Art Shows are like tattoos...

I think art shows and festivals are like getting tattoos. While you're doing it and right after, you're like "WTF was i thinking?!?! this is so painful" but then a couple weeks later, or when someone else starts talking about different shows they've done, or you see the application is out for a juried show... you get that itch. That "OOH that could be a good show" itch.

My festival plan for 2010 includes both Twist shows, Foundry, CraftLand, Providence Art Festival and a couple other ones I've never done before. Also included in that plan is a new booth set up. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of dealing with gridwalls... they are the HORRID. Not sure which system I want but anything other than those damn giant heavy horrible gridwalls.

Now that all the shows are over for 2009, it's time to take a deep breath and list the remaining inventory on Etsy... including the ones shown below.

Sneak Peak 2010

Here is a sneak peak at 3 of the months in my 2010 Calendar. If I finish a super amazing painting within the next month or two, I may use it... but for now the calendar is made up of my 12 favorite paintings completed in 2009 thus far. I will have these for sale in at the Twist show (YAY I WAS ACCEPTED!) as well as in my Etsy shop in November (price $35 including shipping). Feel free to contact me if you would like to reserve one in advance. They will be printed on nice heavy glossy cardstock, with spiral binding, ready to hang on the wall.

Pilot Painting

I started 4 paintings today...2 custom home paintings, and 2 new Chubby series. The Chubby series is based on vintage photos. Some of the most interesting photos have come from a friend on Etsy... Bullbone.etsy.com

He has an incredible selection and some of the most interesting photos. Recently, I purchased these photos because I've been wanting to do a fighter pilot type of painting.

I started out by painting the whole canvas a pea-soup green. Not sure why, but I think it may make the sky look cool. Here is how the painting is starting out. I plan to add a whole sky-scape of clouds behind the stripe. I actually got 2 short painting sessions in today!

Session1:

Session 2:

Art of the North East status

Yesterday I dropped off Obsolete Beast to the Art of the North East show. I should know on Wednesday between 4 and 6 if I got in! I drove three hours down to the Silvermine Arts Guild which is in a GORGEOUS area. I had never been down there but it was full of twisty turny roads and beautiful old houses.

If I didn't get in, I have to drive down AGAIN on thursday. And if I DID get in...next friday is the opening. This is a lot of driving, but if I get in...it's totally worth it!

I'm not really sure why I can't have titles for my blog posts. I'm sure it has something to do with the template I chose...but I honestly don't have time to try and mess with it right now.

Anyways, 2009 has started slow for this artist. 2008 was a great year for me in terms of painting, but mediocre in terms of sales in my Etsy Shop. I felt I got a lot accomplished but even though you're not supposed to rely on sales for validation as an artist, it's quite a challenge not to. 

This year I have decided to really focus on the continuation of producing more work but to also focus my efforts in terms of marketing/promotion/approaching galleries... all this, while working a full time job. 

My painting goals are to:

1. Approach Rhode Island art galleries about carrying some of my work. An accomplished artists I spoke with said that if I have work in galleries I, as well as other people, would take my work more seriously. I did create a nice portfolio book here on Blub.com that I will use when approaching galleries.

2. Attend the Wickford Art Festival and The Foundry Arts show - these are 2 local shows known for their fabulous arts,

3. Donate 3 paintings to local causes and/or auctions - doing good and getting my name out there...a win win for everyone.

So as I write this I should be upstairs painting for my Etsy Group's Valentines Day challenge. I will also attempt to keep up this blog more regularly as a way of keeping tabs on myself and documenting these efforts.