After painting plein aire in Sedona last October, I came home thoroughly intimidated! While I enjoy being in scenic,  incredible places, fighting cold temperatures and winds blowing my easel over was really discouraging. Painting in my studio from the photos I took and finishing the pieces was a real joy, and I'm working on a series of at least twelve paintings. BUT, if I want to show and sell my work, I've been advised to focus on one subject and one medium. Like a spoiled child, I want to rebel and paint only what strikes my fancy. I want to explore more abstracts, more media, but I also want my work recognized and appreciated (like SELL!) So the bottom line is, how do I decide? Any suggestions?

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 3 OUT OF 3 COMMENTS From: sebland 02/17/2008 08:16:30 Thank you, Kathy. That seems to be the general rule. But what size series? I had thought in terms of three or four, and I'm now advised twelve! Won't I get tired of the same subject by the time I get halfway through? From: kcartwright 02/17/2008 02:06:00 Hi, I can offer you the same advice that was given to me years ago, and seems to have worked. Work in a series. This helps you to perfect your techniques in a particular medium, develop a concept, and establish a reputation as a painter. I stick with a series for several years and have professional artist friends who stay in their series for over a decade. Personally, I find it rewarding to spend so much time on one concept because it helps me develop new ideas and mature as an artist. Just my two cents. - Kathy From: Deb_Magelssen 02/16/2008 10:43:18 It's hard to decide to narrow your work so it looks like all the pieces are your style.  I have had the same problem doing my watercolors and now I am into acrylics.  We artists want to explore all kinds of ways of doing art.  I am seeing the same thing with marketing, so I am narrowing my work in several bodies of work that willl be similar, but not quite.  I will post them soon when I am finished.  All I can say is paint what your heart wants to do- how else can we stay happy?  And isn't that why we paint- because it pleases our hearts and the process is so much fun?             ;Deb