My beautiful hillside...

We've lived though a unseasonably warm and dry winter, quickly transitioned into an early, dry Spring, and are hoping for an end to this drought we're having in the Northeast. Yet, despite the lack of raindrops, we're still able to appreciate the flowers and flowering trees we have on our hill. Sometimes it feels like we live in a country painting - the birds fly back and forth singing, and the trees bend with the breeze, while the sky provides the bluest backdrop to this calm scene. These are the moments when I wish that I had the perspective and artistry of a painter. So, I'll take a chance with my camera;-)
Have a wonderful day, and appreciate those artistic views in your world.

Fondly,
Andrea

August, Art and Passion

Hello, all -
It's been quite a busy summer of business, travel and rain. I've learned a lot through these un-summerlike conditions here in New England: the value of a good book, the enlightenment of an art gallery, the wisdom of friends and acquaintances, the power of discipline.
Discipline not only has provided me with the motivation I've needed through the rainy days of the past two months, but it's also been the driving force behind all of the steps I've taken with this 'fetal' business of mine. I've learned to appreciate the process and enjoy the high and low points of creativity. I've come to understand that all of us go through this ebb and flow. But the passion each of us possesses pulls us to the destiny we are intended to follow.
I saw a fantastic oil painting in a Vermont gallery last weekend. The artist laid the painting on the canvas in thick, bright strokes that pulled you into the scene. But, the most interesting thing to me was the element in the painting that didn't fit - an oversized hand. I looked at it as the key point of the painting - the subject was a worker and the hands 'pulled her through'. Very powerful.

Have a wonderful August day!

Andrea

Andrea's Art Tip: Get to know your power and how you can use it in your art and your life.

Art Realities - 'Prepare, Survive and Thrive'

I saw this phrase used in the title of a class at the NYFA a few months ago. It made me think of the glass being half full. I liked it. Despite the bummer economy and ever increasing prices these days, the belief in and love of art will always find air, visibility, and ongoing appreciation through each generation. It's an upper that we all need to feel these days.
So, how can we make this happen? We all need a different perspective. Look at how you presented and sold art in a good economy. Is there a better way to sell? to market your works? to talk about your art? to build a broader customer base? Sure there is!
Have you reached into the technology bucket to pull out the possibilities available with podcasts, videos, tweets, facebook, bing, etc. It's amazing what technology offers for free!
Have you looked at your pricing? Is there a better way to get your art to the customer without squeezing them and hurting your wallet? What about art 'sales (2-4-1)'? what about leasing your works? creating prints while retaining the originals? creating an alternate go-2-market strategy? Dream big!
Have you looked at your existing customer base? your competion? your colleagues? your community centers? Take a look! Bring people together and create a glass that is half-full (at least!).
Breathe, Smile and Create. You will thrive:-)

Think Up and Have a Great Day!

Andrea


Andrea's Art Tip: Reposition yourself and look to see the opportunities you may have missed in the past in your community, in on-line art communities, in state coucils and centers. The internet is full of so many paths for each of us to explore. So put on your Internet Safari hat and go for your own walkabout - a surprise can exist around any corner:-)

Artistic License for a rainy Monday

I see tiered layers of rain through my window stepping across the landscape. Not a Nor'easter, but same look. Hard to believe it's summer when we're all layered in different degrees of warm/cool.
However, as a tribute to the rain, the trees are standing tall with very healthy Irish green jackets of leaves. The grass is a matching compliment of bladed emerald carpet. And the ducks and geese are waddling through the days with a happy wiggle to their waddle;-) A ray of sunshine could add a magic spark to the look and feel of the day. It's all good.
We were in Germany a short month ago. The raindrops found us there, too. But, only for a day. The snapshot I added to this post captures the German day, the drops and the ducks.

Andrea's Art Tip: "...But there's one thing I know, the blues they send to meet me won't defeat me, it won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me...I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin', because I'm free - nothin's worryin' me..." Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, B.J. Thomas

I hope you keep singing in the rain!

Andrea