Maybe I'm Back

Since I haven't done a show in a while, I've been flirting with the idea of posting on my blog again.  It had been so long, I didn't remember how to log in.  But, here I am.  Probably not a daily thing, but perhaps weekly...

I'm not totally prepared for Christmas this year.  Some of my orders aren't even expected here until end of business on the 24th.  I've got a tree...a fabulous one that my wood guy brought us.  It is up and I'm watering it daily.  But, sadly, no lights or ornaments yet.  But, on the positive side, biscochitos, Christmas cookies and pumpkin bread are ready.  It is a start.

Hope everybody has a fabulous holiday time.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays! xo, Jennifer

Old Town wants me!!!

We were driving  to the White Sox game last night when my cell phone rang.  It was Joan of the Old Town Art Fair.  They found a place for me so I'll be exhibiting this weekend on Lincoln Park West.  Booth number 93.  I am so excited!!! Hope you can come by and visit if you are in the Chicagoland area. Show hours are 10=8 on Saturday and 10-6 on Sunday!

Hanging gessobords

I've been painting  my vertical slices for about 5 years.  They are done on prepared gessobord, made my ampersandart.com out of Austin, TX.  And, I have a ton of fun painting the verticals.  But, every once in a while, I have some great ideas that get stuck in my head for horizontals.  And they (the ideas) won't leave if I don't get them out through my paintings/drawings.  So, I've done a few but have been a bit unhappy about how they hang on the wall.  I can solve the issue easily in the booth--thank you carpeted walls--with a bit of velcro on the back.  However, I don't think many of my customers have carpeted walls and so that doesn't really help.  I've tried the sawtooth hangers coupled with some felt bumpons on the bottom corners and that helps, but isn't perfect.

So, a customer of mine asked if I had ideas for hanging the piece more flush to the wall.  I responded that some of my other artist friends just hung it straight on the nail.  But for him, with his 3 adorable children and at least 2 dogs that I know of, I don't necessarily recommend this approach.  "Seems risky" I think were his words.  But, I've come up with a very simple addition to this hanging method that provides some security.  So, from now on, I'll make these little notches on all my small horizontal pieces.

Basically, all I did was to use my drill and drill bit to made a small notch on the inside top of the piece, at the center point, about 1 centimeter from the outside edge.  It was pretty shallow and just wide enough to fit partially on the drywall screw I angled into the wall.  Then, when I hang the piece I merely feel for the notch with the screw.  Gravity then holds it in place without worry that a slamming door will slide the piece off its hanger... 

Better safe than sorry

All winter long I've been drawing away.  Trying to build up my inventory for the upcoming show season.  And since we are leaving for Scottsdale a bit early, to enjoy some sunshine and some R & R.  But now I need to figure out which pieces to frame and /or varnish to take with me and which to leave at home.  They all won't fit in my gynormous Sprinter van.  Additionally, my mind is trying to calculate and remember all the things I'll need in addition to the art.   I leave all my display equipment in the van so I don't need to worry about that part. Clothes, sunscreen (last year I got sun burned through the van windshield on the way down!), bags, wrapping materials, drill, frame kit, show clothes, summer fun clothes, dog stuff, good knives--most rental homes have crappy ones,etc.

Additionally, I've got to figure out where to put all the extra Sprinter parts another artist suggested we carry.  As it turns out, if you need a Sprinter van part and are in the middle of nowhere--a place we spend much of our driving time--most vehicle repair places don't have the parts.  Well, in some cases you might actually miss a show if you can't get the part.  So, thanks to my friend, Scott Swezy, and to Rees who ordered all the parts--we are hopefully prepared for those eventualities.  We've got extra belts, heater hose, harmonic balancers and the like.  Just in case.  But I feel like I now have an auto parts store in my studio!

His Gaudy Vest

"Fish fine, and far off." --Charles Cotton

 (From John Gay, an English poet)

When if an insect fall (his certain guide)

He gently takes him from the whirling tide:

Examines well his form with curious eyes,

His gaudy vest, his wings, his horns and size,

Then round his hook the chosen fur he winds,

And on the back a speckled feather binds,

So just the colours shine thro' ev'ry part,

That nature seems to live again in art.

Although the possessive pronoun "His" in the above  poem refers to the "Gaudy Vest" of the insect, I thought that theme might be what directed my decoration of the fishing vest for Casting for Recovery.  I got a little carried away with the decoration of the fishing vest.  But it was fun, if perhaps a tad too time consuming.  And there won't be another one of my oil pastels being had for a song at an auction.  Instead, hopefully someone will get to bid on the fishing vest.  Now, I did paint all of the flies, river and fish on canvas rather than directly on the vest (how does one hang a vest on an easel to paint it?) and instead of gluing the pieces on the vest, I used velcro so all the decoration could be removed.  So, in theory, a person could buy the vest and remove the canvas pieces and frame them. Or they could buy the crazy vest and keep it just the way it is.  What would you do with it?

Resolution Revisions

I'm beginning to think New Year's resolutions are not for me.  They are too vast.  And by setting so many tough resolutions, I feel like I am bound to fail.  So, I'm implementing a new plan.  A monthly revisit of what I want to accomplish.  After all, a year is a long time and I may like the opportunity to change that resolve and those goals.

Studio work is going well.  Mostly oil pastels since I haven't been applying to shows much in the painting category.  I think the work I've been putting out is strong and I have some good ideas of where I would like to take it.  Whether it goes with me is an entirely different story!

After watching a reality tv show about a failing restaurant, I turned to Rees and said "I can't believe this guy doesn't know the costs that go into his bread."  And then I had a moment. A moment when I realized that I did not have a strong handle on the costs of my "products" either.  I did at one time.  But, I've upgraded the frames, my mat supplier has raised his pricing, and frankly, I don't know if my glass costs more now than it used to. In fairness to me, I am not on the verge of bankruptcy.  I am making a decent living. Still, a good business person would have a handle on both fixed and variable costs involved in his/her business.  And, so I am going to calculate those things out. Then, at least I'll know and won't be a pot calling the kettle black the next time I watch that silly tv show....

Oh, and by the way, my new year's resolution of "Being Nice to People" is going pretty well.  I do try to get Rees to answer the phone in case it is a solicitation or something, which would probably elicit a rude response from me.  But, so far, the nice thing has been pleasant.  Tough when I had to hand the receipt over to the anti-theft person at Sam's door on the way out...but I did smile.  Couldn't quite get myself to say anything nice but I did smile.  How is that for resolve!

Let the Preparations Begin

The above piece is a 24 inch square panel.  I've done some stormy pieces over the last 18 months but never a panel.  And since I used some of these in my show applications for both Cherry Creek (Denver) and Lakefront (Milwaukee) and got in both, I figure I ought to have some similar pieces in the booth.  So, I'd better get busy.   This one is based on a photo I took years ago while waiting for my brother, Chris, to come back upriver after a day of fishing near the junction of the Red And Rio Grande.... wish he'd come back and fish again sometime....

The art part

Yesterday I finished this 30 by 30 inch panel.  Of course, by the time I had, it was getting dark (darn these wintry days) and today it is snowing so there is still no good image.  So, just pretend it is crisp and clear and in focus and with appropriate lighting. I love it when I complete a big piece. I just feel so productive.

I thought I'd be varnishing some pieces I sprayed yesterday but with the humidity the snow brings, I think I'll wait.  Lucky me, that means I get to paint....and maybe watch a little football.... 

Would that you could create all the time!

As my "production" season speeds towards show season, I realize how many other things consume my time--time that I'd much rather spend at the easel.

I've been preparing for a "pastel" show at the Scottsdale Exhibition Gallery for the month of February.  I believe there are 5 artists total in the show.  The opening is February 2.  Groundhogs Day.  My favorite holiday.  But, I won't be attending it. Too much else to do.  And, while painting/drawing/coloring for the show was a pleasure.  The other preparation not so much.  First, the taking and editing of all the photographs of prospective pieces.  The titling. The framing.  The photographs of me at the easel.  The rewriting of the bio. And, then the packing! How time consuming that is.  I spent a good half day yesterday just getting the inner boxes of art into the actual shipping boxes!  Egads, someone needs to remind me of all the extra time that takes!   

Additionally, we prepped a photo for a new business card.  Thanks to some of my facebook friends for some great new ideas. 

And, then my mind gets full of show schedule stuff.  If shows are really good, I cannot possibly do all the shows I've been lining up.  But, if they aren't so good, would I have enough inventory to do more? Or if sales are mediocre, should I even bother with some of the lesser ones. It is way to early to tell, but I will be having to send in those booth fees soon.   I've got that crazy optimism--I know the shows will be good and I know I can do them all!

The Crazy Creat-er

Everyone who knows me knows I dive into my projects.  Head first sometimes.  And with purpose.  But, the resulting chaos occasionally becomes overwhelming.   I mean, even when I'm doing something simple like sewing up fleece painting socks...there are bobbins of thread, scraps of fabric, pins, scissors etc...just exploding into the work space.  I would love to be the quiet, organized creat-er, who puts things in their proper place as soon as I am finished with them.  But, that it not me.  And, I'm finally beginning to realize that it won't be me, prolly ever!  So, when the chaos gets to be too much--there is a threshold--I just need to step back and do a bit of reorganizing..like I did with my pastel table yesterday.  Whether it results in better art creation or not, it doesn't really matter...Because creating is always more fun when you can find the right colors!!! 

Happy Day Scenes for the Children

 My work hangs in homes, in banks, in conference rooms and reception areas of corporations, law offices and the like.  And that is probably something I should add to my artist statement/resume the next time I update it. But, I'm even more thrilled about this: I just got confirmation that 3 of my oil pastels on panel have been selected to grace the walls of the new El Paso Children's Hospital/University Medical Center in El Paso.  I love the idea that some of my bright cheery whimsical landscapes are going to live in such a place!  Maybe they'll make a sick child or his family, or perhaps some hospital staff, smile.  The idea of that makes me smile.  

What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving is upon us.  Time to think about and to give thanks!
I'm thankful I get to do what I love to make a living. 
I'm thankful I have a patient husband who is supportive and willing to help with this crazy dream of mine.
I'm thankful for my wonderful dog and her acceptance of my crazy road schedule... and will be even more thankful when her legs have healed and she is back to her active self.
I'm thankful for my family, supporting me in my life, as an artist and in general.
I'm thankful for my local friends who put up with my long absences.
I'm thankful for my art show friends who live this life along with me.
I'm thankful for my online friends who encourage and comment.
I'm thankful for the shows that have me participate.
I'm (begrudgingly sometimes) thankful for the shows that don't so I have more to aspire to.
I'm thankful for the galleries that represent me.  I do appreciate your efforts (and your enthusiasm!)
I'm thankful for my clients and fans! I couldn't be doing this without you!
I'm thankful for my muse, who sits with me day after day in my studio, providing more ideas to pursue than I'll ever have time for.
I'm thankful for my love of what I do.
And I'm thankful to know this is a wonderful thing.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! 

Something different: Mayonnaise

I had a request for a recipe from a facebook friend but wasn't sure if the actual recipe might be too long for a status report.  But, with Thanksgiving on the door step, I thought I ought to share my father-in-law's recipe.  Ruth and Bruce have been gone for a while but Ruth's wonderful family cookbook brings them both back to me every time I open it.  So, to share the mayonnaise recipe, in Ruth's words, (although Bruce was usually the maker of the wonderful sauce!):

Ingredients:
1 large egg
2 TBS vinegar or lemon juice
1 heaping tsp mustard
1 cup vegetable oil
salt and paprika to taste

Put egg yolk and white (or can use 2 yolks and no white if you want a thicker product) in blender.
Add mustard (can use dry or any kind of prepared mustard but for this we both like plain old French's ballpark kind) and vinegar.
Pour in 1/4 cup of the oil--Wesson, corn, canola--a tastefree oil os best for everyday use.
Turn on blender and count to 16.  Turn off blender for a few seconds.
Turn blender back on and slowly add the rest fo the oil--in a thin stream until all the oil has been added.  Turn off blender.
Add salt and paprika and turn blender on until the seasonings are incorporated in the mayonnaise.
Store in the refrigerator.

I know the "count to 16 and turn off"  sounds silly but that is what works.  Otherwise the stuff doesn't thicken properly.

And, my personal note:  Rees is a whiz in the kitchen--me, not so much, but I can make the mayonnaise into the thick stuff and he can only make sauce.

Also, it is very safe stuff--I think I read an article about how it was fine to eat, even if it had been on the counter a while, by Shirley Corriher , the food science lady....and it refrigerates for a long while.  That is, if you have any left by then!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Excuses, excuses.

Last year at this time, I was busy in the studio playing with my oil paints and I had a blast.  My days were exhausting and I came in from the studio just beat.  But, we've had a few distractions since my last show and I haven't yet delved into all the things I have planned for winter.  The number one issue has been our wonderful pup, JuneBug.  We thought she was suffering from severe arthritis.  But, after trying all kinds of things, we were finally sent to a specialist...an orthopedic vet in Albuquerque.  In fact, Dr. Schwarz was the same guy who fixed our last lab's elbow when she fell as a puppy.  So, after a visit from an old high school buddy, and then a week long visit from my folks,  we went back to our local vet to get the referral, waited a week for some blood work to come back, and then got to go see Dr. Schwarz.  Immediately, he knew what was wrong with Bug.  Yes, she had a bit of arthritis but she had also blown out both her achilles.  And, because we were so tardy in getting her correct diagnosis, it was too late to repair the damage.  Instead, the only thing to do was to fuse her hocks (ankles).  She got through the first 3 weeks after surgery beautifully and we hope that continues. We've moved everything we need to one floor, lay down carpets and rugs to cover all slippery surfaces,  and place her feet in plastic bags and "socks" each time we take her out.  She's doing better and she even spent a few minutes in the studio with me today.  I guess I miss having her in there sometimes.  We've got  at least 6-8 more weeks where her activity is extremely limited.   But we can do it!   So, while I haven't tackled any of my new idea tasks/projects, I am painting away.  And will try to sink back into blogging about art!    

Thanks for being patient with me!

Application Time Again

I'm back.  No excuses but a little too much travel. And, with 5 days in front of me before my first show application for the 2012 season, I'm again questioning my images for juries. Second guessing.  And third guessing.  Should I do the bright landscapes or the simple, starker pieces, or upclose depictions of my buildings.  I really don't know.   For those of you not in the art show world, most shows use a jury to select the actual artists who will display their work at a show.  They way the jury reviews the work is usually an online presentation of 3-5 images of actual work and usually an image that shows a typical booth set up. The amount of time they have to see the pieces is extremely limited. And sometimes I get accepted and sometimes I don't.  Which is a bit frustrating.  Sort of like applying for your job every day.  So, I'll ponder my current images, try to imagine painting some terrific pieces all in the space of a week (not!), and hem and haw until that first deadline.  Wish me luck!

Sun Valley

We've been spending our extra time between the Park City show and the Sun Valley show in beautiful Sun Valley, ID.  This is my absolutely favorite place to do a show. A small show, of only 120 or so artists, it is located  currently at a park in Ketchum.  The venue is beautiful as is the entire area...great hiking trails, biking trails, gorgeous skies and superb rivers. (Too bad the fishing box was missing Rees' fishing boots!) It is a place I would definitely consider living (although the houses I want are just a tad out of my price range!!) and I am the first to say I would never leave New Mexico.  I might for this enchanted place. Then, to top it off, Sun Valley has been good to me over the years and I have gotten to know many of my customers....I think I know as many people here as I do in Angel Fire, or so it seems. We are staying at a great condo just blocks from the park.  So, today, after we take Bug to the pond, we set up for the show and then it is 3 really pleasant days of being a part of a top notch show.  I'll post some pics through out the weekend!  And then it is back to Angel Fire for some studio time!

Songs for You

Lyrics to first verse of Nick Drake's Hazey Jane:

Do you curse where you come from,
Do you swear in the night
Will it mean much to you
If I treat you right.
Do you like what you’re doing,
Would you do it some more
Or will you stop once and wonder
What you’re doing it for.
Hey slow jane, make sense
Slow, slow, jane, cross the fence.

I listen to Nick Drake a lot in the studio. A lot. I think he is fabulous. Hazey Jane came on today and the bolded lyrics are some I think about a lot.  About how lucky I am to love what I'm doing and how I'm gonna do it some more.  I know not everyone gets to do this.  Now, there are parts of what I do that aren't so hot--like setting up and tearing down for shows in bad weather.  But the painting itself is magical.  It is fun.  And then I sell it and get paid for doing it.     And I'm gonna have to do a lot of it because my sales at the Angel Fire show were fantastic and my Santa Fe gallery sold 5 paintings so far this week!  If only I could paint with my toes!

Have a listen: maybe you'll enjoy Nick, too.  Here's the link to youtube!
Nick Drake Hazey Jane

Color Choice

In much of my life, I am a planner.  I make  zillions of over-achieving to-do lists.  I like to know my hotel plans have been made for shows months in advance.  I like to know what my schedule is.  And, while getting on some waiting lists for shows--Belleville, Cherry Creek & Old Town--means I am almost there, it reeks havoc with this planning sensibility I have.  But when it comes to painting, I prefer to let the paintings make the decisions.  Too much preplanning equals static art.  I think. So, while the underlying substrate color dictates a few colors I will use, I prefer to work through the piece with no preconceived notions of what colors will be in use.  I think the art is better for that.  Do you?  

Did ya miss me?

All my good intentions just simply shot! I knew it would be harder to post blogs during my summer "touring" season.  But, really, it seems almost impossible.  To top it off, we've got this nasty little fire going here--the Los Conchas fire--the biggest in New Mexico history.  And, I am obsessed with it. Coming home from the Albuquerque show last Sunday night we saw the blaze when it was only 3500 acres (and it had only started that afternoon.)  It is now over 100,00 acres.  Our gorgeous blue skies are marred by ash and smoke.  Fire restrictions (thankfully) have closed the forests and cancelled fireworks.  On a positive note, we've had dribbles of rain--our monsoons are supposed to start soon.  I find myself checking both the weather.com and noaa weather sites twice a day at least.  I read my relative humidity readings from my weather station.  I listen to the news updates on the radio and even watch some local news.  It is simply driving me crazy.  I want rain so badly!  I've pulled out the rain stick and done some dances.  I've yelled at the sky.  But, what I've got to do is hope and be thankful for all the people who are so actively involved in fighting the fire.  Reports are good on the progress.  I'll just hope the positivity continues.  And then maybe I can move onto talking about creating art! That is, after all, what I do!    In the meantime, if you have it in your heart, send positive rain thoughts this way! Thank you.

My sweet ride

Rees and I spend a lot of time driving the country, to and from art shows.  We do, after all, have to bring the tent, the walls, the art we hang, the art we have for back up, a cooler for water, and suitcases for clothes.  But every once in a while I am thrilled I am driving in a big white panel van (a Sprinter) because it can hold lots of stuff--whether it is art or something else colorful, like these hanging plants for my deck!