
Redbud Festival
- It is today, Saturday, May 8 and tomorrow, Sunday, May 9.
- Saturday’s hours are 10-5, Sunday’s hours are 10-4.
- Lion’s Roping Arena – up 198 to Three Rivers, cross the North Fork Bridge, go about 2 miles and turn right. Turn at the first left and follow to the arena. Park in the lower parking lot, not above the buildings.
- My booth is under the awning.
- There will be music.
- There will be plants for sale by the Redbud Garden Club.
- There will be food.
- And, finally, there will be ART!
