I know what my next painting will be:  A gorgeous, graceful owl perched in the open window of an old stone and timber barn. More Wildlife!   Can't wait to begin, but I have to get the masonite I'm going to paint it on. I've decided to try that foundation because of its smooth surface.  Rather than paint and sand (and paint and sand) canvas until its as smooth as desired, why not buy something already set to go? Seems like a no brainer. 
Question:  What size do you think most people would prefer to buy when considering an art purchase?  I've tried to vary my sizes to offer a lot of choices. And price points.

Today I began some practice painting by dividing a canvas up into quarters and painting a small scene in each section.  I experimented with color, texture, and shapes, trying to 1) see if I could strike on anything new; 2) improve my skill in a certain area; 3) specifically, improve my water painting skills.  Slow process.  Though I am cognizant of the progress I have made, it's certainly not enough to make me happy!  I've watch about twenty videos; reviewed my many instruction books, and done a lot of visualizing.  No choice but to do more of the same, emphasis on the actual painting of practice canvases. I'm waiting for the delivery of a 12x24 canvas on which I plan to do a panoramic study of the lighthouse in Rockport, Maine.  I'm antsy to get started, but guess this time to prepare is fortuitous. Landscapes and critters come so much easier for me--even still life is easier than ocean/river/lake or whatever.  At any rate, to make them look really REAL.  Well, 3 of the four little practice pix came out pretty well.

Five Rivers Arts Alliance has brought area artists together for the 2012 2nd Friday ArtWalks, May-October

From assemblage to masks, oil paintings to photography, over 55 artists and 11 galleries will be offering their works in Ft. Andross and the downtown Brunswick area.

BRUNSWICK, ME - Every second Friday of the month, from May through October 2012 at 5-8pm, you are invited to review, enjoy and purchase art in downtown Brunswick.

For more than seven years, Five Rivers Arts Alliance has brought local Maine artists together. This year is sure to please artists and art enthusiasts alike, with over fifty-five artists showing their work at studios and galleries in Ft. Andross, downtown  and uptown Brunswick.  Area artists will also display in the community at pop up venues at 98 Maine Street, the Daniel Stone Inn and the Inn at Brunswick Station .

Brunswick’s Maine Street community is rallying in a spirit of support, staying open later and expanding their service.  In addition to  stopping in the open galleries and studios, enjoy live music and grab a bite to eat downtown. Bring friends and enjoy an evening out with great art, good food, and good fun.  Artwork will vary from month to month allowing the visitor many opportunities to see multiple works from the talented pool of Midcoast Maine artists.

Complete listings and a full color brochure with location and parking maps can be found in  shops throughout Brunswick and online at 5raa.org beginning May 1.
I will be showing on June 8th only due to other commitments.
Artwalk dates- May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12.

For more information contact Five Rivers Arts Alliance at 207-798-6964.

       If someone stands and looks at your work for more than 15 seconds, something about it has drawn them in. Therefore, a polite and friendly question from the artist would not be unwelcome, at least in most cases.  For instance, “May I ask what attracts you to this painting?” Not only will you find out more about the person, you will glean valuable insight regarding your work.

·         Price your work reasonably, based on similar work of others, relative sizes, and quality of framing.  Nobody wants to spend $1000 on a piece framed in faux wood. When the price is right, your confidence in presenting it will increase. When it isn’t, you’ll feel like a fraud.

·         If a group of people has entered your booth or gallery space at the same time, give them space!  Back off, but pay close attention to what they are doing and saying. When you get a positive vibe, position yourself so that you can join in the conversation with a comment about a particular piece. “I wanted to convey a sense of wonder in that piece,” you might say. Or, “I was halfway through this painting before I realized that memories of my childhood were a big influence in it.”  Few people would not respond to a statement like that.

·         Write a descriptive piece to accompany each painting, to be included only when it sells. Describe when and where it was done, what materials were used, why you painted it, and so on.  This simple act demonstrates pride in your work, which translates into confidence as a salesperson.

·         Given the opportunity, listen to more seasoned artists as they converse with potential buyers. You’ll find that each has his or her own style. Ergo, you will have your own style. Embrace it!

·         Finally, don’t be afraid to show your gratitude and excitement when you do make a sale. Enthusiasm is contagious, and that aura of success will permeate your booth and the surrounding area.  And keep in touch with them!

For the past six months, I have been religiously working both Twitter and Pinterest, aiming to foster name recognition and hopefully, make a sale or two.  Okay, my website HAS been visited many, many more times than it used to be. Great!  And I have 136 people following (specifically) my art board on Pinterest.  (As opposed to only 67 general followers.)  So I guess my name recognition is growing.  But no sales.  I tweeted a question today:  "Have you gained any sales through twitter or pinterest?"  Hope I get some responses.  Feel free, of course to respond here as well.  Glad I don't rely on online sales, and that I have so many venues lined up for this season.  However, I have worked so hard at the social media stuff, I would hope that it would pay off some how. 

Question:  What makes you, as an art enthusiast, want to view a  photo/image that somebody has posted?  Is it the pitch?  Maybe who it is?  I know I have several artist acquaintances thru Twitter whose work I always check out because I know I will enjoy it. Sometimes I click on a stranger's work if it sounds intriguing enough, or if it sounds like it will be my type of thing.  There is such a huge diversity of art on the net that it isn't easy to find similar work to your own unless you make a point of searching specific keywords.
So, let me know what you think!

This week I've decided to try to improve my water painting skills, so I've been watching videos (the one I really want costs $150!) and reading up on the best palettes to use for water.  I always get excited when I learn something new, and find that I never fail to glean something fresh and helpful from watching someone else paint.  I really should do it more often.  It is so easy to get in a comfortable rut where you keep on doing what you've been doing and think its okay.  Case in point:  I have started to repaint the water in "Straight from Manitoba"  (two Canada Geese) because I knew it looked too artificial, but I didn't listen to that small voice in my head.  It kept nagging at me though, until I broke down and watched a couple of really good painters do their thing.  It will take considerable practice and effort to improve, but I am determined.  Later, everyone.

I received my first ever "Not Accepted" from a jury the other day.  It didn't sting too much, because I had applied to take part in a plein air competition/aution--and I've never done plein air!  How's that for hubris??  I'm sure the jurors didn't take long to figure that out.
However, it won't be long before I will have some plein air works to show on my site. Hopefully they will be good enough to make me want to continue with it.
On another note--as a rather tunnel visioned artist (when I paint, it's full steam ahead, to hell with the torpedos), I am guilty of breaking brushes and continuing to use the stubby heads if necessary just to keep going.  I also neglect recapping the paint tubes, causing drying out and wasting paint.  I get paint all over my clothing, and never wear any protective gear.  At some point, I have to step back, assess the situation, and tell myself to clean up, restock, and slow down a bit. 
Right now I need new brushes, paint, and canvas after having painted 10 new works, both landscape and wildlife,  in the past several months. It will be a pleasure to sit down at the easel again with fresh supplies.

My fantastic hubby just made me four new slick looking canopy weights. Found the instructions online and voila!  No more worries about wind turning my display into roadkill.
All the more important what with the added display space--more paintings to get ruined!
I plan to divide the space into three major areas: Wildlife, Landscape, and Still Life to make viewing more cohesive.  People who love animals and birds can zero in on those, etc. 
Right now there is nothing (horrors!!) on my easel.  Taking this time to organize, frame, and prepare. My next project will be a series of works depicting the coastal areas from Bath up through Bar Harbor in preparation for my special upcoming show in Bar Harbor on August 10 and 11.  Can't wait for that one!  #art #maineart #wilflife art #landscape

Sunday and gorgeous--perhaps the pop up camper will get opened up and cleaned?  Only a month to go till it will be put in use in Connecticut. I cannot express how excited I am for this season. To be able to display so many more paintings (that are better than my older ones in some cases) makes me want to get out there now!  Never before have I attended out of state shows, either.  And never before such BIG shows.  Grins.