The new work - (and a yay)

Here's to losing ones mind - and finding things: Hoo-rah! Yeppers... my camera was not at the gallery after all. Just because my last memory of having it was at the gallery, did not mean that was where I last actually had it. I got a call early Wednesday morning from a client who found it at her house. What a relief!

So here are a few new pics:!!!

The Forgotten, 24 x 24, acrylic on deep cradle panel, $525

I know I gave this a title when I delivered it to the gallery, but for the life of me, I can't remember it. Am I the only artist who can't remember titles until I write them down several times? Poor short-term memory. Such a pain in the butt. So I made up an apropos new title... (heh)

Je mais reviens, (I will return) 6 x 12, acrylic on raised panel door, $135.

This is a much better photograph of this small painting. Lots of interest in this one at the show - but no sale so far... in fact, considering that I am one of the three featured artists this month, no sales is quite a come-down.

The two pics below are from a pre-Xmas show at an "open house" event at a nearby subdivision. My gallery group from the Heritage Center was asked to exhibit en mass and I set up several paintings in the space allotted. Unfortunately, my area was backlit from the huge bank of windows making it difficult to see the art. It was cold there too! (Not a very good advert for selling the house.)

A woman walked up and looked closely at my paintings for a minute or two and then loudly proclaimed: "These are really expensive!!" Now I've been around arts festivals and exhibits and painted in public many, many times - and I've heard all sorts of crass remarks, but never have I heard anyone come right out and say that. Add to it that I believe my work to be moderately priced at most, and one might understand the little flash of anger that nearly caused a smartass-ed response. I held my tongue, and asked: "Well, how much do you think they should be?" She responded: "I really don't know." She had that right...

Small paintings...

I Will Return, 7 x 11, acrylic on raised panel $135.

(part of my show at Sautee-Nacoochee this month)

For the past month, as I stewed over not having a vehicle, I couldn't seem to get myself working on anything but smaller pieces. I think (subconsciously) I needed to know I could accomplish something every day - and working in smaller formats allowed me to feel productive in the face of uncertainty.

After nearly a month and having replaced several parts as well as the engine or main computer, the problem with my formerly trusty van turned out to be a short under the motor mount that sent surges and/or low voltage to the various electronic parts, eventually ruining most all the switches and a motor or two. It was a bear to find, obviously, as it only occurred during the sort of driving that would cause the motor to rock in the mount (steep hills, hard braking, or revving the engine really high) - none of which I do if I can avoid it! The diagnostic equipment only finds obvious problems - rather like having an x-ray for a metabolic disorder - it ain't gonna show up...

And now after a couple of days of driving about in a rather preoccupied state, I have lost my camera!! Granted it's not the best camera - but the last thing I need right now is an expense, especially one due to my own carelessness.

Carelessness - now there's a word that really doesn't apply - I care lots! I'm just absent minded and easily distracted when there are lots of people around. I remember being very insulted as a child when I was admonished for carelessness. It was usually a matter of focus, just as it is now.

And without my camera, I cannot post the photographs of some of the newest pieces - so here are a couple I've not posted before...

Black Bird/Black Wind, 12 x 12 drawing in crayon and graphite (nfs)

And this little painting is titled "Renaissance Chick". This was a case of having this funny little ornate frame with only a postcard sized opening. So I painted the chick to go with the frame, thinking no one would ever buy it - and yet, someone did!

Back to painting I must go. I've a deadline for a commission coming up fast.