The Healing Power of Art

'Sunflowers and Light'  Prints available at

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sunflowers-and-light-lynne-reichhart.html

I have seen some references lately on the use of art as a healing tool, both by creating and also by owning and enjoying.  Imagery has been used to help cancer patients relieve stress which can boost their immune system to help them fight the disease. 

 We all know that color can produce certain responses, so artwork also has the power to soothe,  comfort, heal or even agitate.  I know that I surround myself with art in my home that makes me feel good when I see it.  Besides my own, I also collect other artist's work as well.  I love each and every piece for different reasons.  Some because the artist inspires me to improve in my own work, others because they remind me of places I have been and bring back good memories and still others because they depict something I love or I just enjoy the image!   I had a booth at an art fair recently and a woman picked up a print of a pig I had done for a child's room and she just had to have it.  She said it made her smile - a great compliment indeed! 

Art is also a great conversation starter, often leading to healthy debates!  Art can create strong emotions in the viewer. This can lead to relationships you never expected or just a better understanding of the art itself. 

I truly believe that art can have positive influence on our lives in so many ways.  I know that creating my art is a great outlet for me.  I must admit that no painting is easy and that there is frustration involved in each and every piece I do, but the satisfaction at the end makes it all worth while!

'Reflecting Panes'  Buy prints at

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/reflecting-panes-lynne-reichhart.html

Thanks for reading my latest ramblings!  I am going to try my darnedest to get on a schedule to update my blog weekly.  Life sure has a way of getting in the way of the best laid plans.

Feel free to comment with how art  makes a difference in your life!

My time at 'Girls Night Out'.

This was the first ever 'Girls Night Out'  event at the Rome Art and Community Center.  I was sceptical about a vendor opportunity that charged the patrons to shop, but it was a huge success!  We had smaller  spaces than I anticipated and I brought way too much stuff!  But I did manage to squeeze it all in.  As you can see below, my chair was not easy to get to.  Once I got in I didn't leave very often.  Good thing my friend Diane was in the next booth.  She brought me food and drink from the wonderful array of gourmet appetizers and desserts!

I wanted to take more pix, but again I was trapped in my booth :0!  My pendants were popular, both hand painted and glass tile pendants with teenie prints of my work.  I also sold several prints, cards, magnets and even an original or two!!!  All in all it was a lucritive venture and I would do it agian.    It probably didn't hurt that the patrons were drinking heavily ;)  We did luck out being in the room with the chocolate fountain too - very popular!

We had a nice group of neightbors and had lots of fun!  Here is my friend Diane with her booth - she had the right idea and brought less stuff!  The theme was the Caribbean and you can see that Diane wore her tropical shirt in keeping witht he theme. 

Things I learned doing this kind of show:

Play to your space - I wouldn't bring the grids next time - smaller items are the key to this sale.

PC also not necessary - I brought the PC in case someone wanted to use Paypal to pay.

Not sure if I need to take credit cards or not.  No problem this time though.

Chocolate fountains and selling don't mix.  Gooey hands and face kind of embarassing

Explain your work to the customers - this really boosted sales.  Engage the folks

Art featuring local images is popular and helps open a dialogue.

Risers are your friend!  The display looked much better when everything wasn't at the same level.

Have lots of change in all denominations - we won't have to get cash again for a long time :)

Most everyone wanted a bag so have bags in several sizes and be sure to slip in a business card with their purchase.

Just a few observations.  Maybe they will help with your next art fair!

Thanks for Reading!

Art for all your sewing needs!

I may just have to take up sewing :)  I have recently licensed my artwork to Kat's Magical patches.  Kat's Magical Patches Fabric Shoppe is a new and up and coming fabric block company that specializes in fun, funky and creative printed fabric blocks. They offer a huge variety of blocks from world renowned artists.

I am now licensed for Fabric blocks, iron on patches and collectible canvas prints!

Above is an example of the gorgeous fabric blocks  you can get.  5x7 shown! 

Printed with top quality inkDouble treated with a special solution to help extend the life of the inkDouble Heat Set100% Cotton printed fabricReady...     Perfect for a pillow, quilt, purse or whatever sewing project you come up with!

 

 

This is a 4" tall  iron on patch .  This pink cutie is perfect for any age!  Printed with top quality ink

Ready to iron on when you receive it!  No special treatment is needed before you start your project.  For best results pre shrink the item you are putting the transfer on.  Great for hats, coats, canvas bags - use your imagination!

 Great ACEO size prints on canvas - great for collecting, trading, framing or displaying as you wish!

A collectible piece of art and one of my most popular paintings!

About the canvas collectibles:

•Printed with Archival Inks

•Real Canvas Fabric

•Sealed with artist sealant

•Comes in its own plastic sleeve

•Signed on the back by the artist

I may need to get someone that sews to use one of the blocks!  Sewing has never been my fav thing to do.  I may be coerced to mend a rip or a hem here and there, but that is it!  I would love to see one of these used in a project!

My new painting is done! Hot off the easel!

I finally finished this painting.  I am calling it 'My Favorite Spot'.  It was a challenge in many ways.  The foliage was very intricate and really a big part of the painting so I was more detailed than usual.  The chair is the main event though along with the shadows and light on the deck and railing.

As I mentioned in previous posts - this is at my camp in northern NY.  We added this new deck on the side of the cabin and it is so private tucked in among the trees.  I love to take a beverage and a book out there to relax.  If  you missed my previous posts then, by all means scroll down to see this piece in various stages of completion.   If you are a painter then you know that there are some points in the paining process that are just down right ugly!  You have to persevere past that stage to get to the good stuff!

WIP - Work in progess - Making strides!

OK, maybe not strides, but baby steps :)
Here, I have worked on the railing.  Getting the lights and darks was a challenge.  I will still make some adjustments, I suspect, after I get the background done to make sure that the railing pops forward.  I really do enjoy painting light and shadow and this image offers lots of both!

I have begun the dreaded foliage ;)  The photo washed out the background a bit, but you get the idea.  I got  quite a bit done this morning so I am now actually looking forward to doing more trees (on this one anyway).  I am hoping to have this pretty much done before I go to class next week.    I think I will name this 'My Favorite Spot'  because I love to sit and read here when I am at camp.  I have a view of the water here and can see my hummingbird feeder which I love to watch.  Camping season can come anytime!!!

Thanks for looking - I will be back with the final installment soon, I hope!

New Painting Work in Progress - View at Camp.

I am finally on to a new piece.  I must admit that I am not a marathon painter - a couple hours at a time is typically my limit.  That being said, we shall see how long this one takes me.  Also, since my style tends towards realism details are important and take me time to render. 

 This new piece a view from the new side deck on our log cabin camp.  I love sitting on the new deck surrounded by trees in the peace and quiet.  I hope I can do it justice.

Above, I am just getting some paint on starting with the largest, darkest area first.  Then I proceeded to the deck which is a tricky color.  I may still need to darken the values in the shadows, but want to get some more color on first.  This is the point where it is really ugly, but come back, I promise it will get better!

In my next session, I worked on the chair and I really like how it turned out.  I am so procrastinating on doing the foliage.  Trees have never been my favorite so I need to push myself to work on that.  I really prefer to work a section to completion, but learned that it is better to get some values established first.  As you can see I completed the chair anyway - it kills me to leave stuff unfinished :) 

I will be back with more progress the beginning of the week.  I am psyched to work on this one now that I have it to this point.

New painting - Sunflowers and light, acrylic on paper

First, I want to say that I just took this pic quick with my camera so the colors aren't exactly right.  The flowers are much more vibrant with glowing oranges and yellows.  I still have to get it scanned for a more accurate photo.

I have been working on this one for awhile.  Between the holidays, snow removal and life in general - it took me a long time.  Now it is complete!    I must confess I redid the shadows on the table a couple times.  The first attempt I used the acrylic paint as opaque.  Just did not get the effect that I was looking for.  Then I gessoed it out and tried it watering the paint down for a more watercolor transparent look - much better.  It doesn't really show in the photo, but it really does glow with light! 

Surprisingly the glass didn't give me grief at all.  I just turned the painting and reference upside down and painted the shapes!  It turned out pretty well!

Thanks so much for looking!  Once I get it scanned I will be offering prints on Fine Art America!