P R O C R A S T I N A T I O N

It's 4 o'clock in the afternoon in Boulder, Colorado.
As I was wondering whether I was going to accomplish anything (anything at all) today,
I came across this BRILLIANT animation. Perfect.

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Continuous ...

I just found this painting in my studio and was surprised. It obviously didn't make the cut when I was choosing paintings to show off. I don't know what I didn't see in it way back then. I love it now! I wish you could see it. A scan has absolutely nothing on an original. A scan is just an idea of the actual painting; all luscious nuance of color, brushstroke, and layer, mostly gone. That said, it is nice to be able to show you a glimpse of it anyway :)

When I was about 10, I drew a picture of a flower, a big daisy-esque flower on white drawing paper, whilst visiting my grandmother. I didn't think it was very good though so I threw it away. For years and years, every time somebody commented on it, hanging, framed, in her living room, my grandmother would tell the story of how she fished it out of the lixo (lixo is Portuguese for trash)! What a sweet love lesson she taught me.

These days in my studio, no finished painting ever gets the bin treatment. If it's finished, it stays, whether I'm enamored of it at the time or not.

How do I know when a painting is "finished" or "complete"? This is something that every artist must figure out for him/herself. The moment tends to be elusive. I know it by a sound, a feeling, a sensation. I call it a Zing. I play with this Zing sometimes too, moving it around according to whatever it is that I'm investigating as a painter.

Unfinished paintings will eventually be revisited. Even if it starts out, for eg, looking like an horse, and ends up looking like a spaceship, it's the same painting. All the layers of color, shape and brushstroke, inform and transform each other continuously; the underlayers as much a part of the painting as what you see on the surface. It's certainly not like throwing a painting in the trash and starting over with a blank. It's continuous. We're continuous.

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There's a difference!

"Workaholic? Brokers and salesmen are workaholics.
Artists are obsessed. There's a difference."

Yuuup.

This is one of my favorite cartoons.
Are you as amused by it as I am? Hahah!
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Are you afraid of framing?

No need. It can be super easy. The easiest option is to take your newly owned piece of art to a professional framer. Although more costly than buying a ready-made frame, most of them are framing artists and can help you decide on colors and sizes. I particularly like framing my pieces in oversized white or off white mats. I love how the extra space around the painting adds "breath" to the experience. It's all personal preference though.

For example, many I even like framing without a mat. I have several that are just floating in glass. You can also have your painting floating on a mat board without the window cut into it. The sweet thing about these "floating" options, in some cases, is that you get to see the ragged edges of the painting which is often charming, in my opinion.

Professionally framed pieces can really make the painting look stunning. If you love the piece of work, go for it! As long as the art is still the art, as opposed to the frame.

That said, I know that for some of us, having art professionally framed is not an option, as it is more costly than finding ready-made frames. Don't worry though, in no way does this mean your piece will look any less stunning! Some of my favorite pieces are framed in ready-made frames I found very inexpensively! If you're in the US, check places like: Michaels and Hobby Lobby (craft stores), Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, World Market (called Cost Plus in some places), Pier I, Ikea, and Pottery Barn.


Also, have you heard of do-it-yourself frame shops? I've not personally framed anything this way but it sounds like a fabulous idea. They're frame shops where you pick out your frame and style, are shown the ropes, and then use their materials to frame the piece yourself. I understand framing this way is more affordable than having a professional framer do the job, yet you're free to have mats and frames cut to your particular creative dimensions. This may be great in cases when you can't afford to have a piece professionally framed, but your painting is an odd size and doesn't fit in any of the ready-made frames or the styles you see out there just don't work for you.

Check out the possibilities! Framing need not be what prevents you from owning art, originals on paper or prints. Have fun!

PS. I get no kick-backs from linking to the stores. The links are just there to inspire you with your framing <3

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Well, it's the day after ...

All in all, participating in my first Cherry Creek Arts Festival was a GREAT experience. I loved talking with everyone who came to my booth. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the Festival, along with selling my pieces, of course. It felt wonderful to have people love them enough to want to take them home with them. My work is certainly made to be owned by people other than myself.


I received so much overwhelmingly positive feedback. I think I must have said "Thank You" at least three hundred thousand times! I especially loved the kids, who made beelines for my booth, and spent time intently looking and looking. Almost all of them made wonderfully insightful and even profound comments. One little guy even sat down in the chair next to me for a chat. They were absolutely certain about which were their favorites and even why.


I thought I'd sleep for a week after the weeks and weeks (and weeks) of preparing for this show and after the days and nights (and nights) in a row of not sleeping, filled with working and working (and working), but I'm already up and researching where to take my work next. I have a HUGE body of work. I didn't really realize just how much I had until I took most it to the show and began hanging. I could have many shows! That's what happens when a couple of years ago I made a commitment to painting everyday it is possible :)



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Cherry Creek Arts Festival is this week-end!

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Remember that "My First Big Deal Art Show!" I was all excited about? Well, it's here. It's now. It's this week-end! By the end of tonight (whenever that will be?!) I'll be ready to pack up and leave the hut (my house/studio) to get on the road toward Cherry Creek, Denver! At least I'm in excellent company. I love my paintings and every time I see or handle them, I see something else about them that I like. It even surprises me. If you can't make it to the Festival, I'll be tweeting and FB'ing from my booth to let you know how it's all going. If you do, I'm in booth E5. Yes Please! Do come down and see me! Okay, back to scanning and double stick taping and labeling :) See you this week-end! E5.


That's the front and back of my new Business Card!
They just arrived today ;)

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