Category Archives: Marketing

Painting the Architect

 

Painting an Architect

The Architect, 24×28, oil/linen

What a treat and honor it was to paint this portrait!  This gentleman is an incredibly talented architect here in Charlotte.  I was lucky enough to paint both his daughters, and much to his wife’s surprise, he decided he wanted his portrait done.  There is no vanity involved here.  I think he’s just fascinated with portraiture.  He was gracious enough to also take the time to sit for me so that I could do color studies from life.  I’ve become so spoiled that I really resist painting from a photograph.  I am fascinated by the colors and subtleties of life!!!

Here’s the color study that I did from life.  Thanks to Chris Saper — one of the many things I learned from her was to keep swatches of the colors I use for various flesh tones on my study. So that’s what those colors on the side of the study are.

Portrait Color Study

Color Study for The Architect, 12×16, Oil/Linen

I learned another lesson during this process.  I decided to paint on an oversized canvas, so that I could crop later.  So many times when I’ve completed a painting, I wish that I could move something over a little.  So I decided to make sure I was happy with the final cropping.  Once I removed it from the stretchers though, it was another story!!!  Restretching a painted piece of linen is not easy!  I finally ended up taking it to a local framer and they did a beautiful job of restretching it.  

Can you tell I love painting people???  Grateful!!!

 

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Art Show at Free Range Brewery

I had the lovely opportunity to have a one woman art show at Free Range Brewery here in Charlotte,NC. The brewery is owned by some folks who love art, and happily are providing an opportunity for local artists.  The show runs from February 1 to March 14th, and combines portraits and plein air pieces.  There’s great wall space and lighting. Sarah, one of the owners, has an art background and gallery experience— so a great eye! She chose the pieces and hung the show.  Thank you Sarah!!

Freerangeinterior

The beer was wonderful!  I normally am a wine drinker, but discovered I really like their stout made from oysters!  Who knew!!! The selections also include many other beers, cider, kombucha, soda and coffee.  The brewery is family friendly as well.  We had a crowd  —- thanks to my incredible group of friends —- and happily we sold three pieces that night!!

Web_MichaelfreerangeHere’s Michael and I enjoying friends and brew. Don’t know what I would do without him.  He’s so supportive of my art obsession.  He also has a great eye, so I frequently get his feedback on paintings.  It’s always spot on!

Web_ExteriorFreeRangeThank you to all the lovely people who joined me that evening!  Hope any of you who might be interested will take some time to see the show and taste some of the great beer and other selections at Free Range. http://www.freerangebrewing.com

Happy February and happy painting!!

 

 

 

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The Little Voices in My Head

oil portrait young black woman“Lucci” 12×16, Oil on Linen

I am thrilled that this painting was such a successful entry in a recent show.  I entered it in the Matthews Art Guild’s Fall Show, which is part of the Matthews Alive Festival.  Happily it garnered an honorable mention from the judge, “Colton’s Choice” from the town manager of Matthews and “People’s Choice” from the viewers who saw the show.  Of course I love the accolades — but it also brings up some other things that I’ve been ruminating on lately. Hence the title of this blog post “The Little Voices in My Head”.

This whole business of art is just that — a business.  Yes I love it and would do it no matter what, but hopefully it will provide financial support as well.  And in the pursuit of making that happen we have to, like any other business person, try to get the word out about our product.  That product just happens to be the result of sweat, tears, elation, frustration and a piece of our souls.  We are told repeatedly by all the “experts” in marketing to: put it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, your website, email, newsletters, etc. etc.  Basically put it out in as many ways as you can.  But it’s weird and strange to do that with a “piece of your soul”.

Everyone is so kind and gracious — and of course I love the compliments.  In a way too much!  It sometimes feels like my self-esteem is tied into it.  You get that “high” from hearing those words.  Which lasts for a short while then you’re looking for your next “fix”.  It’s a weird thing.  Puts a lot of your evaluation of yourself in the hands of your followers — which can be really self defeating.  And then there’s the concern that people will think you’re “bragging”.  I’m embarrassed by all the attention, and yet it’s a piece of the puzzle in moving my career to a bigger level.

Just read an article in Charlotte Magazine called “The Last Tweet” by Matt Crossman.  He deliberately took a break from all the social media for a month.  He is a journalist so he also uses social media to promote his work. To quote him: “…social media has turned every story into a contest entry.   I ‘win’ if my story generates Tweets or retweets or likes or shares or comments on Facebook. I ‘lose’ when social media ignores my story.”

“People with Twitter and Facebook accounts have become the authoritative arbiters of what’s good, and I spend way too much time hoping they will express their pleasure because, I think, that praise will make me happy.  Which it does.  Only it never lasts.  Because it’s never enough.”

Matt’s story rang so true to me.  Been there done that!  Keeping in touch with my own sense of who I am and my self -worth independent of anyone else’s evaluation is a constant struggle! Of course I think this is true no matter what — whether you’re an artist, journalist …whatever!!!  To simply look for your own guidance and what fulfills you is not always an easy path.  Don’t get me wrong — I love my people.  And I love hearing their kind words!  But, it is a catch 22 on an emotional level.

This has a been an amazing year for me.  I deliberately set out to enter as many shows and contests as I could.  And I’ve had great success — which is very affirming as an artist.  And a great resume builder.  Also a bit daunting — what’s next?  Can I continue this level of reward?  And getting the acclaim is one thing — what about the financial payoff.

On and on go the little voices in my head…

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Marketing vs Painting —- Trying to strike a Balance

The constant dilemma of an artist — trying to balance marketing and actual painting.  It’s hard to strike a balance.  All I really want to do is paint, but I realize that I have to market — otherwise I’ll be on the streets with a ton of plein air paintings in my lap.  The two paintings here are of the same location.  The one below is painted in early Spring — before the leaves were back on the trees.  You can see I took some editorial license and eliminated some trees.  Just learning that that’s part of my job.  I don’t “have” to paint everything that I see.  I can rearrange things or take them out entirely.  New concept since I’ve spent so many years just trying to recreate what’s in front of me in a pleasing fashion.

One of the wonderful things about painting.  Always something to learn — you never stop!

Boone Nc, Blowing Rock, Plein air painting on Shulls Mill RoadBoone, Blowing Rock, NC mountains, Plein Air

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