Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Making your artwork look professional


Just to share - here is my latest painting titled 'Harper's Arch'.  Reference image is a view I photographed in Harper's Ferry, WV.  11 x 14 on Gallery wrapped canvas - sides painted. Prints of all kinds of this piece are available on Fine Art America.

Now on the main event.  We, as artists, need to present our work in a professional manor and buyers should look for work that is professionally displayed and handled.

Here are some tips for keeping it presentable.

1.   Buy the best products you can afford.  I highly recommend Arches watercolor paper for watercolors.  I am currently in a quandary about canvas brands.  I typically purchased Fredrix, but have recently gotten too many that are not stretched properly.  Make sure your canvas is tight and there are no buckles.  You should not see the outline of the braces against the canvas.  Golden heavy body acrylics is my acrylic paint of choice.  They use no fillers in their paint - just pigment and binder.

2.   Works on paper should be matted and framed under glass or plexi for protection.  I have seen work framed without the mat so that the paper touches the glass.  This is not good for the work.  I have been told that matting should be at least 3" all around.  This, of course, is a matter of taste, but it does seem to look better that way.  Also, make sure the art is the star of the show not the frame.  Keeping it simple ensures that folks are looking at your artwork not the frame.

3.  Work on the wall should lay flat.  Use the flat brackets for attaching your wire.  Also attach them about 2/3 of the way down your frame and ensure that the wire does not extend above the top of the frame. 

4.  Canvas pieces should be framed or the sides should be painted.  You can continue the image around the edges or paint the sides a solid complimentary color.  The deep (1.5") sides are particularly meant for painting and to be hung without a frame. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Pixley park in Winter and work ethic!




I thought I would start this post with my latest painting.  I titled this one "Pixley in Winter'.  It is acrylic on 12 x 16 Ampersand board.  I love the smooth surface of these boards.  They do get me to loosen up just a little :).  I was itching to do a winter scene since I had months of inspiration outside my window this winter.  The reference photo for this piece was taken at a park just a few miles from my home.  It is also a great  place to cross country ski though I haven't done that for a couple years now.  I must admit that I am not the fan of winter that I used to be, but I love painting snow!  I also needed a new winter scene for my annual calendar that I do at Zazzle! 

The other reason for this post is to inquire about others work habits.  It seems that being a creative sort, I am always working.  I am either painting, promoting, working on my online shops or learning!  I feel guilty taking time for myself.  When I worked at my corporate job I had no problem using the weekends to 'play' - now I spend at least a portion of the weekend working.  Lately, I have thought about actually making a cup of tea and reading for an hour or so, but alas I am doing this post instead.   I do take my evenings off pretty much when hubby is home from work though.    How do others balance work and me time?  I really would like to know.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Souvenirs and Refrigerator Art


I have been ordering magnets of my artwork to sell this tourist season at Bay House Artisans.  I really love how they look.  I ordered these from Cafepress .  Their quality is fabulous!  As you can see I collect magnet art as souvenirs.  I pick up a magnet wherever I go as a small inexpensive memento.  I once heard all the stuff people get on vacation called 'souvenir trash'.  I love to pick up trinkets, but they just end up gathering dust somewhere.  Magnets have a home on the Refrigerator while adding color to a bland appliance.





Check out my refrigerator below!  It is pretty messy right now, but I enjoy seeing a visual diary of my travels every time I open it!!!




Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Some Favorite things for a Still Life painting



I received an email from the ArtistsNetwork posing an interesting question.  
If you were to set up a still life in homage to someone, who would it be, and what would you include?  I know there are many people I would love to pay homage to.  I gave this some thought and my Grandfather gave me some of my most prize possessions as a child.  You can see a couple of them in the pic above.  This is by no means a still life arrangement, but these are two of my favorite things.
 
My grandfather worked at a Grand Union in upstate New York.  He was a produce manager and let me play in the employees only areas and that made me feel special.  He got some of the coolest things from the store. He would bring me home displays and and big letters that spelled Grand Union.  One of a kind stuff!
 
Do any of you remember the old 60's Sci Fi show Lost in Space.  They actually sold the robot toy from that show at the store.  Grandpa got me one of these toys made by Remco and it is very collectible today.  Mine is still in good shape, but does not move forward like it used to.  I have thought about selling it, but I just can't seem to let go.

My grandfather also brought home a set of the original Schultz and Dooley steins made for Utica Club Beer.  Once I got older in high school he gave the steins to me, because he know I really liked them.  The original 5,000 sets of Schultz & Dooley steins were marked, respectively, as follows, both under the handle and on the base.© THE WEST END BREWING CO.UTICA, N.Y. 59-CSM      Mine are from that original batch. I treasure them as well.

I thank my grandfather for all the great memories.  Now it is your turn.  If you were to set up a still life in homage to someone, who would it be, and what would you include?

                 

 

Friday, February 8, 2013

We have a winner!

We have a winner of my art prize package!




The winner receives a 5x7 print of 'Fuchsia Frenzy' matted to 8x10,  a 4x6 print of 'Purple Fantasy' matted to 5x7 and a cute 'I Love Chocolate' magnet featuring one of my ACEO colored pencil pieces.

I went old school with this one.  I wrote everyone's name of a piece of paper (all same size) - one for each entry they earned, covered my eyes, mixed things up and chose the winner. 

And without further waiting ------ The winner is Julie DeGroat.  Congrataulations, Julie!  I'll be in touch to get your information!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Time for a giveaway! Win an art prize package.



 

 
I want to revive my neglected blog and what better way than with a contest!  Easy to enter and you win 3 great prizes!

Enter to win this great prize package just by commenting on this post!  To get extra entries 'Like' my facebook page,  'Follow' my blog, Tweet the contest and/or post the contest on Facebook!  Please leave a separate comment for each entry - Thanks.

Both prints fit in standard frames for adding some color to that small perfect space.  The magnet will add some art to your refrigerator!

Free shipping worldwide!   Anyone can enter!  Contest ends Friday 2/8 at 12:00 noon EST.

Please check back as I plan to update at lease twice/month - Thanks!

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