Contest? Why not?

Innovations

26" X 18"

Watercolor

Audi of Arlington (VA) is holding a Grand Opening Art Showcase at their new building on Columbia Pike. The invitation to participate was extended to the students at the Art Institute of Washington and to the Arlington Artists Alliance, of which I am a member. The AAA received the invitation at a rather late date, January 24, but I decided that I should go for it anyway. The prize money is quite enticing and I always love a challenge.

As I understand it, up to 30 of the online submissions will be asked to display their work in the showroom and customers will then be given the opportunity to vote for their favorite. Five prizes will be awarded. Granted, I do not have thousands of local friends that will be willing to go and talk to the salespeople in order to vote for my artwork, but it would be great if I managed to get into the top 30 works. (I'll begin pleading with local friends to help me out at that point.)

If you happen to own an Audi and are interested in purchasing the painting, there is no mention in the Call for Entry that the dealership will be purchasing the piece. Clear instructions are given about picking the artwork up on February 16, so express your interest and I will contact you after that date.

UPDATE: My work tied for first place in the competition!

Celebration Day!

After a lack-luster Christmas season art wise, January has been AMAZING! I credit a lot of the success to Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. Above is a collage of the paintings and pieces of artwork that I made during January 1-30. Nine of them sold. Below is a collage with the sold pieces indicated by a red dot. Thank you so much for the support and encouragement if you purchased any of them.

My original plan was to do ALL 4" X 6" watercolors. I did not do that, but I did do quite a few of those and decide to make a collage of just those to see if I have "a style" in the smaller format.

My watercolors are usually large; I tended to paint more realistically in a smaller format. I think that the smaller watercolors have traits in common, but are not as distinctive. I have a few favorites though. The earlier ones are on display at Stifel & Capra in Fall Church, VA. I will be framing several of the others for shows around town.

Another exciting thing that happened in January is that I started painting in alcohol inks on yupo. Both the medium and the surface are new to me. What fun! What a struggle! I've by no means conquered it or explored its possibilities!

I hope your January was one to be proud of. See you in February!

Day 30 - Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days

Jazz Man

Watercolor

4" X 6"

SOLD

Day 30! I've done it! Supposedly, tomorrow I will have a collage/composite of all my photos.

Today's painting is from a photograph that I took of a singer at the Monterey Jazz Festival. I decided to keep it on the abstract side and I like the play of color and light vs. dark. I rarely paint figurative pieces and doubt that I would do a large painting of this subject, but it made a good subject for a small painting in the challenge. That has been the case for many of my choices for painting this month...photos out of my wheelhouse, but that I liked and wanted to pursue. I hope that you have enjoyed them!

What I've Learned (while doing the 30 in 30 Challenge)

I'm really proud of my perseverance in the 30 by 30 Challenge, but the commitment has been draining some days.

1. Even a very small painting can eat up half of my day.

2. I can still manage my life (most days) even if I spend a couple hours painting. I had to give up Papa Pear Saga and such to do it. It is worth it.

3. Posting every day (to my blog and my FB art page) has helped me to network and make new friends in the online art world.

4. Apparently, I get bored quickly. I was planning to do a watercolor 4" X 6" piece EVERY day, but on Day 3, I already wanted to do something different (a new medium = alcohol inks) and in the third week, I was beginning to panic about other projects I wanted to work on and hadn't found the time to do because all my creative energy was going into the 30 in 30. So, I don't have thirty paintings all the same size and style. And, that's okay!

5. I was reminded how much I do not like to draw. That might be the reason the ink on yupo is appealing. I can see through it to sketch outlines. I love to paint and the drawing just slows me down.

6. Movies with subtitles (i.e.-Kite Runner) are not good for painting entertainment. Light and funny movies can be (Guilt Trip and What To Expect When You're Expecting). Audiobooks and podcasts (Artists Helping Artists and Satellite Sisters!) are still the best!

7. Snow days (no school related sports/theater/etc.) make great days for just staying home and painting all day (in pajamas)...but result in lots (LOTS) of cups and dishes. Plus, the dogs just love everyone being home.

8. I really need to purge some photos from my "potential artwork" folder. I am never going to paint some of that stuff!

9. Artists are some of the nicest and most encouraging people!

10. I can't wait until February, but by September, I'll be ready to do this again!

BTW, I have sold seven pieces (with four days to go), so approximately 25%!

Day 22 - Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days

In Cobalt

Alcohol Ink on Yupo

4" X 6"

$40 SOLD

When I got my alcohol inks, it dawned on me that I had no idea how I was supposed to use them. I had first seen them on my internet friend's blog. She directed me to Karen Walker Art, where I saw examples of what finished work could look like. I searched for YouTube videos, like the new one made by my friend Lillian and there are a some that help. I will say that if you are a control freak, this medium may not be for you!

Today's painting was for a peacock video that Karen Walker is putting together. I'll post the finished product down the road when it is completed. I sure have enjoyed seeing all the artists peacocks on the alcohol ink Facebook group. If you paint with this medium, you should request to join.