Miniatures Show

This Saturday, Feb 21st, was the opening for the miniatures show at the Millicent Rogers Museum. "Miniatures" was defined as any artwork that measured less than 10"x 10"inches. Paintings did not have to include the frames in that measurement. The museum has been hosting this show for artists living in the county for the last six years. Last year was my first year participating and this was Jeff's first year.

We were able to invite a few friends as our guests and apparently everyone else did the same because the opening was very well attended. A new feature this year was to have those attending vote for their three favorite artworks. With two hundred artists participating, it was hard to choose just three! Besides paintings, there were wood carvings, pottery, and jewelry.

It was an enjoyable evening. We have been to many excellent art shows for the artist we work for, but it was really fun for us to have our own work in the show for a change. There were some works there by some really well known artists in our area and it was great to be in the same show with them. Best of all was that we were able to meet our goal to be there.

And I personally think that Jeff's painting was the best "church" painting at the show.

Jeff's Corner: So do I!

Spinning My Wheels

"Morning Light" 16"x 12" oil on canvas, ©2009

I finally finished one of the flower paintings I had planned for the spring show that isn't happening. I knew it would only take me a couple of hours, but I just couldn't seem to get started. It took me two weeks to get the momentum to paint for two and a half hours! That painting sitting on the easel just waiting did add to guilty feelings and caused me to wonder what was wrong with me.

The other bothersome thing is that I had developed an annoying muscle twitch under my left eye. After reading up on what might be happening, the diagnosis of "eye strain" is what I found. I guess working all day on carving detailed designs on pottery and then painting at night was taking it's toll. My eye muscle is less twitchy, so I guess I did need the rest.

I also had a bad round of feeling like my paintings are too stiff and lack a real sense of emotion and meaning. Thoughts like these are great for adding slick stuff to spin my mental wheels in. My goal this week is to get to the bottom of what I am feeling so I can get some traction again. This being an artist business really makes a person think.

Jeff's Corner: My policy is to take a break if any of my body parts start twitching...

The Saga Continues...

We had been hoping for a spring show of our artwork at a local resort as many of the great readers of this blog know. We received an e-mail this week from the art director that the General Manager decided that he wanted a "consistent" look, so he is going to continue with one artist they are showing already and not use us!

It just goes to show that the lesson from last week of pleasing ourselves was the best lesson possible. I have to admit, I was a bit relieved because I have been working so hard on paintings every spare minute I had in order to try and meet that deadline. It was nice to feel like maybe we could go snowboarding on a weekend and not feel guilty about it. We haven't gone at all this winter. At the same time, I do feel a bit let down not having a specific goal to meet. But, I am confident that with a little research and thought, I can come up with another one.

Speaking of other goals, we are submitting a painting each to a "miniatures show" at a local museum. This is full circle for me, since I did some watercolor paintings for this same show last year. It was the first thing I did in honor of making the resolution to myself to start making artwork again. The really great thing is that this year, Jeff has one to enter too.

Jeff's Corner: It's no use forcing a square peg into a round hole.

Landscapes, Oh My...

I finished my Canyon Sunrise painting and sent it to the art director at the resort in hopes it would fit the southwest theme that her General Manager would prefer. She wrote me back and said that the GM liked my flowers and not Jeff's churches!

Joy for me, but disappointing news for Jeff. She wondered if he could send in some landscapes. At first Jeff thought he could, but after a week of thinking it over, he found that he just wasn't that excited about painting them. I understood exactly how he felt. Painting is actually quite demanding work, and it is hard to do when you are not inspired by the subject matter. He has completed two more paintings of churches with a different color palette, which he hopes they might like better. If they do, great. But if not, he is not going to worry about it.

I really appreciated the comments on the last two blogs. It helped me realized that I am in charge and that I don't have to immediately try to please everyone. It's also important that I feel happy with the arrangements when I show my art work. Thanks so much!

Jeff's Corner: "It's alright now, I've learned my lesson well. You see you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself..." Garden Party by Ricky Nelson, 1972