DATE: 09/02/2008 16:36:31 / MOOD: other

I recently donned my painting clothes for another mural commissioned by
the church I attend.  This "portable mural" is painted on three birch
panels, and set into a 3'x 8' wood frame that originally hung in the sanctuary
as decoration ever since I can remember.  The frame was taken down several
years ago, but this summer they decided to give it a makeover and hang
it once again, this time in the elevator lobby.  Being the church
artist, they asked me to come up with ideas and complete the painting
(as well as prime and paint the frame).  It was quite the job: working
with committees, the carpenter, bulky pieces of wood, sawhorses, and a
too-low basement ceiling.  Even so, it was a great experience and I'd
do it all over again.  Here's to projects that are bigger (and heavier)
than we expected.  If you have a moment, check it out in my gallery.


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DATE: 07/23/2008 15:04:39 / MOOD: other

It's almost Festival time!  While art festivals and craft shows are in full swing this summer, so are fund-raisers for other organizations.  This Sunday, July 27th, the non-profit Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center of Lancaster County will be hosting it's 20th annual Rubber Duckie Race and Festival.  I volunteered (almost can't believe it) to raffle off one of my original watercolors painted specifically for them.  100% of the proceeds goes to Schreiber, which means I need to be very economical when it comes to buying supplies.  I've heard horror stories about how donating artwork isn't worth it, but I wanted to give my business a boost and have a bit of fun while I was at it.  Yes, there is a lot of time put into the painting and planning, but it is turning out to be a great experience in working with organizations and just seeing how much effort it requires.  Hopefully next year when my business is booming :)  I'll know the ropes well enough to only need half the time for preparation!

Check out my page for the Bubble Duckies watercolor I'll be donating!

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DATE: 06/30/2008 11:56:35 / MOOD: other

I've heard both good and bad things about donating artwork to charities, thought about it, and decided to go for it!  I contacted the person in charge and volunteered to raffle off an original framed watercolor at their event on July 27. The Rubber Duckie Race and Festival is a huge fund-raising event for the Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center of Lancaster County, a not-for-profit organization that provides services for children and adolescents with disabilities and developmental delays.  They're doing all the advertising and providing a booth for the day.  Hopefully this will become an annual opportunity for Goble Studios.


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DATE: 06/26/2008 11:37:02 / MOOD: in love

Another new project!  Does everyone else feel as busy as I feel?

This project is a bit different than my typical work, and I need some help with the process, specifically choosing the right base material.  If you have some time and would like to help, please check out my new topic in the Art Supplies section under Technical Issues.

I appreciate your time and energy :)

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DATE: 06/07/2008 10:01:23 / MOOD: other

I believe the definition of "success" is determined by each individual.  Some artists believe their success lies in winning awards, grants, fellowships, etc.  Others believe making a living with their work is success.  Sometimes just being able to balance taking care of the house, the family, the job, and still make time for art is what makes them successful,  (Check out Alyson Stanfield's book "I'd Rather be in the Studio" action 1: 'Define Success for Yourself'.)

A couple days ago I heard the news that I received a first place award for one of my watercolors that was accepted into a national juried show.  Although this is wonderful news, I don't think it defines success for me.  It tells me that I'm finally making some income to reimburse all the shipping I've paid for sending work to other shows.  The more I think about it, "success" for me is having other people see my artistic vision and why I create what I do.  If some people see my work and take that understanding with them (and hopefully the artwork too), I believe that will mean more to me than earning a curriculum vitae full of awards.

Isn't that what artists want most of all?  Our own selves put out there for the world to see, critique, accept or question?  It's our own vision to exhibit, explain and defend.

"Most people see no reason to question their own beliefs, much less solicit yours.  And why should they?  Artistically and otherwise, the world we come into has already been observed and defined by others--thoroughly, redundantly, comprehendisvely.....[but] there will always be times when something is missing or doesn't quite ring true.  And so you make your place in the world by making part of it--by contributing some new part to the set.  And surely one of the more astonishing rewards of artmaking comes when people make time to visit the world you have created.  Some, indeed, may even purchase a piece of your world to carry back and adopt as their own."  (Art and Fear , David Bayles and Ted Orland)

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DATE: 05/26/2008 11:04:34 / MOOD: other

Two of my watercolors, Hoop and Campfire III, have been accepted into the Lancaster County Art Association's National Juried Exhibition in Strasburg, PA.  I took them to the frame shop in what I thought would be plenty of time, however, the framer (who I always work with) is having trouble mounting the 22x30 papers to the matboard.  The reason why the adhesive is not working this time is unknown, but we're trying a variety of solutions in order to have them framed by this Saturday when they're due for delivery.  It's a little frustrating, but another reminder to watch my time because if anything can go haywire, it probably will.  The watercolors will make it to the show which runs from June 8-July 17. Stop by if you're in the area; there's always a great variety of artwork from Lancaster County and from other states as well. 

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DATE: 04/28/2008 13:04:31 / MOOD: don't know

Watercolor #2 in the fitness series, Dumbbells, is now up on my site.  Interesting that dumbbells got their name when men back in the day who wanted to increase upper body strength would lift bells.  Of course the loud donging sound the bell would make was incredibly annoying, so the clapper was removed and they could lift bells without getting headaches. Hence the name "dumb-bells".  Check out the newest watercolor and be inspired to head to the gym!


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DATE: 04/24/2008 12:03:39 / MOOD: other

The printing world is a whole new place!  I'm currently having 11x17 and 8x10 prints made of the eagle mural I painted at my church several years ago.  This is my first experience ordering prints and I'm learning much about working with the photographer and the printer to make sure the lighting and colors, etc. are accurate.  I'm very excited to make this print available to those in my church and others who are interested.  The mural is up on my Scuttlebutt page and a picture of the 11x17 print is on my website on the 'in the news' page: www.dianegoblefineart.com


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DATE: 03/20/2008 14:52:41 / MOOD: happy

Today is one of those days when I feel like being an artist is just the perfect thing for me.  This morning I finished another watercolor; this afternoon I had my first showing at my house/studio of the campfire  series for a potential patron; I just received word that I've been accepted into an emerging artist program at a well-known gallery in Lancaster City where I'll show my work in 2009; networking is slowly but surely paying off in the realm of pet portrait commissions.

Here's to an artist's dream day, and here's to many more to come! 

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