Answered Prayers

Thanks to Mel, Ben, and Molly for the recommendation - because of you guys, I got in touch with a totally awesome (and local) printing company that specializes in fine art reproductions. I didn't know about them because they don't advertise, so thank you! Artist's best kept secret: R4. They currently have my files and are in the process of creating proofs. They have large-format scanning abilities too, so I don't have to spend extra money going to a photographer. :-D Hooray!!!

Lost and Found

Yesterday evening I retrieved my very first chalk pastel painting from the TAFA studio so I could present it to my mother for her birthday. Mind you, I haven't actually *seen* this painting in over two years. Upon having it matted, I realized -someone- I don't know who, CUT around the edges of the Canson paper... most likely so it would fit into the previous frame it was put in during my absence from the academy. As it doesn't disrupt the actual pastel itself, I suppose it doesn't matter, but I was a bit angry about discovering this anyhow. I mean, I DID pay for the paper and positioned the still-life exactly where I wanted it. I LIKED the excess of smokey gray background! Oh well.

At any rate, Rachel, the awesome framing manager at Michaels hooked me up with a great mat to fit around my own frame, which I promptly assembled before leaving for my mom's 53rd birthday-party dinner. She cried when I presented it to her, lol..

She will be giving it back briefly sometime this week so I can take it to my photographer's studio and get a digital copy made, after which, I will be returning it to her for safe keeping.

The pastel, if you're wondering, was/is a still life of the Horse of Turino. I forgot how amazingly brilliant it is for being a plain white statue. My lighting layer really shows through brilliantly in just the right spots. My mother loves horses, so there you go.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

Etsy-bitsy shop-o-rama!!

Last night I hit my goal for the week of creating an online shop with items for sale! I know, I know, it's not much to look at *right now*... but I've got big plans, and at least it's something! Far better than nothing, for sure!!! If I waited and waited around until I was completely ready all the time, nothing would ever get done because most of the time, I have no idea where to start. So the word "progress" has earned an important spot on my motivating to-do vocabulary.

My motivating four P's: Progress + Produce + Promote = Profit

That's right! Sure it's elementary, and I'm sure someone out there is thinking to themselves "Oh Lord, this girl needs help. What a dummy!" But It's short and easy for me to remember day to day. Whatever works, eh? Progress.

This past weekend I FINALLY went and got digital copies made of my sirens!!! It's about time, eh? Boy that was expensive. The thing is, I've been nit-picking and changing parts of both girls for the past two years or so, and it wasn't until just last week that I was actually satisfied. The hours put into them, if I were to condense the time, would probably be about 3 months from start to finish on each. Alas, there are times I just can't bear the thought of even picking up a brush.

I need to Photoshop off my blue tape marks [that held the Canson paper to the board, 'cause I'm lame and don't have a real artist's easel w/ a clip.] and few stray hairs/lint I noticed, but that shouldn't take too long and then they'll be ready for print. Now I can finally get my originals framed and under protective glass! Hooray!!! Having them vulnerably propped in my dining room this whole time has made me super jumpy anytime someone gets near them.

The next immediate goal on the list is to set up an online shop somewhere. Anywhere. Purely for the exposure. Does anyone have any suggestions? So far I've looked into the following selling sites:
Ebay, Amazon, Boscov's, Etsy, AllPosters, and Art.com[s] so if you've used any of these, let me know how you liked it/didn't like it. Likewise, if you've got a great site you'd like to rave about, by all means.. TELL ME ABOUT IT! My brain is a sponge and I'm trying to soak up as much advice as I can. I'll even throw in a favor if you need persuading... I don't know, cookies or something. ;-)

Sun-day, Holy-day

Well this has been an... interesting weekend! I have been living out of a suitcase since Friday morning, and have not been able to get online via computer until today. Let's just leave it at that.

Some good news to update on:
I talked with some local giclee makers who have given me some pretty valuable information.

I went to an art show last night and networked with some reputable people in the industry who gave me cell numbers of even more contacts to meet.

I've decided that I want this to be a serious endeavor, and I feel super motivated about this.

A good friend told me about a site called kickstarter.com, so I'm going to think clearly about what my goals are, and submit a video sometime in the coming week after I get numbers figured out.

Oh and on a random positive note: I won some rad gifts (a certificate to Macy's and some yummy chocolate) for guessing my preggo friend's belly size, EXACTLY. Like, it was weird how exact I was.

Oh yeah, and I've discovered that I just LOVE cracked pepper water crackers, with garlic & herb cheese spread, with a thin slice of fresh peach on top! YUMMY!!!

That is all for now. :-)

Blank Canvas

Despite my reservations and worry about posting something completely absurd in a bout of willy-nilly excitement, I have decided to start a blog. Yes, a blog.

I will be posting about various projects as they come up, thoughts about them... and most likely questions, as I have NO idea how to do this (marketing my art, getting my name "out there", tricks of the trade, entering shows, etc) successfully.

A little about me:

I'm a mostly self-taught artist. OK, I took one semester of art & design my senior year of high school. It was required to take beginning art, despite skills. Apparently, I had enough that the teacher decided to pull me out of that and place me in the advanced class one week after starting. Besides that, I took a semester at TAFA (Tacoma Academy of Fine Art) about 2 years ago to learn how to oil paint correctly, as I'd previously never used that medium and didn't want to acquire any bad habits. I've considered myself an artist, though, since early childhood.

In addition to fine art, I have a certification in Graphic Design, and a degree in Interior Design. They're both fun, however I have yet to experience the financial wealth associated with these two careers, so I've decided to go back to my roots.. for the most part anyway.

Oh yeah, and I'm a musician with a pretty stellar voice too, or so I've been told. Piano is my core instrument. I've been playing it for 17 years now (wow, has it really been that long?! I'm getting old!) I also currently play the French horn and flute in the Tacoma Urban Orchestra. And I've been known to dabble on guitar when the mood strikes me. There are others I've played in the past, but have not touched since high school.

And now you know! Probably more information than you ever cared to know. :-)

But enough about me. What about you?!