DATE: 04/29/2008 12:29:51 / MOOD: happy

For those who asked- I had a fantastic time in Hawaii- did some incredible "Jurassic Park" hiking- and a lot of alone time when my husband was struck with an asian flu virus that knocked him out for part of the trip and two weeks afterward (what are you going to do- I spent a lot of time taking pictures and beachcombing while he slept )  ANYWAY It seems I am a bottomless pit of questions.  I'm facing a real roadblock with "backgrounds".  I don't know whether to do it first or last- first doesn't seem to be working for me- because if I pencil sketch my tree- and then I wet the paper, the pencil lines smudge- I really want to know if it's "incorrect" to paint around my subject when I'm finished, or if you're not supposed to do that because it might look "painted around".  Also I'd appreciate comments on best watercolor papers- I have some very good Arches paper- but smooth or rough? Smooth is good for detail, but rough looks cool in the background. ARRRGGHH.  I was kind of on a creative roll before I went to Hawaii- now I seem to be having a hard time getting back in the "groove."  So, favorite papers? Background advice? I'm all ears.

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DATE: 03/29/2008 14:54:30 / MOOD: happy

I'm a pretty daily Scuttlebutt browser. I comment on all the artwork that draws me in, which is a lot.   I just wanted to say that tomorrow I'm leaving Maine to go to Hawaii for my 25th wedding anniversary.  It took me 6 months to save for and plan the trip in secret from my husband- and now it's here!  I am taking a drawing pad but leaving my laptop- and I know there will be a banion tree- or some other exotic foliage included in future artwork- since Kauai is know for it's plant life and hiking trails.  Travel is not new to me, because my kids live in Wyoming, Colorado, and Florida, but this is the furthest besides Alaska that I've been from Maine.  So, I posted two pictures of what I'm leaving behind-  photos- not drawings- and I took these just 2 weeks ago.  Happy painting to all of you, and I'll be back online in 2 weeks! 

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DATE: 03/14/2008 07:05:19 / MOOD: happy

I was a black and white artist for many years. It was easy and inexpensive to reproduce onto notecards and prints.  If I included something in color, I hand colored each print.   Now I'm working IN color, and I'd appreciate any advice or direction toward advice on making colored prints of mixed media works.  Is it better to do limited editions? How many? To me, the value of an original is somewhat lost if you just continue to print hundreds of copies- so I like the idea of limited editions. 50? 100?  Should you print from originals or digital images- and with whom do you trust your originals?  What are giclees?   I know  and have used clearbags.com- and understand about archival quality, but should you always mat? Should it always be white/cream/ or black for galleries?  That's probably enough questions for one day.  I know there are other artists on this site who could also use the advice of those of you who are already successfully selling prints in addition to your originals.  Thanks, in advance, for sharing.

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DATE: 03/09/2008 11:20:50 / MOOD: happy

So, this is, unequivocably, my first blog attempt ever. I'm 48 years old and I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil.  I used to get in trouble for doodling on the edges of my schoolwork.  Occasionally I got credit for it. I was discouraged by my family for thinking I could make a "hobby" into a career, so I got a degree in Natural Resources, and not art. I've never had an art class in my life.  I grew up and raised 3 kids, and expressed my creativity in hundreds of ways- mostly for free. I did draw houses in pen and ink for a few years- sold a couple hundred by word of mouth over time.  I know nothing about marketing.  Now my kids are grown, and all I think about is what I want to draw next when I get home from work.  I've slowly gravitated in the direction of drawing realistic trees with characters and/or expressions. I get a kick out of naming them. I get enormous satisfaction from finishing one. There's a pile of ideas on my drafting table.  The people on this site are the first people who've ever seen them. (two more coming this week)  My question is, they are quirky, and different- and amusing- but would you buy one? Would they sell? To what market? I need some help here, people. Shoot me a note and let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree. And thanks. I enjoy this site tremendously. I've learned a lot already.

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