Anything But Pedestrian

Anything But Pedestrian
12x18 oil on panel
PURCHASE

I've been doing some reading about Pinterest. I know some of my friends love it and I know a lot of artists are very annoyed with the lack of accreditation for shared images and copyright infringement. I don't use it. I figure its just one more thing to keep up with and keep me from painting.

I haven't had copyright issues. I am sure it would suck if I find out that someone has stolen my creative efforts to make a profit for themselves. Frankly, I guess I don't believe my work is good marketing material and I don't think I am "there" yet to copy. But I looked up my blog on Pinterest today and saw a few paintings had been shared. And then they were shared again. And to be honest, I was rather flattered to see that my work was counted as favorites among some of my most favorites artists - Dan McCaw, Sargent, Johannah Harmon, Matisse...Whistler! They did have some beautiful art grouped! But me in there? Really? That is amazing to me. No, I wasn't credited in all the pins. But clicking the image takes you to my blog it seems so that is cool.

I did however drop in a "no pin" meta code on this blog... the only one I can control. But the daily painting galleries my work appears in allows the pins and I will leave that for now. When you are putting your artwork up in a public showcase, there is every chance for it to meander off and be shared, posted, blogged, tweeted, pinned, fav'd, and lose its way. We can't control who prints it at home and makes a poster of it for their wall. I am not one to believe everyone has malicious intent and am flattered that people like my work enough to share it. And who knows when one of those shares might lead to a buyer finding me and my work.

There are ways to safeguard your images and prevent them from being copied and sold, of course. Posting small or low resolution images, including a copyright name on the image, watermarks, etc. But again, that takes more time than I want to spend. There are just too many ways in which artists could spend their days working electronically rather than painting. Between the online galleries, forums, auction sites, email and social network/marketing, it makes my head spin!

Speaking of sales sites, I posted this painting and another larger one in my ETSY shop. If you aren't a member or don't want to sign up to purchase there, email me and I can invoice you directly.

A Well Balanced Diet

12x12 oil on panel
Weekend Special - $350 + s/h
sold

This is in my studio and can soon be in your home! Its available unframed for a special price this weekend only. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

The Beignet Beat

12x8 oil on panel

Ask Castle Gallery about this painting.

What I wouldn't give right now for a beignet from Cafe du Monde. I need to take another trip there. Its been too long!

In The Night Kitchen

14x18 oil on linen

Ask Tidewater Gallery about this painting.

Back to promoting some of my available work at my representing galleries. This is a scene from a NYC cupcake shop. It was a rainy evening walking past this yummy storefront where the bakers were probably getting a head start on the morning confections.
You can see all the available inventory on the pages linked at the top of the blog. My website is woefully out of date but Blogger has made their blogs so useful that I can create pages for all my galleries and collectors can easily see what is available where.

I guess I will share here that I've been having difficulties communicating with one of my galleries. They are no longer shown on my links. I asked for my work to be returned to me 4 months ago. They just sent back 2 this week. I am not sure if they sold the others and if I will ever see my portion of the sales. I had to file a complaint with the BBB and threaten legal action for them to just send the work to me. This was after letters, weekly emails and countless phones messages. In all these months, I've only had one email response and once I actually caught one of the owners on the phone. They never answer during business hours. I do not actually know if they are in business or not any longer. Its a very frustrating deal.

Sometimes, no matter how enthusiastic someone is to represent your art, it just doesn't work out well. And sometimes, it goes very badly. Its hard times for galleries as well as artists. And while I might want to just be creative all the time, I know its very important to follow through with people and be a good business person. We need to work together to weather this economy. If they had just communicated with me, we could have worked things out amicably.

My advice for those looking for representation is to always talk to other artists represented in the gallery. Get their feedback about the business owner, the staff, and payment schedule. Always have a written/signed agreement or contract laying out terms of the commissions. Visit the gallery if you can. And keep in touch. Pick up the phone or email regularly to check in. Find out what is selling and what clients are interested in. And if you have any concerns, voice them and act.

Even with these things going for you though, sometimes things just go awry, as in my case. I still don't want to believe they are bad people, maybe just bad at business. I can't reach them to talk about it though...

Branching Out

Last week, I got to study with the fabulously talented Margaret Dyer at Wenmoh's Ranch not far from Austin. It was my first time using pastels and I learned so much. I haven't really tried other mediums before, I've been so focused on painting in oils for the last 10+ years. So this year I'm trying to allow myself some creative play and challenges. This was a great first step! I really enjoyed this workshop and working with pastels. Its gotten my creative juices flowing and helped me mentally get past the difficulties I'm having with the gallery.

We had models the first two days and the last day we worked from photos which Margaret shared. Here are my last two efforts. From her photos. I've shared more on Facebook if you want to look at "mobile uploads" on there.


Lucky for me, the workshop was only about an hour from Austin and I was able to drive back and forth each day. Margaret is a wonderful teacher and creates the most beautiful paintings. My thanks to Dena Wenmohs for a great workshop. I think everyone had a very nice time and learned a lot. I can't wait to continue to create with pastels here at home.

Discussing Tonight's Menu

20x16 oil on linen

Ask Studio 47 about this painting.

Night Owls

20x10 oil on linen
PURCHASE

Another painting making a return home from a gallery. Available unframed from my studio. Its a dark scene - as in low light. But the cafe and sidewalk look very pleasant and cozy!

I haven't been painting actually, and I don't want to sound negative, but I feel like I am lately. I've been having issues with a business associate and its stressed me out so much that I can't paint. Be really careful who you allow to represent you art. Not every opportunity is golden. Can you sense my restraint here?

Surfing the Pier

10x10 oil on linen panel
$300 unframed
PURCHASE

This one is back from a gallery and I thought I'd keep it in my studio for now and offer it via my ETSY site. I don't use ETSY as often as I'd like, but its updated with the work that is currently available from my studio. Check it out!

Weather Beaten

14x18 oil on linen

Ask Russell Collection Fine Art about this painting.

Happy Friday! I know I am relieved its the weekend. Been a frustrating week in the studio dealing with business issues. The Girl Scout cookie campaign ends this weekend too, so I will soon have a lot more of my time back for creative endeavors. The ability to quietly center and focus on painting is just impossible with too many things cluttering my mind. I bet a lot of you can relate.

Ommmmmmmm.....

Up With the Sun

12x12 oil on panel

Ask Castle Gallery about this painting.

We may as well stay with the horse theme here the rest of the week. This was painted at a rather urban sort of stable tucked away here in Austin. You wouldn't know it was there, but once you drive in, you feel like you are in another world. The barns are mostly brick with windows and green shutters and trim and they have beautiful landscaping all around too. My daughter goes there for summer camp and some 'kids' night out' activities.

Taking A Look Around

12x12 oil on panel

Ask Edward Montgomery Fine Art about this painting.

Ok, if this one doesn't sell eventually, I really don't mind. Its one of my all time favorites. Why? Well, because I love horses. And I love light in it, and the dappling of his coat and the gesture. And it reminds me of NYC and my trips there.

I don't think I ever really talked about the book I put together last fall. Part of what I enjoyed most was the feeling of accomplishment and a sense of growth I saw as I looked back over my paintings. Artists rarely get to see their work in a group or spend time looking back over their body of work. Revisiting the work I'd done over the past several years and having a real sense of pride in the work was huge for me. Not only had I created quite a few paintings, there were enough that hit that high mark I expected. Others might not agree with me on all the choices, heck, I doubt any two people could agree on what to include, but each one of my choices was a milestone in my ability to express myself in paint and brushwork. I can't wait to see where I grow over the next few years.

East Enders

12x16 oil on panel

Ask Russell Collection Fine Art about this painting.

This is looking east on Austin's (in)famous Sixth Street. During the day, if you overlook a bit of dust and grime, the buildings are wonderful examples of "old west" architecture with their builder's names and dates on their facades. At night, its a half mile or more packed with competing music acts and partiers pouring in and out of countless bars. I don't get down there at night anymore, but it could be a lot of fun people watching.

Basking in the Sun

8x10 oil on paper
$125 including shipping
PURCHASE

Sunny Stroll

20x16 oil on linen

Ask Edward Montgomery Fine Art about this painting.

A couple of hipsters strolling Sixth Street in Austin. Its always a fun challenge trying to capture the effects of bright sunlight. Oh, that it came in a tube.

Judging A Book

16x12 oil on panel - sold

We had a morning that felt like this today - but its warmed up quite a bit and I had to take off my trench coat and roll up my sleeves.

I admit to owning and loving my e-reader, but there is still nothing quite so nice as browsing bookshelves. Its not unlike looking at art. The covers and titles promise us an escape, a learning experience and commentary on the human experience.

Tete a Tete

11x14 oil on linen

Ask Castle Gallery about this painting.

Happy Valentine's Day! For your listening pleasure - the wonderful Edith Piaf - l'hymne à l'amour

The E Train

12x8 oil on panel

Ask Tidewater Gallery about this painting.

This is one of my all-time favorite paintings and I am surprised it hasn't yet found a home. I love to paint scenes from the subway. The lighting is so garish and weird. People seem to turn inward, staring into space or nodding off with the rhythm of the cars. Makes me want to paint some more...

Contemporary Spaces

12x8 oil on panel

Ask Castle Gallery about this painting.

I have a lot of paintings available in the six galleries that represent me and it dawned on me that I should use my blog as a way to bring some attention back to those pieces while I am working on new works. I'm working on my First Impressions series and planning a summer exhibit of 20-30 of those in NC.

A note about the galleries I work with. They are owned and run by lovely people. If you see a painting you admire online and its available in a gallery, don't hesitate to contact them. They will be very happy to talk with you about the work. Many will work with you financially and can offer payment plans if its an investment piece [not that my works are so expensive yet ;-)]. They offer guarantees if you aren't happy with a piece, even if you do not live nearby. I have had buyers contact and purchase from my galleries out of state and had very good experiences. I've done it myself when I've bought other artist's work. So I encourage you to follow up with me or my galleries if you see something you love. Don't let it get away!

Maid Marian

8x8 oil on paper
$125 including s/h SOLD


Sometimes, when I sit down at the easel, I hear the Monty Python blurb in my head - "And now for something completely different."
This scene, glimpsed through a shrub at the Renaissance Faire, just appealed to me. I had to try it.
The light on her shoulder and face was irresistible. Its a little confusing in its impressionism at first perhaps, being a 30-40 minute study, but I think once you make sense of it, its a pleasing scene. Maid Marian and her young Robin Hood perhaps.

Clowning Around

10x10 oil on linen panel

Ask Edward Montgomery Fine Art about this painting

This was a fun little scene. I couldn't resist trying my hand at those colorful socks! This little gem, as well as some other paintings, are headed to sunny California to Edward Montgomery Fine Art gallery in Carmel.