PS…I love you

Wondering what to do during Thanksgiving weekend? Ready for some shopping but don’t really want to fight the Black Friday crowds? Why not come to the Palm Deserts Art Show?

I’ll be there with all of my favorite artwork, including a new piece of artwork especially for this show. Can’t say much about it because I would love for it to be a surprise, but I will say it has color in it. That in itself is HUGE!!! I don’t do color, and not sure I will continue with color, but I thought it would be challenging to do something so different that I would have something new and exciting to showcase.

If you’re in the area, come by and visit! I would love to meet you and show you my artwork face-to-face!!!

Watching a Quick Draw come to Life

I just stumbled upon a video of one of my fellow artists who I met my first year participating in the Death Valley Invitational Art Show, 4 years ago.  Earlier I posted a photograph of Carl Seyboldt on Sunday, during the “Breakfast with the Artists”. 

For those that went to the Death Valley Art Show this year, many saw my most fearful and most triumphant moment of all. I actually participated in the quick draw event.

For those that are unaware of the rules of the event, you must start with a blank canvas, and have a finished piece of artwork within 45 minutes.  Then, they give you a few minutes to frame the artwork, so that it can be auctioned off.  Guests can wander through while you are working and see your progress from start to finish.

For my first quick draw, I captured a white kitten, innocent with big blue eyes wandering in the flower bed, trying his hardest to be elusive of my camera. When the camera popped up next to the flower he was stalking, his eyes became large, and click click I caught the moment.

Follow the link to see the progress of Carl Seyboldt’s artwork. This guy is incredible!!! This was taken at an art show in Puyallup, WA called the Western Heritage Art Show.  What an incredible drawing from start to finish!!!

Getting Started

I just got back from the Invitational Art Show in Death Valley.  While I was there, someone asked me. “What does it take to go from casual artist to full time artist?”

Without really knowing where I was going in the conversation, I sort of described my “5 year plan”.  Anyone who has followed my work and seen me progress knows all about my 5 year plan, because this year was the end of my 5 year plan.  Staying on track was the hardest part.  I like having things happen quickly enough that I can see tangible objects. (This is obviously not such a good thing when it comes to gardening. Many of my vegetables never quite make it because of my anxiousness to see progress.)

One of the ways to stay on track that was suggested to me was to make goals and deadlines that are checked and acted upon monthly.  Being able to cross things off of the list, or add notes to the list makes it easy to stay on track.

Having an art marketing person in your corner can help you also.  If you haven’t yet visited the best art marketing guru I know, try visiting Alyson.  She has tons of information to help you get back on track!!!

Also, check out this link. My brother is a business promoter, and he has worked with so many small companies starting out!

Finally, commit to enjoying the experience. With a positive can-do attitude, things will start falling into place.

 

Western Art Show..Come visit me!

On Wednesday, I leave for an Invitational Art Show in Death Valley.

I know… Death Valley???

But much to my surprise, its actually nice in November! The weather is absolutely wonderful, nice and warm, with a cool desert breeze late in the evening.  This will be my 3rd time of being there.  Of all of the art shows I have done, I really enjoy this one. It lasts for 3 and 1/2 days, beginning on Thursday, and ending Sunday at noon.

ART SHOW

During that time, of course they have the Invitational Art Show, which will be celebrating its 60th year.  Many fantastic artists will be there.  The comraderie between all of the artists is truly what makes this show so enjoyable for me to do. 

OTHER EVENTS

Besides the Art Show, they also have a host of other events going on throughout the rest of the week. To check out all of the activities, including information on the art show, check out this link: http://www.deathvalley49ers.org/art_show.html

Here is a picture of Carl Seyboldt and I during the Artist’s Breakfast on Sunday, when art is donated and auctioned off.