Ever since I joined Scuttlebutt, I have tried to present my paintings in the most logical, aestetically pleasing format although it has been hard to maintain the cohesiveness by adding work bits and pieces at a time. I had even written a blog a few months ago asking people what the best way to present was (and I still remember Annie's response to me). The response was and still is to show work that is unified, maybe all one subject (landscapes for example) if that is what represents the majority of work. So I realized my scuttlebutt site was all over the place and I decided to take off figurative and still life paintings and only represent landscape, my strength. I even asked one of my friends what his favorite subject matter was/is however he is an awesome abstract/landscape/portrait painter.. so I dont know how he could pick one favorite subject matter .. but the bottom line for me is to show a cohesive body of work on the scuttlebutt site and to treat it as if I was trying to be juried into a new association. I want people to know I can paint a vase and flowers and figures (well ok maybe I cant paint figures) but I guess that would only weaken my cohesiveness so those paintings will stay in my studio for now.

Anyone here have any thoughts or difference of opinions? I learn by asking questions.

I think we will all end up connected on some level if we keep visiting this website. I am having more fun reading guest book comments made on my friend's pages, then go to their friend's pages, and so it goes.. isnt the world wide web amazing?!

p.s. greg you are not a spy! I think the reason there is a guestbook is so we can read other peoples comments and maybe get something out of it?

I suppose on this website we are suppose to only be positive in viewing other members art. Is it bad when we see something we find disturbing or offensive that we make note of that? Its not the same as saying "your art sucks" but for me its more like expressing a personal opinion which is in fact as individual as we each are.

Maybe its best to only say nice things or say nothing at all.

The other night I finally had a chance to demonstrate painting a photo I had taken of a place near my house and I was so happy to finally be able to get to painting that.. my last few paintings had been more teaching lessons than painting a subject of my choice. I had the image in my mind for so long, I knew the approach I wanted to take, and when I started painting nothing happened the way I planned out in my mind. I usually am very open and free flowing but for some reason, everything I did felt choppy. I have a small class on tues. nights so I am able to spend more time demonstrating than usual, but the painting got from bad to worse as I continued working on it!!!! I havent looked at it since the other night and today I have time to focus in my studio and work on it.  I never meant to have this wonderful familiar scene turn into a choppy, broken, ugly painting. I dont know what happened to my painting 'mojo' but maybe if I work at it today, it will return, and if that happens, I will have a new work to post.

Wouldn't it be nice if every time we painted, we were happy with the results. 

I got an email this afternoon from a woman who decided to purchase several giclee prints off of my website because she received a catalog of the Paradise City art show I am doing and she happen to see my ad and she happened to visit my website and she happened to decide to buy prints! I cant tell you how great that ad has been for me. Last year a gallery owner saw my ad, visited my website, and I am in a show in his gallery right now. I have had people see my ad, make a point of visiting my booth, and who knows how many people found me because of it but didnt tell me!

Just today I commented to someone about how I really didnt think the internet is a place to sell art but that it should be used more as an online portfolio that brings a person to see art first hand, but hey, whatever works is good.

My last minute 'not your typical venue' show is coming together and I spent the weekend getting the show postcards designed and proofed. It seems I am constantly sharing in blogs the different things going on with my art so if anyone is sick of hearing about it let me know and I will ease off, but as a good friend once told me, "if you dont promote yourself, who else will?"

Yesterday I got an email from a woman I know, she is an artist and also a curator for 2 galleries that are located inside nursing care facilities in the Boston area near where I live. A few years ago I had a show in each of her galleries and although she did some great PR, provided all reception food and drink, and helped hang and setup, it was not your typical gallery setting. The shows are a way to allow for positive PR for not just the artists but also for the nursing care facilities.

I did make a few (smaller) sales and the gallery did not even take any percentage of the sale. Selling is always a bonus and never a guarantee.

The point I guess I am making (and maybe this is for myself more than everyone else) is that you never know where your next show opportunity is going to happen if you keep yourself open to the possibilities. I am doing the Paradise City show a week after I take down this show, luckily for me I already have the framed art and its just a warmup to what works will come with me to Northampton but I am actually helping her out of a bind (someone cancelled on her last minute and she called me in a pinch). I guess I am lucky she thought of me and I said yes and its all good, I hope I remember all this when I am loading unloading hanging the show taking down the show loading and unloading again, then doing it all over again a week later when I do my big Paradise City show.

I spent the day working on a painting started in the class I teach and I have to say, I hate painting figures even when its simplified! I feel it is important to demonstrate various subjects so I do cover figures, still life, abstracts, but my true love is landscape painting.

I wonder how many artists force themselves to paint subjects other than what they naturally are drawn toward. Maybe its an exercise and good discipline to do that. If I can get this painting to feel good enough to say "its done", I will be posting it in the gallery.

Robin

Today is the opening of a small group show that I am fortunate to be part of, its a new gallery for me and I am looking forward to new exposure (even if I dont have any art sales!) I am not sure if the gallery has updated their website yet but the show runs from Feb. 27-April 27, details soon to be posted on the link below

http://www.alpersfineart.com/pages/index_1.html