Keep on pluggin'

There's something to be said for consistency.....

"Scituate Harbor"

5"x7" watercolor & colored pencil

This art "career" of mine, it's like a swing. When I finished Open Studios, lugging all my stuff back into the freight elevator, well, it's just kind of depressing when you don't sell anything. All kinds of questions start going through your head. As in:

"Why do I do this?"

"What can I do different to make people notice my work?"

"Why don't you just take up guitar?"

and you go home and all your pieces are still in the big tupperware bin that you just through your back out lugging up to your 3rd floor condo..... sigh.......

then this happened:

I went to the reception for the New England Arts for Animals show. I had a hair appointment right after work so I was only able to get there for the later half of the reception (but I looked freakin' fabulous!) So while wondering around looking at the art work and sipping on wine I struck up a conversation with a woman who was by herself as well. * So we started chatting.. turns out she was a friend of Jill, the organizer of NEAFA. Told her that I was one of the artists exhibiting and when I told her my name, well, her eyes lit up with excitement and said,

"Oh, You're Christine??? You're work is beautiful! I love everything you do!" and went on to mention specific piece that she had seen of mine. And all I'm thinking is "woah! I have an actual fan!!" We ended up chatting some more telling her how I got started and all that. She was very nice and wants me to do a portrait of her caramel colored poodle once the holidays are over.

Needless to say I walked out of that reception feeling Pretty Damn Good. Doesn't take much, really. But I needed that. I follow Seth Godin's blog. If you're in marketing you should too. http://sethgodin.typepad.com But one thing he said recently really hit home:

"Does your project depend on a miracle, a bolt of lightning, on being chosen by some arbiter of who will succeed? I think your work is too important for you to depend on a lottery ticket. In some ways, this is the work of the Resistance, an insurance policy that gives you deniability if the project doesn't succeed. 'Oh, it didn't work because it didn't get featured in that blog, didn't get distribution in the right store, didn't get the right endorsement........'

There's nothing wrong with leverage, no problem at all with an unexpected lift that changes everything. But why would you build that as the foundation for your plan?

The magic of the tribe is that you can build it incrementally, that day by day you can earn the asset that will allow you to bring your work to people who want it. Or you can skip that and wait to get picked. Picked to be on Oprah or American Idol or at the cash register at Border's.

Getting picked is great, but building a tribe is reliable. It's hard work and it's worth doing."

So I will keep plugging and building my tribe.

I can sense it in the air.....

It's the holiday season. Because I've been having dreams of sugarplum fairies in my head. No, not really. My dreams are way weirder than that, but lets not go there.

The commissions are starting to come in. Ebay sales are picking up. I love those folks who realize that Christmas comes every year, and it happens pretty much the same time during the year. Actually the last time I checked it was the 25th of December. (sarcasm?) But this is great for me. I love not only the painting, the shows and the stories that people share with me about their pets, but there's something about knowing that when that day arrives that people are opening up their presents and there's their beloved pet.... in a watercolor.... by me. It gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling that I believe that's what the holidays are all about.

"Retired Racer"

5"x7" watercolor

Above, is a small painting that I did of a greyhound. I took the reference photo at the Bay Colony dog show that happens every year, usually the first weekend of December. They used to have it at the Bay State Expo Center in Quincy, but just found out that it's moved to Providence RI expo center. http://baycolonydogshow.com/ Anyway, this cutie was hanging in front of a Greyhound rescue table. I chose to leave the pillow and the background white because to me it gives a more "airy" effect. Especially when you normally see pictures and photos of greyhounds, they're running on air - not sleeping on it.

So a busy schedule ahead:

November 13th & 14th Allston Open Studios http://www.allstonarts.org/

November 13th through December 13th the Allston Art expo at the Honan Library in Allston http://http//www.allstonarts.org/ Reception is Saturday November 13th. (I will not be at this opening as I will be working at the Allston Open Studios. If I could be in 2 places at the same time I would, but I learned a long time ago on Three's Company that this is impossible.)

November 18th New England Arts for Animals Members Show. Opening reception from 5pm to 8pm in the Fernwood Gallery (430 Washington Street Norwell MA ) The show will run until December 31st.

December 4th First Church of Jamaica Plain Christmas Show. http://http//www.firstchurchjp.org/index.asp

I hope to see you at least one of these events!!

August heat!

A reminder to you that art fair season has arrived!! I will be doing the Charlestown Arts in the Park in Charlestown MA in the main square. (9/11/10 rain date 9/12/10). I'm quite excited about this show because I've never done it so to me it's a whole new audience. And I received my assignment this morning and there's a lovely reception for artists after the show at the Grille which includes a drink ticket and appetizers.. How nice!! I have also submitted my application for the Jamaica Plain Christmas fair which is held the first Saturday of December. I have specifically requested NOT to be on the piano as it just gets too cramped in the corner.

And please let me know if you are interested in getting a New England Arts for Animals calender for 2011. I've ordered 12 and are selling them on a first come, first serve basis. They're $15 a piece and all proceeds will go to NEAFA. My "Black and White Barn Scene" will be one of the pictures. I'm thinking probably Jan, Feb or Dec.....

"Black and White Farm Scene"

5"x7" Watercolor

And you all know by now how much I love Twitter. Well, my new friend @gallaghermeow writes a blog http://johnryangallagher.tumblr.com/ and has the ability to get me cracking up laughing in my office. I think probably because we grew up in the same area of Massachusetts, (he in Newburyport and I in Boxford). So yea, a lot of it's "northshore" humor but I highly recommend you take a look! So then he said that he would commission me to do a portrait of his cat smoking weed. haha. So this is what I sent him:

Too funny. I just wished I centered it on the scan bed. Owell.

So speaking of smoking weed.... I don't know if you're all aware of the decriminalization of marijuana that's happening in Massachusetts. As of January 2009, being caught with an ounce or less of the stuff is now grounds for a citation. Basically that means that they can't arrest you (unless you're in the car or it's the 2nd time you've been caught) and it's just a $100 ticket. Hey, I think it's fine and dandy and what people do in their own time is their own business and as long as you're not hurting anyone then go ahead and blaze away. But then I'm in Martha's Vineyard over the weekend with my sister and my nephews (8 & 9 years old). We took them to the arcade in Oaks Bluffs and I was really not down with hanging out in the arcade (all I can think about is the germs all over the games) so I hung outside and there's this dude, about 18 years old smoking a joint RIGHT THERE. Really??? There are tons of kids around and there's a beach up the street and you're doing this right HERE?? I would have said something, but he was big and nasty and I really didn't want to get into it. So I just glared at him. I do wish I had said something though. That's just not right.

Happy Patriots Day

Happy Monday and to those in Massachusetts, Happy Patriots Day. Patriots day marks the start of the first battles of the Revolutionary War in Lexington and Concord. It's also the day of the grueling Boston Marathon. Since I'm not in a reenactment of the First Shots Fired nor am I running the Marathon, I'm sitting at my desk at work.

So I want to let you all know that my piece "Black n' White Farm" (shown here) not only sold during the New England Arts for Animals show, but also made the calendar for 2011. Yay!

NEAFA is an organization founded by artist Jill Flynne who wanted to help the people who need assistance animals in order to feel more independent. A lot of these organizations that train dogs, and therapy horses and the like are purely privately funded and need your help! If you would like to become a member of NEAFA go here: http://neartsforanimals.org/ If you want to see how wonderful therapy dogs really are, watch this video: http://video.pbs.org/video/1435104301 (So Sweet!)

Lastly, I received a commissioned order last week! Yee Haw! What was really nice is that this woman had held on to my postcard and price list from a show that I did back in 2007! I had expressed my appreciation and she said, "Well, you were so nice to talk to!" :) aw, shucks!

Springtime!

Remember the Scottish Terrier from previous posts? Here he is; all done!

Well, it has been a busy week. I finally got more artwork up on the website, and one of them is my sweet Luna kitty! Her first pet portrait (aw!) Most of the new works were mixed media pieces done on that Cotman paper. Cotman is a cheaper watercolor paper. It doesn't hold the paint well, but makes up for it with the way it handles color paper on top of the watercolor. I have a ream of this Cotman paper (given to me) and I'm trying to use it up... I can't bring myself to throw anything away. I am definitely one of those persons who holds on to markers until they're completely dry. Heck, I think I still have charcoal from art school somewhere!

Aw, Sweet Luna Kitty

Did I mention that most of my work on my website is for SALE? And that most of the artworks are also available in prints and magnets? You really should stop by and take a peek at what's new! http://www.thepedigreeartist.com

Oh and look, here's me!

Standing next to my "Black n' White Farm" piece at the opening reception of the New England Arts for Animals Calendar 2011 exhibit. (I had one glass of wine by this point and looking quite flushed!). This was a great exhibit and I met a lot of people who I had been emailing for some time. So nice to put a face with a name. I also met a great watercolor artist, Frank Constantino, who is also an architectural render er. You should check out his website here: http://www.fmconstantino.com I plan to take one of his workshops this summer. You can never stop learning.

On another note, this past weekend New England had a beautiful spring weekend. J & I went to Chester and did a lot of hiking around. J found one antler shed and I found 2 birds nests from last spring. I also walked out of the woods with at least 3 tics on me. Freakin' hate those things!! I've already had 1 battle with Lyme disease and do not ever want to do that again!! We also had some turkeys in the front yard and some of the males were parading. I've only seen this done on TV nature shows, so this was a real treat! We're headed back next weekend, I have to give my body some time to rest. Feeling quite creaky this morning.

Monday, March 8

Sheep 8x10 watercolor

Black and White Farm 5x7 watercolor

Well, it's official! These 2 pieces made it to the final for the New England Arts for Animals 2011 calendar. I had to repost them again because of the news and that they will be on display at the Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham MA from 3/18 to 3/31. I believe it's suite 413 where the art work is. The opening reception is there on 3/18 from 6pm to 9pm. Hopefully I will be there! It is a Thursday!

This brings me to my next issue, my own disorganization. I had to pull these pieces so that I could frame them and bring them down to Hingham next week. I found the sheep one right away in my big portfolio case. But where was BWF? So I looked in my small portfolio case, which is what I take to Kinkos, nope, not there. Now I'm concerned. Where is it? Did I have it on display somewhere and forgot? So I went through my framed pieces and nope not there either. Oh crap! Where was it???? It was in the big portfolio (the tissue it was wrapped in; the tape caused it to be stuck to another piece so) I missed it the first time. *PHEW*! But this got me thinking. I really should organize some sort of spread sheet and keep track where everything is. Otherwise I should just be giving this stuff away, right?? I did loose one piece by leaving it somewhere on a scanner- Staples, Kinko's? Who knows. But when I realized it was gone, I was sooooo pissed at myself I broke down and cried. So what are things that keep you organized?? I really got to get on the ball!

News from Christine Winship Watercolor Artist

News from Christine Winship Watercolor Artist

The above link is my newsletter! Sorry for the link, but it would have cost another $5 to my already membership fee to constant contact. I'm a starving artist, remember? :) The 2 images I have here, "Sheep" (8x10 watercolor) and "Black & White Farm" (5x7 watercolor) are the 2 images I have submitted to the New England Arts for Animals 2011 calender. They have to be voted in to make the cut. Vote for me!!! :) http://neartforanimals.org

The Newsletter is springy! I'm ready. I did a lot of walking in the woods this past weekend. In Epsom, NH on Saturday where they were getting another inch or so of the sticky snow. The kind of snow that makes me want to just stop and start building something.... and then on Sunday in the Wachusett reservoir area where there is still some snow, but you can tell that it's ready to thaw. In fact I saw two pileated woodpeckers. When I was able to glass them I noticed that they were really getting close to each other and then one hopped on top of the other and OH MY are those birds DOING IT??? ha ha! If that doesn't say spring, I don't know what does!

As far as being Creative Every day I made some homemade chicken soup on Saturday night. Must of been from walking around in the snow all day that made me want some. YUMMY.

Vertigo

The bad news is I have been suffering from vertigo the last week. Not so bad I can't drive my car but bad enough I need to hold on to the banister every time I walk up the stairs. I emailed my Dr and she said that this could last to a couple of days or as long as a month! It's been a week and 2 days and I'm sick of it :( meh make it stop. Not to mention Jason keeps singing the U2 song and that just bugs the crap out of me.

The good news is I finally sat down and got my Echo painting done! Only took like a month! Jees Louis! I did get an inquiry about 2 commissioned pieces. But she emailed me a picture of the picture to work from. Literally, took a digital picture of the framed picture she has on her mantel. I told her that she either needs to scan it or send the actual picture to me. I'm good, but I can't work miracles!!

I've donated a gift certificate and a painting to the New England Arts for Animals and their function. They're having an opening reception on the 6th of September, but it's like 1-4pm. I'm riding that morning and then weather depending will determine if I go to the reception. I'd like to go but summer's coming to a close and I'd rather spend my time outside if it's nice out. Am I bad like that??? :) Probably.