Just paint? Nope.

I make a living selling my art. But, I don't just paint. And I even have the fortunate situation where my husband does a lot of the other work--like websites, framing, accounting, taxes, hotel reservations, driving, cooking (not so much on the cleaning.) So, even though this was a really great painting day (maybe payback for my wimpy day yesterday), I did some other chores. I got my canopy out and sewed up a rip in the zipper (dental floss comes in handy for things besides teeth) and patched a hole, I prepped a couple of panels, verified some titles for the website update (coming soon!), I spray varnished all the panels from the last 2 weeks since it was nice out and the varnish wouldn't milk-out (which it does when you spray it in temperatures under 40 degrees). I ordered frames from 2 different suppliers, got a customer number from another frame company who requires a lot of info before they even let you see their prices (but the prices are good! so it was worth filling out the form). I found out about a mistake in an advertising bill (they were wrong and I was right!) and found the sales rep for a different type of ad I want to place. I spoke with my customer who bought my Southwest Art ad piece from this month--he's happy with his new piece. But, he needed a different type of receipt for his insurance. Rees got that in the mail today. I pulled some more panels I want Rees to sand for me. I still have to place an order with one of my art supply stores--but that is online so I can do it in the evening. So, you see, as much as I would like to paint all day, sometimes there are just other tidbits to take care of. Like any job.

A Little of This--A Little of That

I'm liking the barn piece at the top. I finished it today. I worked out a different way to work in my turquoise sky--much more consistent than my other attempts. So, for this, I was happy. But, overall, today was one of those painting days where things just didn't work easily. Still, I plodded along. And, while I'm not going to show you the other piece I finished (just in case it is the one you like the bestest), the piece is decent. Just a slight bit under expectations. Whether I should frame it and show it or not, I haven't yet decided.

But, I always finish pieces. I never throw them away half finished. My reasoning is simple. If I finish it, I may find a solution to a problem that I may encounter on another piece--and be totally prepared for that issue. Which brings me to an idea I've mean mulling over. I'm thinking that maybe I should do an art tip of the day on the days when I actually post. I would love some feedback on this idea. Worth pursuing or not? I think I may try it, at least until I run out of ideas. And, of course, I'd welcome other people's ideas/tips as well. Even artists like Elisa Ann Lindstrom, who so kindly nominated me for the blogger sunshine award and I blew it off because it was too technically challenging for me!

On a totally unrelated note, these were my companions for the studio today. JuneBug and her 2 buddies, Olive and Josie. After a good walk, they all quieted down nicely. Too bad I can't blame them for my lousy painting day!

Commission delivered

I didn't get as much painting done as I wanted today. But, it was a satisfying day, nevertheless. My client and her friend braved the treacherous snowy roads--yes, it is snowing here again--to drive up from Albuquerque to pick up "Quietly Whispering". She was thrilled! I realize that so many of my commissions are simply delivered by fedex. It was more fun to see her reaction to the piece in person (maybe especially because she was ecstatic!) Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about adding to our crazy driving schedule to deliver pieces long distance. But in person delivery is an option I'll pursue when it is in relative near proximity!

Purple Sky

I don't know about you but I don't think these skies are really purple. But, when I looked at my Holbein colors, that is what the label said. All this time, what they call "Blue Violet" is what I call purple. This color is raspberry frappe! NOT PURPLE! but that is what the manufacturer calls it and the color I need to replenish--no back-ups at all.

The piece on top is done (or will be, once completed) on canvas. The bottom one is on gessobord--my favorite substrate. But, gessobord, when put on a birch cradle is very heavy. And I have this utopia in mind where I have a bunch of large art at a show and none of it is heavy. I can lift the boxes myself. So, despite the fact that I don't love the "give" of the canvas when I poke it with my oil pastels, I'm trying the canvas for the sake of future convenience. We'll see if I have as much fun with it!

The top piece isn't finished yet--foreground needs filling in and some yellowish highlights on the trees are still needed. But, with the snow and snow thunder we are getting, coupled with the fact that is it Friday, I opted not to finish the piece until tomorrow. Happy weekend!

This is my desk

So, yesterday when I was working on the little panels, I was having trouble finding certain colors in my oil pastel boxes. When I realize I am spending more time looking for specific colors than actually painting, it is time to organize the colors. This is as tidy as it gets, folks!

Colorful

I realize that my complaints about our snowfall have surpassed most people's tolerance for such whining. But, since we got another 10 inches today and it is still so white out there (oh, how I wish for my deep blue, New Mexico sky!), I scrapped what I had planned today and worked on some more small 5 by 7 pieces on panel. The photos aren't super. The skylight was covered again and day was fading as I photographed. But they were bright. And fun to do.

And, as for the whining, we do leave in 2 weeks for a bunch of Texas shows, where hopefully it won't be snowing. And, then I'll quit my complaints about the white stuff. Promise.

Fun!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy in the studio, finishing some commissions, framing some pieces to send up to Mirada, starting some commissions, and then just generally playing with color. Again. I ordered some frames from my friend Peyton Hutchinson--also a painter, whose husband decided a frame import business would be a nice additional income stream. Probably is, but poor Peyton seems to be handling most of the business side. Anyway, I ordered some smaller frames--going against my promise to SELF not to add any more silly sizes to my repertoire. And, today I finished a couple small pieces to fit into those frames. I'm pretty pleased. I'm going to do more, having decided that it is okay if I break the rules--as long as those rules are mine!

Dark & Snowy

With only a day until the spring solstice, we are being PUMMELLED by snow. Forecast of 18 inches. And I think it is going to come true. I finished a nice long skinny piece today but, with the sky light covered with at least 10 inches of snow and a blizzard outside, I have NO chance of capturing the piece. So, you'll have to wait to see it (as will the client who is looking for something in those colors!) Maybe tomorrow will bring some sunshine!

New Music and Long Skinnies

I've been working on long skinny pieces the last few days--7 by 23 that I put in 12 by 28 frames. Happy with the art--just not the photos! But, on a much more important note: MUSIC!
An amazon box arrived yesterday with goodies--books, music and a new drill set for my studio. And it is Rees' birthday next week, not mine. So, I listened to most of the new stuff today. Here's my report card:
Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses Roadhouse Sun --B
Ryan Bingham Mescolito--A
Dave Rawlings Machine: a friend of a friend (Gillian Welsh's husband and co-writer of a lot of her songs)--B-
Guy Clark Somedays the Song Writes You--B
Justin Townes Earle The Good Life--A , maybe even A+ He may be even better than his dad, although not better than his middle namesake.
Joe Pug--Messenger A! ( I don't know anything about this guy only Rees says he is from/.works out of Chicago--for those of you nearby Chi-Town.
Still have Lyle Lovett's Natural Forces to listen to tomorrow. Thanks, Rees! They are all worthy of being uploaded to my ipod! And, in a fit of brilliance, Rees looked up where Hayes Carll is playing. Looks like we'll get to see him in Spring,TX when we are there for the Woodlands show--on Saturday night at the Crawfish Festival. And, if I get into the San Antonio show, then at Flores Country store on the Friday night before the show in Helotes! Life is Good!

Different, for me

Sometimes I do night skies with stars, other times puffy clouds in a deep New Mexico blue, other times a dusk (although dawn is on my list). This time I did sennelier 205 spring green sky. Why not? You gotta play with color. Otherwise you aren't having enough fun!