Cameron in the Roses

Cameron in the Roses • 2011 • 8 in x 8 in

Charcoal, Colored Pencil, Gouache, Acrylic paint, Metal Leaf and Encaustic Medium on Paper Mounted to board. 

First Place BAYart's Fall Juried Show 2011

In a private collection

Meadowlark

Meadowlark • Oil on Canvas • 2011

On Exhibit at Kendal at Oberlin until May 9th

Process Pictures after the Jump

BEST IN SHOW!!!!

I have some very exciting news...

My painting, "Modern Pixie" won BEST IN SHOW at BAYart's Spring Juried Show!
I am still a little in shock...

If that wasn't enough...the gallery director told me that BOTH of my entered paintings were actually up for the award - which is CRAZY! The judges eventually decided to give "Modern Pixie" best in show and "Crown Wearer" first place, but when they found out that both paintings were by the same artist they rightfully changed their mind so that more artists could be honored.

Here are the two paintings in the show:

the WINNER!

I couldn't be more thrilled!

A veteran sculptor we met at the opening, Louise, asked the question that was most on my mind after I got over the shock of winning: "So, where do you go from here?" ....Goooood question....

In this month alone I was in 5 shows (Small Good Things, Dewey's Coffee Shop, A Study in Wanderlust, BAYart's Juried Show and BAYart's Faculty Show), won a major award, and sold about a third of my inventory. If that isn't proof that I have something here worth pursuing, I'm not sure what would be. So I think the next steps in this career are the following:

1. I need to develop a better internet presence for my gallery work (and illustration too while I'm at it). This means hiring someone to build me a website. I could do it myself, but I don't know enough to make it a smooth build and I would rather spend my limited time making artwork than struggling through the learning process. I also now have a Facebook page for my work. Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/ErinInArtLand
2. I need to pursue gallery representation in other cities. I think that the truest test of my work will be to see if it could survive in venues that are unfamiliar with me. Starting in baby steps, I will try to seek out galleries in other cities to show my stuff. Pittsburgh and Columbus - I'm looking at you.
3. I should enter my work in more prestigious competitions. So far, most of the awards of my professional career has come from one place. I am incredibly grateful to BAYarts for all they've done for me - and of course I'll continue to support them - but I think I've got something here and I need to find other places to showcase it. You never know till you try, right?

 So that's my plan in a nutshell. This has been a crazy ride so far and though it hasn't been without it's bumps (some bigger than others) - I can't wait to see where it'll take me.

One more time.... EEEEEEEKKKKKK!!!!! BEST IN SHOW!! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! hahaha

You are Invited!

I am thrilled to invite you to the opening night of my two-person gallery show at BayArts: Small Good Things.

For this show, ceramicist Sue Kirchgessner and I spent a year developing artwork that reminds us of summer. I created realistic figurative paintings in oil paint and encaustic (beeswax) and floral mixed media pieces that have glowing, gilded accents. Sue made functional ceramic lanterns and beautiful tableware covered in elaborate nature vignettes. The resulting body of work is both playful and powerful and we can't wait to share it with you. Please come celebrate with us.

Friday, February 10th 2012 • 7 to 9 pm
BayArts is located within Huntington park
28795 Lake Road • Bay Village, Ohio 44140
440-871-6543

"Small Good things" will be on display until March 3rd.

An artist talk will follow on Sunday, February 19th 2012 at 2 pm.
Preview our work at http://potteryandpaint.blogspot.com/.

Hope to see you there!

15 minutes

A Serious Artist

I am a VERY busy artist. I do freelance work and commissions, create collections for gallery shows, and teach. Oh, and I also work a full-time job. On the best days, I am on a creative high - delighted to have opportunities to do what I love. On most days, I am overwhelmed and exhausted. Or... at least I was until art marketing consultant Alison B. Stanfield gave me some very good advice:

"Spend just 15 minutes a day checking in with your art."

It is a beautiful idea. Suddenly it is OK to work just 15 minutes a night on your art as long as you do it each and every night. Of course this is not a way to make an entire show or career, but it gives permission for those nights when all you can contribute is 15 minutes. As one who can get overwhelmed by big tasks, this advice is priceless!

In a recent blog post, Gretchen Rubin of "the Happiness Project" fame, also recommends a 15 minute schedule. When facing a seemingly insurmountable task, she tells herself to, "suffer for 15 minutes". Eventually, the job gets done. (Please see that blog post here). As she says, we often underestimate how much we can get done in the short term. So go out there and take advantage of that time!

The 15 minutes can be spent any way you choose as long as it relates to your artwork. For me, this includes anything from creating artwork to marketing to reading art books. It does not include internet time (unless I am researching something specific) but can include blogging time. Usually, the time limit is just the catalyst I need to get my butt in the studio and I end working for longer. However, if I need to stop, I NEED to stop - and that is perfectly OK!

Tonight, my 15 minutes will be spent on sending artwork photos to the gallery for a press release. Did I mention that I have a gallery show opening in almost EXACTLY a month? No? Oh! I have a gallery show opening in a month. Time to get back to work!

One Month to SHOW TIME! Hope to see you there :)