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.

Beyond Forgetting

So I had the installation for my first ever one-woman show yesterday. Since I'm not an artist who shows work regularly I made a list of everything I had to do to prepare. All the work was done in advance. The framing was planned and completed early. One of the last things I remembered to do was create a price list, which I did late the night before.

Yesterday, right on time, I picked up the paintings from the framer, and they loaded my car. It was full! About halfway through the three hour drive, I thought about the camera. Didn't bring one. Not only did I not forget it, I didn't even think about it.

Here's the link for the show, although there's no pictures.

So you'll have to rely on me to tell you that the show looks great. Very colorful. To my eye at least, it also looks like at least three artists are showing, because of the range of work on the walls. The gallery director asked me to bring an assortment, so I sure did. The only thing that holds it all together is color. The art got lots of attention, that's for sure! She wasn't kidding about the number of people who walk through this area.

This morning I'm back at work, creating digital mockups for the next project.

Installation Day

This is the day I install my one-woman show at the Smith Art Gallery at the Scott and White Hospital in Temple, TX. I left everything at my framer's, so I'll pack the car there. I forgot I had to have a price list, so I had to name and price each piece. That's unusual for me since I'm not really a gallery artist. But I did it late last night, and have a nice printed list. Now I will make labels and put them on the back of each piece to avoid confusion.

I don't expect it to take too long to hang the show. There are only 13 pcs, although I'm taking more than that just to have an assortment since I haven't seen the space. It's 2 1/2 hours from here, though, so it will be an all day event.

Well, I'm just looking at it as a road trip. I needed a day off!

The Final Final

The promised photo of the Texas Clinic grid painting. Another thing I thought of regarding my deadline extension is that my solo show comes down on Nov 5, which means that whatever didn't sell out of that show I can use in the clinic. That gives me even more breathing room.

On the table in front of it is one of the giclees I've just printed for a hotel in Fort Worth. There are two of those and I've varnished them this morning so they will be ready for delivery tomorrow.

I'm going to take more personal time today, and maybe go to the Greek Festival. It feels great to be more relaxed and not under so much pressure. whew

I Said No Again

Yesterday a client called looking for photographs of a particular industry. I have a few, and forwarded them on. Not enough, they said, we want more. So they requested that I make elaborate arrangements to get permission to go to a certain place to take the photos that they want. On my own time. For free. With no guarantee that their client would buy them. My response? "No."

Another client called and asked if I could create some pseudo-vintage posters if they provided the photography sources. Can I? Yes. But not this month. I said "no".

Yesterday was a tough day for me. Anxiety levels are running high (Will I complete everything on time? Will the framing get done? Will they LIKE it?). Sleep sometimes eludes me, and I'm up in the middle of the night processing photographs for printing. Yesterday followed a night like that. I only had a few hours of fitful sleeptime, and suffered the physical results. Consequently I took care of myself by having bacon and eggs for dinner (yum!) and watching TV til 9:00 when I went to bed with my book. After a recuperative night's sleep full of interesting dreams, I'm back to normal today.

I have to be very careful about how I allocate my time in the next six weeks. My solo show gets hung next Tuesday. Texas Clinic installs at the end of October. I have a sculpture due on Nov. 1 for a hotel model room. Time is an elusive thing -- can disappear or stretch out to infinity depending on the circumstances. I'm just trying to stay on an even track until the clinic job gets installed. Then I'll need a vacation, for sure!

Deadline Monsters

Texas Clinic grid painting, 120" x 60", in progress

I'm scared of a deadline. But it's a healthy fear that completely motivates me. Over the years I have found that lacking a deadline I don't do much. These days I'm in overdrive. I really did not fully grasp how long printing these 900+ images would take. I was up at 4:15 this morning changing paper in one of the printers. I still don't know if I'll make the deadline. These are big images and take almost 20 minutes to print one. That means 8 12 hour days for the batch! I'm running the printer longer than that, but still it takes time to tally, to change ink and paper, to pack, etc. I decided not to sign them just because I didn't want to spend the time to do it.

I do feel like the printing is under control, though, and I'm back to the studio painting. The picture above shows the progress of the grid painting for Texas Clinic. I usually design these paintings digitally, make a printout, then change things as I feel it. I've marked off the grids, and started underpainting. Since this painting is already finished in my mind I'm relaxed and enjoying the process.

Got a call from the framer yesterday and everything for the solo show is completed, so that's off my mind, too. I install Oct 2 and the show runs through Nov5 at the Smith Art Gallery and Scott and White hospital in Temple, TX.

Technology Curve

Just when I thought I had caught up - me with my pro digital camera, my three pro printers, my new computer, updated software and Photoshop plugins, my lcd TV and digital music system. Just when I thought I was, well, not on the leading edge, but at least keeping up, my artist friend one-upped me. Annette Bush of the flowing silver hair and attention getting hats, Annette of the high heel sandals for sightseeing, of the feathers and felt and family stories for every occasion. Annette bought an iPhone. It's too big to fit in her bra, she says, but has so many cool features she'll find another place for it.

I'll never catch up.

I'm working on another Glorieta painting today. Not quite happy with it - but I'll leave it up on the wall so I can see where it needs tweaking. It won't be framed, so I have a couple weeks before I need it for my show.

Packing in Supplies

You'd think I lived in the wilderness the way I check my supplies mid-week to make sure I don't run out of an important item over a working weekend. Like ink or paper. Things I can't buy on Saturday. I'm starting a big print job, and I don't really know how much of what it will take. I overbought, with the understanding that I will always need and use these supplies.

It's only 7:00 pm but I'm beat. I finished the boot painting today (minor adjustments and varnishing). Started a new Glorieta painting for my solo show next month. I still love that series. And I submitted about ten digital images for various projects.

Got the series of 15 abstracts all laid out and ready to go. They are all taped off waiting for paint. I need light for that, so will put it off til tomorrow.

Doesn't really seem like I accomplished that much for getting up just after 4:00 am. Silly me.

(yawn)

Painting, Traditional and Digital

Texas Roundup, 4' x 4' acrylic on canvas

Another day of multi-tasking. Moving between a canvas on my studio wall and the virtual canvas of my monitor.

I never expected my client to call and ask me to create a catalog of digitally created images. When computer generated art was first developed, it was looked at with scorn. Now there are companies who sell only that. Amazing! And the pitiful (to me) example I whipped up with a photograph and Photoshop was so well received by my client that they are clamoring for more. Like a whole catalog of imagery they can mix and match.

Digital Art

I actually am encouraged to do exactly that, since looking over the recent bid package I received for a massive hotel/resort project. It's mostly digital art!

I'm getting panicky looking at my deadlines looming. I have to install my solo show on Oct 2. Yikes!

Doing a Walk-Through

It's been awhile since I worked as an art consultant and was responsible for art placement. I'm doing it now with Texas Clinic, and thank goodness I remembered that things in the construction industry change and nobody tells you. So that's why I wasn't too surprised yesterday when I did a walk-through of the building.

There are doors in places where art is supposed to hang. There are glass walls that aren't on the blueprints. There are new walls where they weren't before. All in all, several things changed and I have to adapt my placement for it. One thing I did was eliminate one large original in the first floor lobby and make the custom designed grid painting bigger. I ordered the canvas today, 120w" x 60"h x 4". woo hoo!

I'll be printing this weekend so I can start taking things to the framer. My goal is to finish this job ahead of schedule. I really want to take a trip in October -- to photograph fall color and waterfalls. Hopefully Nancy's ankle will have healed up enough by then for her to hobble around and hold on to her tripod for support. I know she'd kill me if I went without her!

I finished a painting for my solo show today. It's another Glorieta painting, photo coming soon.

Also have some printing to do for a big presentation next week for a giant hotel project in Central Texas. Doing some cool stuff, printing on metal, and maybe doing some cast resin. This is a project where we are competing against another company so it's whoever has the coolest design gets the job. Oh boy!

New Project Today

Got a new project to start, 15 abstract paintings, line drawings on painted backgrounds. My client will give me three colors to match to.

And I'm in the big middle of printing images for Texas Clinic, since yesterday's printing for the Ritz went so smoothly. I'm loving my new printer, it's twice as fast as my old one, and that means a lot when I'm printing multiples.

Still waiting for that PO for room art for a local Sheraton, almost a thousand pieces. It was supposed to be here last week, but nothing yet.

And I'm painting. I got a good start on a new Glorieta painting yesterday, this one for my solo show in October.

Inspiration of the Day: Primary Colors

More New Things

Glorieta TC, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48

Gloriete TC, detail

Back in the electronics category I had to replace my keyboard and mouse yesterday. See? Once you start upgrading electronics....

I bought one of those ergonomic models, and now I have to learn how to type again, jeeez!

I had forgotten how much I love the Glorieta series of abstract paintings. Spent the whole day in the studio yesterday working on the painting shown above for Texas Clinic. I had such a good time that I stopped and stretched a new canvas so I can paint another one for my solo show in October. I keep forgetting about that show, and that's dangerous since I'm slated for 13 paintings. I'm feeling the pressure, believe me.

I'm getting another opportunity to place paintings, and/or photography at the Ritz. My gallery called yesterday asking for anything I might have in the right color palette for the Spa (which got a big write up in the newspaper recently). I'm submitting today. It's another fast turnaround since the hotel is now opened.

Shaping up to be another busy day.

Studio Turnover

Early morning on the Oregon coast, June 2007

All projects are out of the studio and I'm on to new things. I have three canvases up on the wall, with a nice orange underpainting. They are landscapes, maybe big sky sunsets, I'm not exactly sure. And they will be for either Texas Clinic or for my solo show in October.

I delivered my print jobs. Whew. That was sure a struggle, and I hope after it's all said and done that I actually still made money. Amazingly, I got paid for it before I even delivered. Gotta love that.

Then there's Harrah's in Atlantic City that I did a commissioned painting for in January and I still have not been paid. I call the poor girl in purchasing about once a week. She says the owner hasn't paid. I'll remember that the next time they place an order with me!

Silver Leaf and Embellishments, 40 x 40 x 2, completed

Here's how the silver box turned out after glazing with sepia and varnished. I'm really happy with it.

Working Weekends

I don't have the luxury of days off right now. After completing the Art Placement and Budget for Texas Clinic, I am doing the physical layout of the project on the floor plans. Everybody likes a visual. This way the owner can clearly see the original concept of 15 pcs and the new one of 79 pcs! Yes, quite a difference.

I have broken the budget into thirds, 25% due with budget approval, 25% with art approval, and 50% on delivery. Believe me, I need every minute of the next 3 1/2 months to complete this project. No summer vacation or artist residency for me this summer. In all honesty, I much prefer a four month period of constant painting to traveling off to an exotic location trying to think of something meaningful to create. This is better than a residency - I have long walls of public spaces to fill with art!

With Texas Clinic floor plans on the table in the living room as project No.1; I have project No. 2, three more paintings for Mercury Grill, with three layers of gesso hanging to dry; and No. 3, three photo paintings for the Worthington hotel also in progress. Here at the computer is project No. 4, 10 photographs to print for the Worthington, and project No. 5, the digital creation of image #2 for the golf resort, now that the first image has been approved.

Oh, and I have to have something ready soon - a concept at least!- for my solo show in October.

Maybe I'll take November off.

Changing the Schedule

I had agreed to housesit in Berkeley for three weeks starting in July. The dates changed, and I have a prior family commitment to be in Pennsylvania the last weekend in July. I still checked airfares trying to figure out how I could do it all.

Then a group of new commissions landed in the studio, and I've given up my creative planning. I just can't go to Berkeley.

Instead, I am working on new creative projects. One triptych is a blended color wash across all three canvases, and will have skinny long stemmed leaves stenciled on as the last design element.

Another triptych (a series of 24" boxes) is a random patterned minimal abstract from one of those paintings I did in my "white" phase.

The next three paintings are for the Mercury Grill, and will be a continuation of the 12 paintings I already have installed there.

Then there are three large photo paintings, not like the ones I've done lately, but an earlier version. There's a series of 10 photographs for this project, also. All this for a large hotel in downtown Ft Worth, TX.

AND there's more!

A 40" sq abstract minimalist painting on a box, silver leafed.

I'm still working on the two digital paintings for the golf resort.

I'm reworking the art placement and budget for Texas Clinic.

Have to make decisions for my solo show in October which will consist of 13 paintings.

See why I can't go to Berkeley?

Feeling Blue

For some time now I have had a love affair with the color blue, reinforced by the design industry which is currently embracing all hues. My paintings from Mendocino arrived, with a lovely blue forest painting. Once I saw it in my own studio I had to get my brushes out again -- to perfect it. I'll photograph it tomorrow and post it for comments.

Also in the box were several more blue paintings. I was working with a three color combination from a color wheel, and although I kept trying different combinations, my brushes kept picking up blue as a dominant color.

Talked to the gallery director at Smith Art Gallery with the Scott and White hospital in Temple, TX. There is room for 13 paintings at my October solo show. I have a plan for that, and the first one of the series just came back from Mendocino. More tomorrow about that.

Pointing in a New Direction

The past few months have been a time for me to reconsider where I am going with my art and my life. Losing my sister was tough, and it was yet another reminder that we never know how much time we have. Some jealous friends chastise me about traveling so much, but hey, if not now, when? My 92 yr old Dad has always loved to travel, and only lately has he decided maybe his roadtrip days are over. Must have been a tough realization.

But me, I'm still young! And I intend to maximize the time I have on the planet.

Regarding my art, I have considered and discarded many suggestions by well-meaning friends. I'm not going to make and sell greeting cards, either painted or printed. I'm not going to make a hundred ATC's to sell on Ebay for $25 or trade with artists around the world. I'm not going to join MySpace and see how many "friends" I can accumulate who might buy my art. I'm not going to sell small originals on Etsy. All those things might work for other artists with different goals, but it's not where I am headed.

I want the big bucks, and I'm not afraid to work for it.

I've been spoiled by my relationships with art consultants. I paint, I get paid. That's great, and I know a lot of artists envy me that. However, I still want more. On this Saturday when I have no commissions in the studio other than some photo paintings for my West Coast rep, I am still painting. I have some ideas to express.

I also have two large incentives looming ahead of me. One is the Texas Clinic project on which I am acting as both art consultant and artist. It installs in October. Also in October is my solo show at the Scott & White gallery in Temple, TX. I have free rein with both -- so it's an opportunity I plan to take full advantage of. Wheels are turning, carrying me down that new path.