DATE: 07/15/2008 07:38:20 / MOOD: full of life

About to launch a second web site and want to add music.  Several months ago, I purchased some music from on line.  I guess I have an account with someone because I have receipts.  I may have uploaded some tunes from a couple CD's I own.  It has been so long since I worked with it, I am not sure.

Anyway, I tried to upload to my site and it isn't working.  It seems that the music needs to be in MP3 and it is not.  Anyone out there know how I can turn these files into MP3-?  Can I upload my CD's to my computer in MP3 format?  Is this against any copyright law? 

I don't want just any music.  The "free" sites do not have the artists I want to use.  Do I need to get the band's permission?  I don't know any of this; it is all new to me. 

H E L P !

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DATE: 07/08/2008 08:34:00 / MOOD: full of life

My last blog discussed a project I am starting.  Details are now listed on my web site.  I have posted the first stage of this painting on the web site and here in my scuttlebutt gallery.     me

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DATE: 07/02/2008 09:54:33 / MOOD: full of life

Giving can be good PR.  For a long time, I have been looking for all aspects to come together for a special project.  Have now found a charity I believe in, a universal subject to paint and an organization to launch it.

Will be painting and making prints in small quantity to create a demand and medium size to fit for any space.  Will be doing the painting in a local coffee shop for attention to the project with an order sheet available pre issue.  Will paint only on one Wednesday each month to give me more time to "milk" the project for PR.  (Also gets attention for me and my studio)  Gave my printer the "heads up" and getting quotes.  Will issue a small quantity of open edition (no signature other than on the print from the original, no numbering), a limited edition in small quantity - signed & numbered, AP's with remarque in super small quantity (10 - I hate remarquing), and a small edition of canvas prints with embellishment.  The large original will also be available at my present going rate.  Prints will be giclees so I do not have to order all at once, store them, sign them - well, you get the idea.

The charity is a well established Christian based organization with a good reputation and helps abused young girls, the subject is a lion and lamb (I do paint wildlife after all) and the organization to launch it is my church.  The charity gets all proceeds after expenses, the subject will appeal to many in this area of the country (and it is what I do) and the church will make it legitimate - no question to my motives - they handle all monies AND buyers can claim a tax deduction to charity.  This is what is called a "Win Win" situation. 

I set any deadlines, advertise the project on my web site, in newsletters to clients, small local ads in newspapers and will do some type of poster or announcement through the church.  My printer gets more business, buyers get a wonderful work of art and feel good about where their money is going, one church giving to another is different denominations working together and I get to give back out of gratitude for all of my blessings.  How great is that?

This is just food for thought.  You might get an idea from it that would work for you.       me

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DATE: 05/29/2008 14:00:14 / MOOD: full of life

How many of you teach children? For 3 summers, I taught 3 classes per day at a local art center in various age groups.  The 3 to 5 year olds were the last hour of the day, the best behaved and the most fun.

In one of these classes I had a very gregareous little Spanish boy and a very reserved little Chinese boy.  One afternoon they were sitting side by side and intent on the project of the moment when Pablo turned to John and asked, "Hey, uh, are you, uh, Chinese, 'cause you look Chinese?"  A very indignant John answered back with a strong Chinese accent, "I Texan; I bo'n in Texas!"

Teaching is unbelievable hard work but this is one of the reasons it is popular with certain people.     me

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DATE: 04/30/2008 08:56:18 / MOOD: full of life

Isn't it funny how we, as artists, are affected by our surroundings?  I have a new studio and there is wallpaper covering the lower half of the room I paint in.  What it looks like is irrelevant.  Suffice to say that it does not agree with me and I do not agree with it.  I created a wonderful atmosphere in this room with positive energy and love my new studio - except for the bottom half. 

One of my earliest memories is of standing in a baby crib and peeling wallpaper.  Mother came in and asked why I was doing this (typical parental question) and I replied, "I don't like it".  Here I am xxx years later, peeling the top layer of this vinyl paper to get to the pulp and adhesive underneath.  I am near insane over this.  I don't dare paint until it is removed; heaven forbid that it show up in my work.  Every time I get a phone call, I go to the studio to peel as I talk so it doesn't seem so tedious.  I need more phone time but hate idle chit chat - especially on a phone.

As artists, our surroundings are important in setting our mood, work schedule, production and general relations with others.  We are especially in tune to color.  (I have a problem with anything "busy";  Clutter is my spiritual enemy.)  If you have not been aware of this obsessive phenomenon, take a look around your personal world.  Maybe, life would be different if only you changed the chartreuse throw pillows to peuse.

me

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DATE: 04/21/2008 07:20:00 / MOOD: full of life

Through eMails, another member and I began discussing animal portraits and he mentiion how difficult it must be to capture the personality of an animal and how it must be more difficult than people.

Interesting:  Several years ago, I was thrilled to get the commission for a dalmation dog that had died and the owner wanted her pet immortalized.   When I gathered my materials and sat down to actually do the work, it came to me that if each spot was not right in shape, size and position, she would not recognize her pet.  I did the work and she was thrilled but I never care to paint another portrait of a spotted animal.

Then, I took on the task of 18 Tulsa Zoo portraits.  One was the newest edition to the giraffe family - a 6 week little girl who was  everyone's pride and joy.  The same rules apply with these spots - like a puzzle.  Whew!

me

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DATE: 04/17/2008 11:36:06 / MOOD: full of life

It was a lazy kinda afternoon when I finished the commission for a local veterinarian.  She had asked for a logo to use on her sign down at the road and to put on her stationery.  I thought I could catch her before she went home for the day and being the end of the day, she would have time for me.  I called and was told to "come on over".

When I got there, the receptionist informed me that the doctor was busy with a last minute emergency so I took a seat in the waiting area.  It wasn't long before the doc emerged from an exam room with an elderly couple and their big old bear of a dog.

While everyone was busy with check out papers and paying the bill, this burnt sienna fella came over to check me out.  I did the baby talk that dogs like so well and he turned his back side for me to scratch.  Seems we were hitting it off famously.

I could tell in the tone of voices that the couple was ready to leave so I stook up to be noticed.  When I stood, everyone turned to look just as my new friend hiked his leg and peed down the front of my jeans.

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DATE: 03/21/2008 09:22:13 / MOOD: full of life

After spending way too much time on Scuttlebutt, I forced myself to dress, gather my daily cup of coffee and nuke dinner left overs for breakfast.  First thing to tackle is a new shipment of foam core that needs to be cut to back prints.

Question: How do you get a 32 x 40 case of Bainbridge foam core out of a packing case of the same dimensions?  I am 4' 10" and weigh 110 pounds (give or take 20 pounds).  This is a prat fall - slapstick in the making.  I lift the case and turn it upside down.  Gravity should help, right?  Wrong!  I shake it and slap the bottom side which is now the top - nothing!

Okay   There is more an one way to skin the proverbial feline.  Lay it down and pull the case out.  Good idea if I could get a hold.  A-hah!  Cut the tape holding the flap and use it.  Great, it's not a flap; the case has a lid rather than flaps at either end.  Okay, I'll play.  I cut the end of the box top to create a flap.  This will do it.  Apparently, only if I work out at a gym on a regular basis.  Hhhhhhhha!  Now I am attempting to hold the packing case with my bare feet while pulling on the flap of the inner box.  Can't get a good foot hold.

Back to the drawing board.  Think, think, think.  If I remove a few of the boards from the inner case, maybe I can get a better hold with my lower digits.  The first board is always the hardest to "un wedge".  It finally comes out with a flourish and I am on my back, contemplating the ceiling with a board of foam core covering me.  BRING  THE  CAMERA

My heels are pressed against the packing case sides and I manage to pull the box 6 inches out when I realize my present dilemma:  the tall and short of it is, there is no room to bring the box out any further when I am already in a position that could be the envy of every 12 year old gymnast in the known world.  Without the leverage of my feet against the case, I am, again at a stand still.  Where did I hide the M&M's?

Side note (lest you think me more a dunce than I am):  I don't want to cut the boxes open as I need them to pack art from my studio for the relocation.

Scarf down coffee as I stare at the box waiting for it to talk to me.  It could happen.

If I remove enough foam core, the box will become light enough that I could wriggle it out of the packing case.  In theory, this is feasible; in actuality - I'm about to find out.

A moment of prayer to ask for longer arms and to contemplate how in the ____ my supplier got this box into a shipping case of the same dimension.  Walking from one side to the other and wriggling a fraction of an inch at a time, I gain ground.

Picture this:  me, with back to wall for stability, one foot pushing on this huge packing case while pulling on the inner box at arms length.  VICTORY!   finally.

By the way, I had to remove every single piece of foam core to achieve the end result.  Tip:  If ever you find yourself in this situation, do not lay the foam core on top of the packing case while trying to remove the inner box.  

me

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DATE: 02/21/2008 08:33:03 / MOOD: full of life

Just received a very interesting forward from a friend about women's safety.  This is particularly for women artists who travel and for any woman in this time or men who know women .  It is a little long to type in here but I am happy to send it to you if you will send me your eMail.     me

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