Friday, March 13, 2009

Returning......

Let me share something with you...this is a sample (actually today's email newsletter) of what I read everyday....or something very similar.

Never underestimate, Theresa, how many friends you have, how close you are,
and how much fun you're going to have

Because, as you've seen throughout your entire amazing life, one usually gets exactly what they've been estimating.

You thrill me,
The Universe

When I am tired or down or feeling overwhelmed, underwhelmed or just plain old blue....these newsletters and the words within to cheer me up...and over time give me a renewed sense of being...other things do also but for some reason this little daily dose dose it for me. I have been feeling that way for a while overwhelmed...I have a lot of work ahead of me...and had a lot of housework and yardwork to catch up on. Before the show there was an immense amount of work...selecting paintings, touching up paintings, creating new paintings, touching up frames, selecting new frames, making a permanent address data base. The addresses in and of themselves were a monumental job!! Picture, if you will, two very large leather address books the heavy duty kind with many pages. Inside of that picture numerous slips of paper..large and small..business cards..print outs from the computer, receipts from sales, address labels from postcards, letters and notices from other artists I have met out of state...all packing these two volumes to near explosion. Each and every piece of information had to be gone through and verified in the white pages online...addresses and phone numbers! This was a compilation of roughly 7 years of stuff! Please do not follow me horrible task management! If you are building a client list or mailing list...do not delay start now and get organized. If you have already done so I commend you for your organization or delegation whichever th case may be! Believe me I would rather be painting....just painting! Not advertising, not cleaning, not keeping up with STUFF, not doing anything on the computer, not bills or any of the other worries that come with running a house, business or family! Well, I can stop raving now I have most of the tough stuff behind me now. I can go back to painting and gardening....my two main loves...although I have many more interests...I just don't have the time anymore. So there is my explanation for not posting for awhile. While I am on that subject I would like to thank several of the bloggers for writing me personally to see if I was alright. You have much power in your voice...thank you. Also for those of you that have signed up while I have not been posting thank you!!! I hope you will enjoy the past blogs and the ones still to come.....and what would I do without that core group that is also on Facebook! Thank you for your good wishes and care!

The opening last weekend was very successful in my estimation. Lots of people attended and there were many wonderful comments on my work...I was especially happy to see some of my local friends and supporters...you know who you are...and I am so very thankful for you being there! The show was sponsored by the Edward Jones Financial Group...they selected to represent me over many, many other artists! I was so very honored! They took lots of photos with me and the sponsors and some awards but I have no idea where these went to or what they where for. The photos I do have were taken by friends...as I was trying to keep up with all the guests. I have heard rumors of sales....but in this economic environment..I really don't expect much. So I will be doing two workshops and a demo next month....so I must prepare for that. There are also several shows I am obliged to enter and I need work for them and Cherry's, the gallery that represents me is dangerously low on my work.

The last piece I finished for the show is shown above...I started on it some time ago and decided to do several small pieces for the show. I finished it just in time and it was still wet when it was hung in the gallery. It is a 24x36 and is shown framed below in the pictures from the show.

I also got a nice little treat from a poet on line that used a few of my paintings to inspire others....you can see the images here . I believe there may be one more but I seem to have misplaced it. The poetry site and the image prompts she provides are spectacular.While on the subject of poetry here is a piece written by Lori DeLozier.

Lori is an extremely good poet, this beautiful little piece I found out later was about watching me draw. Lori is also a painter and was also a student for some time. She was also a very strong client...joyfully she owns several of my pieces.....they have a very good home! You can visit her website here.

There are a few photos here of the show...I will put together a slide show tomorrow some time. I am still getting some of my garden in. Max put in lettuce a while ago..I put in spinach today....and I will put in onion sets tomorrow. We have been doing some general cleaning up and I also have seeds started inside. Spring is always so very busy...but so beautiful an enjoyable in so many ways.

Much Love, Theresa

P. S. There is something going on with my font, size and color...I will try to have it corrected in the next blog!

PPS I almost forgot.... I have lost 17 pounds and holding....until the next round of HCG!!!!

25 comments:

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

Theresa! Congratulations on your recent show. Your paintings are beautiful so the show had to be a hit:) I can imagine how difficult it is to be an artist AND have to maintain your life. It is, I believe, doubly hard to do so being a woman who has to cook and clean. (Well there is take out, I suppose:) Now, please, don't hate me all you male artists.

P.S. I'm not a poet, Therese:) Though I wish I was one. I just feature poems written by other writers. AND, it was my pleasure to feature your beautiful paintings on my blogs. Thank you so much for your generosity.

Be well, and forget the housework:)

James Parker said...

Hola, Theresa, I was worried about you, but it's great to see ya back in action. A month without Theresa Rankin is 30 days with a big void in it. I do not envy your paperwork and stuff. I've had lots of stuff and worth twice in my life and found myself spending more time taking care of that "stuff" than I was spending enjoying life. And twice, incidents occurred that took everything away...but my spirit.
Today I have little in the bank but found I'm wealthier and happier than I ever was. My inspiration comes from the wonders around me..the innocence of a child, the splendor of a sunrise, the touch of a friend. You are indeed, Theresa, a child of the universe...and, no wonder that universe is proud of you. Strive to be happy and kudos for a super exhibition.

Unknown said...

I'm so happy that you are having a show. You're work is always so luminous and now even more people will be touched by it.

hugs!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

Congratulations on your show. You look wonderful, and your paintings are beautiful, so I'm sure the talk of sales will become real.

I couldn't agree with you more about the notes from the universe. They make me laugh, cry and take notice every day. And they are a major comfort when I'm overwhelmed. We are about a month away from being able to plant anything, but just the thought of you planting lettuce makes me happy.

Wonderful blog.
xoxoxoxBarbara

Anonymous said...

Hi T, Thanks for the plug! I'm glad to see you blogging again, was worried you might be feeling a little exhausted up there in MO. It would certainly be understandable. So much excitement, though! How wonderful! And you look just lovely in your show photo's...happy! Congrats on everything! Love Ya, L

Edward Burton said...

It's good to have you back, Theresa. Congratulations on your show - I look forward to seeing the slide show of it.
Wonderful painting too - the shadows really lead your eyes into the painting.

Anonymous said...

Hi Theresa, So much work, so little time, yes?
Those shows are a lot of fun but isn't it good when they're over? I hope the sales turn out to be more than rumor. It's dang hard selling right now so I cross fingers and hope for something good. Sounds too like you had a great time painting with Jeff. I'm a little jealous.
EW

Marian Fortunati said...

FABULOUS!!!

That painting on the top is absolutely wonderful. Congrats on your success and even though I know it's hard work... Congrats on losing work and having a good time and Yahooo... BEING!!

Peggi Habets Studio said...

Looks like a great show! Can you post some more of the artwork that was in the show? The one on this post turned out beautifully. Last time I saw it you were still finishing it up. (I also like the e-mails from tut.)

Anonymous said...

So you were away from us for a month, but you more than made up for it with a delicious post and what will sure to become a favorite plagiarized letter from the universe to self.

Your spirit comes through in your painting and your writing.
And now there's 17 pounds less of it.

Teresa said...

Congratulations on your recent show Theresa! Don't forget to breathe :) And paint! :)

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Nancy!! Done...I am forgetting the house work...well a lot of it anyway!! If you are not poet...you genuinely have the soul of one!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Many many thanks James for all the wonderful comments! Your writing is brilliant and inspiring! I too do not have money or very little in the bank...I never thought I needed it...and , guess what!?,....I didn't. The universe is amazing!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much, Sheila....you are pretty luminous too!! You are always so upbeat...I like that...it IS contagious you know!! Cheers!

Theresa Rankin said...

Barbara...I should have mentioned you were the one that turned me on to Tut!! A million thanks....it was something I always believed....but it is really nice that someone else does too...and then writes you a note about it every day. Just why I had to post it on the blog and more could read it!! Insanely loved by the Universe....:)

Theresa Rankin said...

Hello Lori...Thank you...I would have loved to see you and Ed there...but I know the reasons for not being able to attend....Thank God your Boo is recovering nicely...I sincerely hope this puts an end to problems for your Grandson...There is no pain greater nor any feeling more helpless than when our loved ones become ill....Much love and proud to plug a great poet. I am also glad to see you joined that blog of Nancey's.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Edward and the slide show is up!! I missed the last challenge darn it!!! But yours is fantastic...Thank you for stopping by...It is always good to hear from you!

Theresa Rankin said...

Yes yes and double yes...these shows and even some competitions take up so much real time!! Jeff's workshop was a hoot and I learned quite a bit!! We had a ball since I have known Jeff for sometimes and a lot of the people at the workshop were local residents that I have known for some time...if I had the money I would be going to the Colorado Springs American Artist Weekend With The Masters no less than Richard Schmid, Jeremy Lipking, Dan Gerhartz...to name just a few...here is the link... http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Custom.aspx?cid=18&e=1e9e1587-ffb9-4c58-b892-13d6ad43b379#top=

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much Marian...the more I do this the more I know I am supposed to do this! Doors keep opening...even way out here in the Midwest!! I am honored by your support! and yes...I love...just....being!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hi Peggi...if you go to my website and look at the section on exhibit you will see everything that is in the exhibit...at the last minute they pulled the nudes...I was pretty upset....but had to bend to the sponsors will...after all they were paying for the whole shebang!. I live in the infamous Bible Belt. This can be exceptionally hard on me as I was raised in California....a very progressive state...my home life was also pretty progressive. But i have left them in there as they were my choices.
Tut rocks!!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Bonnie...always a wonderful letter!! I hope the 17 pound lack of self does not affect my art...lol! Hugs to you for your wonderful support!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hi Cathy Ann I am breathing...still a little rapidly though!! I sur appreciate your comments...and the slide presentation is up or you can to my website to see them http://theresarankin.com/collections/14155/?displayhorz=3

Theresa Rankin said...

Hello Teresa...I am finally breathing and the painting starts back up tomorrow. We have one more day of wonderful Spring weather here before it rains so I am outside!

theresamillerwatercolors said...

Congratulations on the show, Theresa! I really enjoyed reading your entry!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you, Theresa!!! It was a lot of work but worth it!