Studio update

I thought it was time I updated you on my studio. A little over a year ago I came up with a few ideas that has really helped keep my space organized. I had a few of these storage bins but they were more or less just in the way. Then I decided to purchase more and store my art supplies in them in a way thatI could tell what was in each one and still give them a look of being organized. By lining them up along a wall (this wall is a sloping wall) and placing a label in the front of each bin I can tell what is in each one. I also can use the top of these storage bins for items that I might want to use immediately and since this wall is sloping I can use the space behind for large sheets of mat board, easel ... things I don't use everyday.

In the second photo I used an sheet to cover up items that I store under this table. Nothing fancy, but it works to keep it looking neat and tidy. It was an easy solution with some hot glue.

You can see some photos of the messy unorganized 'before' space by looking here and here .

If you click on the photo's you can probably read how I have the bins labeled. The row on the left is labeled "Misc. #1, #2 and #3 from top to bottom", the next bin in the center "Bazaar #1" and on the far right "Bazaar #2".... Now, those labels are funny, BAZAAR..... but I was just finishing up selling at a local Bazaar and so it sounded appropriate. Now it just seems bazaar! When I do sell at a Farmers Market, a holiday bazaar etc. I just pack both bins and I'm ready to go. I have two bins labeled "Frames #1" and Frames #2" that holds nothing but small frames. One bin "Oils" and one "Other Mediums".

Maybe you can use these storage ideas ... better yet, share with us some storage ideas you've used.

What happens when you don't think your paintings through.

A pair of Oystercatchers...

Cropped to see the Oystercatcher on the right. Still not a strong painting.

Cropped to see the Oystercatcher on the left. Still not good.

After doing a few sketches (I posted the sketches earlier) I still didn't catch how boring this composition was. Its just all wrong.

On the other hand, what I do like is the 300 lb. cold press paper I used. It had been such a long time that I had forgotten how nice it is to work on. The surface stays nice and flat while you are working on it. Also it is so easy to do corrections on 300 lb. paper. Also, I like the bright colors.

In one of the artists group I attend occasionally one of the artists said it looked like an illustration. You think after all the illustrations I worked on for the children's book they might have become a habit?

A first for me...

on the back of a large piece of paper folded to 10" x 8.5"

Once a long, long time ago I started to draw a self portrait. I didn't finish it ... it was a miserable attempt and soon realized it. Today I decided while sitting at my desk with some scratch paper (very unthreatening to use paper you don't care about- know what I mean?) and used a ball point pen and proceeded to sketch my portrait. I'm not sure it's even a decent likeness (my face can't be that fat and my eyes surely can't look like that) but I'm happy to have finally done a self portrait. So many artists paint/draw themselves numerous times a year... that way they always have a live model around who doesn't complain. I think I'll try this again sometime.

Speaking about my work and my critiquing of this ball point pen sketch, I'm wondering how you handle your self-critiques. Can you be objective and move on ... maybe you can continue on with more sketches, but what about a more important piece of work that you are really trying to complete for a show etc. Do you have a trusted person in your art life that can give you an honest critique? and possibly tell you what would have made your painting better? Fortunately I do have someone who is willing take a look at my work and if asked will offer suggestions to help me improve the work ... my husband. He isn't an artist yet he can take one look and more often than not give me a suggestion that makes the painting so much better. What about you?

A new site to help artists

I have found a new web-site to help us artists. Its so exciting. A Live Talk Radio For Artists with hosts Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry. These two artists who live across the country from each other (one lives in Kentucky and the other lives in California) have a live talk radio show each week. You can listen to these programs live or download them to your iTunes and listen to them over and over like I do. Also on the web-site you can join in on a monthly painting challenge ... and in a year you will have enough paintings for a calendar. You can check the web-site out here . Also on the left hand column here on my blog you can click on one of the recorded radio programs and listen. They share some wonderful information with us fellow artists. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Annual Fall Open House

Each year here on the Island the owner of Arts & Flowers Nursery opens her home to the public where she has invited numerous vendors/artisans to display their wares in her home. The cost to the vendors is only to bring a batch of cookies to share with the public. Last year was my first time to attend and I had a great time. It was so nice to meet a few new local vendors and see some folks from the island I hadn't seen in awhile and always enjoyable to meet new people who stop by my booth.

If you live near by please stop by and say hello or if you know of anyone who lives in the area please send them a link to this invitation. Hope to see you there.

Is there hope?

You won't believe what happened... Last night I was sitting down at my computer thinking I'd do what Toni suggested. That is, play with my blog layout designs. Get comfortable with them. Oh My Gosh ! With-in two minutes I had completely changed my blog, losing my original template layout (yes, I did save the original template). What a shock. My all white blog was completely black. I about fainted. Deep breath, calm down, see if you can't get this under control. Finally I was able to get it to what you see now... white. I'm feeling better now. I'm still not sure how to do a few things, but before I beg for more help, I'm going to see if I can't resolve some of the issues myself.

Lets leave the blog issues for a minute and go on to some (non) painting issues:

• I now have my seal drawing on my watercolor paper.
• All whites have been masked out.
• Now I can't go any further... A classic case of 'white paper fright' !

So in attempt to get past the white paper issue I've done a value pencil sketch of two Oystercatchers. Also, a color sketch. Just trying to move on to something other than the large seal painting. I figure I can fool myself into thinking none of the work is really important. Pathetic logic I know.

So, what do you think is there hope for me and my blog ...