ACEO oil on W/C paper from the series Angels are among us #59

2.5 by 3.5

This small collector’s card is for sale for $10. 00 plus 2.5 for shipping and handling. Its from an angel series I started a few years ago called” Angels are among us”.

All dogs go to heaven #12

 

watercolor on paper 4 by 6 inches $40.00  This is part of a series….

I paint this trio often and as I paint them I think of things that the dogs are saying to each  other  like… “Do you think we should tell him he’s adopted?”

Ancient Ritual

This is an ACEO 2.5 by 3.5 $15.00 watercolor on paper.This is also part of my ancient ritual series which is exploring the use of ritual to mark the passing of time and events in our lives.

The Struggle

Most artists struggle. Either they can’t seem to get down their vision of what they want or they don’t know what they want, (they’ll know it, if they see it). I think this struggle is part of the process. Its too bad because of this constant push/ pull it sometimes seems not to be worth the effort. Its why some people give up doing their art. Also, I see people giving up their art because they don’t have enough buyers. Buyers equate “good artist”. No buyers (not counting family and friends) means not a good artist. This definitely is not the case.

We live in an age when people will buy a Persian rug for their dining area, cover their sofa in silks, and import tiles from Italy to decorate their home tastefully and expensively, yet these same people will have pictures of art rather original art on every wall in their house. They will pay more for a custom frame and mat then for an original piece of art. Go into any model home these days, same thing, prints everywhere. (Please, I have nothing against prints.. so don’t write me justifying your print purchases) Most from 18th and 19th century artists. I guess they feel pretty good or safe rather, that this art cannot be denied as good art. It has stood the test of time. The truth is… I think people don’t trust their own judgement when it comes to choosing art. They need someone to tell them what is good art. All they have to do is trust their inner voice that says “I love this” but they don’t trust that little voice so they listen to experts…But who? do you trust Gallery owners? Especially when they are getting 50% of the profits? Do you trust your own decorator who is going to choose a piece of art because it matches a sofa? You have to admit, even I may not pay some of the high prices for some art, especially when it appears to have been painted with a stick or a rag. People don’t like to be taken advantage of and they don’t like to admit they don’t “know” art. The other problem is a simple one, people don’t appreciate original art in the US as much as in many other cultures around the globe. Now as in the past, Art was OK as long as it was something to do as a hobby but not as a career. It isn’t real work. We have a very strong work ethic in this county and some parents often put creativity in the back seat while encouraging productive hard work, left brain thinking.

So, if we don’t buy original art and we encourage our kids to do anything but become artists, and we don’t support the arts in schools what we are we saying?

Its no wonder today’s artists may feel as though it isn’t worth the effort, that the struggle to produce good art is just that, a struggle. As an artist I’ll remind you, of a few important things.

1. Its takes a very long time to become proficient at something as complex as art.
In fact, if it were easy, would you still even want to do it?

2. Don’t take the advice from lay people. They won’t help you, even if they have good intentions.

3. Be a lifelong student, don’t plan to figure it all out right now. It really is about the journey not the destination. Its a journey for one, just you.

4. Do whatever you enjoy doing, even if no one buys it. Hey, its cheaper than therapy.

Studio Tour

Here I am sitting for a minute before I start the painting…..probably wondering what will I paint next. Often, I plan, plan plan, but once I start, I usually forget the plan and just let the painting decide what it wants to be.

 

 Here are some small pieces of paper waiting for me to just get a few minutes to start a painting.    I think I was gessoing these .. I usually do the priming in an assembly line  because it can get messy. 

I don’t like to store all of my seldom used items in my painting area preferring to keep it tidy. Especially since My painting area is small.
Behind all these completed paintings are several things, a big box of mat board, slides, a light box and related equipment ( some things I can’t seem to throw out even though I haven’t used them in years) and framing supplies. Also framed bios which are ready to be hung with my photo for outdoor festivals or street shows.

I have a small TV in my work area that I can watch. Often I will watch DVDs or videos of other artist’s painting or giving instruction. Its a good way to learn and its very easy to trade DVDs or videos with other artists so you can always have something new to see and possibly learn a new trick of the trade.

This is a walk in closet that I keep most of my frames and also larger framed paintings.   Many of these paintings are stored here after being in a show or in a gallery.   As you can see…  I also store my Bike here to keep it dry and clean.

Here is a sneak peek at many of my small paintings just waiting for someone like you to buy.  They are stored flat and by size. I have four big drawers full of Daily painting.

This is my little area that I use to pretty much do everything from painting to shipping.  The green cabinet straight ahead is of course my flat files with all of my stored paper which I buy in bulk, all of my customer information and my daily paintings, also many larger works and drawings.  I got this flat file at a newspaper that I used to work for because as most of you know newspapers now use computers. Of course I’m old enough to remember when back in the day they did something called “cut and paste ” these files were used to store all of their materials for this job.  These flat files became obsolete and if your lucky, you’ll get one for next to nothing from your local paper. These large files are sold for $500.00 in most artist’s catalogs.   On top of the flat files is my mat cutter ( I highly recommend the Logan 650) but from this distance you can’t see it very well… also along the sides of the flat file are stored all types of supports and foam core.  My router is on top of the flat file and my computer is across the room on a small table I use to package the paintings and get them ready to ship out.

This  large cabinet is full of art books, sketch books,  video tapes  and DVDs of art instruction and art history books.  I really love these books and go thru them on a regular basis.  

This is a photo of my daily painting table with my dog SAM lying underneath.  I have three large dogs and there is always one under the table as I’m painting.  
If you go to watch my video on Utube this part of the video is bascically black because it’s evening and a black dog in the dark is a dumb thing to video unless of course he opens his eyes.

This is a table I use for pressing the daily paintings. I also do most of my own framing and matting for the watercolor paintings.  I will usually send out larger works for shows but most smaller paintings I’m comfortable with matting and framing myself if I have time. The square item at the-top right is what I use to flatten out the small paintings. I place the painting right side down in between paper towels inside the little press. Then I use books or heavy objects to keep it weighed down till it drys.. the final result is a perfectly flat painting, ready to mat. All you need are two boards connected with a hinge. This was my brother’s idea, I used to just put a lot of books on top of the paintings which were placed inside of paper towels.

My cat is my best critic… she watches  and comments..  Everyone’s got an opinion!

I had a plan to up load a video with music or some fancy editing but as luck would have it no time… so if you would like to see my work space you can go to YOU TUBE and I uploaded a soundless video of my painting space you can look for it by going to youtube.com and putting in “Shantiartist” and my studio tour should come up. I was really under the gun today so I didn’t have time to really put much together. I hope you have enjoyed this slice of my life and a view of my work area. 

 HERE IS MY PAINTING FOR TODAY….  DID YOU THINK I WOULD FORGET?
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Luna Light aceo of ocean waves at night

SOLD

This little aceo is $12.00 plus $1.50 shipping and handling. I painted it last night after getting back from the hospital. 2.5 by 3.5 I think it looks like the ocean when the full moon is making the waves glow… I’ve seen this many times and its beautiful.

Art had a chest tube planted into his liver to drain off the fluid which was not dissipating as anticipated.  They drained off more than two liters and it will hopefully come out on Friday. 

Today we spent the whole day at the Hospital and poor Art (my husband) underwent a procedure to have a filter removed from his aorta artery but it would not come out so they will leave it in there for the rest of his life. He had to endure a procedure really for nothing. Now he has a hole in his neck where they went in for the procedure and its swollen and red. Poor guy, he is rather despondent over the whole day’s events.

what is art?

I laughed out loud when I watched this… Thanks to David Darrow for pointing out this utube video. They have them on other topics too. I’ll never be able to sit with artists and discuss art again without thinking about the dog and his prints.

“Red Poppie” ACEO in watercolor

This aceo is available for $13.00 2.5 by 3.5

I painted a couple of small paintings today and tomorrow I will paint a larger painting. It was a rough day and I barely had time to get everything done.

Up date on my husband: He went to the air field today… alone! I feel like its graduation day. His first outing alone. I worried about him but I felt great he chose to try to do things on his own.

Blue water Koi…. ACEO

ACEO $14.00 or take your chances and see it on ebay in a day or two. 2.5 by 3.5

I went to a Koi show today and watched the koi. They are rather comical. The way they swim and try to interact with you. Even if they are just trying to get you to feed them it is endearing when they come right up to you and look you square in the eyes.

I love the way their fins push the water back and forth. They look like ribbons of gossamer floating in water.

The bright blue tanks make even the plain fish look magical. They had all sizes too… There was a koi there that weighed at least 40 lbs.

I’m going to take my sketch book tomorrow and see if I can sketch some of the unusal markings.

“90b Abstract ” watercolor on paper

$40.00
4 by 6 companion piece to the one I did yesterday = “90″… If you put these paintings side by side they almost seem to connect.

OK so I can’t think of a name for these two paintings. I figured with all the folks who usually try to tell me what to name my paintings I would have at least received one suggestion. no not a one. c’mon folks your name can be part of the Shanti Marie History this can be your legacy..

Fall Trees, a painting a day… ACEO

SOLD

This small card is 2.5 by 3.5 It is my painting a day for today.

Because of the drought we haven’t had the usual spectacular fall foliage. All the trees are turning brown, and very few are the beautiful red, orange and bright yellow. Fall has always been one of my favorite times because of the wonderful color combinations. This year it appears we won’t be having those beautiful fall colors. Its a bit sad, but I think this little card will brighten up anyone’s day.

“Koi Circle” Original watercolor ACEO “a painting a day”

This 2.5 by 3.5 card is for sale for 14.00 plus 1.5 shipping and handling.

I hung a show today for the Guild of Charlotte artists and thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the local great art. There seemed to be a good turnout of all mediums except one…. There were oils, watercolor, pastel and photography. Most of it was realistic work but some abstract or semi abstract work which I also like to see.

It was rather sad that the drawing award could not be given out. No one entered a single drawing. No graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, or conte crayon. This seems to be the case, folks who draw don’t enter the shows as much as painters. Probably because they don’t think their work will hold up to the more colorful paintings. I would like to remind you, if you draw, there are lots of shows where you can display your work and possibly win a cash award. consider entering a show, even if you don’t like the idea of competicion its a great way to meet the artists in your community, and the networking is very beneficial to all.

“Two Cherries” ACEO original on watercolor paper

2.5 “by 3.5″ $14.00 plus 1.5 shipping and handling

This is still a bit wet and will look slightly lighter in person. I was in a rush to get this little guy on line before it got dark. The days are getting shorter. wow where did the year go? Now I have to get my daily painting done before 5 pm or it may be a little late to get some good light. I take these paintings outside to photograph on my back deck. I clip them to a clip board at my height and shoot them using a Fuji fine pix 6.5 digital camera. Most of the time I can get a good picture without having to adjust them in phtoshop.

Tree lined Road an ACEO a painting a day

ACEO $13.00 “Tree lined road”. This little landscape is for all of you ATC collectors.

This has been a rough weekend and I surely I will get more paintings done this week than last. I have been tired and basically a slug for the last few days. I’m hoping I can get my MOJO back and get into the spirit of life, love and the joy of painting.
This morning I drank a cup of coffee followed by a caffeinated drink thinking somethings got to get me jump started. It worked for about an hour and then it was like…. ZZZZZzzzzz so now what? I guess those artificially highs just don’t really last. Oh yeah and its hot…. do I sound like I’m complaining? I am, its Freaking 92 degrees, I mean really, its October. No rain in sight and I have to run the AC. Art keeps telling me he’s freezing (79 degrees) and I end up sweltering so he doesn’t get sick.
It wouldn’t be so bad if it were cool, I mean, if it were overcast at least you could blame your mood on the weather. I’m blaming my mood on the weather anyway.

Last night I went out to pick up some Chinese food and had two glasses of wine while I waited… jeez I could barely drive home. Now that’s not supposed to happen, when did I turn into a light weight? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t drink a lot but two glasses of wine should not effect most people. I guess its cause I hadn’t eaten yet. So what if I went to bed at 8:30 and woke up at 7:30, its not a crime to sleep in. And last but not least, I took a photograph of this ACEO four times and still can’t get it to look right. I guess I have ranted enought for today. Tomorrow will be better … all I can do is hope.

Waiting “ACEO”

this artist collector’s card measures 3.5 by 2.5 and is for sale for 13.00.
I drew this gentleman ( pitt pens) while waiting in a surgical waiting room with about 50 other people who were also waiting for loved ones. He was trying to get some sleep and pulled his cap down over his eyes. Later when I got home I decided to color it yellow, it seemed to speak of the moment.