Hi All; Once again my health vhas prevented me from updating my blog. I will try to do better in the future. Just been given the OK to get up and around. It feels god to get the brush back in my hand. I've been watching a lot of shoes on painting and I've got to put some real effort into improving my work and becoming productive again. We'll talk again soon I hope.
It has been along time since my last post. My apology but my health has been getting worse and thus so has my time contraints. I have been able to set up a small sudio work area in my basement with the help of friends and family. This is making a world of diference as I can sit for short periods at a time and paint without the need to set up and tear down each time. I received some wonderful feedback from a comment book placed at my gallery show. I used to marvel at the print in stores. Now I feel that each work should be seen in its origional form and valued as a unique piece of art. I understand that prints is what supports many an artist, but if people could take the time to visit a gallery they would come to love the experience so much more.
Great news! Today I was notified that I had sold 2 paintings so far in my first gallery showing. This has cheered me up tremendously. It isn't a lort of money but the vote of confidence is all that I asked for.
It's been a long time since my last post due to health issues. I can say that my exhibition in Southampton has started off well with initial reactions beening good to both the set up and works. I was able to chat with a fellow local artist in his gallery and found some encouragement. I still have not received any feedback from this site or a comment book attached to the exhibition. I'm puzzled why people do not take the time to leave a comment. I have always done so, at the very least to encourage the artist. Afterwards my wife has pushed me on to fully commit to the artist career path and take a chance. I'm not sure if I can as many many days are lost as I can't pick up a brush. I did receive a request from an aquaintance to paint a 24 X 30 canvas from a photograph in oil. I haven't had much experience with oils, especially in that size but after two days the work is complete and I'm satisfied with the result. I even painted a 9 X 12 copy at first to test out my technique. I hope she like my efforts.
Pretty sad today. The pain took over for some 5 days now and I can't lift the brush. I'm watching my bank account quickly empty and I apparently can't paint to save my life. I am trying to have hope that maybe at least one painting will sell in Southhampton on the 10th. I must confess that as each day stretches into the next and my work doesn't improve I lose a bid more optimism. Perhaps I'm fooling myself and people say nice things just to be polite. Does my work have any value? I sometimes think it was better when I didn't put any expectational hope on my work. Self deprecating humour and a objective nature kept me grounded. I started to wish for things that were beyond my reach and skill. Hell Why do I even share my thoughts no one is reading this! I haven't gotten one single comment on the site, work or blog. That should be telling me something about worthiness.
Finished the two painitngs in about 4 hours. Once again the first one gets the atention and the second I rush to finish. I'm try to get more muted colours, more earth like. Since I use the craft type acrylics they all come out quite primary looking. The paint by number phenomina I call it. Once the work dries it tends to fade out. I've a couple of portraits and the fair skin I paint comes out like keisha white paint whenh the work dries. I can't seem to find the patience to do the fine detail work in my landscapes. The paint globs on and therefore I can't drawn fine straight lines, like to railings etc. I need a new palette of colours radically different so that my paintings differ from each other. My wife says it's just my signature style but I hate the idea of people referring to them as same scene but from a different angle. It is like saying you've seen one Kierstead mill or house or barn you've seen them all. I need to find the strength to get out of the house and get inspired by nature.
Inspired today, started two new canvases. One a nice cottage seen with Monet like japanese foot bridge. The other will be a golden yellow field of wheat under an scarlet sky.
Another day with pain. I love the fall, crisp air and all the changing colours.It's funny how you start noticing all the shows about painting and art on TV. It appears that all artist are so laid back and struggling to survive financially. Times are tough all over and I guess buying art is far down on the necessiities scale.
My parents are very concerned that I will not sell anything at my gallery show. This doesn't help my confidence level. However, just getting my work seen is a victory. I started this as a hobby and if nothing else it should remain that. If someone view the paintings and likes them there is satisfaction in that.
Finally, painting today, just small still life but it's brushstrokes! I have got to treat it like a business and dig in. The pain is unfortunately spread to my left side and that makes holding the brush difficult. Back on Thursday wevening I had a nice visit with a neighbouring folk artist. She paints small secenes and still life onto furniture. Great work and I can tell she enjoys her work. She too is trying to make a business work. We talked about the hardships of marketing and the cost of supplies. Only fellow artist seem to understand the self-doubt I'm feeling.
