Various, sundry and random

This is Mom’s tree – mine is blue and silver.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day has always felt like a freebie to me. When a school kid, it was the week of goofing off, playing with new stuff, going to the snow, just hanging out with no particular purpose. When in retail, it was often a week we just closed up. It is a week that Michael tries to take off work, unless it is storming and he is needed to push snow around with big yellow machines. Here is a list of this off-the-calendar week so far:

1. Yardwork!

2. Shred papers from 10 years ago.

3. Take the canoe out. Notice I said “the” canoe rather than “my” or “our”. This is because we jointly own the little jewel with some friends. They granted us 50% because we are able to store it out of the sun. I’m thinking they might have forgotten about their 50%

4. Thank you notes. Yep, I actually write them with a pen on paper and put them in the US Mail.

5. Sweets – Don and Shirley’s Southern Comfort Cake, Margaret’s fudge, Melinda’s pfefferneusen and biscotti (one is German and one is Italian; she is my sister, and we are neither of those ethnicities but love the food), Laura’s sugar cookies, mint/dark chocolate from Reimer’s (thanks, Honey!!), mint Hershey kisses from Janet, a Panetonne from Bill and Peg (is it sweet? dunno, but it is REALLY REALLY GOOD), Trader Joe’s hot cocoa from Kylie, and pie with whipped cream left over from Christmas dinner with our family.

6. Major thankfulness – we served lunch at the Visalia Rescue Mission on Christmas Day. It was Michael’s idea, and I wholeheartedly agreed. Wow. He and I are filthy rich by contrast. The volunteers just do what they are told, greet people with authentic concern and a genuine smile, and focus on getting the food to them. I tried not to think about why they might be there and felt great hope for those who were in a rehab program.

7. Main Gallery – Wednesday is my last day working and having my art there. It was fun to be part of such a highly organized group in such a nice location and to get to know other area artists a bit.

8. Friends – there is a class reunion on Saturday p.m. I won’t be going but will be meeting Melissa, Ann, Renee, and Rose for lunch that day. That is always a treat, especially when so many of my old friends no longer have parents in the area. I’m sure the official reunion will be great; Michael and I decided long ago that we don’t belong at each other’s class reunions. Since this is on New Year’s Eve, it will be better to be home with him than down the hill having a late night out.  I may regret missing the reunion, but life is full of choices, not all of them clear.

Small town stuff

Last night the phone rang. Even though it said “Private Caller”, I answered. It was an acquaintance who identified herself, and immediately apologized, saying she had called the wrong Jana. After a few questions, I was able to tell her the last name of the “right Jana”. Where else can you dial a wrong number and not only find a friend, but get the info you are seeking?

While making a phone call a few years ago, I expected to reach Louise. Instead, I misdialed and got Pam. When I realized what I had done, I said, “Since I have you on the phone, can I order a cheesecake from you?” Isn’t that a hoot??

Last week I got a message on my home phone that was intended for someone else. I know where the caller works, so I looked up her work #, called her and told her that her message went to the wrong answering machine. She told me who the message was intended for, and I said, “Oh! That is my vet’s Mom!” (I was pleased that she didn’t say, “Oh? I prefer a Physician’s Assistant.”)

Learn, Schmearn

That is what Drawing Student Megan said in response to 2 possible solutions to a drawing problem. Still makes me smile!

When figuring out a path for my business of art, it seems that I am constantly learning, whether or not I want to. Take these Christmas ornaments for example: last year I was so excited to paint little Big Trees (tee hee hee, that sounds odd) on wooden disks. They sold okay, but not great.

This year I evaluated the sold ornaments versus the unsold ones, and there was a definite pattern. I repainted the remainder to resemble the sold ones, and they haven’t done so well either.

In addition to the Big Trees, a friend suggested that I paint little scenes on the remaining zillion blank disks. I tried a few, and although they sold very well, they take way more time than the price can handle. Here are the final 2 of that variety (sold, of course, and to the friend who made the suggestion.):

There are 10 Sequoia ornaments remaining. What will become of them? How about this: I will offer one each as a gift to the first 10 people who respond to this blog entry. Ick, that sounds ungrateful! If they won’t sell, I’ll just give them to you? But they are kind of neato! And adding the word “FREE” without strings attached often makes a thing look better. So does pricing it for lots and lots of money, but that isn’t my style. My style is honesty and generosity; hence, this blog and this offer!

You can either email me at cabinart@cabinart.net or comment on the blog. The first 10 get an ornament. If no one bothers, it will most definitely be a learning experience!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!


I’m thankful for more than I can list but here I go in random order anyway:

  1. Living in Three Rivers where there are wild turkeys, quail, and yes, even thankful for bears and deer and raccoons and skunks (but not opossums or wood rats)
  2. My good husband
  3. My Mom, sisters and their families
  4. Technology like this blog where I can express myself
  5. Cats, even Zeke the Terrible
  6. Knowing God
  7. American freedoms and abundance
  8. Not having to fly anywhere any time soon
  9. More authentic friends than any human being deserves
  10. Painting, drawing, teaching drawing lessons, my students, people who read my blog and people who buy my art
  11. KNITTING! (deep calming breaths, don’t get overly excited)
  12. My friend Dave who deep-pits my turkey every year

First Day at School

Not really. It sort of feels like it, but instead it is my first day working at Main Gallery. I don’t even know if it is called “Main Gallery” or “The Main Gallery”. There is no phone to answer, so I guess it doesn’t really matter. I’ve worked in more retail positions than I can list but never had my first day at a job without supervision! Guess I’ll put on my big girl pants and go after it. . . sometimes I love being a grown-up and other times I’d like to just let someone else step into that position. Today, the verdict is not in as to which attitude fits. Maybe if someone else would do the grocery shopping then I’d like the other parts of being a grownup. The best part of being a grown-up is doing whatever I want, which is sort of what happens while working in (the) Main Gallery. You know how at “real” jobs you have to act busy even when you aren’t? This “job” allows me to knit in between customers or work on my ‘puter or just sit. Maybe I do really like being a grownup today!

Thinking and planning and learning

In a perfect world, an artist would make art with her favorite medium of her favorite subjects when she felt like it. When it was almost finished, people would be clamoring to buy it, and she would rejoice in a sure sale. Dream on, Toots! In reality, if an artist wants to earn a living, she has to make art with the medium that sells best, choose subjects that people love, and be in touch with those people. In addition to making art, an artist has to be able to do a zillion other things. Want cards? Better learn what the best sizes are, where to have them printed, how many to order in quantities that might sell, how to package and where to find the materials, and how to price both resale and retail. Want to teach? Better be able to find, connect with and keep students. (Plus have a place, materials, a plan, and the flexibility of a pre-teen gymnast!) Need more than some paintings, cards and a few students? Better research the world of art and retail to find out what people are buying, gather seeds of information to create something new, practice like crazy, actually make art, and at the same time, learn how to market it. Need places to sell your work? Better get out there and discover shows, shops, galleries and other venues for promoting your work. Want commissions? Better meet people, listen to their wishes, have a price list, know how long it might take and have some samples to show.

Have a look at a recent commissioned piece:

This was fun to paint – new subject, new colors to mix, neat-o square shape, and a happy customer awaits!

From Dreary and Cold comes Bright and Cheerful

It was a very busy weekend. The opening at Main Gallery was very very well attended – it was hot, crowded, noisy and exciting.  First Saturday in Three Rivers was also exciting – I got blown away! Well, almost. Don, Paula, Leslie, Wendy and Kristi all came to my rescue and helped me secure my stuff. In addition, several paintings sold! Today is dreary and cold. Our propane tank is empty and the pilot lights in the workshop and studio are not lit. There is a fire in the woodstove in the house, and I have a laptop. Instead of using the excuse of cold and dark so I can justify sitting around and knitting, I have spent a large portion of the day learning about self-publishing, marketing, art business and self-promotion. I’m hoping the phone isn’t ringing off the hook in the studio (Wait a minute – I’m hoping it is and that the answering machine is full!!) and I’m still not convinced that Facebook is for me, but my excitement over writing, drawing and publishing a new book or two is growing! More will be revealed. . . or not, depending on how the ideas mature. Here, let’s look at something bright and cheerful:

Persimmon Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40

Black Oak Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40

Chinese Pistache Leaf, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $40

See how well I learned my lessons about marketing? Each painting has a Buy Now button conveniently located beneath it for your easy shopping pleasure. Please be impressed with my techie skills (and never mind the fact that I could have painted 12 pictures in the time it took to do this).

Style

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!

Labor Day Weekend

Turns out the Park Service granted permission for the show, but didn’t convey the message until I was already off in the Land of No Electricity for the weekend. Hmmm, good or bad? A little of both, but a great weekend was had by all (even those of us who made no $$) Michael and I hiked to the Empire Mine area to return something that was borrowed. We were just finished with the very steep first 1/4 mile of the trail when I heard an exclamation of dismay from my hubby. I knew instantly that he had forgotten something, so I simply responded, “That’s okay, I’ll just wait for you here.” You may recall that with me, waiting is rarely a problem.

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Notice how nicely the colors blend with the sky and the green of the landscape.

When Michael came back with the borrowed object, we proceeded onward and upward. We followed the cable and stanchions of the tram line that carried ore buckets during the mining days in Mineral King.

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The borrowed object was returned, but this time wasn’t placed in full view as it had been originally found.

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We visited the bull wheel at the upper end of the tramline.

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Michael explained how it worked – I understood most of it, and appreciated the history lesson.

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Would you believe there was a road up there?? I wouldn’t either, if I hadn’t seen and photographed it myself!

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This is the remains of the tram tender’s cabin, fully visible from the trail as one heads down (if the light is right and the hiker is paying attention)