Two to tango!

Oh the joys of painting!

The business side, not so much!

I have mentored several new artists over the years, guiding them through the 

labyrinth of shows, galleries, pricing, purchasing supplies, and selling themselves as artists.

Currently, I still have a few I am advising and guiding. 

I really enjoy doing it, and it pumps me up as well when they start 

going upwards away from my watchful eye.

Anyway, I digress.

Back to the business side of art.

We must pay rent or commission to the galleries that represent us. 

I did not stop paying rent when the galleries were closed last year because I knew the gallery owners were held accountable for their overhead. 

Paying ahead for shows is not only an obligation, it is a necessity.

The people running the shows have expenses that have to be paid, 

so we must work several months ahead for shows.

Here and now, I am currently under a little stress getting ready for my one woman show.

"My Ocean Odyssey" will hang for the months of July and August 2021. 

Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss point, Mississippi

at 5107 Arthur Street. 

This show was scheduled for last year, but was cancelled when Covid hit hard.

I am looking forward to seeing my "vision" for the show come to fruition next week!

The opening reception is set for July 15th from 4-6pm.

Many times we are in the studio for days working hard to create.

As artists creating is not a necessity, but it is in our nature constantly to create or 

at least think creatively. 

The painting part is the easiest step for me. 

The stretching of canvases not so much!

After stretching, I paint a lot of my canvases white to act as backgrounds for my works.

All of these canvases must be stored in a method that does not allow them to stick together.

After painting the images, I must them erase pencil lines and clean up edges.

Then comes varnishing.

Wiring.

Pricing. 

Inventorying.

Emailing.

Promoting.

It goes on and on with the numerous things that must 

happen just to show one painting or piece of art.

Mind you, I'm not complaining!

I really enjoy the process.

"Two to tango" Acrylic on multiple canvases, 50inches wide 40inches tall

Day 2 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

 

Sassified! The beginning of the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

Wow!

I am in disbelief because my friend reminded me that the 100 days was about to begin. 

She casually mentioned it in conversation a couple of days ago.

The 100 days begins now because the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf shores is on for this year!

It opens on the 7th of October and runs for four days. 

One of my favorite shows, this one will really be different for me!

Why different?

This year there will be two booths!

One booth will have my marine life as usual, shadowboxes, large pieces and sepias.

The other booth,

Steampunk!

After a fantastic reception this year at several shows I have decided to really 

put my steampunk on display by giving an entire booth to the art form.

I was going to do the booth last year, but the festival was cancelled as well as my solo show in Mobile.

Both were going to be venues to display this very different style. 

These are paintings that are lengthy in their creation, 

so you may see bits and pieces of them here during the 100 days.

In the meantime, I have one week until I hang my solo show at the Audubon Center in Pascagoula, MS.

This show was also cancelled last year due to Covid. It has been in the plans since Fall of 2018.

I am looking forward to my new works being displayed for the months of July and August.

Look for an invite soon!

Please join me for the 100 days~100 paintings 2021

This is my 13th year!

Anyway, today's piece was incredibly fun! This sassy turtle looks like he'll swim off the canvas.

I love his sideways smile too!

"Sassified" Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 40 inches

Day 1 of the 100 days~!00 paintings 2021