Where Are Those Sleigh Bells?

Hey, look! It's December!

I can't believe it's December though. I mean, I know I said it was, but it really feels like October in Vermont, compared with December in North Carolina. Although, I hear it's been weirdly warm back in Vermont, so perhaps not all that different right now.

When last I checked in on my moving saga, I was stuck in the temporary apartment, but thinking the house was going to be done soon. That would have been nice, but instead the builder delayed our closing all the way out until mid-October. We lost the apartment in September (when the short-lease was up, and they said SURE! They'd be happy to extend it... for $4,000 a month. I kid you not.) So, we ended up putting everything in storage and staying at my parents' townhouse for a few weeks. Sleeping on the floor is not as easy as it once was, I think. Or maybe it's never easy.

We finally closed on the house, and moved in. It was a long, and difficult process even then. I know moving is always hard, I just don't remember it being this difficult. As a parent, I feel like I'm just letting my children down left and right. I know it's not really my fault... but it feels that way.

One very positive side is that I have my studio! Now, the movers, when they didn't want or know where to put certain boxes decided to just dump them all in my studio. So, I didn't get to really set things up the way I would have liked. However, I've worked through about 85% of the boxes now and I have been able to paint some. It's not comfortable yet, and I haven't found everything, but that's a start!

This is my newest painting, from sketch to finish:

The theme was "Winter Wonderland"

"Snowshoe" 9x12, oil on stretched canvas (Available)

Not only am I on a HUGE elephant kick, like this one before it:

"Somnium" 16x20, acrylic on canvas panel  (SOLD)

But I've also FINALLY been able to switch back over to oils. That's something I have been planning to do for a long time, but I knew the move would ruin oil paintings, so I held back.

This is another new painting:

"Candy" 9x12, oil on loose canvas (SOLD)

Candy was really more of an experiment. I had something I needed to paint for, but I wanted to dip back into my oils. So, this was my toe back into the oil-water, so to speak.

I've been feeling that my style is getting ready to grow, and make a bit of a jump. I think that now that I am in my house, that I will finally be able to let that happen. I feel a little like I want to barricade myself, stay off the computer and just paint for a few months. I don't know how to allow that to actually happen without shooting my business in the foot, however. My hope is that once I get the studio (and house) straightened out, that I will feel more relaxed about painting and it'll all just start flowing like I know it wants to.

On a side note, I ended up test ordering some pillows with my art on them, and they came out so cool!

I ended up selling a bunch, as a one time offer. The problem is that they're cost prohibitive for me. They seem very popular and are probably something I should stock when I do another art fair, but I need to find a cheaper way to make them. Anyone know any good wholesaler pillow/fabric type of businesses?

Well, anyway... Today, as I was looking up foxes for a new painting, I realized I hadn't checked in at all on here for a very long time! I'm going to do better with that!

Art Exercise

I really think  I have Art ADD. Or more, maybe I'm over-saturated on ideas and things to do. I have been continuing with the ACEOs:

"Swing" Acrylic on black illustration board, ACEO Available on my site for purchase

But then I knew it was finally time to get my Queen of Hearts moving along. So, I finally started sketching her out on a 16x20 canvas:

Now, she's only part of the canvas. That is just a close-up. I'm planning another flamingo at her feet, and the white rabbit peaking from behind her skirts, and I think some playing cards here and there along with a sculpted garden behind her... or perhaps her castle in the distance? I'm not entirely sure about the background yet, and it's holding me up (I also need to fix her bodice so it's more accurate in the proportions. I free hand everything onto the canvas, so it's an organic work in progress.) I'm pleased with her face. Regal and scary at the same time, which I like better than the frumpy version you tend to see of her. I mean, there has to be a reason she ended up in charge and stayed that way, right?

Anyway, so that is in progress and then my fine art magnets finally arrived from the printer:

They're actually more vibrant in person, I should have tweaked the photo a bit, but I was very excited!

I'm selling the big magnets (about the size of a postcard) for $5, (and the little ones for $3, but only in person.) Right now, I'm offering a free little one with the purchase of any four big ones in my Etsy shop. 

Socrates checking out the small magnet of the painting he modeled for. He approves!

Eventually I'll get them up on my main website, but I have figured out that it's probably time for an overhaul and integration of a new shop system on my main website... but I don't have time for that right now. So, Etsy, it is.

And then I found out that there are art auction groups on Facebook! I had no idea, and I'm honestly not sure how I even found them, but find them I did! I joined, unsure of what to expect, and I have actually made some sales! (And bought quite a few items as well, the talent there is stellar.) Here is the link to the first group, and here is the link to the second. Neither one has anything up for auction yet, but they both will open on the 5th with their themed auctions. The first link has non-specific auctions every week as well minus the one themed per month. I know of several artists who blog and visit me who really ought to check them out, and consider putting up some of their work. (The current theme of Bizarre and Surreal is more unusual for them. My fantasy work fits in just fine, so keep an eye on the sites and consider joining me maybe?)

The only downside (if you can call it that) is that I now have all sorts of prompts and reasons to work on smaller works and create things, and I want to very much!!! But... well, remember how I was bothered because I am a slow painter? I'm still a slow painter.

However, this has gotten me a bit more excited about working on these smaller pieces and perhaps trying to pick up the pace. Maybe my normal big paintings will still take months, but perhaps I can gain a little more confidence in my speed by working on these. Like art-workouts. Exercise for my paint brush!

Anyway, I've waited until the last minute, but I'm going to try and knock some pieces out for both. The theme for the monthly group is Moon Goddess. Boy, is that a topic I have covered well in my paintings! But I want to make some new ones too. So, we'll see how it goes.

Additionally, by digging into all of this, I've realized there are some things in my style that I would like to change, in particular the faces of my subjects. I haven't figured out how I want to do eyes yet, and the noses I keep going back and forth on too. Well, it's given me reason to start messing with my sketchbook and making things that will never be sold simply because I'm trying to figure out what feels right. It's been an incredibly long time since I have done that!

Minus us still working on the kitchen, that's all that's been happening. Just crazy art, summer, house project busy! I hope you are all well!

We had just gotten the tiles up in this photo, if you remember from a few posts back the pictures with the old then the new counter, you'll be able to see how much this helps the kitchen look better! We grouted last night, but we're still not done. We're going to get copper outlet covers and hardware for the cabinets to fancy them up. Who knew a kitchen would take so much work?!

Snowy Moods

I finished the little commission I was working on:

"Two Owl'Clock"
5x7 canvas panel, Acrylic

While it's sold, I set up some items through Zazzle with it on them (like cards'n'stuff.)

I have another commission I'm working on involving an Irish theme, but my head is completely in the snowy-mood (even though it's bright and sunny - if freezing - out!) With that in mind, I'm digging into more of the holiday decorations and today I'm tackling the main Christmas tree because there are some ornaments I want to use as inspiration for a few paintings... but I can't GET to them without going through everything, and if I'm going to do that, I might as well put the tree up! Plus we were able to get ahold of LED string lights this year (for two years running, they've been sold out every time I have tried to purchase some) and I'm dying to see how they look on our tree...

See how I just made putting up a Christmas tree a work-related activity? I know, you're marveling at my brilliance.

Well, it was brilliant right up until I remembered that there are 90-bajilliony pieces and stereo-type-instructions to get it together. I'm determined though... I have a holiday painting similar to the owl one I'm working on too. Moon, tree, and ornaments... I have the moon done so far, but I really just need to do a quick dive into a couple of these and then I can focus on other work again.

I think, deep down, I'm hoping it'll make it snow.

Happy Friday!

September, Start it up!

I'm so happy to have my children back in school. They may not say it out loud, but I'm pretty sure they're happier in school as well. They get to see all their friends every day, and I get more time in my studio!

I'm working hard on finishing my white rabbit painting (I'm calling it "I'm Late!") over the next week, and I'm going to be able to put up another time-lapse video of this from start to finish. I've also been considering doing some videos from my studio where I am actually in them. Me, talking... on camera. It looks like it will happen!

I've also been thrilled that I've been able to start working on my holiday paintings! I'm all about Halloween right now, but I'm even thinking ahead to the winter holidays! I love any excuse to paint fun holiday themed paintings!

I put up a collection of paintings at a shop in Montpelier, VT called Inspired Creations. The shop is owned by two artisans (potter and jewelry), and is only a few months old. I brought them 18 of my paintings up there, and a slew of prints, and I got to visit the area which I hadn't seen in a while. It really is such a cute town up there, but I admit I had a hard time resisting the idea that the Ben & Jerry's factory wasn't too far away. I think ice cream may be my very favorite treat!

I'm doing more work on my Fairy series as well, and since it's open ended I can visit it whenever I want! I finished this painting of mushroom townhouses:

"Townies" by Kyra Wilson, Acrylic on 6x6x0.75 stretched canvas $115 (including shipping in the USA & Canada)

I started working a bit on a mini-canvas of a fairy, but I'm not certain I like it. I may have to switch to my oils so I can really capture the fairies I am envisioning (not to mention, work on a bigger canvas!) I always have a million ideas, and canvases lined up to be painted. The only thing I seem to lack is time!

I'm going to be paying more attention to this blog, because I think it allows for me to post more updates, with perhaps a bit more interesting content in them as I process different things and work on different projects. Facebook is still my go-to spot for updates, but it's not a good thing to be so long-winded on it. Here, however? I can explore all sorts of ideas! My posts will probably get a lot more specific and seem less like an update overall. I also know I'm going to start writing about the business side of things, because I think if you're an artist trying to figure out this business stuff, any information can help. And if you're in the business, writing it out can help too!

Off to the easel...

End of August!

It's been a long while since I updated, and I'm happy to say that I have been keeping very busy both in the studio and in the business!

During the month of September, some of my artwork will be featured in Montpelier, VT at a local shop called Inspired Creations. You should be able to catch the Enchanted Forest series, and perhaps some other paintings in person (and they will be available for purchase there as well!) If you're in the area, it's worth stopping by simply to see the other collections and offerings they have from all over Vermont!

In the studio I've been very busy. My Alice series has been running a bit slow, but I imagine that once school starts again and my children are back on the path of public education, Alice will jump forward with great speed! I'm continuing on my time-lapse video of my white rabbit painting, and I plan on actually doing an introduction before hand. If that works out, I might do a video blog (vlog?) here and there!

So what's new from the easel?

Well, I finished "Fred" for my Alice series. No, he's not the Mock Turtle, but he certainly fits with my theme!

"Fred" Acrylic, 6x6x.75" stretched Canvas, Alice Series (held for show).

 Then I got into some seasonal paintings in the middle of the sweltering heat, wishing for those cool autumn nights and painted a few for the season:

"Pumpkin Dreams" Acrylic, 4x4x.75" stretched canvas, Seasonal (available for purchase )

"Autumn Evening" Acrylic, 16x8x1.5" stretched canvas, seasonal (available for purchase!)

Lastly, I finally stopped putting off all my requests for Fairy-themed artwork. I was a little hesitant at first, but then I finished this one just today, and I simply LOVE it!

"Country Cottage" Acrylic, 6x6x.75" stretched canvas, Fairies (available for purchase)

I've got another 6x6 in the works with an Autumn fairy on it, so we'll see how she comes out. However, I can tell you I definitely want to do more fairy houses! Really, working on fairies along with my Alice series, it's a perfect combination as there are bits of crossover!

Oh, and there are only a few days left of my 10% off sale on my prints on Etsy. They're the same price as on my main gallery site, free shipping, but just for August you get 10% off! If you've been looking at a print, now's a great time to buy it! Plus I was also able to add my new prints, and finally a fantastic print (in multiple sizes) of my Moonlit River painting!

So, going forward, lots and lots of painting on the horizon! I'm waiting for my supplier to get my mini-canvases (4x4") back in stock and then I'll be pleased to offer more of those for sale. I finalized the wholesale program for retailers and resellers who are interested (you can click here for more information), and I've even started looking at venues for my show for my Alice series in the Autumn of 2013! So much to look forward to!

Jade Moon, and other paintings!

Last night, I finished a small painting (6" x 6" x 0.75") called "Jade Moon":

It's up in my Etsy store, along with these others that are not recent, but ARE available (and framed, to boot!)

"Gold" Enchanted Forest Series

"Starry Night" Enchanted Forest Series

In addition to finally getting things up in my Kyra Wilson Etsy Store, I've also finally started getting things up in my Official Zazzle Kyra Wilson Store. I'm very excited about the Zazzle store, because it's got all sorts of things in it. I made a few cards involving my Halloween/cat painting "Patch", and my Snowy Evening painting, as well as my recent painting Garden Party. I even have a slew of things with my Midnight River painting on them, which looks fabulous (Zazzle liked my mug enough to give it a Today's Best award right off the bat!

Anyway, I'm excited about the merchandise I can offer. I'm excited that I've enabled a direct buy option via Etsy until I have my main site completely revamped (I'll have the ability to sell directly from there when I'm done, but I'll keep my Etsy store too.)

I'm getting close to starting in on my snowy/holiday type paintings! I know, I need to get to them quickly!

make custom gifts at Zazzle