New Year, New Goals

 Happy New Year Everyone,

With a new year comes new intentions for building my brand.  I am hoping to make more artwork, update my studio website, and continue adding new paintings to my Etsy Shop.  I am determined to participate in at least three art festivals this year too. (Four if I have enough energy.:) 

I have been drawn to metallic watercolors for awhile and finally etched out a little bit of time to play with them. Last year, I started a watercolor painting and screwed it up on the first sitting....bummer.  So I took the unfinished painting and tested out my new metallic watercolor paints on the figure. Things I realized.  I won't be able to make fine art prints with paintings using the metallic paints.  The metallic paints look best over regular watercolor paint. Eventually, I will make more watercolor paintings with and without the metallic paints.  I am looking forward to the response of these new metallic watercolor paintings during festivals.  Check out my test: 

Lessons learned this past year.  I decided on the best watercolor paper for me to use. Believe me it took awhile. Although, I have tried Arches paper, I am drawn to Grumbacher's cold press watercolor paper.  I love the little hills and valleys. Additionally the paper doesn't get too distressed when erased. And I erase a lot. :) As for paints, I am loving the Sennelier watercolors. I am so looking forward to sharing my new paintings with you.

For fun, I entered one of my original watercolors into a show, and it was accepted.  Although to be honest, I think they take anyone's artwork with a swamp theme? Happily this month and next, one of my paintings will be on display, "Swamp Spectacular Show" in Baton Rouge.  Check it out:

Also, I donated an original watercolor for a silent auction for the Playmakers Theater in Covington.  The painting I donated is "Wintertime in the Swamp".I would love to attend, but is a "school" night for me. Anyway, Check it out: 

Painting ideas are constantly swirling in my mind.  I love my time in the studio.

Wishing everyone time for all the things you love to do.

Christin

Year End Review Regarding Art Festivals/ Studio

 Lessons learned, crisis averted, and being practical...........what a year it has been!

For any artist looking to participate in art festivals I hope some of my experiences help you with your interest in art festivals.

First and foremost, be prepared for the amount of work (physical and mental) that goes into participating in an art festival.  Usually it takes me two hours to set up and display my tent, about an hour to disassemble.  Even though I am very careful with rewrapping my artwork for the return trip home.....everything else is thrown into our vehicle to get us home.  The next day is when I return everything too it's rightful place, ex: rolling up tent walls, sheers, organizing display bin, etc.  I always make sure that the day before a festival I take off from work to prepare for any last minutes issues, there always seems to be something. Ha. Also, I take the day off from work after the festival to focus on inventory and reorganizing my bins.  Typically you set up your tent one day and then return the next for the festival.  On the last day of the festival you pack up and leave. Lastly, I think of my art tent as a pop up business, I want it to be eye catching, yet professional. 

Streamline:  Really think about what you should bring to display your artwork.  Do you really need two tables or can you make a beautiful display with one?  At the end of the festival you are usually very tired and the thought of having to lug that extra table you didn't need back home can be exhausting. Most artists set up their tent and display ahead of time.....I think this is a great idea. However, one I never followed. I tend to learn on the fly.....for better or worse.

Is the festival really worth the time, effort and money?  This is a hard one, because I feel like if you don't try, then how will you know?   Since I am still in my gaining experience phase, I tried many different types of festivals this year. Some were great, others not so much. I did receive good advice from a fellow artist, she says she only participates in two shows a year because she works full time, and it has to be a two day event, not a one day event.  I tend to agree with her, because I work full time too, and a two day event typically produces more sales.  Although, I do love The Shadows in New Iberia and will probably attend in the fall of 2024.....even though it is a one day event.

Give yourself time.....With any business, it takes time to grow.  Sometimes I compare myself to other artists, who have been participating in festivals  for years and have built up a clientele, and wish I could be like that.  We all have to start somewhere so it is ok if you don't have 1000 followers on Instagram and Facebook friends.  Eventually you will get there if you stick with it and are consistent.

Crisis Averted: I displayed a painting on the top of my checkout stand and I wanted to move my stand a few inches up to be out of the sun.  So I started to slide the stand forward and accidentally raised the top and everything fell off.  There went my painting flying into a ditch behind me. Fortunately the painting wasn't damaged and there was no rain water in the ditch......but I realized I need to be careful how I display my artwork. Accidents happen, so I display artwork to minimize damage.

Being practical:  Did I really need to build a grapevine chandelier for my tent?  I didn't even bring it to the last show..........I was too tired. Now the thing is taking up space in my studio. Eventually I will disassemble it but not until I have free time.  Oh did I mention I work full time? LOL    Art Festivals require a lot of moving parts.  Where will you store your artwork, tent, tables.....etc when not in use?  Our entire house has some aspect of Christin's studio stuff, along with her tuff shed converted to studio.   Needless to say, it is a commitment in time, storage and money.  Hopefully I didn't scare anyone!

Ultimately, I love participating in art festivals.  I love meeting people and explaining my art process.  You never know who you are going to connect with. You have to be the type of person who can roll with the punches too.  I had a woman tell me my fairies (in the paintings) weren't real fairies because they were too large compared with the landscape.  I smiled and said, I have to think about that.  However, in the back of my mind I was like, you don't get what I am doing. Ha. Seriously, you can't take anything personal.  People are entitled to their opinions and they do not mind sharing:)

I did want to share upcoming ideas for 2024:  Check it out:  I purchased metallic watercolors and Sennelier watercolors. 

Here is a (part of an) oil painting I started working on last year but I will be turning into an encaustic painting, titled< "In Her Garden". 

So that is that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and the best New Year.

Keep creating

Christin 

One more show to go

 

Citrus Art Market will round out my shows for this year.  I am looking forward to this market because it is held at my friend’s house. This is an easy market, and the artist’s are really good people.

Although with any Art Sale there is still much preparation that goes into any of these events. I have postcards to distribute, signs to fix and we are running an ad in The Gambit.  I am very curious as to how this will drive sales?

Check it out:

 

After several shows, I think I am finally content with my tent setup.  This is my tent set up for now:

 

I really have worked on streamlining my tent to cut out time in putting the artwork up and taking it down. Although there are a couple of things that I could take out (like the lighted vines hanging inside my tent) but I love them….. so they will stay, along with the extra few minutes it takes to hang them.

 

I did create a lighted vine chandelier for my tent for an event that was held during the evening and night; however, the event (for me) was a bust & fiasco and I didn’t even have time to hang it. So for Citrus Art Market I will be hanging the fixture, I would like to use it at least once since I put so much effort into making it………but the chandelier is something that I will not be taking for any other art festivals. (Again streamline).

Oh I did want to mention that my checkout stand worked beautifully for sales. The stand keeps me organized and makes my sales transaction smooth and quick.  Love it.  I highly suggest investing in making a stand or purchasing one to keep you organized. 

 

After this Art Market I will be ready to get in the studio and paint. I miss moving paint around and being in my studio.  I have several ideas swarming my mind and want to get them down on paper.  Also, I ordered new watercolors.  The watercolor set I am currently using is not as brilliant as it should be..........so I splurged on a Sennelier set. Thankfully they were on sale. In order for me to continue to move forward with my art.......my skills, supplies and paintings need to be better.  

Keep creating,

Christin

Ahhh the start of fall

 Fall is in the air........well maybe not here, but the days are getting shorter and it is slightly cooler..........and I am happy just for that. So I am preparing for three fall shows and I still have much to do.  I tell everyone work (job) gets in the way of my fun. LOL

I finished my foldable check out stand.  Yes, I custom built the stand, scallop and all.  Check it out: 

Costs:  fencing wood was recycled but I did spend hours sanding the boards down and cutting out the rotten parts. Since this was an old fence....underneath the worn surface was  beautiful solid wood. Although if you do have to purchase fencing I believe the boards are around $3 each. I did purchase one 1" x 2" x 8' wood stick for the shelf brackets. Cost $3. Also, I purchased a better piece of wood (1/2" plywood) for the top and shelves which cost about $13 . I believe the piece was 24" x 36".  The scallop wood trim was left over pieces from my flip bin. The hinges were repurposed from my screen doors I use for art displays.  The white stain I had on hand; however, I did purchase satin polyurethane which cost around $17.  I sanded down the wood in between the 2 to 3 coats of poly...........yeah I definitely didn't want any splinters while handling the stand.  

I am happy with the design and by keeping the stand narrow, it is not too heavy to lift in and out of the truck.....which means I can do it myself. The size is 39" tall by 24" wide and the sides are around 12"The amount I spent was reasonable, (do able for my art budget)compared to the portable stands for display booths that can cost up to $800.  

I know to measure twice cut once; however, I did make a mistake that cost me time fixing.  I made the sides too wide so that when I folded the checkout stand it wouldn't lay flat.  What a bummer, because I glued & screwed the fencing together.  So I had to use a circular saw to cut down a 1/2" from the sides. Of course it came out a little rough so I had to sand down the rough edges.....but hey I shouldn't have to rebuild another one anytime soon:)

I did purchase a couple of yards of cotton duck fabric.  I plan to sew up a carrying case for it.  Since the top and shelves are removeable.........I really want a case to keep everything together.  I still have time to sew one up, but if I can't get to it for the first show....I am ok with it, and will get it done for the next show.

Check out the map for Twin Steeples:

My tent # is 45.   I am so excited ....smiling big right now!

My best,

Christin

It's Showtime

 It’s showtime:

Thankfully there is a break in the weather, about a 7 degree temperature drop and we have had rain. (Big Smile).  I was trying to finish my last encaustic with a heat index of 107….My poor encaustic medium took forever to cool on the wood panel. I tried using a piece of watercolor paper to fan it. No bueno, I say.  Over the weekend, I finished the last encaustic painting for the up-coming shows ………..and it was most troublesome.  At one point I wanted to cry out in frustration, maybe it was due to the dripping sweat?... regardless a swoosh of wind blew glitter not where I wanted it on the painting and at that point I had to laugh.  With a sigh, I say, the painting is complete, and now it is time to move on to the non creative side of art shows. 

Here are my new business cards and professionally printed up glossy postcards. Check it out:

Business cards and glossy postcards for shows

Also, I am in the process of  making a foldable check out stand.  I repurposed a piece of our old neighbor's fence that was taken down by our new neighbor.  (That was an event that took too much time away from painting and left me struggling to catch up.)  Also, I am using wood scraps from our garage; although I will have to purchase a nice piece of smooth wood for the top.  The goal is for me to be more efficient with wrapping artwork.  I think by having shelves this will organize my boxes and bags.  I am looking forward to seeing how the checkout stand will work during shows. Fingers crossed. I will share my checkout stand when it is finished.

Lastly, I created this haunting painting. This is a larger painting: 16" x 20" wood panel.   Originally I designed the swamp background for a swamp mermaid. After painting the background with encaustic, the swamp mermaid I painted on vellum didn’t feel right.  So I pivoted.  I really wanted something ghost-like to complement the background.  The idea of protection came to mind.  The whooping cranes in Louisiana are a protected species and what a beautiful tale could be told about a ghost that appears only during a pink moon and she speaks to the whooping cranes to find out about their well being.  Of course the whooping cranes can talk under the pink moon. 

In October, I will have a tent at the Twin Steeples Art Market in Ponchatoula. October 7th & 8th. Also, I will be at the Metairie Road “Art in the Park” October 28th.  Check out their Facebook page

Art in the Park, Metairie Rd

Keep creating,

Christin

Oh Mother Nature

 Even though I love working in my studio, the temperature has been brutally hot.  So to keep me on track for finishing up my encaustic paintings I moved my tools to the garage.  I noticed a nest in the garage but really did not think anything of it.  Well a bird laid three eggs in the nest and now they are babies.  I have been staying out of momma's way, so no garage and no encaustics. 

Regardless I continue to work on the oil backgrounds for the encaustics and all the elements. As soon as the babies leave the nest...........I will be back in business and will have lots of encaustic medium to melt. 

Since I have no encaustics to share I thought I would do the next best thing and share the elements and background for a painting titled, "Swamp Desire".  Check it out: 

This painting was inspired by the red orange dragonflies that have been hanging out in our yard.  I don't particularly remember ever seeing them before till this year....but who knows?

They have such an interesting color........it is not quite red yet not quite orange, but striking regardless.  They will pair beautifully with the cute little swamp mermaid.  I am so looking forward to completing this painting. I will be adding some celery green mica powder to the painting as well. 

Oh, let me share some fabulous news.  I was accepted to participate in the Twin Steeples Village Art Market  Check it out: 

The festival is located in Ponchatoula, LA famous for the Strawberry Festival.  I am so excited.............I can't wait. If anyone attends please tell me Hi!

I am not embarrassed to share I did not get into the New Orleans Art Market. There were so many reasons why they rejected me that all I could do was laugh.  Although I did take one criticism and immediately remedied the situation.  Basically I forgot to show on my art studio website that I sell original artwork not just my archival prints.  Oh well....it was like no time like the present to fix it. 

Lastly, I really needed to order new business cards for these upcoming shows.  I used Got Print online and they should be here in about a week.  I will share on the next blog.

Keep creating, 

Christin

Feather Whimsy

 Feathers seem to find me............I am not sure why, but I love the special messages feathers offer.  Did you know that if you find a white feather that is your guardian angel telling you they are there right by your side?  What a special and unique way to communicate.  

Typically, I see feathers when I am walking the dogs or doing some other outdoor activity.  They catch my eye and of course I have to pick them up. I have quite a collection.  Here is a collection in a raku vase.  Of course I have them in special "treasure" boxes too. 

Feathers in a raku vase 

My artwork reflects feathers that I find.  Here is a watercolor I completed earlier this year called:  "Feather Whimsy".  

"Feather Whimsy" Original Watercolor & Archival Prints available.

Also, I create drawings of feathers on vellum and then incorporate the vellum into encaustics. Check this out: 

Feather Treasure, Encaustic on Prepared Paper

Anyway, I had to take a small break from creating encaustics.  When the temperature outside goes down (yes I said down) to 93 degrees then I can get my heat gun out.  Currently, the temperatures have been around 98........wow.  

Happy Creating

Christin