MAGIC HOUR
4" X 6" Strathmore 140lb 300g/m2
Mixed Media
This is mixed media with watercolor and pastel. I painted it for the Daily Paintworks sky challenge. I'm still enjoying my little traveling water color set and I'm very pleased with the intensity of the colors.
HAPPY HEART IX (The Hug)
Original Mixed Media
4" x 6" Strathmore 140lb 300 g/m2
I've been drawing hearts and coloring them in for over a week now and so I'm familiar with the dimensions and pitfalls. For Valentine's Day I've created something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's a single color brush stroke without any correction or embellishment.
It looks simple, but have you ever tried to draw a heart freehand in one stroke with reasonable symmetry and enough character to be interesting? It's one of those things that onlookers think is very easy for artists, but as my trash can will testify - NOT! If you've never tried it, give it a go and I rest my case!
This is one of the most minimalist paintings I have ever created, challenging but worthwhile. I wonder if I would ever build up the courage to get a huge can of flow paint, a broom and a whopping great canvas, and let loose in monumental proportions.
This app was shared on GET YOUR ART OUT THERE by member Nan Johnson. Nan found the link on another artists blog but I don't have that person's name to give credit. It is a website where you can see your painting in a home environment and save an image for your promotions. I immediately set to work loading some of my larger paintings and displaying the image where I have them for sale.
Things I love
1. You can drag or upload your painting easily.
2. You can upload an image of any room, so you can show your client your work in their home.
3. You can enlarge or reduce the size to approximate how your painting would look.
4. You can move the upload around until it looks like it is hanging in the right position.
5. There is a good selection of professionally photographed rooms to use.
Things I don't love
1. There is no shadow around the image so it can look like your painting is floating.
2. The rooms are very modern and many of my clients have comfy contemporary or antique furniture.
3. It would be nice to have a selection of professionally photographed frames to pop your art into.
4. The image is saved in a small format and I have to upsize to fit my gallery platform requirements.
5. The app is geared towards larger works and doesn't work as well for small works.
6. You have to guess the size of your painting in the setting because there is no measuring device.
All that having been said, I'm very grateful to Nan for finding this app because Artfinder has recently discontinued their in context app and it is almost a requirement to show your work in context if you want to get into their marketing programs. Below are three of my paintings in context using the app.
HAPPY HEART VII (The Patriot)
Original Mixed Media with gold, bronze and silver
6" x 4" 140lb 300 G/M2
I read this article on how successful women start their day and I was struck by the propensity to meditate and exercise. Personally I use the early hours when I'm brightest to accomplish detailed tasks that I will be too tired or disinterested in to tackle later.
5am - 8 am (Time depends whether I've worked into the night or not, which is fairly common)
Get up, stumble to the bathroom. On the way turn on the kettle which I've filled the night before because my eyes are barely open yet.
5:15 - 8:15 am
Down that delicious cup of coffee which I generally take back to bed with me
5:15 - 8:15 am for a few hours
Tackle emails, check blog makes sense and went out OK, read incoming blogs, newsletters etc. and post interesting stuff to GET YOUR ART OUT THERE Facebook Group.
6 - 12 noon - I always have breakfast but timing could be anything before noon. Usually coffee gets me motivated and I eat when I feel hungry.
10 am ish - Have a nice hot cup of English Breakfast Tea. Oh so delicious!
10 - 1pm - Start work on my daily painting(s) - now the fun begins!
I'm curious what your mornings are like. Leave a comment or if you're shy feel free to email me.
