So, I have completed the first month of Long Term Subbing Art 6-12. I like the school and teachers. It was the first school I began to sub at 11 years ago. I know most of the students also. It has been interesting.
I view this as my dementia protection. I keep learning new things like different computer programs I have to use as a teacher. and those "by the way' things. I am putting grades in one program, documenting behavior in a different one, learning mac, learning Photoshop to teach it and maybe learning Unity and Scratch in a little bit for my computer design class. I am working on how to keep my Middle School kids from coming in wild, talking loudly all through class and not interrupting.
My Digital Design class has been tough because the different abilities of the students but also by just having a boring book to go through with them (maybe it is just me making it boring). I was blessed when I found the Adobe Exchange with different things to do with them - like interesting projects to try. This class is the one that I am having to learn the most to teach.
With stepping in at the very last minute before school started, I have been working on getting meaningful lessons together too. Then there are the "surprises". I keep hearing about. The school has a fantastic shop program where people come to check it out and a big factory in the area is giving them a matching grant to expand and also do a Print Shop. That is where I come in. In the Spring Semester I will be teaching the basic print shop even though I have no information, equipment or space. It should be interesting too. I am working with students now to introduce the idea of the printmaking. I am starting my 8th graders on silk-screen printing and found a way to give my Digital Art students a fun project too by using the computer to do color separations so they can do the silk screen printing too. There project may be a little bit off for now.
My newest thing yesterday was finding out about Thermal silkscreen printing. He has the machine from like late 50's-60's that I am figuring out. I found a brochure and it is an interesting process. I can take a photocopy (needs to have carbon on it) or a print from a laser printer and put this mesh over it and it cuts/burns the stencil that is attached to the screen. Easy peasy. I went online and the mesh / is out of stock until the end of November when I could use it now for printing t-shirts. I saw something similar on Ebay that says mimeograph film which I think may be the same thing in a hold ya over state.
So, that is my life right now. I am hoping things will settle in and not be as time intensive but it is fun to see what different projects are out there. This is Homecoming week. Today the teachers are dressing up as "Where's Waldo". I have my red and white striped shirt and my glasses and red cap are at school. It should be fun!
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
September - a new beginning
Art has been my life forever. I have been a subsititute teacher for years -beginning my 11th. I passed up an Art teacher postion this summer because it was just too far away especially in bad weather. I got a call yesterday for a long-term substitute position for 6-12 Art for the school year. I am pretty excited!
I went in today to find out the details. I have been subbing for this district since the beginning. I have subbed for the teacher I am replacing. One of my classes is Digital Art. Another one is Video Gaming. I am going to have to learn quickly what I should be teaching. The rest of the things I am good with. This will be a stretch:) I'll let you know my journey and sources as I find them.
I went in today to find out the details. I have been subbing for this district since the beginning. I have subbed for the teacher I am replacing. One of my classes is Digital Art. Another one is Video Gaming. I am going to have to learn quickly what I should be teaching. The rest of the things I am good with. This will be a stretch:) I'll let you know my journey and sources as I find them.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
August 2018
I haven't written for awhile. Maybe I didn't think anything I had to share was important. Life just clicked on. I have been listing/selling my stuff on Ebay and Etsy but that has been slow too.
This whole year has been off. We have had hot, cold, dry weather and have had to work around it. I have bees and this year when it got to 90 degrees in the early spring, I had one hive swarm. I have been nursing the other one along and am ready to remove that honey. It will be interesting to see what is in there. My vegetable garden got a family of rabbits that ate my cole crops and there was still a baby in there so the only thing I planted was tomatoes and the rest went to weeds.The gate is open now. I am hoping the chickens will forage in there and perhaps clean it up. My other gardens have been hit and miss. Deer have found them and eaten on the hostas and the lilies, and the flower seeds I planted. I just gave up.
I have been looking for work and even though there are jobs out there, I don't want to be a truck driver, cna, not sure if I could handle factory and have had enough of retail. My sister gave me an option that I need to look into. I really don't want to sub again, but it pays better than many things. I finally did get a job offer for an art teacher but it was 45 miles away and I was thinking of winter with snow and ice on back country roads. There have been other teaching jobs pop up, but most are a distance similar to that. I have an interview today for a local one and that would be nice if I would get chosen. I spent a couple of weeks of hard, heavy, grueling work setting up a store and then not chosen to get a permanent hire - which I think ended up to be a good thing. I need to go in there and tell them that I quit. The hard part was with subbing, I was like a subcontractor and had freedom. Working in a store it would be odd hours - when they say jump, when and where you have to. It is hard to give up your life/freedom unless it is worth it.
I do my online sales, but it is hit or miss and usually summer is my busy time. This year it was not. I have listed more but my free listings fill up fast so I can't get everything on. I am thinking about other options. I have my Ebay store for paper dolls, sheet music and other misc (julesartstuff). I have another Ebay account for art, postcards and prints. (julespaints2). I am on Etsy (julesartstuff) but that can be hit or miss. I was on Daily Paintworks for 8 months and had one sale - a $5 ACEO so I cancelled it at the beginning of the month. I probably could have done better if I had gotten involved with the community. It was nice to see people actually looking at your work. I signed up for Truegether but haven't done the social media thing and nothing is happening there without it. I closed my Bonanza store because it was too much work for no sales. Everytime they did an update from Ebay, I would end up with duplicates (a lot!) to delete off. Somebody on Facebook was saying if you want to get your Ebay moving you need to make changes in the listing - like change the title, price, etc. When I did that, those ended up there along with the original listing so the whole thing was a mess. I think both Bonanza and Etsy now want more money to promote your items. I am not sure if it will help or not or if they are just padding their bottom line.
What I am thinking of is this -
1) Orangenius for my art. I know it is fairly new but they also help with copyright protection. I signed up but haven't put anything on it yet. I need to go the profile and everything. I think that will serve as my art portfolio/website.
2) Linkin - have had it for years but haven't done anything with it. I need to get it together.
3) Look at my sister's option and try that out.
4) Cancel Bonanza, Truegether (possibly)
5) POD - on Etsy. As an artist I already have plenty of designs.
6) Sub (If I don't get a teaching job) or look for something else where I have regular time off to plan my life. I can also get a pt job - even maybe an online one to suppliment my finances.
7) Get a tent. Sign up for both art and craft shows and do them.
8) Check with Artisan Forge and see if they still want my art or if they want to switch it out to something fresh.
9) Print sale is coming up again. I want to make some new ones to put in there. I was thinking of making some prints also ACEO size.
I always have plenty of ideas - I just need to find a way for this to pay - even on a part time basis. I have sold some art this year, which is nice, but it has been lower price. Just trying to get some strategies going. Everything takes time and money.
This whole year has been off. We have had hot, cold, dry weather and have had to work around it. I have bees and this year when it got to 90 degrees in the early spring, I had one hive swarm. I have been nursing the other one along and am ready to remove that honey. It will be interesting to see what is in there. My vegetable garden got a family of rabbits that ate my cole crops and there was still a baby in there so the only thing I planted was tomatoes and the rest went to weeds.The gate is open now. I am hoping the chickens will forage in there and perhaps clean it up. My other gardens have been hit and miss. Deer have found them and eaten on the hostas and the lilies, and the flower seeds I planted. I just gave up.
I have been looking for work and even though there are jobs out there, I don't want to be a truck driver, cna, not sure if I could handle factory and have had enough of retail. My sister gave me an option that I need to look into. I really don't want to sub again, but it pays better than many things. I finally did get a job offer for an art teacher but it was 45 miles away and I was thinking of winter with snow and ice on back country roads. There have been other teaching jobs pop up, but most are a distance similar to that. I have an interview today for a local one and that would be nice if I would get chosen. I spent a couple of weeks of hard, heavy, grueling work setting up a store and then not chosen to get a permanent hire - which I think ended up to be a good thing. I need to go in there and tell them that I quit. The hard part was with subbing, I was like a subcontractor and had freedom. Working in a store it would be odd hours - when they say jump, when and where you have to. It is hard to give up your life/freedom unless it is worth it.
I do my online sales, but it is hit or miss and usually summer is my busy time. This year it was not. I have listed more but my free listings fill up fast so I can't get everything on. I am thinking about other options. I have my Ebay store for paper dolls, sheet music and other misc (julesartstuff). I have another Ebay account for art, postcards and prints. (julespaints2). I am on Etsy (julesartstuff) but that can be hit or miss. I was on Daily Paintworks for 8 months and had one sale - a $5 ACEO so I cancelled it at the beginning of the month. I probably could have done better if I had gotten involved with the community. It was nice to see people actually looking at your work. I signed up for Truegether but haven't done the social media thing and nothing is happening there without it. I closed my Bonanza store because it was too much work for no sales. Everytime they did an update from Ebay, I would end up with duplicates (a lot!) to delete off. Somebody on Facebook was saying if you want to get your Ebay moving you need to make changes in the listing - like change the title, price, etc. When I did that, those ended up there along with the original listing so the whole thing was a mess. I think both Bonanza and Etsy now want more money to promote your items. I am not sure if it will help or not or if they are just padding their bottom line.
What I am thinking of is this -
1) Orangenius for my art. I know it is fairly new but they also help with copyright protection. I signed up but haven't put anything on it yet. I need to go the profile and everything. I think that will serve as my art portfolio/website.
2) Linkin - have had it for years but haven't done anything with it. I need to get it together.
3) Look at my sister's option and try that out.
4) Cancel Bonanza, Truegether (possibly)
5) POD - on Etsy. As an artist I already have plenty of designs.
6) Sub (If I don't get a teaching job) or look for something else where I have regular time off to plan my life. I can also get a pt job - even maybe an online one to suppliment my finances.
7) Get a tent. Sign up for both art and craft shows and do them.
8) Check with Artisan Forge and see if they still want my art or if they want to switch it out to something fresh.
9) Print sale is coming up again. I want to make some new ones to put in there. I was thinking of making some prints also ACEO size.
I always have plenty of ideas - I just need to find a way for this to pay - even on a part time basis. I have sold some art this year, which is nice, but it has been lower price. Just trying to get some strategies going. Everything takes time and money.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
2018 and My Art Journey
Last year, I had a lot of things going artwise and booking things. This year, with so much art in the house that didn't sell last year, I am trying to get my online "ducks in a row". I did have a website that I cancelled and they said they couldn't give me a prorated refund (Artspan) and had to stick it out until the end of the year. On their information page they gave rates for monthly and annual fees, but when I was signed up it only had the annual. I was upset when they wouldn't prorate my cancellation (even with taking out fees) so when they asked if I would be back, I said "no!". Why would I want to be back if that is their service. I had to let them know I was cancelling again when June came up because I didn't want them charging my charge card again for the year and domain name. I had chosen Artspan to have my things on because they had a gallery and people could order prints right from my webpage. I didn't sell anything in 6 months and didn't have time or a place to promote myself so I figured it wasn't worth it. Not sure if it is my fault - if there was more I should have/could have done or not.
My next forray into trying to sell my art was to sign up for DailyPaintworks.com. You can put your art on there with a monthly fee of about $12-13/month. They do have auctions so your work gets seen and you have a gallery page. I signed up at the beginning of the year and have posted paintings and prints. I have only sold 1 ACEO for $5 - so I am reconsidering my choice. I know they have other things and contests that I haven't explored as well as perhaps liking and commenting on other artists work. I am still on the fence on this one.
Ebay/Etsy - I have been on there mostly to sell vintage items - paper dolls, sheet music, other misc. I did put some prints and paintings on and have sold a couple. I have a couple of larger paintings on Etsy but have only sold one and that was several years ago. Sometimes they do not get any looks for a long time or ever so I do not know if they are even getting seen. Both have been slow,slow, slow this year. Summer is usually my big selling time next to Christmas but it has been crickets. I did set up a separate Ebay store for Postcards, Prints and Paintings. I have had a little action there and most of my small prints and painting and ACEO's are on there.
Bonanza - they have an importer so my things on Ebay are on there - sometimes in duplicate. I haven't sold but one thing so I put them on vacation. With Ebay some advice is that you change something in the title or about the price or description to get it to hopefully look fresh and pop up somewhere. Every time I do that, it goes on Bonanza with the new listing without getting rid of the old one, so I spend a lot of time editing and looking for duplicates. now they have where you can pay a tiered membership to get more advertising and exposure. Not sure if I want to do that yet.
The next thing I am looking at is Orangenius. Still looking, not signed up yet. I also am considering POD. I did Truegether and did the Ebay download, but haven't had time to look it over much yet.
The thing is, I think there is something I am missing. When I watch these art promote videos, they talk about a mailing list - which I do not have. They talk about doing it on Facebook - which I am nervous about. I am on a Facebook Page that talks about how big copyright infringement is right now. I hate to have my creativity stolen and others make money off of it. There is talk about SEO. Google ads, Promoted listings. They talk about the POD sites where your designs might be stolen off of.
So, as an artist, what am I to do?
Outside sales and fairs - I go alone. It would be setting up a tent alone - if I had a tent. Not sure if my car would hold everything in one trip. If I get overheated I get sick (I know I sound like a baby with a lot of excuses), I use a tablet for taking charge cards but if there is no wifi in the field I am out of luck. I need to get a phone, but rarely use the cell I have now and with not working for the summer it is tight anyway without buying a new phone and service.
I guess I will have to look for indoor sales. Take a fan if there is electricity.
Online issues - I cancelled my webpage and have been using DailyPaintworks.com as my portfolio and a way to show my art. I feel pressured (by myself) to put my work on there and then am compelled all day long to see how many people looked at it, at my gallery and my blog. My options are to look it over and see what more I can get out of it. Maybe there are ways by their contests, or looking at and commenting on other artists work to network and encourage others. I know the numbers go by how many people a day are looking at the site and some days there are more than others. I think I will try to see if there is more I can to to use and enjoy it more before cancelling.
Etsy/Ebay - I am sure there are a glut of artists and artisans (besides everything else) that it is hard to be seen. I know there are creative ways to get known online and I might have to try some.
- Etsy - Jules Art Stuff - I think I will be moving my paper dolls off of Etsy. It seems like when I sell something it mostly pays off fees from listing and selling. My art doesn't seem to get seen. They charge a listing and selling fee(s) and now are having promotion and advertising fees. I may wean most of my art off of there and convert it over to a pod and have some prints. I think a lot of people are doing t -shirts right now so it is an option. They also have other ways to promote like collections or treasury that I haven't tried yet either.
Ebay - Jules Art Stuff - I have an awful lot of sheet music on there. I am marking down my paper dolls and hopefully by the first of the year be close to done with them. I enjoy selling the sheet music. I have a store and have been paying a raising fee so the goal would be to end the store subscription and just go on the free listings. They also have a collection you can set up that might help promote y sites.
Ebay - Jules Paintings, Prints and Postcards - for a new site, doing not too bad for the limited items. For having 50 free a month non-store, they give me plenty of extra listings so I am up to 200 listings. I have both hand pulled prints as well as prints of my paintings. I mostly my lower end paintings on there for now. I figure I would like about 100 ACEOs on there too in the future.
Artzok - I signed up with them to teach Painting, prints and ACEO's. New operation, waiting for a job.
Explore Orangenius and Truegether.
The thing is, nobody knows me. I have enjoyed Daily Paintworks because I know my work is getting seen even if sales are slow. Ebay and Etsy have disappointed me this Spring and Summer and this is not the first year with it. I want that whatever I do, I do it well. It has taken this half of the year to come to this point. I am thinking of a Weebly portfolio for free just to have some things out but will look to see what Orangenius has first. I am re-thinking about the big craft shows too if I am doing the local art.
I know a lot of this comes down to promotion. I am not on Instagram.I have a Linkin site just sitting there with my profile blank. I have lots to do, and it just doesn't end. I just want to create but I also want to get some of my art out of my house. Any good ideas - please let me know as I know this is a common problem with other artists right now.
My next forray into trying to sell my art was to sign up for DailyPaintworks.com. You can put your art on there with a monthly fee of about $12-13/month. They do have auctions so your work gets seen and you have a gallery page. I signed up at the beginning of the year and have posted paintings and prints. I have only sold 1 ACEO for $5 - so I am reconsidering my choice. I know they have other things and contests that I haven't explored as well as perhaps liking and commenting on other artists work. I am still on the fence on this one.
Ebay/Etsy - I have been on there mostly to sell vintage items - paper dolls, sheet music, other misc. I did put some prints and paintings on and have sold a couple. I have a couple of larger paintings on Etsy but have only sold one and that was several years ago. Sometimes they do not get any looks for a long time or ever so I do not know if they are even getting seen. Both have been slow,slow, slow this year. Summer is usually my big selling time next to Christmas but it has been crickets. I did set up a separate Ebay store for Postcards, Prints and Paintings. I have had a little action there and most of my small prints and painting and ACEO's are on there.
Bonanza - they have an importer so my things on Ebay are on there - sometimes in duplicate. I haven't sold but one thing so I put them on vacation. With Ebay some advice is that you change something in the title or about the price or description to get it to hopefully look fresh and pop up somewhere. Every time I do that, it goes on Bonanza with the new listing without getting rid of the old one, so I spend a lot of time editing and looking for duplicates. now they have where you can pay a tiered membership to get more advertising and exposure. Not sure if I want to do that yet.
The next thing I am looking at is Orangenius. Still looking, not signed up yet. I also am considering POD. I did Truegether and did the Ebay download, but haven't had time to look it over much yet.
The thing is, I think there is something I am missing. When I watch these art promote videos, they talk about a mailing list - which I do not have. They talk about doing it on Facebook - which I am nervous about. I am on a Facebook Page that talks about how big copyright infringement is right now. I hate to have my creativity stolen and others make money off of it. There is talk about SEO. Google ads, Promoted listings. They talk about the POD sites where your designs might be stolen off of.
So, as an artist, what am I to do?
Outside sales and fairs - I go alone. It would be setting up a tent alone - if I had a tent. Not sure if my car would hold everything in one trip. If I get overheated I get sick (I know I sound like a baby with a lot of excuses), I use a tablet for taking charge cards but if there is no wifi in the field I am out of luck. I need to get a phone, but rarely use the cell I have now and with not working for the summer it is tight anyway without buying a new phone and service.
I guess I will have to look for indoor sales. Take a fan if there is electricity.
Online issues - I cancelled my webpage and have been using DailyPaintworks.com as my portfolio and a way to show my art. I feel pressured (by myself) to put my work on there and then am compelled all day long to see how many people looked at it, at my gallery and my blog. My options are to look it over and see what more I can get out of it. Maybe there are ways by their contests, or looking at and commenting on other artists work to network and encourage others. I know the numbers go by how many people a day are looking at the site and some days there are more than others. I think I will try to see if there is more I can to to use and enjoy it more before cancelling.
Etsy/Ebay - I am sure there are a glut of artists and artisans (besides everything else) that it is hard to be seen. I know there are creative ways to get known online and I might have to try some.
- Etsy - Jules Art Stuff - I think I will be moving my paper dolls off of Etsy. It seems like when I sell something it mostly pays off fees from listing and selling. My art doesn't seem to get seen. They charge a listing and selling fee(s) and now are having promotion and advertising fees. I may wean most of my art off of there and convert it over to a pod and have some prints. I think a lot of people are doing t -shirts right now so it is an option. They also have other ways to promote like collections or treasury that I haven't tried yet either.
Ebay - Jules Art Stuff - I have an awful lot of sheet music on there. I am marking down my paper dolls and hopefully by the first of the year be close to done with them. I enjoy selling the sheet music. I have a store and have been paying a raising fee so the goal would be to end the store subscription and just go on the free listings. They also have a collection you can set up that might help promote y sites.
Ebay - Jules Paintings, Prints and Postcards - for a new site, doing not too bad for the limited items. For having 50 free a month non-store, they give me plenty of extra listings so I am up to 200 listings. I have both hand pulled prints as well as prints of my paintings. I mostly my lower end paintings on there for now. I figure I would like about 100 ACEOs on there too in the future.
Artzok - I signed up with them to teach Painting, prints and ACEO's. New operation, waiting for a job.
Explore Orangenius and Truegether.
The thing is, nobody knows me. I have enjoyed Daily Paintworks because I know my work is getting seen even if sales are slow. Ebay and Etsy have disappointed me this Spring and Summer and this is not the first year with it. I want that whatever I do, I do it well. It has taken this half of the year to come to this point. I am thinking of a Weebly portfolio for free just to have some things out but will look to see what Orangenius has first. I am re-thinking about the big craft shows too if I am doing the local art.
I know a lot of this comes down to promotion. I am not on Instagram.I have a Linkin site just sitting there with my profile blank. I have lots to do, and it just doesn't end. I just want to create but I also want to get some of my art out of my house. Any good ideas - please let me know as I know this is a common problem with other artists right now.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Artzok
While I do have a degree and could teach English on line or converse with people from around the world, I also would like to teach using my art. I just found Artzok - which was just launching today. I had seen it before in my art lesson search but just applied and got my things on yesterday. Today it is up and going.
Artzok is different than other art lessons. This is something where you can work on your art on your own and if you have a question or somethings is not right you can email a teacher in the speciality that you are in and they will respond with helpful lessons or information. Say you draw a face and something is not right you can have them look at it and they can help you out and get over that road block. I have chosen to teach 4 different things.
https://artzok.com/downloads/learn-acrylic-painting-with-julie-miscera/
This one is acrylic painting. I have been doing it for quite awhile, so if you want private lessons you can take a picture of your artwork and I can help you out. If you are struggling with materials or the subject I can help you out. It is on your time. You email me and I email back and answer. When you are ready, you can email me again. There are different mediums and teachers that you can choose from.
I also am teaching printmaking - without a press, ACEO's and those can be done in any medium, and I also have up for approval the Inktense and water-soluable pencil drawings. Please check out Artzok and see if there is something that you would like to do or if there is somebody in particular whose work you like that you would like to work with.
There is a free trial. Take advantage of it!
Monday, July 2, 2018
Aceo's and Creativity
So, I have done some Aceo's lately and it seems like a nice project when you don't want to do something large. I have also heard them called "pocket painting or art". That is kind of fun too. The more I do, the more I want to do. They are not as intimidating as large paintings. They are small, intimate and fun. These pieces of artwork are 2.5"x3.5" and at first I thought it would be hard to get details that small. It can be, but you need to plan ahead. The size makes you not put in too many details because you have to be able to create them in a miniscule size but you also want them to be seen. Because my eyes are getting older, I need to use my glasses or the clamp on light and magnifying glass. It allows me to see exactly what it looks like. It may look fine to your naked eye, but if I am going to photo and put them online, this small painting gets enlarged and all the little flaws or details show up big time. What looked great in person looks sloppy and uneven when it is blown up on the computer screen.This is one time the magnifying glass is my friend. These have to be able to stand up to the scruteny of being blown up so your viewers can see them.
So, these are my thoughts -
-I like working on watercolor paper but prefer the Arches Art board. Blick doesn't carry that particular one any more but it may be released under a different title with Canson. It is watercolor paper on a 300lb art board so it is stiff. As a painting, I try to paint the edges of these with paynes gray acrylic paint like I would a regular painting to finish it off if someone is going to display it on an easle or someplace else where the side shows.
- I mostly in the past have used Cold Press paper and board. For somethings it works well and other mediums - not so much. I have done the Inktense pencils on the Arches CP board, but it is uneven in coverage because it is going over the bumps. I think I will be trying the Inktense on the Hot Press watercolor paper because it will be smooth.
-Aceo's are not just limited to painting. The only thing you need to have to qualify it as such is size. So, I think of other things I can do to create artwork with this size. I have the water soluable graphite pencils that I want to try and will experiment on hot and cold press paper. I want to try some relief and silk-screen prints too. I will have to experiment if I want to print directly on my base or if I want it on paper and then mount it to the base. Mixed media and collage. In the past I have made a ton of homemade paper. I have some I resoaked and cast them in a rectangle shape the 2.5x3.5". It is thicker and I think it will be fun to experiment with and maybe go more sculptural. I have also been playing with the sun developed paper. These are the sheet you lay things on and then set the out in the sun and after a little bit "develop" them in water. I have done a few of those that I cut out shapes and layed them down as a blockout . When dry, I mounted the on the art board and then used acrylic paint to put accents on to make them more interesting.
-Small but not always fast. These are still artwork that you put care in and want to make them look interesting. They do take up less room in my studio and supplies can be more affordable.
- I have been a careful but not totally frugal artist. I like to reycle things, or not go with top of the line always. However, I do have standards. I do not use the cheapest stretched canvas. I like things that are gallery wrapped and actually prefer my own stretched canvas. I don't use the cheapest paint because it just does not cover, so I go a step or two up. I don't go with the kid grade brushes but a lower grade artist brushes individually purchased not as a pack. With the aceo's though I am going to step up my game. I have used cheaper brushes because my kids would borrow them and not wash them out and I would end up with a stiff, useless brush. I didn't want to invest too much in a brush that had that kind of a demise. Acrylic paint dries so fast that it is one of those things you have to watch for. If you have it in water too long too, that does not do it favors. I have some that I liked but they ended up looking like my hair on a bad hair day. So, next step is better brushes and smaller ones so I can capture all of those tiny details.
Please keep checking in on here and Daily Paintworks to see what I am up to. I am thinking wood, screws and wires might be in my future.
-
So, these are my thoughts -
-I like working on watercolor paper but prefer the Arches Art board. Blick doesn't carry that particular one any more but it may be released under a different title with Canson. It is watercolor paper on a 300lb art board so it is stiff. As a painting, I try to paint the edges of these with paynes gray acrylic paint like I would a regular painting to finish it off if someone is going to display it on an easle or someplace else where the side shows.
- I mostly in the past have used Cold Press paper and board. For somethings it works well and other mediums - not so much. I have done the Inktense pencils on the Arches CP board, but it is uneven in coverage because it is going over the bumps. I think I will be trying the Inktense on the Hot Press watercolor paper because it will be smooth.
-Aceo's are not just limited to painting. The only thing you need to have to qualify it as such is size. So, I think of other things I can do to create artwork with this size. I have the water soluable graphite pencils that I want to try and will experiment on hot and cold press paper. I want to try some relief and silk-screen prints too. I will have to experiment if I want to print directly on my base or if I want it on paper and then mount it to the base. Mixed media and collage. In the past I have made a ton of homemade paper. I have some I resoaked and cast them in a rectangle shape the 2.5x3.5". It is thicker and I think it will be fun to experiment with and maybe go more sculptural. I have also been playing with the sun developed paper. These are the sheet you lay things on and then set the out in the sun and after a little bit "develop" them in water. I have done a few of those that I cut out shapes and layed them down as a blockout . When dry, I mounted the on the art board and then used acrylic paint to put accents on to make them more interesting.
-Small but not always fast. These are still artwork that you put care in and want to make them look interesting. They do take up less room in my studio and supplies can be more affordable.
- I have been a careful but not totally frugal artist. I like to reycle things, or not go with top of the line always. However, I do have standards. I do not use the cheapest stretched canvas. I like things that are gallery wrapped and actually prefer my own stretched canvas. I don't use the cheapest paint because it just does not cover, so I go a step or two up. I don't go with the kid grade brushes but a lower grade artist brushes individually purchased not as a pack. With the aceo's though I am going to step up my game. I have used cheaper brushes because my kids would borrow them and not wash them out and I would end up with a stiff, useless brush. I didn't want to invest too much in a brush that had that kind of a demise. Acrylic paint dries so fast that it is one of those things you have to watch for. If you have it in water too long too, that does not do it favors. I have some that I liked but they ended up looking like my hair on a bad hair day. So, next step is better brushes and smaller ones so I can capture all of those tiny details.
Please keep checking in on here and Daily Paintworks to see what I am up to. I am thinking wood, screws and wires might be in my future.
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Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Aceo - Interesting option
So, I have seen this term ACEO off and on for awhile. I wondered why people would want to do something that small. I had for years seen the Art trading cards and thought I wouldn't do that - put all this time into a little card and then give it away. A teaching friend of mine had a box where students could make one and put it in there and then take somebody else's out. I just didn't get the attraction.
I don't know what opened my eyes to how neat these mini artworks are, but it has been recently. I looked into them and they have been around since 2006. I had been living under a rock at that time since my hubby had been hurt at a work accident and for about 10 years didn't do much art wise except paint on bee hives. I think I missed the trend because of it. Anyway, since I substitute teach, I have some down time. Some days more than others. After subbing for 10 years, I am tired of reading books and sometimes want to bring my art supplies. I have had an acrylic paint set up that I had taken to certain classes in the past but am always having to be careful with not getting it on things like teacher's desks, clothes etc and then the brushes and water that I do not want to spill there either. I have been looking for a cleaner/easier material to take with to school but also on day trips where we may not sit for hours so I can paint. I have different dry materials like colored pencils, water color pencils, oil pastels, water soluable pastels etc, but there was always a shortcoming with it. I started using my Inktense pencils again and these seem to be a good take along material. I needed something small that I could have in a box so it would not be heavy or take up much room. I think I have found what I was looking for.
I began by taking minimal drawing supplies - the Inktense pencils, watersoluable graphite pencils, sharpener, eraser and things like that. I needed something small to work on. I began with bookmarks but may need to laminate them when finished in case there is some undissolved ink still on the paper. I was looking for something different and came across the ACEO cards.
These are small - 2.5"x3.5" - so they are a handy size. I have plenty of watercolor paper and artboard that I can use. They are meant to be an art collector card like the sports trading cards. They are cheap to do. I can use them for studies because they are handy to take with. If I make a mistake, I can keep it and redraw on another card or just throw it out. The difference is that ACEO's can be sold where the ATC's cannot because they are just meant for trade. There are mats and frames out there that your card can be put in as well as some store them in albums like other collector cards. Some online say that the fad is over, but there are still plenty selling on ebay and some are big prices. They are still original art and some put quite a bit of time into these and the details show their care in working.
So, for now, this is another option. I may do these off and on, do them for studies, maybe work on postcards and the 5x7". I think the point is to keep on working, keep on drawing, painting etc. These do not have to even be paintings. There can be some out of clay or other materials just so they meet the size criteria. I think about doing silk screen and relief prints on these also.
I don't know what opened my eyes to how neat these mini artworks are, but it has been recently. I looked into them and they have been around since 2006. I had been living under a rock at that time since my hubby had been hurt at a work accident and for about 10 years didn't do much art wise except paint on bee hives. I think I missed the trend because of it. Anyway, since I substitute teach, I have some down time. Some days more than others. After subbing for 10 years, I am tired of reading books and sometimes want to bring my art supplies. I have had an acrylic paint set up that I had taken to certain classes in the past but am always having to be careful with not getting it on things like teacher's desks, clothes etc and then the brushes and water that I do not want to spill there either. I have been looking for a cleaner/easier material to take with to school but also on day trips where we may not sit for hours so I can paint. I have different dry materials like colored pencils, water color pencils, oil pastels, water soluable pastels etc, but there was always a shortcoming with it. I started using my Inktense pencils again and these seem to be a good take along material. I needed something small that I could have in a box so it would not be heavy or take up much room. I think I have found what I was looking for.
I began by taking minimal drawing supplies - the Inktense pencils, watersoluable graphite pencils, sharpener, eraser and things like that. I needed something small to work on. I began with bookmarks but may need to laminate them when finished in case there is some undissolved ink still on the paper. I was looking for something different and came across the ACEO cards.These are small - 2.5"x3.5" - so they are a handy size. I have plenty of watercolor paper and artboard that I can use. They are meant to be an art collector card like the sports trading cards. They are cheap to do. I can use them for studies because they are handy to take with. If I make a mistake, I can keep it and redraw on another card or just throw it out. The difference is that ACEO's can be sold where the ATC's cannot because they are just meant for trade. There are mats and frames out there that your card can be put in as well as some store them in albums like other collector cards. Some online say that the fad is over, but there are still plenty selling on ebay and some are big prices. They are still original art and some put quite a bit of time into these and the details show their care in working.
So, for now, this is another option. I may do these off and on, do them for studies, maybe work on postcards and the 5x7". I think the point is to keep on working, keep on drawing, painting etc. These do not have to even be paintings. There can be some out of clay or other materials just so they meet the size criteria. I think about doing silk screen and relief prints on these also.
It's Summer! Sorting out my direction
This is the last week of school in the area. Some go until Friday but many are done Wed and Thurs. I worked yesterday and also have a job for tomorrow so that is pretty good. I am thinking of what I want to do next. I have been substitute teaching for 10 school years. Sometimes - like this year - I think that maybe I should find something else to do that does not involve behavior issues and putting out fires (not literally). Summer break is starting and I am back to re-evauating my direction.
I have some online stores with my vintage things and art. I have an Ebay store, and Etsy store, a Bonanza store and now just started a Truegether store. They are not all different items though. My Bonanza and Truegether allow me to move my ebay stuff over to them so they can be viewed in two markets. I just opened up a new site on Ebay for my postcards, prints and paintings because I wanted to set my art out from the vintage jumble of paper dolls and sheet music. I have had 2 sales of postcards already so that is positive. Sales have been slow on Ebay, Etsy and Bonanza for 3 months so I am looking at different options. I may eventually faze out the Ebay and Etsy store or reduce it and was thinking of a new Etsy store for POD and my art. I have been online a lot trying different things to tweek and get things back to where they were. With school out, I may have time to keep getting my stuff together like it should be.
Sometimes, I wonder if I should just get a regular job. Regular hours, even some overtime, regular checks instead of hit and miss. I like the snowdays where school is closed and I do not have to drive in that, but it comes with a price - low pay (subs get paid much, much lower than teachers), intermittant checks (not having an amount that you can count on each week), and dealing with behavior problems. Pay has gone up and supposedly there are jobs out there, but in this area they have always been tight. I feel like I have always been chasing the dollar. I should be signing up for art fairs but don't have a tent yet, I would have to do it alone, and getting overheated makes me ill. It may come to that though. I look at correcting exams online or teaching English online too. Those are always options.
With all the work, family and trying to get my online stuff together, I haven't painted much this winter. I probably will do it now that I have a chance. I still have online things to do - like finally getting my Linkin profile together and using it, listing more items for sale, getting things on Truegether. I also need grandkid time and see some friends.
This probably sounds depressing, but I feel like something has to change. I need a new roof , the cars need to be replaced and the crumbs just are not going to do it. I am excited to think of getting a full time job again but also know what it involves. Life just goes on.
I have some online stores with my vintage things and art. I have an Ebay store, and Etsy store, a Bonanza store and now just started a Truegether store. They are not all different items though. My Bonanza and Truegether allow me to move my ebay stuff over to them so they can be viewed in two markets. I just opened up a new site on Ebay for my postcards, prints and paintings because I wanted to set my art out from the vintage jumble of paper dolls and sheet music. I have had 2 sales of postcards already so that is positive. Sales have been slow on Ebay, Etsy and Bonanza for 3 months so I am looking at different options. I may eventually faze out the Ebay and Etsy store or reduce it and was thinking of a new Etsy store for POD and my art. I have been online a lot trying different things to tweek and get things back to where they were. With school out, I may have time to keep getting my stuff together like it should be.
Sometimes, I wonder if I should just get a regular job. Regular hours, even some overtime, regular checks instead of hit and miss. I like the snowdays where school is closed and I do not have to drive in that, but it comes with a price - low pay (subs get paid much, much lower than teachers), intermittant checks (not having an amount that you can count on each week), and dealing with behavior problems. Pay has gone up and supposedly there are jobs out there, but in this area they have always been tight. I feel like I have always been chasing the dollar. I should be signing up for art fairs but don't have a tent yet, I would have to do it alone, and getting overheated makes me ill. It may come to that though. I look at correcting exams online or teaching English online too. Those are always options.
With all the work, family and trying to get my online stuff together, I haven't painted much this winter. I probably will do it now that I have a chance. I still have online things to do - like finally getting my Linkin profile together and using it, listing more items for sale, getting things on Truegether. I also need grandkid time and see some friends.
This probably sounds depressing, but I feel like something has to change. I need a new roof , the cars need to be replaced and the crumbs just are not going to do it. I am excited to think of getting a full time job again but also know what it involves. Life just goes on.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Hot Spring, Art and Distractions.
So, we have had an odd Spring. We went from cold and continual dumping of snow to hot temperatures. There may have been just a couple of 60 degree days and then went into hot, hot, hot. This week we had 91, hot today again and this weekend - Memorial Day weekend they are predicting 90,95. Ugh. I have gardening to do so will see if it is cool tomorrow to get some things in the garden.
This time of year, after being trapped in the house for so long you want to get out and drive. We have done that once, but I also want our fishing license. It is hard to photograph when the fish are calling. Our Summer is so short that when you have time you want to do it all.
I signed up for the Go Paint! Plein air even in Eau Claire. It has grown through the years and the participants, activities and awards have grown. I did the Quick Paint in Phoenix Park a couple of Saturdays ago. We went from cold to 80 degrees out there. I got a painting mostly done - done enough to submit for the judging. I took it home to fine tune and ended up putting more on it so I just count it as a regular painting and not a plein air. I had to go back to photo the benches and light posts, but haven't added those yet. I was struggling getting started and this sweet little girl began to talk to me and I was able to relax and work. It had been a busy day with prom participants strolling and having pictures taken by themselves and their parents besides the other walkers.
It made me realize that the plein air that I enjoy is not the contests. I like to go to a park, pick out a nice spot while my husband birdwatches or photographs. I can stand or sit where I want, when I want, and for how long I want. I can choose my spot with nobody looking over my shoulders (even though I do enjoy talking with those interested). Maybe it is the introvert in me. I am working through problems, thinking, and I don't want to call attention to myself when I am working. I don't like being hot, being cold, the bugs, possible snakes. I know, it sounds like I am a princess:) When I do the contests, I am often working alone and maybe the difference would be to have that friend to paint along with. Go Paint! tries to help you meet other artists by the train event in Tiffany Bottoms to paint and the get-together at Many Fires. It still may be hard to connect when you are working on your own things. I also consider the financial effects of taking a full day off of work and if I do take a few jobs, I have my feel in both worlds and don't have the mindset. Maybe another time when I can be free to just do it.
Last year I dropped out because I was sick. This year I did the Quick Paint. A family member passed away that day so it was hard to concentrate. I think that I will do it on my own for awhile. In my own way, in my private locations, in the shade. It also is hard to be by water to paint. The fishing calls me.
This time of year, after being trapped in the house for so long you want to get out and drive. We have done that once, but I also want our fishing license. It is hard to photograph when the fish are calling. Our Summer is so short that when you have time you want to do it all.
I signed up for the Go Paint! Plein air even in Eau Claire. It has grown through the years and the participants, activities and awards have grown. I did the Quick Paint in Phoenix Park a couple of Saturdays ago. We went from cold to 80 degrees out there. I got a painting mostly done - done enough to submit for the judging. I took it home to fine tune and ended up putting more on it so I just count it as a regular painting and not a plein air. I had to go back to photo the benches and light posts, but haven't added those yet. I was struggling getting started and this sweet little girl began to talk to me and I was able to relax and work. It had been a busy day with prom participants strolling and having pictures taken by themselves and their parents besides the other walkers.
It made me realize that the plein air that I enjoy is not the contests. I like to go to a park, pick out a nice spot while my husband birdwatches or photographs. I can stand or sit where I want, when I want, and for how long I want. I can choose my spot with nobody looking over my shoulders (even though I do enjoy talking with those interested). Maybe it is the introvert in me. I am working through problems, thinking, and I don't want to call attention to myself when I am working. I don't like being hot, being cold, the bugs, possible snakes. I know, it sounds like I am a princess:) When I do the contests, I am often working alone and maybe the difference would be to have that friend to paint along with. Go Paint! tries to help you meet other artists by the train event in Tiffany Bottoms to paint and the get-together at Many Fires. It still may be hard to connect when you are working on your own things. I also consider the financial effects of taking a full day off of work and if I do take a few jobs, I have my feel in both worlds and don't have the mindset. Maybe another time when I can be free to just do it.
Last year I dropped out because I was sick. This year I did the Quick Paint. A family member passed away that day so it was hard to concentrate. I think that I will do it on my own for awhile. In my own way, in my private locations, in the shade. It also is hard to be by water to paint. The fishing calls me.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
The Week of Plein Air Painting
This has been a crazy week. I worked, there was a baby born and I babysat for 3 children - one 6, a 4 year old and a 1 year old for a day and a half. Very good children but at Grandma's house we are making art, playing in the yard and all sorts of things. I was ready for a nap when they left. Yesterday was the first day of my plein air event - Go Paint! Eau Claire. This is the 4th time doing this - technically 3 since I was sick that week last year. Yesterday was the Quick Paint at 3 pm. It goes for 2 hours and you paint like mad. It is like Master Chef where when the whistle blows, you lay your brushes down. It was 80 degrees out and a beautiful sunny day.
This Quick Paint is held in Phoenix Park. It is along the riverfront in Eau Claire, WI. They had renovated the area and it has walking paths and rail bridges that you can walk over. The Farmer's Market is located there with the Community Gardens being across the street. There are always people walking there. Yesterday it was especially busy. It is Prom weekend. There were all sorts of students dressed in their finest parading around in groups and their proud parents taking photos. There was room for everyone.
I was stressing, Things were going slower than usual. I had gotten to the point that I figured that I wouldn't finish, my problem- solving was slowing me down,etc. God sent this little girl to calm me down. This sweet little girl came over to look and talk to me. I instantly relaxed because I thought it was ok to not finish since she was interested. I teach and sometimes kids hit your heart. She was kind, cheerful, just the kind of encouragement that I needed. She stayed with me for a while - her mom was a little bit over but was watching her - and I was able to start up and paint while she was talking. She eventually moved on to look at other art but would stop by a couple of times again. I did finish enough to show at the end. She asked her mom if she would take a picture of us by my picture. I stood behind the easle and she to the side as her mom too the photo of us and my name.
Plein air for me is a stretch as it is. I am not really an outdoor girl. I will do it for gardening, camping or hiking and fishing, but I don't like being hot, people looking over your shoulder, breaking your concentration, the bugs, possible snakes, ticks, etc. What I usually don't like is the having to paint on cue - it feels like performing. I did this yesterday because I wanted to meet people. When your week goes on you might never even see anybody except or the group get togethers. Yesterday I met several local artists, but the one that will stay in my memory is the angel that came to visit me and calmed me when I was stressing.
My painting at best is so-so. I know what needs to be done. I will probably go back this week and make the additional changes that need to be done to resolve this picture into something more interesting. I can add the tree and benches and other details that I just didn't have time for. It will no longer be a quick paint but I would rather have a good painting than a medocre one.
This Quick Paint is held in Phoenix Park. It is along the riverfront in Eau Claire, WI. They had renovated the area and it has walking paths and rail bridges that you can walk over. The Farmer's Market is located there with the Community Gardens being across the street. There are always people walking there. Yesterday it was especially busy. It is Prom weekend. There were all sorts of students dressed in their finest parading around in groups and their proud parents taking photos. There was room for everyone.
I was stressing, Things were going slower than usual. I had gotten to the point that I figured that I wouldn't finish, my problem- solving was slowing me down,etc. God sent this little girl to calm me down. This sweet little girl came over to look and talk to me. I instantly relaxed because I thought it was ok to not finish since she was interested. I teach and sometimes kids hit your heart. She was kind, cheerful, just the kind of encouragement that I needed. She stayed with me for a while - her mom was a little bit over but was watching her - and I was able to start up and paint while she was talking. She eventually moved on to look at other art but would stop by a couple of times again. I did finish enough to show at the end. She asked her mom if she would take a picture of us by my picture. I stood behind the easle and she to the side as her mom too the photo of us and my name.
Plein air for me is a stretch as it is. I am not really an outdoor girl. I will do it for gardening, camping or hiking and fishing, but I don't like being hot, people looking over your shoulder, breaking your concentration, the bugs, possible snakes, ticks, etc. What I usually don't like is the having to paint on cue - it feels like performing. I did this yesterday because I wanted to meet people. When your week goes on you might never even see anybody except or the group get togethers. Yesterday I met several local artists, but the one that will stay in my memory is the angel that came to visit me and calmed me when I was stressing.
My painting at best is so-so. I know what needs to be done. I will probably go back this week and make the additional changes that need to be done to resolve this picture into something more interesting. I can add the tree and benches and other details that I just didn't have time for. It will no longer be a quick paint but I would rather have a good painting than a medocre one.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Plein Air - Go Paint! Eau Claire
Saturday marks the beginning of the plein air event - Go Paint! Eau Claire. It began about 5-6 years ago as just Go Paint! in Durand, Wisconsin. Last year it moved to include Eau Claire. I did it for 2 years in Durand and last year was sick during it so I missed out. Hopefully I can shake this cold by this weekend and enjoy it.
The range of the area that you can paint has expanded immensely. It used to be a 10 mile radius of Durand, Wi. Now it goes from Nelson on the Mississippi to Augusta, Wisconsin. It is a 10 mile radius of the Chippewa River and I think they are now including that section of the Eau Claire river also. There are so many things to paint that it is hard to decide what to paint. There is a Quick Paint on Saturday to kick off this event. It is at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire. You will paint from 3-5pm, frame and turn it in and have judging, and awards will be at 6pm. I will go before that to register and get the stamp on the back of the canvases or boards that I want to use during the week. I usually take extra since I do not know what I am going to paint or use. Our house is within the 10 mile radius so I can paint at home. They are including Chippewa Falls so I could paint things there also, but I painted up there so much last year I want to paint something else.
You can paint on your own all week. I think it would be more fun to find a friend to paint with. My husband usually goes with me on some events or trips but oftentimes I am painting alone. I then try to be in a safe public place. When painting you are concentrating on what you are doing and somebody could come up behind you and you wouldn't know. Wednesday is the Tiffany Bottoms trip. It is a nature area and they take you in by a rail car. It is not a train by the usual sense - it is open, more of a logging car. You have to haul all your stuff in on this train so I try to take as little as I can get by with. They also have a biffy car since you are pretty remote and are there for hours. Later in the day there is a dinner at Many Fires in Fall Creek. I didn't do it last year so I don't know what to expect. I guess we start about 3 and paint their area, socialize etc. That should be fun. Friday is the day to turn in your art. You get to put up to 4 on display. I hope I have some good ones.
It is a big range of where you can paint. When it was just Durand there were many interesting things to paint. I have an idea of what I want to do this year but am not sure how much I will actually get done. When I am driving through areas it is like my mind is taking note of scenes to possibly paint. I need to get a county park pass so I can go into those areas also. Whatis nice too is that it doesn't have to be realistic. I think maybe I could do some patterned versions also. Not sure how that will go over.
Here is a partial list of my options -
Home - scenery around the yard, the creek at the back, the horses across the street, chickens,
gardens, flowers, some still lifes with gardening stuff
Close to home - barn falling down, the old gas station, the hill with cows, Lowes Creek, Lowes Creek
Park, fairgrounds
Southside Eau Claire - the river under the highway bridge, the Chippewa Trail, the wayside rest,
Eau Claire - Putnam Park, Carson Park (Braun's Bay), confluence, from the walking path, misc parks,
Points East - Parks, Big Falls, City parks in Fall Creek, Beaver Creek Center, Old Mill, farmland,
beaver dam area, Altoona Parks/fishing scenes, barns
Points North - Lake Hallie, Chip Falls, Lake Wassota, Irvine Park, My friend Sandy's gardens
Points West - bike path on O, Durand, Nelson, train stuff lying around at Tiffany Bottoms, Nelson,
Mississippi River
The range of the area that you can paint has expanded immensely. It used to be a 10 mile radius of Durand, Wi. Now it goes from Nelson on the Mississippi to Augusta, Wisconsin. It is a 10 mile radius of the Chippewa River and I think they are now including that section of the Eau Claire river also. There are so many things to paint that it is hard to decide what to paint. There is a Quick Paint on Saturday to kick off this event. It is at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire. You will paint from 3-5pm, frame and turn it in and have judging, and awards will be at 6pm. I will go before that to register and get the stamp on the back of the canvases or boards that I want to use during the week. I usually take extra since I do not know what I am going to paint or use. Our house is within the 10 mile radius so I can paint at home. They are including Chippewa Falls so I could paint things there also, but I painted up there so much last year I want to paint something else.
You can paint on your own all week. I think it would be more fun to find a friend to paint with. My husband usually goes with me on some events or trips but oftentimes I am painting alone. I then try to be in a safe public place. When painting you are concentrating on what you are doing and somebody could come up behind you and you wouldn't know. Wednesday is the Tiffany Bottoms trip. It is a nature area and they take you in by a rail car. It is not a train by the usual sense - it is open, more of a logging car. You have to haul all your stuff in on this train so I try to take as little as I can get by with. They also have a biffy car since you are pretty remote and are there for hours. Later in the day there is a dinner at Many Fires in Fall Creek. I didn't do it last year so I don't know what to expect. I guess we start about 3 and paint their area, socialize etc. That should be fun. Friday is the day to turn in your art. You get to put up to 4 on display. I hope I have some good ones.
It is a big range of where you can paint. When it was just Durand there were many interesting things to paint. I have an idea of what I want to do this year but am not sure how much I will actually get done. When I am driving through areas it is like my mind is taking note of scenes to possibly paint. I need to get a county park pass so I can go into those areas also. Whatis nice too is that it doesn't have to be realistic. I think maybe I could do some patterned versions also. Not sure how that will go over.
Here is a partial list of my options -
Home - scenery around the yard, the creek at the back, the horses across the street, chickens,
gardens, flowers, some still lifes with gardening stuff
Close to home - barn falling down, the old gas station, the hill with cows, Lowes Creek, Lowes Creek
Park, fairgrounds
Southside Eau Claire - the river under the highway bridge, the Chippewa Trail, the wayside rest,
Eau Claire - Putnam Park, Carson Park (Braun's Bay), confluence, from the walking path, misc parks,
Points East - Parks, Big Falls, City parks in Fall Creek, Beaver Creek Center, Old Mill, farmland,
beaver dam area, Altoona Parks/fishing scenes, barns
Points North - Lake Hallie, Chip Falls, Lake Wassota, Irvine Park, My friend Sandy's gardens
Points West - bike path on O, Durand, Nelson, train stuff lying around at Tiffany Bottoms, Nelson,
Mississippi River
Spring and all things new
So, Spring is finally here and long overdue. I know that here in Wisconsin our last frost date is toward the end of May so it is possibly not quite over yet. Last night on the news they said it was our coldest April on record. That is the kind of record that you do not want! Two weeks ago we had over 13" of snow dumped on us with the Twin Cities - about 80 miles away - getting 21". We are sick of snow and are feeling cheated out of our Spring. It is these teasers at this time of year that makes it hard to commit to gardening. Sometimes in March even you are itching to garden because it is so nice. The garden centers usually are open mid April but not this year. Even the bee deliveries have been put back. We went from 20 degrees F below normal for this time of year (around 10 - 40) to 83 degrees overnight.
This is a busy time of year with things like that as well as gardening to think of and the yard to get back in shape. We have a baby due and will be babysitting for a few days too. Hopefully it will be nice outside for them to play. Saturday. We have baby chicks in the kitchen with more coming soon. I have been busy at work because there are field trips and meetings to get in at the end of the year. The fishing opener is this weekend. On top of this is our local plein air event. You feel like a juggler trying to get it all in, but it is a nice change to have the warmth of the sun on your face, being able to get out of the house and in the outdoors and participate in life again.
This is a busy time of year with things like that as well as gardening to think of and the yard to get back in shape. We have a baby due and will be babysitting for a few days too. Hopefully it will be nice outside for them to play. Saturday. We have baby chicks in the kitchen with more coming soon. I have been busy at work because there are field trips and meetings to get in at the end of the year. The fishing opener is this weekend. On top of this is our local plein air event. You feel like a juggler trying to get it all in, but it is a nice change to have the warmth of the sun on your face, being able to get out of the house and in the outdoors and participate in life again.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Experimenting with Inktense
This is just the beginning of my journey with Inktense. I am just starting to see the possibilites of what can be done with this material. I had bought a set a few years back, looked at the limited colors in the 12 pack and played a little bit with it before setting it aside. I substitute teach so I have different times with no students so I wanted to have something small that I could bring with to work on. I had taken acrylics in a small sealed palette with cups, but I wanted something smaller and easier to take with in odd places.So, I dug out my Inktense pencils. I had thought of getting rid of them before, but because they were pricey, I hung on to them. I am glad that I did! Even though it felt like limited colors originally, I found that I could blend and layer to get the shades I wanted. I eventually did buy the larger tin of 24 and notice colors in one of the online stores that I want to pick up to compliment my set.
Disclaimer - My creations now are experiments. More developed artwork will come. I started with bookmarks since they are small. I can use a heavy weight paper of different textures to see what I like. I have seen online about using them different ways but most roads lead to Pinterest collections. I wanted to see actual artists. So, instead of wading through those sites, I wanted to add in the blog some of my own things. Most are experiments, so don't expect big things yet - those will come.
So, there is drawing with the pencils themselves. You can leave them dry - right out of the pencil, but since I use a textured paper I did not get anything smooth. It was a lumpy coloring. It would have been different on a hot press paper. I really wanted it to look like the ink it was. I found I could draw out a design and color it in. It did not even need to be a solid thick color to begin with. When coloring, I took into account what areas I wanted to have lighter and either left that area white for another time or just had my coloring lighter. There are light colors but they do not always go over a darker color like acrylic paint might. It seems to be a mix of watercolor and acrylic methods. With using these pencils you have 2 choices. You can do a solid color (as thin or thick as you like) and then paint over it with water or you can use the pencils and make blends of colors and go over that. It really does feel like you can be creative with how you do your pictures. When I had a color/area that I liked I would paint it with water and let it dry. I would not dampen touching areas at the same time. By waiting for the one section to dry before coloring or wetting the next you have control over bleeding. You can even color over an area that you have already colored and dampened to get the shade or intensity and depth that you were intending. Another way of working is to dip the pencils themselves in water and apply it to the paper while still wet.
I have been doing bookmarks since the small pieces give me a chance to experiment with how they work. I have colored and painted water over both sides but will test it also. I want to make sure that all inktense has been dampened and is permanent because I would hate to use it and have unset ink on the pages. I might also laminate it to seal it in but it does not need to be. I have read that varnishing is iffy but that is a future experiment also.
Inktense is supposed to work well as a multimedia material. I wanted to see what that meant by trying out some different things. I have some pictures that I did using the water soluable pencils. They have been drawn then using a brush with water, blend the drawn and colored in areas so you have control over your light and dark values. Because it is a graphite? it tends to be a graytone picture. Some things work well with that material as it is, but other pictures may have so many details that it ends up mushed together. I used some Inktense accents on some of my pictures to see if it would perk them up. I think it was a big improvement. I had pictures that I was ready to throw out and felt now that some were salvagable. The issue may come up that when originally drawn with the water soluable pencils that not all of it was dissolved at that time and maybe is reactivated or something when you use water to activate the Inktense. I did not have much mushing, but it is something to watch for and consider.
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| Purple Iris - Pencil wash drawing colorized with Inktense |
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| Before Iris - pencil wash drawing |
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| Schoolhouse - experiment - watersoluable pencil wash drawings colorized with Inktense |
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| Yellow and Blue Sunflowers - multimedia acrylic paint on paper with Inktense accents and dimentional fabric paint |
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| Landscape Experiment with Inktense pencils on light blue acrylic paint base |
I know even for myself, I am just scratching the surface. There are a lot of possiblilities using the pencils. Using the blocks, fabric applications, and even printmaking open up a whole new world. It seems like with the drawing that the materials seem to last for quite a while too so that is a bonus.
Counterfeit Art Supplies
I guess the reason I am being touchy about this is because one of the Facebook groups I follow is talking about people stealing their designs (mostly from the far East) and making money off of them. Original intellectual property has lost out because of the theft of copyrights/patterns/inventions stolen and their rights have been infringed upon. I want to know if I am buying Yarka, that it is actually Yarka made in Russia instead of a knock off made in China. Passing off one for the other is fraud. It is knowing that I really am getting quality and not wasting my money on a fake. People have spent time and money developing product, setting up their businesses, building a reputation, and it is not right or fair that somebody hacks it and makes money off of somebody else's hard work. I would rather support the inventor than the thief. As artists, we do not want our artwork stolen and somebody else making money that we should be making off of our creativity and hard work so we, in kind should be supporting other innovators and creators in maintaining their copyright also. If ideas/ inventions/ art/ copyrights continue to get stolen at the rate they have to date, then there will be nobody inovating anymore because it is just not worth it.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Sketchbook Overhaul
I have been working on Art for a long time. Because of that I am thinking about what I like and what I do not. What works for somebody else may not work for me and vice versa. I also work in acrylic paint, so cool things that work for an oil painter may not work for me. I have already shown you my overhaul on my palette. This is my overhaul on my sketchbook.
I love having a sketchbook with me. I get ideas, I see things to draw, I get an idea or observation to write down. I write down about what I want to do, my shopping list, what is going on in my life like a journal, and I have an never-ending "to-do" list. I substitute teach and end up with prep time, kids at recess, lunch, specials time. After doing it a few years, I am sick of reading and that is why I draw or brainstorm. I might be there one day just to watch kids take tests or work on their research papers. I ended up with a big stack of sketchbooks that I never look at and ideas long forgotten. I had begun to rip those apart and keep only what I want to keep in a large blank book. So, I write a lot of crap that I don't want or need to keep and I need to find a way to take care of it quickly.
Because I haul these things I did not want a big one in a tote. It gets heavy enough as it is with water, lunches, and my purse. Because of doing some plein air events, I think about how can I take everything I want in a small way because I may have to haul it in myself. I shouldn't have to take everything and the kitchen sink because I am away from my studio. I did not want a small one because sometimes I can only draw small pictures nor did I want a large one which takes up a lot of room. I chose a small/ medium size 3 ring binder to use. This size binder fits a half sheet of printer paper.
My binder/sketchbook is assembled with what I need. Front cover on this one has a pocket that I can put a picture in. I have a small clipboard that goes in the front pocket. If I desired and was doing a 5x7" painting or sketch that also could go in that front pocket.
So, front pocket - mini clipboard
1 section - calendar ( printed from free printables online to get the size I wanted
1 section - contacts/address book (I am using lined paper)
1 section - sketch paper - printer paper cut in half
1 section - "to-do" list - all in one space so I can add on as new things come up or remove a page when it is all done - and throw it away! I don't have to write my list repeatedly or all
over the place (again and again)
1 section - Blah, Blah - the things I feel compelled to write about - things I saw, misc
these are easy to look over and throw out later.
1 section - acrylic paint color studies - for me to take on the go without having to have another system. I can do each tube color on a page, add additional pages for more experimenting with mixes. It makes it flexible but also so I can take it with to locate colors when
doing studies.
1 section - Inktense color studies. I am just starting to use these and maybe be also do them for multimedia work . I have 24 pencils but need to see the actual color washed.
Under this section or make a new section, I can do the washable pencils so I can see way it looks colored, washed and the softness/hardness qualities.
So, that is my new sketchbook overhaul. I think it has everything that I want and need. I use a rubber
band to hold it shut but could change that also. My concern is how long will this binder hold together with use. I may have to check out different models, use packing tape to reinforce or play around with different things. The only thing that would be nice is to have a pencil pouch on the inside. Not sure if they make them to fit. The beauty of this is that I do not have to load it up with paper for writing or drawing. I can take what I think I will need for the day. I also do not have to keep it in there like I used to do with a sketchbook, waiting for the sketchbook to be full.
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| New Sketchbook idea |
Because I haul these things I did not want a big one in a tote. It gets heavy enough as it is with water, lunches, and my purse. Because of doing some plein air events, I think about how can I take everything I want in a small way because I may have to haul it in myself. I shouldn't have to take everything and the kitchen sink because I am away from my studio. I did not want a small one because sometimes I can only draw small pictures nor did I want a large one which takes up a lot of room. I chose a small/ medium size 3 ring binder to use. This size binder fits a half sheet of printer paper.
My binder/sketchbook is assembled with what I need. Front cover on this one has a pocket that I can put a picture in. I have a small clipboard that goes in the front pocket. If I desired and was doing a 5x7" painting or sketch that also could go in that front pocket.
So, front pocket - mini clipboard
1 section - contacts/address book (I am using lined paper)
1 section - sketch paper - printer paper cut in half
1 section - "to-do" list - all in one space so I can add on as new things come up or remove a page when it is all done - and throw it away! I don't have to write my list repeatedly or all
over the place (again and again)
1 section - Blah, Blah - the things I feel compelled to write about - things I saw, misc
these are easy to look over and throw out later.
1 section - acrylic paint color studies - for me to take on the go without having to have another system. I can do each tube color on a page, add additional pages for more experimenting with mixes. It makes it flexible but also so I can take it with to locate colors when
doing studies.
1 section - Inktense color studies. I am just starting to use these and maybe be also do them for multimedia work . I have 24 pencils but need to see the actual color washed.
Under this section or make a new section, I can do the washable pencils so I can see way it looks colored, washed and the softness/hardness qualities.
So, that is my new sketchbook overhaul. I think it has everything that I want and need. I use a rubber
band to hold it shut but could change that also. My concern is how long will this binder hold together with use. I may have to check out different models, use packing tape to reinforce or play around with different things. The only thing that would be nice is to have a pencil pouch on the inside. Not sure if they make them to fit. The beauty of this is that I do not have to load it up with paper for writing or drawing. I can take what I think I will need for the day. I also do not have to keep it in there like I used to do with a sketchbook, waiting for the sketchbook to be full.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
My Invention - The Miscera Palette Set-up
I have been painting for many years. As an artist that likes acrylic paint, it has been hard to find a palette that I like. I have been modifying what I use until I finally have one that I think I am going to keep.
These were my issues - keeping paint from drying out
-keeping paint from molding
-not too big and bulky if you are going to take is somewhere
-ability to lay flat in the carrier
-a mixing area that does not dry out
-easy to clean
The only other concern that I have not solved with this yet (and may be with the use of a clear medium) is the color shift issue. I had read that the color shift can happen by using water with your paint instead of medium but still working on that.
What I was using up to this point was a Rubbermade cake taker as the container to hold my paint. My paint was on a clipboard where I used the disposable palette sheets. Under that clipboard I had a couple of sheets of damp paper towel to keep the disposable sheet damp. There were a few clips holding this palette sandwich together. It would work well but not all disposable palette sheets are the same. Some were more plasticy and didn't do what I would like. I always meant to experiment with parchment paper cut into squares. It did mostly what I wanted it to do. The Cake Taker/carrier did get bulky but I was able to put some other things in there like brushes or tools. I also had a couple of pennies in there because I read online something about how that helps.
I had also said size was an issue. I substitute teach and sometimes I have a prep time or lunch where I could work on my art. I wanted something small that I could have a little bit of paint in. It has to fit into my tote that I put my lunch in. I also am always thinking of plein air where maybe I would have to hike in or haul my things on my back and small is a good thing. For awhile I used a small palette with capped cups on the side. I was able to use it for taking my paint with and limit my palette (I think it had 10-12 cups with caps for paint) but the mixing area was unusuable because the acrylic paint would stick when dry and you couldn't get it off. I still like the idea of it if you want to use it as a paint taker and mix on something else like a plastic lid.
I had been looking for a different type of palette - one that I could mix on and have capped fresh paint off to the side so I am not always having to go back to the bin of paint and dig around looking around for the tubes. I envy the oil painters that they can put it on their palette, close it up and it is ready to go. I found plenty of palettes with wells on the side for the paint and an open palette, but there was nothing that I saw that had the capped containers. I even tried the acrylic palette where the dry paint is supposed to peel off but it still dried on the plastic and yes it came off, but you would have to work to get the little remainer pieces off.
This is my invention. I figure I am putting this idea out there to share to help other frustrated acrylic artists. My example is using the smaller Masterson Stay-Wet palette in the center with their disposable sheet and sponge underneath ( but you could do something else like my previous version using a small clipboard with the layer of palette and paper towel in some sort of low, tight closing plastic container). I am using paint cups in strips that I got from Michaels that are on the side and across the top. I have velcro holding the the palette and the cups onto a painted/primed 11"x14" board (which Michaels only carried them for a short time as a wood painting surface). I leave room for my thumbs to hold it toward the bottom. This palette I can put on a shelf and put things on top of it because it is closed up. I can use it with my plein air set-up. The paint cups and the palette are attached via velcro so you can remove them to clean or change out if you want. I did find larger cups that I put at the top for medium. If I want to take something smaller when I go to paint remotely, I can load the paint on the palette and remove it from the board and take it that way.
Cup set-up : I have the row of cups at the top and one down the side next to the palette. I also have another shorter row of cups. The long rows are still connected via their containers but there is also a strip of velcro on the bottom. My larger medium containers and the containers on the far edge are individual cups with their own small piece of velcro on the bottom. This is so you can have a place to put specifically mixed colors for a painting. I made this with velcro on the paint pots so if you wanted to clean it you could but also if you want to switch your color palette you can. You might not always want to paint landscapes and want to paint some flowers which might have different colors. You could then just remove the one strip and replace with a new strip of a different color palette. I had primed /painted the board before adhering the velcro in the hopes for better adhesion but haven't tested the ripping the strip off yet to see if it helps. I also put a piece of velcro on the cap of my spray bottle and stuck it on the side strip of velcro so I do not lose that.
Anyway, I am please that this has solved a problem for me. I hope that it will be helpful to you too if you are frustrated with acrylic set-ups. I will,at another time, show you my plein air set-up and you can see how the palette works with situation also.
Have fun!
-Julie
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Direction?
Last week we had three snowstorms go through. The last one ended Sunday. By Monday afternoon we had 47 degrees and the roads were clean -- mostly. Today when I go to work I will have to watch for the melted snow turning to ice on the road. There is supposed to be something new coming in tomorrow and Wednesday. We will see what that does. You would have thought I would have got a lot done this weekend - holed up like that, but I didn't. I did work on my art, but it is the direction that I am wondering about.
I am using Daily Paintworks as my gallery page/website and with that I can list things on auction. I can connect my items to other sites - like Ebay and Etsy. I still have to do that. It has been about a month and a half without selling anything but I have listed more expensive things. The comment is that on DPW many things are going cheap. The idea is to get you painting every day so these may be smaller, qucker paintings. I thought I would switch from my canvases to my 5"x7" art on paper that are matted. I am lowering the dpi and at this point was putting my name in blue at the top left, but I might leave that off. My pricepoint of these in the physical sales are $35 but these I am listing on auction for $25 with a buy it now for $35. It could go higher because the buy it now is removed once there is a bid.
So, I am listing my smaller works on paper. They look good and I hope that they will get snapped up.
My questions is - How many do I list? I have about 50 between the wash drawings and the small acrylic paintings. Do I list them all? Do I split them up and list some one Ebay/ETsy or try to link what I have It sounds like the site is unlimited so technically, I could. I have been putting every one on auction. Is there a time that I do not. I know that by having something listed every day (or having a bunch with only one being fed as "new" every day, keeps me out there. I have enough to last for awhile.
What I am thinking about this 5x7" size is that it could be my bread and butter. I can take these to shows - possibly even craft shows - because they are cheaper. I really need to keep working on this size because if they take off then I would have a stash.
One of the places I had my art at this fall kept 4 of my paintings for their gallery. I was told they were interested in my smaller paintings and in my postcards (prints would be nice too). I need to get back to her and see if I can funnel some of these over there also. I know I need to keep on working on my painting and art, I just need to have places where I can sell these too. It is like a dance that keeps taking different directions. Maybe it is not just one strategy of direction but several.
I am using Daily Paintworks as my gallery page/website and with that I can list things on auction. I can connect my items to other sites - like Ebay and Etsy. I still have to do that. It has been about a month and a half without selling anything but I have listed more expensive things. The comment is that on DPW many things are going cheap. The idea is to get you painting every day so these may be smaller, qucker paintings. I thought I would switch from my canvases to my 5"x7" art on paper that are matted. I am lowering the dpi and at this point was putting my name in blue at the top left, but I might leave that off. My pricepoint of these in the physical sales are $35 but these I am listing on auction for $25 with a buy it now for $35. It could go higher because the buy it now is removed once there is a bid.
So, I am listing my smaller works on paper. They look good and I hope that they will get snapped up.
My questions is - How many do I list? I have about 50 between the wash drawings and the small acrylic paintings. Do I list them all? Do I split them up and list some one Ebay/ETsy or try to link what I have It sounds like the site is unlimited so technically, I could. I have been putting every one on auction. Is there a time that I do not. I know that by having something listed every day (or having a bunch with only one being fed as "new" every day, keeps me out there. I have enough to last for awhile.
What I am thinking about this 5x7" size is that it could be my bread and butter. I can take these to shows - possibly even craft shows - because they are cheaper. I really need to keep working on this size because if they take off then I would have a stash.
One of the places I had my art at this fall kept 4 of my paintings for their gallery. I was told they were interested in my smaller paintings and in my postcards (prints would be nice too). I need to get back to her and see if I can funnel some of these over there also. I know I need to keep on working on my painting and art, I just need to have places where I can sell these too. It is like a dance that keeps taking different directions. Maybe it is not just one strategy of direction but several.
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Art Things I Like
I wanted to make a post of what materials or equipment I like to use. This may be a post that gets amended depending on things that come out or my exposure to different methods or materials.
My Preferences -
Acrylic paint - I like acrylic paint because it is fast drying, has bright colors and I don't need to wait
for 6 months to varnish. I prefer that my colors are opaque but am experimenting with
glazes for different effects. I do like Utrecht but M. Graham is nice too. I tend to not
make as much mess of it on myself and things like I do the oil. Not a big fan of
Liquitex since I have had quite a few tubes that have separated the medium from the
pigment but I do like their Sap Green.
Varnish - I like matte to satin varnish and mediums
Brushes - don't have a preference brand. I tend to use more flats, angled and some small rounds
Surfaces - I like using the stiff paper - the 300lb CP.. My favorite was the Arches Art Board but that has been discontinued by Blick. I have tried illustration board. What I like is that it can be cut size and pop in a frame or it can be matted. I also like that the paint seems to give me
better coverage than primed canvas. I don't need to do all the layers to thicken up the color.
canvas - my preference is to stretch and prime my own. There is a special feel to it that the
store bought doesn't give you. It feels like it is already your painting from the moment you
put your first brush stroke on it. It doesn't feel as slippery.
boards - I have used a few boards for plein air, but I don't like the slick ones. I like a little
"tooth" or texture on the board. It does not have to have as much as canvas though.
Palette - I have made my own set-up. That will be on a different post. I have an 11x14" board that I
have paint cups and a small Masterson's palette. This uses the disposable palette.
Easle - For now I am using a tabletop one when I am home and a black telescoping one when I am
away. The telescoping allows me to adjust for terrain. I will also post my plein air set up. I
think things are different than a set up for oil.
Rags - cloth rags, paper towels when out.
Pencils - I have been using a water-soluble pencil for value sketches and drawings. I have a brand
that comes in different softness and hardnesses. I can draw/sketch with those and use a
paintbrush dipped in water to blend and create value. I really don't have to draw much but
rather a little more with a darker pencil to get some darkest shadows.
Prints - I love lots of art things so it has been hard to limit things. I do like linocuts and use the oil-
based ink and linoleum. I also like silk-screen printing and do that with children when I
teach.
Some things I want to try - There is the Chroma Atillier Interactive Paint that seems interesting.
I think I also want to get some clear medium so there is not that color-shift when dry and
that seems to be put out by Windsor and Newton and Chroma. I had bought some of the
Golden Open paint and did a quick experiment and it felt tacky but need to spend some
time with it to see it's full potential.
If you know of anything else I might like to experiment with please let me know!
My Preferences -
Acrylic paint - I like acrylic paint because it is fast drying, has bright colors and I don't need to wait
for 6 months to varnish. I prefer that my colors are opaque but am experimenting with
glazes for different effects. I do like Utrecht but M. Graham is nice too. I tend to not
make as much mess of it on myself and things like I do the oil. Not a big fan of
Liquitex since I have had quite a few tubes that have separated the medium from the
pigment but I do like their Sap Green.
Varnish - I like matte to satin varnish and mediums
Brushes - don't have a preference brand. I tend to use more flats, angled and some small rounds
Surfaces - I like using the stiff paper - the 300lb CP.. My favorite was the Arches Art Board but that has been discontinued by Blick. I have tried illustration board. What I like is that it can be cut size and pop in a frame or it can be matted. I also like that the paint seems to give me
better coverage than primed canvas. I don't need to do all the layers to thicken up the color.
canvas - my preference is to stretch and prime my own. There is a special feel to it that the
store bought doesn't give you. It feels like it is already your painting from the moment you
put your first brush stroke on it. It doesn't feel as slippery.
boards - I have used a few boards for plein air, but I don't like the slick ones. I like a little
"tooth" or texture on the board. It does not have to have as much as canvas though.
Palette - I have made my own set-up. That will be on a different post. I have an 11x14" board that I
have paint cups and a small Masterson's palette. This uses the disposable palette.
Easle - For now I am using a tabletop one when I am home and a black telescoping one when I am
away. The telescoping allows me to adjust for terrain. I will also post my plein air set up. I
think things are different than a set up for oil.
Rags - cloth rags, paper towels when out.
Pencils - I have been using a water-soluble pencil for value sketches and drawings. I have a brand
that comes in different softness and hardnesses. I can draw/sketch with those and use a
paintbrush dipped in water to blend and create value. I really don't have to draw much but
rather a little more with a darker pencil to get some darkest shadows.
Prints - I love lots of art things so it has been hard to limit things. I do like linocuts and use the oil-
based ink and linoleum. I also like silk-screen printing and do that with children when I
teach.
Some things I want to try - There is the Chroma Atillier Interactive Paint that seems interesting.
I think I also want to get some clear medium so there is not that color-shift when dry and
that seems to be put out by Windsor and Newton and Chroma. I had bought some of the
Golden Open paint and did a quick experiment and it felt tacky but need to spend some
time with it to see it's full potential.
If you know of anything else I might like to experiment with please let me know!
Snow Again!
As I sit here writing, the snow is coming down- AGAIN! We have already had snow this week two times. They are forcasting a lot more.We are on the line 6-9" or 3-6". It is supposed to snow for 12 hours with the last part being a possible freezing drizzle. We didn't even get the snow off the sidewalk from the last time! We will only have to wait and see. We went to Menards this afternoon and got two new snow shovels since we were down to one that was so-so and a coal shovel which gets heavy.
At least this time it is the weekend. We are watching the Winter Olympics and the snow coming down.
There are things I could be/should be doing. Lots of projects that I don't want to work on. I am thinking of trying to juggle it all. This spring, there are two plein air events, working at the schools, possibly working at a greenhouse (again), a new baby in the family, gardening and starting up with the bees again. There is trying to get my art out there, possible shows and still trying to enjoy life. I know there will be some vacations - maybe some camping, some day trips, some time photographing and fishing... and painting.
I have started Daily Paintworks and many of the items for auction on there are smaller works and studies. I think that is a good way to start. Go back to the sketches, the color studies, the smaller paintings. I have had some on Arches Art Board that I did for the Leinenkugel event and there was interest on them at Artisan Forge, so I think maybe (hopefully) I can paint small and those might be enough to keep my art business going and for some things still do some larger. The larger paintings help me to learn to be looser, possibly faster.
So, even if I am snowed in I have plenty to do. I need to prep some more surfaces and get back to painting again. I have a plein air even in a little over a month. I am not sure at the beginning of April if it will be warm enough to use my acrylics or if I have to dig out and practice with my oils. It could be interesting!
At least this time it is the weekend. We are watching the Winter Olympics and the snow coming down.
There are things I could be/should be doing. Lots of projects that I don't want to work on. I am thinking of trying to juggle it all. This spring, there are two plein air events, working at the schools, possibly working at a greenhouse (again), a new baby in the family, gardening and starting up with the bees again. There is trying to get my art out there, possible shows and still trying to enjoy life. I know there will be some vacations - maybe some camping, some day trips, some time photographing and fishing... and painting.
I have started Daily Paintworks and many of the items for auction on there are smaller works and studies. I think that is a good way to start. Go back to the sketches, the color studies, the smaller paintings. I have had some on Arches Art Board that I did for the Leinenkugel event and there was interest on them at Artisan Forge, so I think maybe (hopefully) I can paint small and those might be enough to keep my art business going and for some things still do some larger. The larger paintings help me to learn to be looser, possibly faster.
So, even if I am snowed in I have plenty to do. I need to prep some more surfaces and get back to painting again. I have a plein air even in a little over a month. I am not sure at the beginning of April if it will be warm enough to use my acrylics or if I have to dig out and practice with my oils. It could be interesting!
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Intuition and Trust
So, yesterday and through today we have had a forecast of freezing rain, drizzle and snow. They have been talking about it on the weather forecast for probably a week. Snow here is usual. It is the ice that makes you stop and think. Because of past forecasts not living up to expectations, schools are waiting to see what actually happens instead of what the weather people think may happen since the track may change. Yesterday I did work at a school even though the weather was supposed to get bad. They ended up closing early. Today it is closed. Yesterday, coming home it wasn't too bad (thankfully). I did have to go up some steep hills and didn't have a problem. I also did not slide but made it safely home. I was thinking it would be worse than it was. It depends on the road you take how much the county takes care of them and how much traffic it gets. Today more ice is expected on top of that ice and the area I was going to be at has lots of hills so I think it maybe mostly closed because of safety.
The point of this blah, blah is this - there are always people that will get you worked up over things that were not worth getting worked up over. They may, "as experts", say something is going to be terrible and it really turns out that it is not. You need to not live in fear but learn to be careful and trust your own judgement, take advice and learn from your experience. I could have stayed home yesterday and not taken a job at all because they were saying that ice would coat everything, but I didn't and it was not too bad. Even if it were I would have just had to use my judgement, slowed down, and pay attention to what is in front of me. My inlaws are a prime example. Instead of working on building up a good relationship with me when I married into the family, they started off with a chip on their shoulder because they heard all these stories about how awful daughter-in-laws are. I really could do nothing right as much as I tried because "Mary's daughter-in-law did ... to them." and they expected me to do the same to them.
My husband wanted to be a graphic designer but his dad talked him out of it because "there is no money in Art". This is from a guy that sat once in a sale, didn't sell much and gave up on his art until he was in his 80's again. I have been creating since little and painting since High School. There is always that "That's not Art", "There is no money in art", and the judged shows and contests that you know you were not chosen because 1) they don't know you, 2) they need to put together a cohesive show, 3) and it is still subjective. 4) lacking shock value, etc. Every person you talk to is an "Expert" and if you relied on their sometimes uninformed judgement, you wouldn't do anything.
Sometimes, in life or art, you need to develop your sieve about what comments are valid and what are not. Even if they are valid, how do they fit with what you are doing? Do you value their opinion, are you teachable but not maleable to somebody else's opinion or whim of what you should be doing? There are teachable times that it is to your own benefit to listen, pay attention and learn. There are other times when it is garbage and you need to ignore it or throw it out. This is where intuition and trust come in. Do you trust the advice? Is it valid, does it make sense? Is it that light bulb on moment? Will it work for you? Is it going the same direction you want to go or is it making you go on a track that is unintended or unwanted?
The direction you take in Art can only be taken by you. You want to be original, authentic, fearless and not just one more sheep in the flock.
The point of this blah, blah is this - there are always people that will get you worked up over things that were not worth getting worked up over. They may, "as experts", say something is going to be terrible and it really turns out that it is not. You need to not live in fear but learn to be careful and trust your own judgement, take advice and learn from your experience. I could have stayed home yesterday and not taken a job at all because they were saying that ice would coat everything, but I didn't and it was not too bad. Even if it were I would have just had to use my judgement, slowed down, and pay attention to what is in front of me. My inlaws are a prime example. Instead of working on building up a good relationship with me when I married into the family, they started off with a chip on their shoulder because they heard all these stories about how awful daughter-in-laws are. I really could do nothing right as much as I tried because "Mary's daughter-in-law did ... to them." and they expected me to do the same to them.
My husband wanted to be a graphic designer but his dad talked him out of it because "there is no money in Art". This is from a guy that sat once in a sale, didn't sell much and gave up on his art until he was in his 80's again. I have been creating since little and painting since High School. There is always that "That's not Art", "There is no money in art", and the judged shows and contests that you know you were not chosen because 1) they don't know you, 2) they need to put together a cohesive show, 3) and it is still subjective. 4) lacking shock value, etc. Every person you talk to is an "Expert" and if you relied on their sometimes uninformed judgement, you wouldn't do anything.
Sometimes, in life or art, you need to develop your sieve about what comments are valid and what are not. Even if they are valid, how do they fit with what you are doing? Do you value their opinion, are you teachable but not maleable to somebody else's opinion or whim of what you should be doing? There are teachable times that it is to your own benefit to listen, pay attention and learn. There are other times when it is garbage and you need to ignore it or throw it out. This is where intuition and trust come in. Do you trust the advice? Is it valid, does it make sense? Is it that light bulb on moment? Will it work for you? Is it going the same direction you want to go or is it making you go on a track that is unintended or unwanted?
The direction you take in Art can only be taken by you. You want to be original, authentic, fearless and not just one more sheep in the flock.
Friday, February 16, 2018
The Things we Don't See
So, today, I am thinking about something I saw. I didn't know it was there and then it showed itself. It kind of creeps me out but I don't know what to do with it. Should I leave it alone or remove it. I think it applies to other things in life too where you have the same condrum. Please let me know what you think.
I have had an aquarium for several years. I have swordtails in there and there is a fat algae eater. Sometimes babies grow up too - only a few at a time and they are usually clear/white. I haven't had any of the orange babies make it. Their color probably makes them stand out too much. I have not had to buy any replacement fish for at least a year-maybe two - and the water is usually clear. We do drain water out and add fresh on occasion. In summer my husband will get plants out of the creek and put them in the tank for the fish to enjoy. So, I have not added anything new except plants for maybe a year or two.
When I turned the light on and fed my fish I noticed something different. In the back of the tank at the bottom here was a movement. At gravel level there was a tubular, sriped, worm-like thing moving back and forth a few inches. It is the size - width wise of an earthworm/night crawler but I never saw the length. It just slid back and forth for awhile with the rest of the body stayed hidden in the gravel. Then it disappeared. When my son and daughter in law came over in the evening she spotted the pattern on the thing in the gravel with only about 1/2 inchh showing. She used the net to try to get it moved to look at it but never got to see the full length or the head. It was longer than what I had seen. I had tried to look it up but came up with something like a worm or snake fish. This is a freshwater tank. I don't know where this thing came from. Was it a little tiny thing that came with a past batch of fish and grew up in there? We didn't deliberately buy it so it was definately a surprise.
I know that the picture is not very clear since it was taken through the side of the aquarium and with the distortion of water ( and fingerprinted tank from the kids), but hopefully you can see what I am talking about.
So, this is where we are at. This thing creeps us out. It is the unknown, the snake-like look, the not chosen. When researched some sites say similar things are meat-eaters. What are they eating? baby fish, poop? How did it get to this size. How big is it really? How big will it get to? Will it take out my big fish? The other part of this is that if we choose to remove it (and I know a science teacher that will take it), will it be damaged during the removal, do we have to handle it, will it make a mess of the whole tank and stress out the fish? We have not seen it again, but knowing that it is there makes you not want to put your hand in the tank for any reason.
I think in life there are a lot of things that we don't see and don't know that they are there. One time when I was pulling weeds in the front garden I grabbed a hunk of grass to pull and hanging with the grass (and in my hands) was a snake that was at least 18". I dropped it, surprised. Now I wear gloves and know what I am grabbing. When I wore the boots with plein air painting at the river, it was more to protect against the ticks but found out there were rattlesnakes in the area so it was a good thing (even though they were not right there but a ways over). How do we handle the unseen when we suspect there might be something there? Do we let it be until we need to deal with it? Do we overprepare or just be careful, watching? Do we not let it bother us at all?
In trying to get my art "out there", I have joined different facebook groups and one of them deals with copyright infringement and how to combat it. They have referred to designs being stolen off of the pod sites, some of the big retailers etc. They are then relisted with people claiming they are their design and making money off of your design. I know it is there. I have had paintings on Etsy at full dpi and postcards on Ebay and Etsy for awhile. I haven't looked yet for mine because I am not ready to see if it has been hacked. I have read that some can remove a watermark, signatures, and even if you disable the right-click they can still do a screen shot. I know that the possiblity is there that people are doing this to me too, I just haven't looked yet for the monster in my art tank. I could do everything and still be plagarized. I have decided to not let that stop me from getting my art "out there". I will do the best I can - lower dpi, not be on some of the worst offender sites and eventually get brave and look and deal with it. I guess part of being empowered is knowing what is there even if I can't see it and be careful.
I have had an aquarium for several years. I have swordtails in there and there is a fat algae eater. Sometimes babies grow up too - only a few at a time and they are usually clear/white. I haven't had any of the orange babies make it. Their color probably makes them stand out too much. I have not had to buy any replacement fish for at least a year-maybe two - and the water is usually clear. We do drain water out and add fresh on occasion. In summer my husband will get plants out of the creek and put them in the tank for the fish to enjoy. So, I have not added anything new except plants for maybe a year or two.
When I turned the light on and fed my fish I noticed something different. In the back of the tank at the bottom here was a movement. At gravel level there was a tubular, sriped, worm-like thing moving back and forth a few inches. It is the size - width wise of an earthworm/night crawler but I never saw the length. It just slid back and forth for awhile with the rest of the body stayed hidden in the gravel. Then it disappeared. When my son and daughter in law came over in the evening she spotted the pattern on the thing in the gravel with only about 1/2 inchh showing. She used the net to try to get it moved to look at it but never got to see the full length or the head. It was longer than what I had seen. I had tried to look it up but came up with something like a worm or snake fish. This is a freshwater tank. I don't know where this thing came from. Was it a little tiny thing that came with a past batch of fish and grew up in there? We didn't deliberately buy it so it was definately a surprise.
I know that the picture is not very clear since it was taken through the side of the aquarium and with the distortion of water ( and fingerprinted tank from the kids), but hopefully you can see what I am talking about.
So, this is where we are at. This thing creeps us out. It is the unknown, the snake-like look, the not chosen. When researched some sites say similar things are meat-eaters. What are they eating? baby fish, poop? How did it get to this size. How big is it really? How big will it get to? Will it take out my big fish? The other part of this is that if we choose to remove it (and I know a science teacher that will take it), will it be damaged during the removal, do we have to handle it, will it make a mess of the whole tank and stress out the fish? We have not seen it again, but knowing that it is there makes you not want to put your hand in the tank for any reason.
I think in life there are a lot of things that we don't see and don't know that they are there. One time when I was pulling weeds in the front garden I grabbed a hunk of grass to pull and hanging with the grass (and in my hands) was a snake that was at least 18". I dropped it, surprised. Now I wear gloves and know what I am grabbing. When I wore the boots with plein air painting at the river, it was more to protect against the ticks but found out there were rattlesnakes in the area so it was a good thing (even though they were not right there but a ways over). How do we handle the unseen when we suspect there might be something there? Do we let it be until we need to deal with it? Do we overprepare or just be careful, watching? Do we not let it bother us at all?
In trying to get my art "out there", I have joined different facebook groups and one of them deals with copyright infringement and how to combat it. They have referred to designs being stolen off of the pod sites, some of the big retailers etc. They are then relisted with people claiming they are their design and making money off of your design. I know it is there. I have had paintings on Etsy at full dpi and postcards on Ebay and Etsy for awhile. I haven't looked yet for mine because I am not ready to see if it has been hacked. I have read that some can remove a watermark, signatures, and even if you disable the right-click they can still do a screen shot. I know that the possiblity is there that people are doing this to me too, I just haven't looked yet for the monster in my art tank. I could do everything and still be plagarized. I have decided to not let that stop me from getting my art "out there". I will do the best I can - lower dpi, not be on some of the worst offender sites and eventually get brave and look and deal with it. I guess part of being empowered is knowing what is there even if I can't see it and be careful.
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