Witchy Friends

I did a quick little painting, just to get into the holiday mood!

"Witchy Friends"

SOLD

(not including shipping, which is probably around $5, unless you're overseas, and tax if you're in Vermont)

4x4x1.5 Acrylic

It's a little one, only 4 x 4 x 1.5. But it's gallery deep with the sides painted (no framing required.) It's a little tricky photographing such a small painting, because the texture of the canvas tends to reflect the flash, and it makes it look like maybe there is something there that isn't.

I just wanted to do something fun for Halloween. I think I'm going to do something a bit larger with a little more detail next, but also Halloween... and probably cats! I really think a Jack-o-lantern is on the horizon somewhere here.

Garden Party

Finally! I finished a painting that has taken much time than I expected. This painting is going up for auction for a charity in a couple months (I'll make sure to let you know if it will be public or not, if you want a shot at the original), but I am making prints out of it.

I was asked to do a painting for my son's school, as were many other artists. Then, I was asked to teach the class that is going along with it. Professional artists are to create and donate an original painting, and then 12 children are going to be in the class, choose one each, and create their own painting semi-inspired by the pro-artist's. The paintings will then be paired together, and go to auction to raise money for the school (which desperately needs it.)

The theme we were given was "Garden Party", and whatever that meant to us. I've seen the other paintings, as I am the teacher. There are abstract, impressionists, and more in the bunch. My brain took it to Alice in Wonderland, likely because I am actually working on a series with my daughter as my Alice.

The photo is fuzzy, and just a quick snap - because it's not all dry yet, and thus the art-shoot of it will be a little while just yet.

I've settled on what I'm going to do with my site, AND my business, and my goal it to launch sometime in January with the new site, and lots of new prints and paintings!

Boo!

It's Halloween time, and I'm not working on anything Halloween! GAH! It's so not right! But it's next on my list.

I'm currently working on a painting for charity. Because I have Alice in Wonderland on my brain because it was my next project, the picture turned into an Alice in Wonderland picture. Clearly my brain has it's own ideas. The theme (not my decision) was Garden Party, so it's understandable that it went that way, but still.

I hope to have that painting finished today, and I'll post a picture of it. Then? Fun stuff, Halloween stuff... jack-o-lanterns, and more! And then back to Alice stuff. Or maybe Alice will hit the back burner until January, and I'll just get into the holiday stuff.

Website - haven't moved on this yet. I think I've got my direction with design, and while I don't like using a canned site, the reality is that it's easier to update with new things. I also found a printer, which will make my Giclee prints affordable! I'm so excited! I've also finally got plans in the works for a calendar. It won't be ready for 2012, but it'll be ready to pop for 2013. So, stuff is rolling, things WILL be happening!

A Real Step

I've taken a lot of time off from my art business. Sure, I've done a bit here and there, but in truth I haven't been pouring myself into it. I have to be honest; I think I've been spinning in my own circle. I'd say I was chasing my own tail, but that would mean I was chasing something and that isn't true. Instead, what I've been doing is a lot of internal arguing with myself.

I have an art business. I have a photography business. I have opportunities to write (in addition to freelance, I've had the "I could write a book about this... or that... I should write a book" going on in my head for years.) I could do any of these things. I could be successful (most likely) at any of those things, with the right amount of effort and planning and dedication. Persistence.

But I cannot be successful at all of them. I'm not even sure I could be successful at more than one at the same time, much less three. The reality is that I have a lot of opportunity in front of me,  many choices. Sometimes choices are freeing, and exciting, and sometimes they're just too much. I made my career opportunities into too much to think about, and an overwhelming experience. Again, a choice - my own, but one I let bog me down out of fear.

It's taken a lot of talking with myself and others to start to figure this out. I'm not there all the way yet, either. What I do know is that it's time I face my fear and start doing something, rather than sitting and doing nothing with a whole lot of excuses. I've had people tell me their version of what is successful, or what they think must happen, and let that be my only vision of what could be - which I subsequently ran from because it wasn't who I am. However, I know very well that it doesn't have to be that way. In both art and business, there is ample room for creativity and success via new channels. One person's vision does not have to be someone else's. There is no road, only the path you make for yourself.

This whole art business is going to change. I have figured out that if I were suddenly wildly successful, bringing in money at any of the three choices I have, I would be most satisfied with my art because it's about more than selling something. Art is who I am, and I'm finally preparing myself to move forward. My time away was not a loss, as I have a much better understanding of who I want to be, and what I want my business to become without losing sight of who I am.

I'm letting some things go, embracing others, and preparing to take the risk. Big changes are ahead, and they're going to take a lot of work. I know deep down I can, and will make them happen.

Here goes something...