I will be a featured artist at the Art Market Gallery during the month of February.  The opening reception is Feb 2, 2007 from 5:30 - 9:00 pm.  The Gallery is located at 433 South Gay Street in Knoxville, TN.  Everyone is welcome to stop by. 
My wonderful husband, Paul, helped me hang my paintings Sunday afternoon.  Bless his heart he had stayed at the hospital with his Dad the previous night, so he was sleepy and tired.  I am so very blessed to have such a supportive spouse. 
Yesterday I saw a church billboard that asked, "Are you a fountain or a drain?"  Paul has always been a fountain for me.  He is positive and encouraging.  That doesn't mean that he isn't critical.  He can be, but always in a good way by asking questions or making  suggestions for areas of improvement.  We need that too.
What a difference there is in a 'fountain" that feeds the spirit, as compared to a  "drain" which saps energy and drags one down. 
Don't be a drain...come to my reception and drink from the fountain....we'll have wine, coffeee, and soft drinks. 

Two of my good friends and fellow artists formed an art marketing salon
or community using Alyson Stanfield's Art Biz Connection
materials.  Alyson graciously provides these materials free of
charge at http://www.artbizconnection.com  What we have learned in
the first two meetings has been amazing. 

Christine Reilly of http://www.fireflybead.com is a gifted bead kit
designer and has a great wholesale business  Lois Armstrong of
http://www.loisarmstrongart.com is a multitalented artist who does
watercolor, oil, & scrimshaw.  Her painted leaves have
been  very popular.  I'm a tradtional oil
artist, so we have a lot in common, but also have varied markets.

We are all serious about marketing our art.  We are at the same stage in
our lives and we are commited to encouraging and supporting each other
in ourendeavors.  We have learned 3 heads really are better than
one. 

The photo shows left to right: Lois, Christine and me, Marie.

    Yeah for the Colts!  Peyton had a huge monkey fall from his back tonight.  I am not a big NFL fan, but am a faithful University of Tennessee fan and since Peyton Manning was a true Volunteer, then I have to pull for him.  Ok, enough football.  This is an art blog.
Jean - Claude Killy, a skier from years ago, said "I will always be someone who wants to do better than others.  I love competition." I don't love competition for competition sake, but I do think it helps you improve.  So, to that end, I like to enter art shows.  Today I dropped off a painting for the Knoxville Dogwood Arts Limited Edition Print. 

Typically an art competition will have one juror.  A juror may love your work and give a painting a top award, yet the same painting may not even be accepted to hang for the next competition.  The appreciation of art is subjective. 

The Dogwood Show is to be juried by the public this year.  This novel approach should be interesting.  My guess is that the best painting will win.
 
If you are in Knoxville, stop by the "Three Flights Up Gallery" at 100 S. Gay Street, and cast a vote for my "Tennessee Treasurers".  I'll give you a big hug!
If you like someone else's better.....vote for mine anyhow. I'll give you a really big hug!

So much for keeping my resolution of posting twice weekly on my
blog.  I note that it has been 10 days since the last one!  
Shame on me!  Time just gets away! 

I have been busy with new works and marketing, so time has not been wasted.

Lisa Kurtz, a talented clay artist,  and I are featured artists at
the Art Market Gallery for the month of February.   I have been
working on new paintings for that.  Some older ones will hang too,
as they just coordinate nicely.  I also have completed an entry
for the Dogwood Arts Poster contest.  I will post all of these new
paintings after the first of the month.

Our Tennessee Artists Association is trying to rent gallery and studio
space in Knoxville.  The majority of people attending the meeting
Tuesday night were very supportive.  It will require time, money
and a lot of effort, but I believe it can be successful. 

Life is full of challenges.  We have to face each one and view it

as an opportunity to grow and learn, rather than as a problem. 


I have been working on one relatively simple painting for several

days.  There are two factors that have made it more

challenging.  The first being, practice.  Plain and simple, I

am out of practice.  I haven't gotten to paint much in the past

month and just as my body gets out of shape when I don't exercise

daily, my eye - hand coordination and my abiltiy to discern the correct

hue, temperature and value become less acute. 


Lesson learned....practice art every day.  If only for 5 minutes,

I will draw, paint or do something physical to exercise my art. 


Oh, the second challenge...it has been lack of available time.  OK, if only for 5 minutes, I'll make a point of painting.

 

I've finally gotten the studio organized and it looks so nice.  I'm sure it will help improve my efficiency, provided I stay diligent and keep it that way.
I did set ups today for my Christmas card painting for '07.  The actual painting will have to wait as I have shows in February and March to prepare for.  This is possible thanks to the wonder of photography.  Yes, I use photo references, but one of my goals for the year is to paint more from life.  I really enjoy doing that and my paintings seem fresher and more painterly, so why I don't do it more is beyond me.  One of those "just because" things, I suppose.  So, if I PLAN to paint more from life and establish it as a GOAL, I will do it.
Tomorrow I am having an art date lunch with a friend.  These are wonderful opportunities to get out and recharge. After 3 days of cleaning and organizing, I need that!