Goals For 2015; And, How'd I Do On 2014 Goals?

Last night, I read an article by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer where he suggested that we not make resolutions or set goals for 2015. It was about "living in the moment" and "being present." While I agree that we could all do a better job of those things, being successful in art requires many things including talent, productivity, and marketing. I work more effectively with a plan. Last year I set goals. I found it inspirational. I didn't meet all of them, but every three or four months I would reread them and assess what I was doing well and where I needed to devote more time.

In 2015:

Shows (we may be moving...can't really plan this category yet)

1. Making our Marks:  New Work by Eight Printmakers, March 7 to March 29, 2015 in the Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park (MD)
2. Apply for a show at Johnson Center for the Arts in Troy.

Productivity

1. Do at least one new mixed media bird for Making Our Marks
2. Learn to sketch with pen/watercolor (practice, practice, practice!)
3. Spend at least two days a week at Crystal City Studio (11:30am - 3:30pm)
4. Complete grass series
5. Continue glass class on Wednesdays at least every couple of months.
6. Paint at least one large or two small/medium watercolors every month
7. Do three more Auburn watercolors so that I can have a card variety pack. (Thinking Samford Hall, one of the Eagles that fly at the games, not sure about the third)

Organization

1. Standardize size of work to fit standard frames. Use up or sell all frame inventory that doesn't conform.
2. Implement an inventory system.
3. Frame rest of certificates and Vale Poster.

Marketing/Commercial Pursuits

1. Reach 1000 Facebook likes on my art page
2. At least double my newsletter subscriber list
3. Move/add artwork to a different website for customers to order prints.
4. Approach UMW at church about selling remaining prints and cards of the LWC on a commission basis.
5. Design Brochure
6. Convert some designs to fabric.
7. Make some commercial retail products by stealing my own designs.
8. Participate in Daily Paintworks (regularly...weekly? not daily)

Below are the goals that I posted at the end of 2013. Comments and additions are in red.

Shows

1. Collective Ink (Feb 15 - March 16, Popcorn Gallery @Glen Echo Park) Check. Love the Lee Printmakers!
2. Vale Arts Show (May 2 - 4, Historic Vale Schoolhouse in Oakton) Check. Great experience! New Friends!
3. Have a solo show of watercolors. (Fall? After Vale Arts show in May) Did not apply.
4. Have a solo show of bird prints. (ASAP after Collective Ink) Did not apply.
5. Enter at least three national or international shows. One. (The Artist's Magazine) Two regional (CVWG and BWS)
6. Central Virginia Watercolor Guild
7. Potomac Valley Watercolorists 40th Anniversary Show
8. MANY Local monthly shows!

Productivity

1. Stick with January "30 in 30 Challenge" I did it! Great experience!
2. Spend at least two days a week at Crystal City Studio (11:30am - 3:30pm) Nope. I will be trying this again!
3. Make enough pieces to do Art Cards, Vol. II (52+), if Vol. I looks good. Thanks to the 30 in 30, I have more than enough. Vol. I was cool, but the formatting wasn't perfect. I will probably print more of Vol. I when I print Vol. II...soon.

Organization

1. Get mailing list into ONE file that is label ready. I did, but swear there are additional names somewhere.
2. Add Paypal buttons to ALL website items. Yep.
3. Standardize size of work to fit standard frames. Choose 3 or 4 sizes. Use up all frame inventory that doesn't conform. I did make work for some of my frame inventory. I'm getting closer to determining actual size, lol.
4. Implement an inventory system. Well, I found one online, but it was tedious and didn't work for me, but I now know what I want/need. It will be on the list again.

Marketing/Commercial Pursuits

1. Find at least one out of town gallery to sell my work. (Santa Fe? Florida Panhandle?) No, but I researched a few Florida places I would like to contact. I also learned that galleries DO NOT like you to stop by and talk about representation.
2. Convert some designs to fabric. No.
3. Make some commercial retail products by stealing my own designs. No, but still a brilliant idea. ;)
4. Complete a painting of The Little White Church and participate in AUMC bazaar. YES!
5. Complete Destin watercolor and show it to group that asked to see it. Make notecards. Yes.
6. Approach Keever about selling notecards. No.
7. Put fused glass and jewelry in a shop in Old Town Alexandria!
8. Opened an Etsy shop!
9. Got into Gallery Underground!
10. Applied to Artsy Shark (turned down)

Fun!

1. Try Yupo. Yes!
2. Try alcohol based inks. Love! And have sold most of my paintings done with them! Yay!
3. Try fused glass. (January 8th) So fun! And, I've sold quite a few!

Jewelry Additions and Presentation

In the last batch of pendants that I created, I used some dichroic glass. This is glass that has metals added. It gives a foil effect. I didn't think I was fond of it, but all of the my favorite new pendants include it, so apparently I am a fan.

I started making these pendants in January or February. I was having fun, but I didn't have a long-term plan to do an entire line of jewelry. Things have kind of snowballed. I have a lot of pendants these days and in several types. I've added a few new ones to Etsy this week, but I will not be adding the entire inventory until after November 8th, when I am doing a show. If you see a pendant in this post that you can't live without, let me know by commenting or by sending me a message. The line of fused glass pendants range in price from $35-$55 depending on the size and kind of glass used. Let me know if you would like a silver snake chain. The chain isn't anything fancy, but it gives you or the recipient a way to wear the pendant immediately.

                                       

 

I try to photograph the pendants on both a black background and I white background. It is astounding how different they look. The pendant pictured above is a periwinkle color, somewhere in between the two photos, but more like the one on the right. All the wire is silver coated copper wire. For some reason it photographs more gold, even with the daylight bulb lighting.

                                        

 

This pendant isn't for sale. I made it as a gift for the owner of the boutique I have jewelry in in Old Town Alexandria (Virginia). If you live near DC or come for a visit, you should visit Local Colour Old Town. It features artwork and crafts produced exclusively by local artisans and artists. You won't be disappointed!

My new cards came in! I ordered them so that I have the option to attach pendants to them if I do not include a chain. Since I am new at this jewelry thing, I want to see what works best for display, transport, etc. These cards are approximately four inches square. These are among the larger pendants that I have made. The majority of them are closer to two inches tall, but the two here on the cards are closer to two and a half.

For my fellow Auburn fans, I did a few orange and blue pendants too. I think I will make some more and add "AU" charms to some of them.

Announcing...Wander Tram Jewelry Designs

So...I've been making and selling several different kinds of jewelry since about February, but in a rather "unofficial" capacity. I've been handling the sales as part of my nmdART business, but sending or giving my artwork business card with the items is awkward because it directs customers to my art website, which doesn't have my jewelry designs on it and the card doesn't have my Etsy shop on it either. Obviously, it is time to get new cards.

I didn't want my cards to say Nancy Murphree Davis Jewelry, so I sat pondering what to call it. My son suggested that I make an anagram of something, which I found an intriguing idea. Wander Tram is a fun name that encompasses all letters of nmdART(wear)! Do you think it is completely random? Here is why I don't think so...One of my favorite quotes is:

"All who wander, are not lost."

                        J.R.R. Tolkien

That is what my jewelry is about...creative wandering. I love making the fused glass pendants. I love painting the domino pendants and the domed glass pieces. It is fun. I hope they make people as happy to wear as they make me while I create them.

I also love the idea of a tram! When do you ride on a tram? 

1. The airport? That says travel and new places to see and explore! 
2. From a stadium or amusement park parking lot? That is always exciting!
3. Downtown? Playing tourist at home or while traveling is one of my favorite pastimes!

I'm currently ramping up for a craft show on Nov. 8th. After that, I will be putting all of my remaining items in my Etsy Shop or taking them to Local Colour Old Town. Here is a sneak peak of some of the items.