Approaching Holidays

Every year around this time I promise myself that I won't be so frazzled NEXT year. So far, every year has been the same. Never enough time to cook, buy, wrap, send, visit, hug and kiss. It's getting easier though, since I no longer stress over Christmas cards! Thank goodness for the internet which makes it possible to shop in my pajamas any time of the day or night. Also can contact friends when I think of them instead of waiting for a reasonable hour for a phone call, or days later for a card to arrive. Yes, the internet is wonderful.

2009 has been the busiest year ever for my art business. I have painted more variety this year, and added some new skills. In addition to lots of abstract paintings I've painted quite a few landscapes, and just in the past few weeks, lots of cows. Lots of resin, carvings, castings, and encaustic. I took a workshop and learned image transfer to fresco, but haven't perfected that yet.

I lost a good client this year, by virtue of becoming business partners with her long time employee. We formed a new company in 2009, an art consulting firm, Art-Centric LLC. We were fortunate enough to land a big contract early in the year, artwork for the public spaces of the JW Marriott Hill Country resort and spa in San Antonio, TX. The project is now drawing to a close. It's been a great time, and big challenge for our first year of business. We've been blessed.

It's been a good year for love, too, since I started dating after a long hiatus! We've taken a few trips together, and bless his heart, he's a pilot and flies me around anywhere I want to go on his passes. I hope to take advantage of that a little more in 2010.

I moved my studio out of my house and into a 3,000 sq ft commercial space a year ago, and it was a long transition as I learned to paint in the new space. Now I love it, and have even gotten used to driving to work instead of rolling out of bed into the studio. It's good to have that separation of work and home.

It's been a good year overall, and mostly I have my partner Margie to thank for that. She's a gem, and we complement each other well. I'm blessed, WE are blessed, and I can happily close out this year and welcome the new one.

May each of you source the things that make you happy ~

Keeping Up

Feast or famine - it's always one or the other in my life. Which isn't surprising since I'm a full time professional artist/photographer. But now that I've taken on a bigger than big project I can hardly sleep anymore. Not time to, and also very difficult to quiet my mind. Sigh. Not that I'm complaining, understand.

In an economic time when many professionals are out of work I'm very happy to to be spending quality time in my studio working on commissions.

I did take a break last weekend and made a quick trip up to Chicago for my boyfriend's son's college graduation. He got a degree in computer game design, imagine that! Since Victor added me as his registered travel companion, it's a lot easier to jump on a plane with available seats and take off for somewhere, anywhere. While we were stuck at DFW because flights to Chicago were delayed, it was very tempting to take a flight to Honolulu instead. Of course then we would have missed the graduation. Next time, though, I'm going to pack for all possibilities.

I have a lot going on in the studio. Four 40 x 60 landscape paintings on gold/silver leaf, one large abstract, two 24 " sq paintings with gold painted leaves cascading down the surface, two 48" and two 36" sqs with raised stencil medallions. That's all for this week. I'm also still processing photos for another job which has deadline in a week. aaack!

I'm pouring resin for a job that was rejected! The resin had bubbles. I've poured two more, and they both have bubbles, too. There is no way to prevent that unless you use a pressure tank, and these pieces won't even fit inside one. It's bubbles or nothing at this point. I'm voting for nothing because I'm sick of the whole resin fiasco!

Going to San Antonio mid week for a photo shoot with a friend. I know I don't have time, but the photos are for a specific project. I hope to work in a short visit with my dad.

I've canceled my June vacation to Italy. Just can't take the time right now. Hope to do it in September, instead. And maybe between now and then Victor and I can take a few long weekends somewhere.

Back in the Studio

After a long hiatus I'm back at the studio painting. It seems that there was a stronger demand for photography for a good long time. Right now I have orders for paintings instead. Yay! I have to say that it has felt SO GOOD to be painting again. I'm getting the hang of the "new" studio, and putting a workflow in place. I'm leaving painting clothes and dress clothes there in case I have to meet a client or something. It just lets me be more flexible.

I thought that four 4' x 8' work tables was overkill when I first had them built, but they are all covered with paintings now. And the 16' slant wall has four paintings in progress on one side. Just as I suspected, I'm expanding to fill the space! Glad to have the work, especially in a down economy, and so glad to actually throw some paint around.

I have completed two surfaces of gold and silver leaf - in preparation for landscape paintings. Then I have three more landscapes on paper, a big abstract, and a cowboy painting. Must be a project in Texas!

I'll take pictures soon, I promise.

Making Progress

A rocky creek in southern New Hampshire

A set of circumstances and feedback from friends has created a desire for me to build my business. Those of you who read this blog regularly would be surprised to hear that I've been lazy. I've relied on one major client, and accepted any other work that came my way, but I haven't been marketing or trying to increase the volume of business at all. One reason that has become very evident is that my small workspace makes everything more difficult. With the advent of moving into commercial space, my ideas are growing with the huge size of the new work area. Two clients this week have asked if I can do high volume resin casting for room art. I would have said an emphatic "no!" before, but now that I have the space for it, more things become possible. I'm excited!

I'm busy this weekend. I have printed and varnished eight large canvases for the hotel in Myrtle Beach, and now I'm working on an abstract painting commissioned for a residential client.

Change of Seasons

Today has been landscaping day, when I tear up those spindly summer impatiens and replace them with the smiling faces of fall pansies. I'm doing white this year -- full white flowers, little purple faces, and some burgundy snapdragons as an accent. And red cyclamen. I'm exhausted.

I had the pleasure of visiting with Nita Leland on Friday night, at the gallery reception at Artists Showplace. I bought a copy of her new book "Confident Color" for my friend Dave. He thinks I'm really special for having it autographed by Nita! It's a great book, be sure and check it out. Was also nice to see my dear friends at the gallery.

I have a full week ahead, with a big abstract painting to get started on before heading to New England on Friday.

My new website is being worked on as we speak. It's strictly photography, and I hope to populate it with thousands of images. I've got my work cut out for me for sure!

Good in Every Room

Since I've moved things around and have more room for working in my studio/house, I'm not sure I'm more efficient, but I can work in more rooms at one time. This morning I have a painting on the wall in my studio, large scale photographs for the Ritz Carlton printing in my office, and photo paintings going through my second printer in my alternate print room. That just leaves the kitchen (which I visit often), and the living room where my paperwork table resides.

Today I'm also working outside -- under the carport this time, since there's a chance of rain. These are large abstract canvases, and I'm trying something new -- with the hose standing by in case of disaster. I'm pouring paint on loose canvas. I'm going for a watery ethereal effect, and I hope I can accomplish it, since these paintings are bound for a hotel in Detroit and the deadline was yesterday!

I'm revisiting a design concept that was returned to me yesterday. At least they starred the things they liked and xxxed the things they didn't! It's hard to present concepts without feedback. So that's a new thing on my plate this morning, which will originate right here at the computer, with the hum of the printer in the background.

Mania Sets In

With six projects all in various stages of production I have run out of studio space, which now includes my living room, dining room, and third bedroom. And when a client calls to ask me to do just one more thing before I leave town on Tuesday I freak out! Too much to do and not enough time.

I went to visit my Dad in Harlingen this past weekend, and we had a lovely time watching golf on TV. Golf has been his passion for many years, and since he can no longer play, he watches. He's lonely though, and I wish we lived closer because I don't see him as often as I'd like.

This morning I am printing three giclees for model room for a hotel resort. Purchase orders will be issued for this job when I get home. I'm printing all three images, with quantities of 900 ea, so I need to get a move on - it will take forever and I'll use both of my 44" printers. Also for this project I am painting the casting that I've had made of the original sculpture I finished this week.

I have struggled mightily to get three good prints on aluminum. I've had different problems with every print, and it has cost me hundreds of dollars since I'm buying pre-treated metal from Booksmart. Yesterday I pulled my last sheet out of the package and it has a big gouge across it. I'm a little high strung right now and fired off an email which was quickly answered by Eric, offering to replace the product immediately, and he helped with the other problems I'd had, too. Thanks Eric!

Spring storms are wreaking havoc here in North Texas. Besides tearing up my beautiful flower beds, the high humidity makes it hard for paint to dry. I'm trying to heed all the cautionary labels that say "do not use in high humidity". Well I can't wait forever!

My medical clinic project is coming along nicely. I love working with Denise! We have all but a couple of pieces picked out.

I have a new project that's a large grid painting for a local construction company. I went to their offices yesterday for a photo shoot, and got lots of really great ideas walking around their back storage yard.


The new abstract commission the Glorieta series (above) is almost done, but it just hasn't told me so yet. It still needs a tiny bit of tweaking. Lucky for me the wonderful woman who ordered it understands the creative process and will wait.

This weekend I'm fabricating another photo box with resin so it can cure while I'm out of town.

With all these things in process, nothing will get finished before I leave town, but I sure will have a lot of work when I get home. There's some security in that.

In the Moment

At the request of Kesha Bruce I am posting one of the photos from Saturday's meditative shoot. This was one of 20 that I shot of a rapidly decomposing pile of corrugated cardboard. Lots of abstract patterns and texture. I loved it! I was working with a macro lens and a very shallow depth of field. Why this photo fits the theme? If I went back to this location today everything would be different. The strong winds today may have sent some of this pile down the alley, the light is different, and even I am different and may see this in a new way. Since the point of the shoot was to be in the moment and document that moment, I think this particular series (more than the requisite wildflower shots) are particularly appropriate.

But that's not all I've been doing. I finished two 48 x 48 abstract paintings in the Red Circles series. They are commissions for a local hotel project.

Crunch Time

Isn't that always how things happen? In bunches?

Last night was a big mess at the Dallas voting precincts. Who's idea was it for voters to have to go to the polls twice anyway?? Everyone who watches the news knows that there was unprecedented turnout, and I was certainly glad to do my part. The Democratic fight isn't over, though, so we have more months of political propaganda before the convention. The message sent by Hillary is "don't give up", and it worked for her last night.

Anyway, back to business for me.

I've gotten approval for a 31 pc project for a suite in a medical facility, the purchase order for the 15 cast resin shells, a meeting to decide design specs for a 20 pc hotel installation, four large commissioned abstract paintings for the same hotel, and an internet sale of a 30 x 30 commission in the Glorieta series!

None of that would bother me except I have a 3 week trip scheduled leaving April 22. Talk about some stress!

And tomorrow night is the Grand Opening of Texas Clinic. Apparently it's a really big deal. There will be a band playing on each floor, lots of wine and snacks, and of course some high level hobnobbing for me. I think I will hand out postcards instead of business cards this time.

Inspiration of the Day: Hillary

Painting Again

It's been awhile since I've actually painted. I've been too busy at the computer conceptualizing (which is equally important).


I'm painting today, but it's not really a good thing. I had painted the abstract above, then took it to get transparencies and a scan. The scan was terrible. I didn't know how terrible, since I no longer had the original painting. So I processed it as best as I could, and printed the giclee in three 44"w x 60"h panels. Then four coats of varnish.

Once it was delivered and compared to the original painting, whoa - the blue color was way off. So off it went to the designer for approval. She liked the blue color fine, but did not like the shading of the curvy swirls. So today I am painted those swirls white with a pearlized finish. It's not easy. Takes three coats of paint. And I guess I'll have to varnish again when I'm done. I have gesso all over me, and I've had to be very careful to not get paint where it doesn't belong. aaaack!

Tomorrow is a new day, however, and my friend Helen is coming to town from Berkeley. She's here for this weekend's conference, the College Art Association and the Women's Caucus for Art. And Friday night there are lots of gallery events, including my own show with TexasWAX.

Caribbean Blue

60" x 30", acrylic on canvas

I have finished the large abstract painting I've been working on the past few days. Next step is getting a transparency made and scanned, so I can print this as a three piece giclee, twice this size.

My next project is in California, and I've been gathering and submitting images for that since yesterday. Also on my schedule is more work for a hotel in Arlington, TX with an unfortunately small budget for public spaces. I'll probably do giclees for that, too.

I took a time out Saturday, and didn't work at all. Spent an hour in the gym in the morning, then went to the Fort Worth Stock Show and the rodeo. I haven't been to one in years, and it was a real hoot. Fast paced excitement that's for sure! I did take my camera, since I couldn't pass up the chance to take cowboy photos. See my photoblog for a shot of the bull riding.

Cleaned Up

that blue does not photograph well, especially with the sun shining on it! 60" x 30"

Well I've cleaned up since yesterday -- even had my nails done. I was through with the blue, anyway.

Today I'm painting the curly swirls on that blue background. On Monday I'll take the painting to have a transparency made and scanned, because I intend this image to go in my "giclee" file. Sometimes my clients don't have the budget for original paintings. I use the scans to print my own paintings, and sometimes to montage together for entirely new "paintings" created digitally.

That keeps my printer running while I'm in the studio. I'm giving it a rest today after two days printing round the clock for a room art project in the Caribbean.

Got a new project on my plate today, room art for a hotel in Southern California. My client called and gave me the color palette and design concept. From there I dig through my image inventory of both paintings and photography and submit appropriate things. That actually is quite an investment in time, because I always color tint whatever kind of image it is to fit the project. There's a lot of photoshopping involved. Still so much easier than painting something and hoping somebody likes it! Computers really simplified the commercial art business. I don't have to paint a thing until it's sold.

My New Year

Today is my birthday, and with the way it's situated in holiday season it feels like the real beginning of every new year to me. This year it's on a Monday, even better!

The image above is a "digital painting" created from a photograph. It's a little hard to see the brush strokes in the small web version, but the original size looks great. It was fun to do, and I submitted it for model room for the new Ritz-Carlton project I've been working on.

I delivered the Pensacola job today, and the gallery had a sign on the locked door that they were closed for a meeting. I pulled out my cell phone and found out that everyone was there but deathly ill from a virulent bug. I left the art at the door and watched from a distance as someone came out to collect it. I sure don't want to share that microorganism.

So I'm laying out more canvas for the next three paintings of abstracted landscapes. Don't have much energy for painting today, so I'm thinking I'll clean out a kitchen cabinet to make room for some of my new kitchen equipment that Santa brought me!

Inspiration of the Day: new beginnings

Losing Track of Time

I didn't realize so much time had gone by since I last posted. I've been so-o-o-o busy!

I am still working on the Pensacola project, with large scale photography printed on canvas, and three very large photo paintings. They measure 44"w x 58"h. In order to print on that size canvas I had to figure out a way to get it through my printer, which I did, thank goodness. My normal process is to complete the painted areas first, then run it through the printer, but with so much room for error in the printing phase I did that first this time. All three printed okay. Not great, but good enough.

I am painting them now, and wherever there's a little printing flaw I'm touching up with paint. No one will ever know once they are framed and on the wall somewhere. I've got two completed, and I'm working on the third, should finish today. I hope so, because I want to spend some time in the yard tomorrow when it hits seventy five degrees!

I thought I had the whole month mapped out, but I'm in the business of creating original art for commercial projects. All those designers work on deadlines, and I never know what purchase order might be headed my way at any given time. This past week while doing my best to complete the Pensacola project, I got another order for three original abstracted landscapes on canvas for a hotel in Charlotte. They are big, too, 44 x 44.

On top of that I got one of those "art emergency" phone calls asking for more concept images for a new Ritz property. I didn't know this, but I'm doing model room for that project. I pulled some of my recent photography from Yosemite and submitted that, but also booted up Corel Painter and made a few digital paintings. It was great fun, and very satisfying when my client called me up with a big "wow!".

AND, the client I did the double-sided resin boxes for called. Her client loved them, wants more. Yikes. I SWORE I wouldn't do anymore of those, so we're talking large scale wall hung panels this time. Much easier.

Now I'm stressed again, because I have a trip to New Orleans scheduled for Jan 17 - 21. It's a photo shoot with my friend Nancy.

Catching Up to the 70s

Acrylic on Canvas, 48w x 36h ea

Whew! I had a whirlwind trip to S. Texas to visit both my Dad and my dermatologist. I was glad to go, it's been six months since my last visit, and I was starting to feel guilty! My Dad and Sarah are both hanging in there, I'm happy to say.

When I came home on Monday I went straight to the studio and that's where I've stayed in order to finish the two seventies style paintings you see above. Just tonight got approval on them, so I've varnished them twice and my client will come pick them up later this evening. Her store (lululemon athletica) will open at 8:00 am - her first day! She's excited, and can't wait to see the paintings in person.

I might hit the stores in the early morning, then finish packing for my trip on Saturday. I've got my camera gear gathered up - that's the most important thing. I don't really care about the clothes. As long as I'm warm! I know it can get really cold in Yosemite - but I don't know if it can beat Dallas tonight as a cold front comes through and snow expected! Two days ago it was 84 degrees and I had the AC on. Typical Texas weather.

I took some time out today to count my blessings -- I have so many!

Inspiration for the Day: big red Christmas lights

Endings

"Categories: Texas I and II", acrylic and collage on gallery wrapped canvas, 36 x 48

These are the last two original paintings for Texas Clinic. I've been tweaking them for several days, but they're off the wall now, and ready to go. They'll go in the first floor lobby.

Monday my solo show at the Smith Art Gallery at the Scott and White hospital in Temple, TX is coming down. I've had five inquiries, four of them for the Glorieta abstracts, and one for the Blue Vase still life. Nothing sold. I doubt that I would have done this show if I would have known the circumstances. For instance, the gallery is not attended, there are no prices shown, and not even a price list. Each person who contacted me had to physically describe each painting they were interested in since there was no reference. It was expensive to do since I had to frame so many paintings, and that's an expense I can't recoup. My normal sales do not include framed paintings. I guess I could list them on my website, though, that's a thought.

I will be using at least four of those paintings for Texas Clinic, however, so that worked out.

It's such nice weather, and no art emergencies this weekend, I'm thinking of taking off in the car with my camera. Wanderlust!

Well, duh! I totally forgot that this weekend is the Healthcare Design conference here in Dallas (for the first time) and I'm attending tomorrow. Then having dinner with Carl from ArtXP.com, my giclee publisher.

Scary All Right

It's All Hallow's Eve and when I put this ten year old costume on it's scary for sure! It's an old "Pebbles" costume straight from the Flintstones, as if any kid these days would know that!

The jack-a-lanterns are lit, the motion-activated skeleton is situated right by the sidewalk to scream as kids approach. Got a boom box with sound effects, and new this year, a fog machine!

I finished the last two original paintings for Texas Clinic, everything else is at the framers, and I'm done done done.

Did some last minute printing for another project, and that one's wrapped up, too.

Still need to do some design work for a hotel/resort in Turks and Caicos, guess I'll get to that tomorrow -- but maybe I'll sleep in first!

Planning An Escape

It's been too long since I've had a change of scenery, and I'm planning just that. I need to get away, I need to be alone, and I need some distractions. Luckily my artist friend Helen is going away over Thanksgiving and she needs a petsitter for her little dog Redford, and her two new poodle puppies! How could I resist the allure of northern California and two puppies?

Hopefully all these projects that have made me so crazy over the past few months will be installed and off my mind.

Today I am painting three abstracts (the ones I forgot about) and delivering the abstract I painted yesterday that will be turned into digital wallpaper.

Had some major complications with the carving. The casting estimator got the numbers wrong and now it's not even close to being affordable for room art. It's possible that we'll have enough time to get it to China for casting, but that's a long way off, and decisions can be made after model room (Nov 1). We're doing the first one here, that's for sure.

Still doing last minute prints for Texas Clinic. I have one 46' wall left to lay out, and I'm done with that. Can't wait to see what turns up in my inbox today.

The Real World

"In the real world, there are things that we can't change, and endings come to us in ways that we can't rearrange." Roy Orbison

I can't seem to get that song out of my head. Appropriate lyrics for me right now, as the seasons change and cold winds whisk dry brown leaves off maple trees. I keep telling myself, change is good.

I'm glad I have work to keep me busy. Today I am working on an abstract painting that will be digitized and printed as wallpaper. Technology is amazing.

Then I have three small paintings still to do for the same hotel the carving is for. I had actually forgotten about them completely in the drama of the sculpture!

And I am still printing images for Texas Clinic, just about to wrap that up.

An ordinary day overlaid with a veil of sadness.

Finishing Feels Good

Texas Clinic grid painting, 120" x 60" x 4"

I completed the Texas Clinic grid painting yesterday. I've looked at it a hundred times, and still happy with it, so it will come down off the wall, so two new canvases can go up. They are the last two to be painted for this project.

I'm going to the framers today with photographs for the same project. The deadline is getting nearer, but I'm making good progress.

I worked in a couple of photo shoots yesterday, and today will do the same. Although the TC is a major project, it's not the only thing on my schedule right now, and I still have to keep up with those things.