Gratitude in Turbulent Times

        

Early December

Oil on Canvas

16x20

As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I'm reminded of all the bounty in my life.  It's been a turbulent year for this nation but not one without hope.  Some days it's hard getting through the morning newspaper reading about the stressful economic pressures that people are experiencing.  Of course, this affects the art world too.

My husband and I are not wealthy, by any means, but we have our health, close relationships with family and friends, a cozy modest home and a certain degree of stability in our lives.  Our children are at a point in their lives where they are trying to establish themselves in their chosen careers.  My son has a good job.  My daughter decided she needs her Master of Library Science degree to get the kind of job she wants, so she's going back to school.  

The point is...we have have more than enough.  

I plan on putting in a lot of studio time in 2009.  I'm grateful to be an oil painting artist.  I can't imagine wanting a different career.  Lately, there has been all kinds of advice to artists on how to survive the economic downturn we are all experiencing.  Mostly the advice has been to use this time to improve on the art we are making.  I believe this is sound advice.  Because when things get better, the world have have even more beautiful art to view.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Moving On

"Single Lily"  

Oil on Canvas

9x12

Sold

This year my goal has been to get out of the studio and share my paintings with the world.  It's been a steep learning curve for me.  And at times, it's been uncomfortable.  I've achieved some important goals:  updating my website, having business cards printed, having postcards to my show printed, sending out invites and showing up for my first show, sending handwritten thank you notes out and jumping into the blogosphere.  Whew.  

I'm happy at this point.  And I'm deeply grateful for all the support from family and friends during this process.  But now it's time to get back to work.  Get back to the original reason for painting oil on canvas.  It's time to listen and reflect.  What shall I paint next?  What new direction ?  That will take a little bit of time.

In the meantime, I enjoy reading other artists' blogs and visiting their websites. It gives me inspiration.  I appreciate the generous souls who share their knowledge of the arts and give tips on how they achieve their own goals.  To them, I say thank you.

November Show

The opening last Friday night went well.  I was deeply touched by seeing my family and friends attend, showing their support.  It was a warm and intimate crowd and people I had known for years were surprised at seeing what I've been doing behind closed doors.  I felt that it was time to expose my art to a wider circle.  This is marketing, but it's also sharing an important part of who I am.  

The shows runs through the end of November and I'm hoping many people come through the gallery to view my work and the work of the other artists.  The experience, so far, has been extremely positive and has shown me what I still need to learn.

Getting Ready

I'm getting ready for my first real show this weekend.  I've invited family and friends even though it's open to the public so anyone can come.  Painting is the fun part, this is the other part.  I've been busy putting my paintings into frames, applying backing paper, inserting hooks and wires and then gluing my business card to the backs.  This photo shows how the paintings will be arranged on the wall at the gallery.  I have a 12x12 space to call my own, so there are 15 paintings going up.  

This whole experience has been a learning experience for me.  I'm starting to understand the scope of having a show and how it affects the whole household,  human and animal.  My dog seemed to understand that she should avoid the dining room but most times the cat just plopped right down in the middle of the canvases.  The paintings definitely need to be dusted for cat hair before hanging.