some major changes

The White Dress #5 (sold)

I've thrown my hands in the air. Working as a full-time artist is no longer feasible. I've given everything to my art, and there's nothing left. The painting will continue, but at a much slower rate. At moments like this, it makes me seriously question my talent, and even my sanity.

I'm once again filling out job applications and sending out resume's. I won't let the electricity get shut off, or the kitties go hungry. There's no way to raise the funds to attend those festivals I'm just dying to participate in this year. Nope. It's time to put this art thing aside for a bit, and focus my energy on a steady paycheck. When I get back on top of my finances, I'll try once again. In the meantime, I won't be accepting any more commissions (sorry for those on the wait list). Any extra time will go to my own work.


It's such a shame that the living artists in our society are not supported better and valued. We don't get unemployment benefits and most can't afford healthcare. When you factor in the hours spent creating and promoting, most artists earn much less than minimum wage. Art is the first thing cut out of school budgets, yet artists produce the most cherished objects in a society's
history.

A new mini (4x4") painting, available for purchase:

New paintings, proliferation and compulsion

Tango
purchase

Looking back on my mini collection, I'm amazed at how fast they proliferated. I started painting them in March, and here we are a few months later with nearly 40 of them (I'm including the few sitting on my desk unfinished). What was intended as a brief project has mushroomed into an entire series.

I'm debating if I should take a break from the mini project. I love the mindless intensity of painting these little beauties, but wonder if my time is better spent on other paintings. These are choices we all have to make as artists. With so many creative ideas, it's difficult, but important, to edit. Time will tell if the mini's make the cut.

This latest batch continues several themes. The cherries (top) are part of a little subgroup. I spent a whole afternoon arranging and photographing cherries in my backyard for these. There are more in the works, all pairs of ripe cherries dancing into the night.

Apricots
sold

"Apricots" continues my fruit theme. I've developed a habit of scrutinizing the produce section for painting subjects. It looks a little nuts, as I hold up each fruit to the light, examining it from all sides for character, shape and color. Perhaps I should extend my search to the meat isle, or canned goods. The possibilities are endless.

Claws

sold

Claws is part of a commissioned group of kitty paintings. The intense close-ups are my own compromise on painting cats. I loathe painting "pet portraits", despite their popularity. By getting so close and cropping, these become something beyond a portrait.

Siamese Fighting Fish
purchase

Lastly, little fishy. I can't help myself with these. I've painted a slew of little fish paintings throughout the years. Most were sold or given away. I don't even have photographs of them. It's the play of light and color that I find irresistible, and the tremendous personalities. Or it could be the guilt from when my entire tank of fish died from ick when I was 12. Every time I finish one, I want to start another.

Countdown to Marin

Time is whipping by me as I prepare for the Marin Art Festival, June 21-22.

To be my guest at the most beautiful art festival in the country next weekend, print this free admission ticket to save yourself $10 per person.

There are paintings to finish, prints to make, and giclees to stretch. My list is always a mile long preparing for these shows, but I have the hang of it now. The trick is to do what is absolutely needed first. If the rest doesn’t get done, it will be ready for the next show!

I’m going to post a few I completed last month, since they never graced the pages of my blog. New paintings are in the works, and I’m so excited to finally feel the gates of possibility opening up once more.

30x40" Quincy Jones, a commission.

A few more of the continuing mini series:

Goldfish #7 -sold

Daylily buy

Petals buy

White Dress #4 buy

A very serious blog

The White Dress #3

SOLD

For the last 3 years, I’ve been working full-time as an artist. It’s been an amazing journey. This has been a dream of mine since I can remember, maybe not a conscious one, but when I’m creating, it’s the only time I feel truly whole. It’s always been that way; like I’m doing what I was meant to do in this life-there’s no question.
Getting here is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Anyone who’s been in my shoes can tell you how risky this life is. There’s no salary, no benefits, no security, no unemployment to collect. I put relationships, savings, credit, my heart, sanity and ego on the line. I can honestly say I’ve given it my all.
I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to give it a go, and proud I took that chance. That’s why it’s so painful to be sitting here, filling out random job applications. We have so little time in this life, and to spend that time doing something other than what we love feels like a waste.

The last six months have been some of the best in my career, despite a failing economy. Unfortunately, everything else is falling apart. My partner has lost his job several times in the past few months, credit cards are killing me, the savings are gone and the bills are piled up. For the first time in my fiscally-responsible life, I’m faced with debt collectors, loss of utilities and the possibility of eviction. I can't take the risk of a slow month, that’s the truth of it.

Of course, I’ll never stop creating. No true artist does. Give me nothing but some straws and a pile of Easter Peeps and I’ll make something out of it. There will be plenty more paintings and shows in the future, it just may take a little longer. This is just a small detour in my journey. Right now, it’s about survival.

For those of you who have followed my progress and routed for me along the way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Art is about communicating, and I’ve met some wonderful people through that connection. I hope my journey inspires others, even if I feel like a failure at the moment. At the very least I can serve as example.

I complete this very serious blog with an update on shows, and three lovely mini paintings. The San Diego Art Walk is in less than three weeks, and unless a miracle occurs, I won’t be able to go. Art Couture in Vegas was canceled, due to the economy. The Marin festival IS a go, thanks to all my friends and family.

I just attended a wonderful gallery opening at the 57th street gallery in Oakland, and I’m happy to have ongoing representation there. In May, there's a month-long show at Eclectix Gallery in El Cerrito, CA.

The mini paintings will be going up in price very soon, as $55 is a steal for the amount of work that goes into them. Grab yours now before the prices are raised! These new ones focus on more of my favorite foods, a portrait, a goldfish, kitty feet, and my continued obsession with white dresses.

Goldfish #6-SOLD

Figs-SOLD

Promise

Oyster -SOLD

Kitty Feet-SOLD

Minis are Love

I’ve been working at a manic pace, painting 5-8 hours a day. My poor brushes are disintegrating at an alarming rate. The first results of my mini painting series are finished, with more on the way.

My last large painting, Marilyn, went into photo-realism more than usual. Painting this way is technically challenging, but leaves me feeling stifled. It’s nice to have a break from all that, and explore. There’s nothing I love more than a bold brushstroke, unusual color mixing, or the odd drip. The big canvases are benefiting, and I'm having fun again.

Education consists mainly of what we have unlearned.~Mark Twain

Paintings can be purchased for a reasonable $55 from my website. Proceeds go toward the festival fund.

Not Without a Fight

As many of you know, it’s been a difficult few months. In fact, the last nine months have been some of the most trying in my life, but I’m determined to make this work. In betting terms, I’m all in. Despite all the hardships, it’s been my best year yet as a full-time artist. There is no turning back, so I keep pushing with my career, hoping for better times.

A week ago, I was accepted to the Marin Art Festival. This is one of the top shows in the county, billed as “the most beautiful art festival in the nation”. With just 92 spots available, and over 900 applications, I was accepted!

I’m struggling right now just to pay rent, and can’t afford the booth fee. The folks at Marin were kind enough to give me two weeks to raise the funds. I have even more acceptance letters coming in, and I'm doing everything I can to do these shows.

To help me accomplish my goals, I’m turning to my Internet friends and family. Over the next month, I’ll be creating mini oil paintings to post in my Etsy shop. Subjects will focus on food, flowers, and whatever else catches my fancy. They will be priced at only $55 each! If you have a request, post it here, and I’ll make one just for you.

I’m also offering a $25% discount on all my Etsy prints and necklaces and (discount refunded after checkout). Just make sure you mention my blog.

One more thing-I’ve added a Paypal “donate” button to my blog. Even a few dollars will help make these shows happen for me. Every bit helps, more than you know, and I'll continue to do my best to help others learn through my experiences.

I'll have the first few paintings up within a few days. In the meantime, here are some examples of mini's I've painted in the past: