The Artist Life - Insights

   As I write this, I am sitting length-wise on my living room sofa with my legs propped up by a few pillows with the air conditioner humming in the background, doing it's noble best to cool the place, while pondering what to write about this week. I could write about the way-above-average temperatures (85+ degrees) for the first weekend of the Fall season, but that's hardly anything to do with any artists life. Accomplishments comes to mind - as Dave and I took down our remaining art works from a gallery in Tenants Harbor; a small coastal village (and big on tourists) that's halfway down the Saint George peninsula here in mid-coast Maine. All in all, it was a good show. We each sold one of our works, and the curator thanked us again for displaying. Apparently, the town was all a-buzz with the "abstracts" that were on display, and they were received warmly. Just about everyone enjoyed the change of genre for the past 30 days, except "...the old fogies - it really stirred them up," as quoted from the curator who was also smiling widely.

   One piece of advise from another experienced artist who viewed our works, told us to raise our selling prices even more. That has always been a struggle for me. As of this writing, my works sell for $2 dollars per square inch, which seems to be a going rate, since my works are currently not in a huge local gallery that's going to take a 70% commission if a work sells. The other artist told me, "You want people to think they are getting a priceless piece of work. It adds value to the original work and the customer feels better about their purchase and investment." I feel strange about raising my prices, as only one work sold out of fifteen. I took the other artists advise with a grain of salt, especially when I asked her if she had sold any works over the past three months and she replied that she hadn't.

   One of my dear friends, who hadn't seen my paintings in a while, but went to see the display, was a little surprised; "I was expecting sunflowers. But it looks like you found your true self in these paintings." I love my dear friend and knew she what she meant. However, if it was a casual acquaintance, I would be a little unsure if it was a compliment or not. If anything, this show proved I've reached yet another epoch in this series of works as well as development. On to the next series and adventure as well as to pursue my dream of being self-employed artist again who makes a living at it. A "living" by my terms.

   A second accomplishment this week was I worked each day and achieved five new designs in my smallish sketchbook. I worked in quash paint for a few hours and was able to freely create. In a way, I was grateful my painting only occupied a few hours, because the weather (except for Tuesday night into Wednesday) was stunning. And with the temperatures being at ten degrees above normal, I had to be outside and soak up the sun. I know - a real Cadillac problem; but these warm sunny days will disappear faster than we realize. It's hard to believe next Sunday will be October 1st.

   With all this beautiful weather, I'm still able to get out for a walk, get some fresh air and exercise. One would think, that after all these years, and all these walks, that I would tire of the same ocean vistas that I view daily. Believe it or not, I don't. Not because I'm a being a bitchy snob holding the fact over people that "I live by the Atlantic and you don't - don't you wish you were me", but it gives me a chance to see something different every day. It's never the same view twice. These memories propel me forward with the knowing that Spring and Summer will come again... and with it, more opportunities. Opportunities to create, show, and sell.

   But, being the typical artist, I'm jumping ahead of myself here. Come next week, my husband Dave and I will set up our next art show, this time a few miles north in Camden. Having the insight that Camden has the demographic to support higher pricing, we are redoing our placards to reflect just that. This along with artist statements, receptions, as well as other aspects that go along with showing (and hopefully selling). It's all part of the journey.

   Below is one of my new designs in my next series of abstracts that was painted this week. I'm hoping to transfer these designs onto clothing like dresses, etc. Kinda funky and psychedelic, but I think it will work!

   Until next time.
   Jill

The Artists Life - Flash Dance

   We seem to be on a slight roller-coaster this year - I have changed the name of the blog yet again. While I've gone back to an art theme, this time the theme is more encompassing. It still does not solely involve painting, or spreading love. It involves my life - which under that umbrella is art, painting, love, and anything else I may come across! To my own self be true.

   Last Thursday, I was attending my Zumba class, where we welcomed a new instructor who also brought her own music for us to dance to. One of the songs she had was "Flash Dance" sung by Irene Cara way back in 1983. I hadn't heard the song in like 15 years, but some of the lyrics moved me -

 - First when there's nothing, but a slow glowing dream, that your fear seems to hide, deep inside your mind.  All alone, I have cried, silent tears full of pride, in a world made of steel, made of stone.
 - Well, I hear the music, close my eyes, feel the rhythm, wrap around, take a hold of my heart.
 - What a feeling; Being's believing; I can have it all; Now I'm dancing for my life.
 - Take your passion; Make it happen; Pictures come alive; You can dance right through your life.


   I followed the movements of the dance while singing (not too loudly) to myself, and thoughts came to me with the lyrics. A slow glowing dream (a new painting), deep inside my mind (most definitely). I see colors - colors dancing in my life. It's my passion - pictures coming alive. It takes hold of my heart, and I'm painting for my life. Take my passion and make it happen... what a feeling!

   The problem was, after the song was finished, I wanted to go straight to my studio and paint! One problem - the new gouache paints I had ordered had not arrived yet. I wouldn't have them in my possession until Friday (the next day). Later on that morning, after I arrived back home, I got into my head and started thinking, "What should I paint? How creative process should I use? What colors should I select? When would I have time to paint?" I tried with due diligence to visualize what the finished product would look like, but to no avail. Desire, need, blockage, and excuses... I was full of all of them.

   Painting, or any type of art for that matter, cannot be forced. No drill instructor method for me. I have set a goal - practice painting daily on a 7"x10" sketchbook. Let the journey begin. Experts have said that in order to create a habit, you need 21 days. So, here goes nothing - creativity unleashed.

   Believe it or not, painting small frees my mind. I don't have to set aside a specific time block, be it eight, six, four, or even a two hour span. The painting I did this afternoon was done in an hour. I feel exhilarated. I've begun on yet another new path. It seems like in a flash, I feel alive. Do what you love, follow your bliss, because this is what makes life worth living.

   Until next time,
   Jill

Spread The Love - The Artists' Life; Process Of Branding

   It has been said that a personal brand are all of the experiences, knowledge, and impressions a person has about your work. It is the gut reaction that people associate with what you do.

   The Artists Life: My Unique Story

   I am participating in a writing assignment that is in the latest issue of Professional Artist magazine to assist me in determining how I want to be branded.

Question #1: Who are you and how do you want to be defined?
   I'm sorry, but in my humble opinion, the first half of question #1 is a loaded question. To me, it's too personal. It's akin to asking someone not only what color underwear they're wearing, but if it's a thong or some other style. I'm feeling flushed... embarrassed. Moving forward onto the second part, however, is a matter of getting down to basics. I am a painter who loves color and movement - abstract expressionism in style. For example, my latest painting was done in oil paint using the spectrum (yellow, orange, red, green, blue and violet) as my color palette. What started as a design in circles, ended up with dabs and a three dimensional affect, complete with glitter acrylic enamel, also known as nail polish. I am currently using this work on the front of my business card.

Question #2: What is the inspiration behind your work?
   The best answer to this at this juncture, is I am on a soul quest. To clarify further, I have studied the ancients where they found that our bodies are made up of different energy centers called Chakra's. They are composed of different colors of the spectrum. People radiate energy and have auras around each of us. Flowers and plants radiate energy as well. All this energy inspires me - call it a feeling inside. For example, I'll pick up a certain color and use it only if it "feels" right. The inspiration behind my work is my own energy force using natural, organic forms: discovering the beauty within.

Question #3: Create a short story from your biography that's unique to you.
   Ironically, the game changer in my life happened when I was only 6 years old. My father passed away very unexpectedly from a motorcycle accident. Unlike today, back in the early 70's, there were no grief therapists to help young children through stages like this. I literally groped through the dark. My once bright finger paintings morphed into black charcoal drawings depicting landscapes in winter, fallen sails on a sailboat, or storms at sea. Very dark ideas for a child under the age of ten. For years, I missed my father terribly, my mother was grief stricken, and we did not get along.
   I found comfort in one particular school teacher named Mrs. Pauline. She was always compassionate, helped me in so many ways, and help boost my confidence. Later that year, I convinced my mother to purchase a set of colored pastels. With these new tools, I changed my drawing subjects to things that were bright, colorful, and alive. My life was becoming more full because I had less time to brood.
   This art in color became a life-long mantra for me. It also has helped me establish a strong connection with God. When I am deeply involved in a creative endeavor, I lose all sense of myself... God, my Higher Power, takes over. Love and color lead the way. Deeper into a trance I go. I am on a soul quest.
   Making art is like mentally preparing for an event. I have to have a finely tuned mind. I must remove all blocks and distractions. I have to catch the energy - open myself to a new height in learning. Where will this quest take me? Who will I be at the journey's end?

Question #4: Putting it all together.
   I'm a painter who uses multiple mediums covering many genres and subjects. This is one of the main reasons why I do not like being defined. Defining means rules and pigeon-holing. If I had to be defined, I'd say beauty and color define me. People have said that I have happy energy with the paintings I have on display in a local gallery. My paintings have been influenced by certain periods in my life - from finger paintings, to charcoal, to pastels. The same is true for how my subject matter has changed throughout my life. I've charged, evolved, and grown. I'm a painter who pulls from life experiences and I can create wherever I'm at giving myself extreme versatility. My painting "style" goes from here to infinity.

   A simple brand: Beautiful Langdon Colors.
  
   Until next time,
   Jill

  

Spread The Love - Like A Sunflower

   This past week, I feel like the enlivened Phoenix that rises from the ashes. Pretty strong description, no? Why this massive turn in attitude? I met a tourist from California a few days ago who is also an artist - a painter specifically. We were at a meeting in our state's capital in Augusta, and once we both discovered we were painters, there was no stopping the conversation. She shared with me about the "Sketchbook Project" that is based out the Brooklyn New York Public Library. Once I arrived home, I researched this project on-line and immediately got on-board with this project. The library calls it, "A crowd funded sketchbook museum and community space."
In a few weeks, they will mail me a blank 5x7 inch SBP sketchbook and some starter materials. I will then sketch, draw, color, paint, and/or do whatever I wish with the book based on a particular theme of my choosing. I'll mail the completed project back by March 31st 2018, and my work will be in their big art show later that year in June. From there my book will reside in Brooklyn Art Library's permanent collection, travel to exhibitions across the country and become part of a massive worldwide community of creative people. Lastly, for a nominal fee, they will digitize each page of my book (which will be no more than an inch think) so it can be viewed on the library's website. People, in turn, look at all the art works and then commission artists to do other larger works.

   As of this writing, I can't quite put a pulse on as to the why, but I do know this much; I am on fire. My theme will be a subject I've always been passionate about - sunflowers. Over the past few days, my mind has been reeling with ideas as well as sunflower images. Questions like, should I work safely in one medium or should I display my vast repertoire of knowledge of a variety of tools? For those of you who may be wondering, am I giving up on writing my book? No - not by a long shot. I plan to finish the book between now and the end of 2017, where my husband Dave will add his portions to the book, and proof-read (which he is way better at that than I am - I don't have the patience!) I will start the sketchbook project in January 2018. That will give me enough time to complete that.

   Some of the preperations undertaken to date - I decluttered quite a bit of my studio, especially of older artworks. Currently, I have fifteen paintings on display at a gallery in Tenants Harbor Maine until the end of September. They are all for sale and I'm hoping they all go to good homes. The ones that do not sell, will then go to another gallery in Camden Maine for the month of October, where they will be joined with other new works, if necessary.

   I realize as an artist, that my studio (which is quite small) isn't prime for a large customer base. Marketing myself has always been a rocky journey, even though I've sold works at every venue I've ever displayed at. My husband is a huge help, however, he has a 45 hour per week job and he has to market his own photographic works. Needless to say, the logistics of time and effort have not panned out financially like I would like. I realize I need a broader client base.

   What this all boils down to is, I have to become a serious artist / painter again. I must practice my trade every day. If you've noticed, over the past several months, I've stalled out as a painter; gone on hiatus; literally come to grips with giving it up permanently. I've had a hard time creating a routine. While I have numerous daily rituals, I allow people to occupy a majority of my time. I have come to the conclusion, once again, that I need a balance. A balance between work (art and writing), family and friends, and my husband. I need equal time for myself as well as others. The big question is, do I have that balance? Will I achieve that balance?

   As the summer season winds down, I will be making some changes. First things first - God, then myself, then my husband, then my family. My social life has been flourishing all summer, as this season is way too short (at least it seems to me). I have made the best usage of it as possible. However, I feel the time has come to buckle down, reschedule my time, balance my life, and get to work. I've had to cancel some coffee dates during the week until next summer. My friends understand, and we will keep in touch every week. If I'm not careful, I have a tendency to isolate. They also know that - that's why we touch base frequently. Some of my choices will be hard to make. I did not chose my talent; however, I do chose to honor it. Painting is my life. Yes, I have other interests and even passions, but painting is still number one.

   Until next time,
   Jill