General Update so you know i'm not sleeping

" To be an artist is not a matter of making paintings or objects at all. What we are dealing with is our state of consciousness and the shape of our perception....The act of art is a tool for extended consciousness.
--Robert Irwin---

New Works will be out soon, as soon as i can light a fire under the photographer. Hopefully within the next couple of days.

For a Hip, Slick and Cool Art magazine-with some real truth in it, see
Works and Conversation at http://www.conversations.org

I can't decide with my limited budget if I want to buy more copies of my own book, Buy the book "print market profits", buy some more of my own cards off cafe press or buy more canvas. Or maybe get a subscription to that magazine?

If you're interested in getting more information about the whole printing process, go to
www.printmarketprofits.com

Have you written your mission statement for your artist career yet?? Get on it! Go to
www.franklincovey.com/missionbuilder
It's Free-If you ever work with an artist coach they will ask you if you have one.

Abstract Art SOLD!

Hot Diggity Dog! Just sold another painting that I wasn't even expecting or thinking about selling! That will pay for some marketing materials or MORE canvas! Can we say that again, MORE canvas! YEA! i'm doing the happy dance!

Holiday Show

I just returned from a meeting regarding a show I am having at a local bookstore for the Holidays. Then woman is a real fire engine and is super charged about my work and getting the word out. I feel in humble spirits, just glad to be starting somewhere, my first public showings of all my paintings togeather. It's strange, thinking about paintings that I sold that I wish were going to be in the show. Making new ones in anticipation! I'll be showing about 20 pieces with cards and mugs as holidays gifts to buy. We mount the show on the 21st of Nov, with the Sunday after Thanksgiving as an opening show. Man, it's been a long time since i've had a show. About six years, 1999. Your nerves go completely bonkers.
I also published a small pamplet of about 12 images of various media today. That feels really good and is a confidence builder. I'm mainly going to use it to give to my collectors when they purchase a piece.
Here's the link just so you can see i'm legitimate now : http://www.lulu.com/contents/182022

The new series of paintings (7) that are almost done are really colorful and contemporary. Very different but they feel like me in a different way than i've expressed so far. Most of my paintings have been so serious and gut-wrenching but these are Margaux on a Sunny day, when i've taken all my meds, gotten a good nights sleep, my bio-rythyms are in sync, i have a full stomach, my checking account has money in it, my best friend has recently been for a visit and I know where my cat is. In other days, these paintings represent me! 1 day a month!

Artist Career Training

This is a resource that I haven't even begun to tap yet but I've known about for about a year. Previously, I didn't think I was ready and I didn't want to spend money buying a flight to LA. There really is a wealth of information here tho. They do have Tuition-Free Classes by phone that you just sign up for and then call in at the prescribed time. They have books, articles, mentors, etc. etc.
There really is alot of information at this site about getting organized and what artist should be spending their time doing if we want to be effective at selling our art. The site is a little overwhelming at times but I think I'm going to slowly try to mine some of the gold they have over there.
Also, I found out today that if I organize a class in my area then I get my class at very, very reduced rate. (see, there's always more than one way to do things)
Check it out at:
http://www.artistcareertraining.com

Start the day with a little motivation!

Plug into some positive ways to get your morning started right!
http://greatday.com

Picasso Says

My mother said to me, "If you are a soldier, you will become a General. If you are a monk, you will become the Pope. Instead, I was a painter and became Picasso" Pablo Picasso

Extra things to take up your precious time

I usually don't get involved in political things and this is supposed to be an art blog but after deliberating i thought i'd take this small risk. We all have different beliefs about the war in Iraq. I want you to keep yours and i'll keep mine, at least for now. I don't have any deep seated need to change anybody's belief's unless that person is sleeping with me.
I don't know how i came across this book and where my copy is but it had a profound effect on me when I read it. I learned alot more about this war and what it means then I ever did on CNN. (and i love CNN) It's told from the perspective of someone who lives there and see's and hears the effects first hand. It's not an attack on America-it's just from a woman who is trying to live her life. It's well thought out and intelligent but not so intelligent it's over your head. She's not just speaking from her head and what she see's on tv. She is good at quoting where she got her facts.
ANYHOW.......The book is "Bagdad Burning" and she also has a blog-that's what the book is-a copy of her blog the first couple of years. She wasn't blogging for awhile so I thought maybe it had gotten too dangerous but I happened to surf over there and I saw a november entry. IF you Like BLogs..... check it out...
http://www.riverbendblog.blogspot.com

AND IF THAT'S TOO DEEP FOR YOU.....
Here's the address to Yoga Booty Ballet-in case you're still trying to work on that booty...
http://www.yogaballet.com
I don't have a copy yet myself, in case you want to buy me a used copy on e-bay.

Based on the Work of Richard Diebenkorn's Ocean Park Series. Untitled, No. 121.

Career choices and artist

I feel a little sad at this moment. In doing so much research for myself and learning the ropes in being a professional artist, i have amassed a mountain of information. After learning all this, i'm wanting to give back and help other artist in their struggles along the way. Everyone says they want to be an artist but i'm finding that very few really know what you have to do to make that happen. There's alot of starry-eyed ozone action happening. In talking with other artist, it saddens me how much fear most artist carry. I've talked to alot of artist lately, feeding them ideas of how to market their work, places to look for information. Most do not take advantage of it. Most have no plan or goals of how to get to the next level in their career. Alot do not have the necessary confidence in their work, even if it's good. I see a fear of getting the work out to the public. It's like they want to protect their little babies as long as possible. Hmmmmm...i'm going to go paint.

I can't always reach the image in my mind...almost never, in fact...so that the abstract image I create
is not quite there, but it gets to the point where i can leave it.
Chuck Close-brought from Painter's keys art quotes.