ANTICIPATING THE SUN

Grey skies again. Day four already of this November weather.  So while on break from the studio project and also dreaming of a sunny day I came across this quote from Anne Vachon's book "Colors":

I was pleased with myself when I discovered that sunlight, for example, could not be reproduced, but that I had to represent it by some other means...by color.

Paul Cezanne (1839 - 1906)

LOCAL SHOWS

Today I went to see the InsideOut Show at the SMFA.  I got there about 1:30 PM.  Paintings had been sold and the walls refreshed with new ones and more paintings were being purchased while I was there.  Refreshingly the energy of consumerism was in the air (the MFA also set up a small gift shop) and a steady traffic of viewers were cycling  through.  A worthwhile show to see for many reasons.  It is an interesting mix of well known artists along with local knowns and yet to be discovered.  The range of work runs from (as we say in retail on assortments) good, better and best with typical imagery along with technically skilled to wild streaks of creativity.  While I did not see my submissions on the wall, at least my unframed pieces were hanging out in the bins.  By going through the binned work I learned that one does not have to spend hours carefully cutting mats for the work as most are submitted unmatted.  Good to know!  From there I went to Cambridge to see 1/2 of the RED show at University Place Gallery.  (And full disclosure here my work was not accepted in this show).  There are some stand out pieces and some I have to question why...but okay.  And I will see the other half of the RED show at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery soon.   And again lesson learned or a reaffirmation...art is many things and one must honor the process and the spirit of the work. 

WHITE CANVAS

The white canvas--it's like a layer of dust that covers up the real painting.  It's just a matter of cleaning it.  I have a little brush to clear away the blue, another for the red, and another brush for the green.  And when I've finished cleaning, the picture is all there.

- Georges Braque  (1882-1963)

From "COLORS What They Mean and How To Make Them" by Anne Varichon,  Abrams New York

(UNTITLED)

If you like the lighter side of movies and seeing the humor in fashion, music and art you must see this movie called (UNTITLED).  It is a funny romp into the NYC art world and the characters it attracts.

A GOOD FRIDAY

Today, Friday the thirteenth, I am happy to report that the gallery called to say this painting sold!

TRACING
16 x 20
watercolor

THE STUDIO PROJECT

Yesterday afternoon armed with the shop vacuum, a mask, work gloves and protective eyewear I tackled the studio dust and clutter. It wasn't pretty, nor was I afterwards, but progress is being made.

A BUYER POSSIBLY

Last week I received a call from an interested party who had seen my work locally. This person wanted to buy my painting but was not sure how to go about it.  There was no information at the exhibition space nor anyone there to talk to about purchasing - a missed marketing opportunity for a non-profit organization.  I was surprised and pleased that this potential buyer took the time to contact me.  How many people make this kind of effort to purchase art?  I too could not get anyone on the phone so I drove there in search of information.  I met an empowered employee and passed the contact name and number on to my potential buyer.  Last night this still interested person calls me to say  no one can be reached at the organization: "no one answers the phone."  Again, today, I drove there and while the go-to-person was not in yet a friendly volunteer tried to assist me even though she too did not have the information.  This is what artists (and non-profits too) are up against...missed opportunities for sales and good will, a failure in communication, convenience and customer satisfaction.  The ARTS suffer and we artists suffer along with it.

THE STUDIO PROJECT

Today is gorgeous outside, 70 degrees, bright sun and fall breezes playing tag with the remaining leaves on the branches.  I should be out there storing up on Vitamin D and enjoying this sumptuous day.  Instead I am in the cellar tackling the studio project.  How else could one poetically describe cleaning up this mess?  It is a tad overwhelming.  In July my studio was packed up and inundated with stuff from other rooms while another home construction project began.  This construction is now over and my husband has moved into his bright, clean, dust and clutter free home office.  And I am envisoning the same for my studio....shortly. 

TUESDAY NIGHT BOOK CLUB

Sometimes it is not the brand new art book that is most desirable with it's crisp clean pages, high end printing, stiff spine and being the first viewer to explore the magic inside.  Sometimes the book most desired is the one explored with such devotion it is barely contained.  The spine is broken, the pages tattered and loose, numerous Post Its and torn paper mark important passages and its disheveled self holds mystery and magic of inspiration, of great art not frequently seen, and examples of mastery and execution within an artistic passion.  Such a book I have seen the last few classes.  This one is The Art of Responsive Drawing by Nathan Goldstein.  The sixth edition is now available but it is the edition that our professor owns that is most intriguing as it is this example of a well loved used book just described.  He uses this fine edition to teach, to inspire, to help us think about our drawing but we also get an inkling into the spirit of another artist and that too is truly inspiring.

REJECTIONS

November already and it has been awhile since I last posted.  Time flys and needs catching.  Last week was the trifecta of rejections.  Two juried shows and a painting considered sold that suddenly became unsold.  Though my husband was happy to hear that as he likes this particular painting.  He likes most of my work and is my biggest collector by default.  So lessons relearned from last week: things do happen in threes, wait until the check clears, and the stings will fade.  It is already another week.