What is Art?

What is Art? Who is an Artist? Click on the link (the title) to find out what a few animals have to say. This is great! I found this on the Art News Blog.

Let's Catch Up

Well, I have flunked blogging recently. While painting for an exhibit and juggling all it takes to be an artist and a business at the same time, I have not communicated very well what is going on with us. Seems like I get overloaded and in the future I must make more of a mental timeline to organize everything. Maybe in my case, a standard size paper trail might help me keep up and stop with all the post-a-notes!!! With that said, I am going to do better from this day forward. That is scary writing that right there, makes it oh so official, but it needs to improve soooo I just slapped my hand...moving right along then.

We have chosen a series about water, it started with the three, brightly, colored umbrellas with the ocean breaking behind it. We wanted to continue with a water theme in our next painting and liked a photo that explored the idea of diversity, comparison and blending and also depicts a little about our own story of three artists working alone and together to create one painting...more on this subject in another blog. Anyway, there is a simple, common thread for us and that is... we all love the ocean, lakes, whatever, we love water. The beach in our painting is in Southern California, Laguna Beach, to be exact. For anyone who has not been there, it city nestled in the hills which spills down to the edge of the coast full of creative juices from artists, galleries, Pageant of the Masters, art festivals, like the Sawdust Festival, Laguna Art Museum, fine restaurants, boutiques, surfers, beach volleyball, TV shows filmed there and many events all year round. It is a lively community and generally fun place with lots of choices. It holds a very special place in my heart since I used to live many years ago and was married there. Our water theme above comes from a very familiar place.

And yes, I promise to follow up with more paintings and would enjoy any of your comments or questions. I am encouraging everyone to sign up to receive our latest news and talk to us. Especially these days, we need a little more happiness, smiles and hope... art can do all that and more. So pass it on...

Hanging Out

This new painting has a young fan who named it...she saw it in a very clear and simple way. Maybe there is more than what is in front of the eye, could it be three different artists painting and seeing things differently? But wait, I see all kinds of colored grapes, but they are all just grapes. The vines that weave through the paintings might possibly be connecting it together in some way. I like stories that go along with paintings and gives a little peek into their internal secrets. Diversity is what makes things more interesting. You really can be creative in a collaborative setting when you honor and embrace diversity not fight it. Is it that all the grapes are hanging or hanging out together?

Personal Sanctuary

"Everyone needs a sanctuary to gather thoughts and apply personal tools. It's in a sanctuary where a sense of self is daily repaired and polished. Things begin to make sense in a sanctuary. Even for the most limited among us, a sanctuary is where progress is made and work gets done."
Robert Genn

Helen's Rose...Reach for the sky

Here is a pic of one of our latest paintings. It is a rose from California...around Napa Valley. One of the fun things we get to do after we finish a painting is name it. We have not decided on anything yet so any suggestions are welcome. I personally love this painting because I have memories that go along with it. What does it make you think of when you see it? How does it make you feel?

Surprises

Life is full of surprises! Success is what you make it and I feel the best way to be successful is to put aside your emotions and always handle things in the most professional way. We all know artists are very emotional people not to mention sometimes a little crazy but if we artists want to be successful we must put aside jealousy, anger, and self pity and concentrate on our artistic growth along with our personal growth. Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist covers just this subject. I hope to soon post a section of our latest painting, I am very excited about this one. Seems like every new painting is my new favoite one but this one might just hold the title for a long time.

Tuscan Landscape

Here is a pic of a painting that we started last year. As with most paintings there is a story...this one is no exception. I hope you like it. The total size is 48 x 48 oil on cradled panels.

Lying Under the Umbrella

Well... this is the latest painting called "Puerto Escondido". It is one of my favorite places to go and relax. You definitely need the umbrellas because the sun is so strong there the sand gets so hot you have to run to the water! We have more paintings in store and we are busy painting in our studios. I just love when the paintings come to life and this is one of my new favorites...hmmm where have I heard that before?

Busy is Good

No lie... we are all busy, but would like to share what we have just finished. I mounted the panels and hung them on the vitual wall to check them out. Very fresh in all terms of the word.

Its been a while

It has been a while since we have posted anything.  Our excuse is we have been busy...and in the art world busy is very good.  We just finished a successful exhibit at Saint Mary's Hospital and are now working on setting up a "permanent" gallery where our work will be on display except when some pieces will be away at another exhibit.  

I spent the week in Napa Valley taking hundreds of photos and showing our work.  What a fabulous place!  The sun was bright and warm...the fruits and vegetables were fresh.  And I can't forget the wine.  I have never seen so many wineries nor have I drank so much wine.  The people were friendly, generous, and laid back.  Definitely a place full of beauty.  I hope to soon post some new paintings from Napa.

Squidoo

One of the hardest things to do is market your art...especially online. The internet is a great way to reach a lot of people but you really have to get yourself out there. There are many ways to link up to high traffic sites. Have you ever been on one site and then by following links you have ended up on many other sites. Sometimes I end up on a site reading and learning about a subject that is the completely different then what I started out looking at. Well that is kind of the way it works...get your link out there. Here is a site my mom turned me on to.

This is a pretty cool website/referral thingy. It was easy to set up. It is suppose to help get more people to your blog and/or your website. It is also something you can do for fun even if you don’t have something to promote or sell. Take a look around. Put Bold Strokes for art in the search on the site and you can see what I set up. Also, you can look at my mom’s by putting Linda Hiller in the search. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.squidoo.com/boldstrokesforart

Art Collecting

One of the biggest things I regret in my life is not learning more about art. I am just now (in my old age) studying the lives of some of the great artists. How interesting their lives were and how amazingly similiar their struggles were with their art. I find it really interesting to see how they overcame their insecurities and went on to become famous. I hope to start purchasing paintings by other artists. I love seeing the works of my artist friends hanging on my wall. What better gift to give a friend or relative then a piece of art you carefully painted or picked out just for them. It is the gift that keeps giving. They will look at that painting and think of you.

"Buying the work of emerging artists is cool—it's nice to know that you're supporting someone who is probably struggling and dreaming of quitting his or her day job—and there's more: the wonderful feeling of living with art. Each thing you own frames your personal history and becomes anchored to the chapter of your life in which you acquired it. Accumulation of good, affordable art is a big improvement over the typical clutter on apartment walls."

Jen Bekman

Left Turn in Thinking

Sometimes when I am painting I will be surprised by how my thoughts change about the subject matter or where I think the painting is heading. Originally I thought the individual petals of the hydrangea would be tedious, but in fact, I found them to be fast, fun and fresh. It was a choice to make them come to life without being exact. I liked the challenge of creating the depth with the light and dark contrasts of color in the composition. The shades of blue and purples brightened the day and the room which was dreary. Although I have learned art always holds some bit of the chance that sits right along side with my knowledge of basic technique. I happen to like that duality. Maybe that is the addiction to art that is so attractive and I am excited to see the other two pieces that complete the whole painting. No doubt there will be some more ahhh-ha moments then too.

How to price your art

Robert Genn's Ten Commandments of Art Pricing
· Thou shalt start out cheap.
· Thou shalt publish thy prices.
· Thou shalt raise thy prices regularly and a little.
· Thou shalt not lower thy prices.
· Thou shalt not have one price for Sam and another for Joe.
· Thou shalt not price by talent or time taken, but by size.
· Thou shalt not easily discount thy prices.
· Thou shalt lay control on thy agents and dealers.
· Thou shalt deal with those who will honour thee.
· Thou shalt end up expensive.

Sold Painting

We sold one of my favorite paintings at Saint Mary's. It is Cocoa Beach. We have had lots of compliments on this painting but what really makes me feel good is that it will be hanging in someone's house that loves it as much as I do.

Still On at Saint Mary's Hospital

We will be exhibiting all through April at Saint Mary's Hospital... if you have a chance, stop by and check them out.

Back on Board

Sorry I have not written for a while but I have been sick for the last couple of weeks. We are currently displaying at Saint Mary's Health Care in Grand Rapids. We have had some really good feedback on the display. We were given 3 large areas to display in. The lighting in the hospital made our paintings even brighter and "happier". With spring right around the corner we chose to exhibit flowers and bright paintings. Our hopes are that it will make a patient or relative smile. Here are a few pictures.

Painting frenzy

Staying busy trying to paint 3 painitngs at once! Multi-tasking the price you pay for a vacation huh?

Lucky Ones

Yes...What can be better than this? For us to touch someone in their life, send a smile, a sense of warmth or hope is exactly what we are trying to do, not only with this exhibit, but everyday. To give some sort of happiness to others is truly a gift. I feel very fortunate to be able to give without expectation and it has always and will always be a big part of me and what I do. Charity begins right here from within and fortunately for me, with two other talented artists sharing a passion for art. Lucky me...

Cocoa Beach

This is one of my favorite paintings. We will be hanging it tomorrow at Saint Mary's Hospital. All of our paintings have changed so much over the last few months. Our paintings seem to have become much "happier" if that can happen. I think it is because we know that spring is close. I hope that our paintings help to cheer up someone that sees them at the hospital.

Sound of Color

This is a painting that we hope will cheer people up because it certainly was uplifting for us to paint. The colors seem to send a feeling of anticipation of the arrival of spring and new birth. Music to your ears after the chill north wind blows over the flower bulbs that are hidden, waiting patiently to appear. The rich colors in our flower and the smooth curving lines, even with their dark hues, send a sense of calm and a bit of excitement all at once. Ummm and who does not love the deep scarlet reaching your passionate side? In any season, this will entice some sort of memory.

As Promised-The Orchid

Here it is... hot off the easel. Now this was a pleasure to paint with the high contrast of colors and tiny rippled edges. My creative juices are flowing. Color is definitely something that affects the subconscious, even on the dreariest of days. Do you think my mind is tricking me to think of where the orchid grows; in a warm, tropical climate or is it the shades of purple and fuchsia, two strong passionate colors, that makes me feel warm? Yet again, I can almost feel the humidity entering my lungs, where the warm mist is engulfed and slowly absorded. My senses are alert and I am enjoying the signals.

Hey

Another set of paintings on the way. I cannot wait to see our beach scene mounted on the new Art XF panel! I am now painting a beautiful orchid with vibrant colors which is great .... because it is really snowing outside right now and the bright colors are keeping me busy and happy. Anything to not have to snow blow all the fluff for awhile!

Virtual Art Wall

My wall just became a virtual art wall, that is where paintings are hung, moved and displayed in seconds. In the picture above, I left one if the cables down so you can see how adjustable it is. I am so pleased with a new gallery hanging system, not only for the ease of hanging a painting, but how you can live with your art and really look at it... I mean really look. As an artist to step back from your easel is one thing, but to be able to hang it on the wall and see if it from different angles in the room is extremely helpful.

Like I said, I am so happy with the system and do highly recommend it since it is not terribly expensive or hard to install and the benefits are numerous. Art belongs on a wall after all the hours that go into creating a personal statement, it needs a home where others can view and enjoy it too. Share your passion of painting and what you love to do. Not everyone is this fortunate...not everyone can paint. It is a gift, I am sure.

Beach Scene

For the ones of us that have a terrible time in the winter this is the perfect painting. There is nothing better than feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin and the sand between your toes. While we sit here in front of the fireplace this painting would make a nice piece to be able to look at and imagine the waves crashing at our feet and the sea breeze blowing our hair. For me the beach has always been a special place. I have a sense of contentment I don't feel other places. For me it is full of pleasant memories...a place where the tides take away all your problems.

Finished painting will be posted soon.

Typo Queen Loose Yet Again

where dreams come through you hands = your hands. I need sentence spell check!!!

Gentle Breeze

I can almost feel the sand between my toes and the salty air blowing through my hair. The grass on this painting was harder to do than I thought it would be. But with a few more strokes (like a bazillion) of color in the grass it is done and the mound of sand took form. I see the panels and know I look forward to seeing them gel together. I have been to that place where what you see and dream comes through you hands.

Keep on with your bold strokes and what will be next?

Flower Painting

wow Carol that looks awesome. The colors in this painting are so bright. It is a very cheerful painting...perfect for the Hospital Exhibit. You did a great job! I can't wait to put them all together!

looking good....I can't wait to get mine posted too.

Panel #3

This is the third panel of our new painting.  I love the colors.  It makes me happy.  Can't wait to put it together.

Panel #1

Here is the 1st panel of a new painting we are working on. There will be three total.

Oh no the Night Owl is loose on the blog

I can imagine when she will be posting... all night and until early hours of morn!!!!

The Torture of Posting

Oh! 

I know this should be fun and sometimes it is and other times, quite frankly it is a pain in the neck.  Today is one of these days because I would rather be painting.  So that is what I am going to do.  Until next post enjoy painting.

Ahhh The paintings LOOK Good

I need more than spell check I need brain check to blog! This will be how I entertain you with my typos.

I am back and the paintings looks good

That grass is so good... funny when you love something how well it turns out. From the moment you saw my photo you have loved it. The pieces are really starting to come to life. This is really exciting to watch the process and I cannot wait to see them all. How fun it is to be able to do what you love. We are so lucky. Thanks ladies...

If only I lived here in the winter!!

Nothing like a painting of the beach and sand. All I need now is my flip flops, a lawn chair and a good book.

Here is a sneak peek at my 2 panels of the 6 total panels that will make up our next painting. Maybe the other ladies will post theirs when they are finished. The finished painting will be on exhibit at Saint Mary's Hospital in March and April. If you are interested or have any comments please let us know.

quote

I ran across this quote today and it describes perfectly our day yesterday.

Action is the foundational key to all success.
::: Pablo Picasso :::