Time for holiday shopping...

...and why not do that shopping with a local artist? I will be listing several unique items for sale very soon. Included will be paintings, drawings, jewelry, boxes, and much more! Stay tuned for more details to come soon!

Phoenix

You know it has been a tumultuous last few months with the ending of a season of my life. I have had to face some harsh truths. If one is to be a Phoenix and rise from the ashes, one has to get burned first. This last post of 2012 serves two purposes: catharsis and renewal. First, what I have learned is said in hindsight and is meant with nothing but love. Oh I still am angry at a few things but letting that fester to bitterness serves no purpose. I will get everything agreed upon with a venue in writing. I will keep healthy boundaries and know that it is perfectly reasonable to do so. While I will be polite and friendly, I also will not put up with childish and unprofessional behavior. If you lie to me or about me, I will confront you. Others inability to handle their own anger and preconceived notions is not my problem. I work with people who want to make great art and events. I am not here to help you find yourself at 40,50,60. That leads me to some free advice for the big-fish-in-a-little-pond, with the water stagnant, eventually the oxygen runs out and everyone goes belly up. The scenes are starting to be a bit artistically inbred. Branch out and get outside of your cliques! No amount of wine is going to make people buy art. Either come up with a new strategy or feel the loss. Artists, take risks but don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of. Don't sell too low or at a place that takes 40% or more commission. You can't make a living that way... And Portsmouth, I really do hope you can come up with an actual long term strategy for this town. I've grown to love the place and want to see it prosper. And now what I am left with is hope...yes, I mean that. Neil Gaimann gave a great keynote speech where he said," When life gets rough, make good art. When someone says something awful about you on the Internet, make good art. When you're cat runs away, when you get fired, when no one is in your corner, make good art. " So, that is what I am doing! The new year will be bringing a new blog, Etsy shop, Facebook, Twitter, and website for my company SKYSAILING. I am done putting things off to another day. The day is today. I will have all information for you by the beginning of February with my official launch on Valentines Day. I also am following up on some new leads locally including auctions, festivals, and shows. I am grateful for all those who have been traveling along this journey and look forward to the new adventure to come. And for those whose path takes them somewhere else, I wish you all the best! The sky's the limit...

Still Running...

This was a great weekend for me. I had two sales with a repeat buyer. The funny thing is I had just made that necklace the day before. Also, have picked up two more students for art lessons. Then there is the upcoming move and all the planning and packing involved with that. No wonder I am on a steady diet of fruit, nuts, and tea! But honestly I love it. I am creating and doing; those two do not always coexist. Realizing you will have to move really can light a fire under you to finish the things. Will be posting some new works soon...

It's not over yet

It was finally confirmed tonight what I already knew ...times have gotten tough and it looks as if we will be shutting our doors at the gallery by the end of the year. The economy has been really rough, and there are now 7 of the 25 available spaces empty. That is too much of a loss in rental fees for the gallery to recover. But, to be honest, the real shame has been the lack of creating and making art. Really there are many there who don't wish to sell; so, lack of retail is not an issue for them. I have had several sales and commissions in the last three months- BUT the life's blood has left that space. The first two years I was there was amazing and I learned soooo much. Then there was a business learning period for myself (as well as I feel for the owner.) And now we have been on life support for several months. As far as the business side, I learned several practical tips. Just because someone is over a certain age does not mean they can be relied upon. Or that they won't act like children. Or that they have anything figured out about life. Treat everyone with respect but understand they may not treat you with respect in return. You are the only one who is dedicated enough to grow your business. You are the only one passionate enough to learn more. You are the only one who can do your art. The art world, like everything else, is really about more of who you know than what you know or can do. People will cheat you, take advantage of you, and use you...usually its not done on purpose and they are completely unaware of it. Networking follows more of the laws of the jungle than those of us in civilized society would care to admit. When someone states "Yes, let us try to work something out. Maybe do a collaborative or maybe do a show together. I'll advertise you/ you advertise me", they really mean is "let me advertise my show/art/music/group/band on all you social media and drop your name into conversation when it suits my agenda and then act like I don't even know you when it comes time to return the favor and help out a fellow artist." When things are going well, make great art. When things are going okay, make great art. When things have gone to hell and you're downing vodka in a corner while rocking in the fetal position, make great art. DON'T STOP MAKING ART!! DON'T.STOP.MAKING.ART. And laugh at the stupid things that sometimes happen. And laugh at yourself. And expect more from yourself in the way you treat others. And do it without expecting anything. And eat chocolate. And drink good vodka. But always create. Always write. Bumps are just that...bumps. So keep walking down that road.

Uplifting

So the extra large show is coming up and this is my contribution. It is mixed media 24X36 piece called "Kites"....

Oops!

So the online writing journal I am a contributor for has been down for several days. Their Facebook page also has not been updated. I'm a little worried because I did not back up all of my posts from that site....uh-oh! Really hope Hennen Observer gets the bugs worked out soon.

Lots going on (or running around like a crazy woman!)

First, I have an amazing new poem that is in OTA's Ekphrastic Show this month that I will have to post soon. It is called "Invisible" and it is about human trafficking. Secondly, "Freedom Song", my mixed media black and white piece, is on display all month long in a show at Kitsch. Kitsch is a great handmade and artisan store on Shirley Avenue in Ghent (Norfolk). And finally, I finished this piece yesterday at the studio. It is called "Topsy Turvy".