More........

Scaling Eggs 12x24 oil

As I said earlier....it has been a busy several months. After the MGA and all the thank you cards and house stuff.....it was time to get ready for my next event. A two woman show at the local art center here in Carthage. Myself and artist April Davis were to put on a show for November 20, 2009. Not a problem...except most everything I had painted in 2009 had sold.....so I was again panicky. Yikes ....I need more work...new work! So what does any artist do...back to the easel and start painting.
The still life paintings had been doing so well that I decided to do a few more....or at least try. Max's Dad had an old egg scale hanging around the house that I had taken a real liking to. It had a pleasing abstract form.....there were some fallen leaves out side the back door, rich in color, deep crimsons and warm ochers! I had visualized the setup for some time. But alas life intervenes, again....it is all good and enjoyable...I just needed to organize my time!
We had some visitors here for part of October....this was a fantastic surprise. Old friends from when I lived in Hawaii were here in the mainland and we got in touch through one of my children and planned a visit. Doug and Luana drove here and spent two weeks...we had a wonderful time!! A little Hobby Lobby shopping (material for the still life, a tube or two of paint and a frame on sale that was pretty nice) checking out some furniture and several trips eating out! Some drinks and hors d' oeuvres at our house and there travel trailer. Lots of catching up....lots of fun and good conversation. In between I worked on paintings to a small degree...and planned Max's and my costume for an upcoming Halloween Party! Medusa and Slingblade.
Everything worked out even though I got a little anxious about deadlines. I managed to complete three new paintings and cut another large one into a diptych, plus a few framed prints for the upstairs gallery at Artcentral. It was all going to be okay...thank goodness!
Here are a few pics from the good times and a few new paintings.
I will continue my update and pictures tomorrow,
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Theresa...:)


Midnight On Clinton Street 8x10 Oil






De La Mer 18x18 Sold oil






Me( Medusa) and Max (Slingblade) and a friend ( The Cisco Kid)...Halloween 2009




Me, Max, Jim and Linda (our host)

The Rest of The Story......

After The Hunt 24x30 oil Sold

As I promised yesterday...the surprising outcome of the painting "After The Hunt"....and another learning experience!!
As I worked on this painting I had many doubts...that happens often...but the fact is I try not to let them aggravate me. I have been showing at the MGA for about 5 years....I always sell and I always have a great time visiting with all the artists...some I have known for quite a few years....some I only see at the show once a year. It is always great to get together and see the new work everyone has and as always just visit and talk art. I won an award there once and was really honored...it was my first year participating in that event. It was a real treat....but I honestly never thought I would get another one. There are several extremely good artists there and...well...I just thought I was out of the running. Mind you...I am like anyone else....I wanted to win...and sometimes I thought I should have received something.....but the facts are facts...I just wasn't good enough. Well, I anticipated another no win year....sells maybe...yes...maybe?? Win, no..!
Surprise, surprise! As I watched and listened for my name to be called...it was not to be...several other fabulous artists were taking the awards....you know we are the same...everyone wants some recognition for their hard work...teehee...go ahead admit it....It's pretty natural! Well, my name did get called...the first award was for $500. Fantastic....I could sit down and relax and enjoy everyone else win. No sooner had I got back to my seat...then...my name was called again! This time for another $1o00 award...wow...my head was beginning to spin and I was feeling a little light headed! I turned to walk back to me seat and not gotten more than halfway and, yes, I heard my name again...was I hearing things???....no, I had won a $1000 award! Yikes, it can't be....OMG... How? what? who???. Reeling from the stunning news I had actually no idea at the time how much any of these awards were for....there had been no time to count or even open the envelopes....and...then....Yes, my name was called yet again! As I turned and walked back to receive the final award (4 total)....I remember saying jokingly and out of some embarrassment "Honestly, I haven't paid off any of the judges to get these awards!" On the way back to my seat I really felt like I was on air...numerous friends, artists and guests rushed to congratulate me! I was, well frankly, elated and honored and proud that I had worked so hard on that painting! As I got back to my seat...Max and a friend of mine and former student April Davis, asked me ..."So how much did you win...open the envelopes add it up!!" I did...hands shaking...the total was a grand $4500 in winnings alone. Lesson learned...you just never know...it's always a roll of the dice and always...always...do the best you can do! No one will ever know how honored I was!
The list of awards is below:
2009
Midwest Gathering of the The Artists
The Arvest Bank Award $500

Midwest Gathering of the The Artists
The Ruth I. Kolpin Award $1000

Midwest Gathering of the The Artists
The Helen S. Boylan Award $1000

Midwest Gathering of the The Artists
The Wendy Award $2000
The prize money was spent well, I think...art supplies, framing bill, scanning bill, new computer, new camera, a big screen TV for Max with Tivo and Netflix instant viewing and some other odds and ends. We had a lot of fun shopping for the TV which I had promised Max for football season if I sold well at the show. The grand total for that weekend between prizes and sales was $7,000....I still find it hard to believe and I am extremely thankful!
If that wasn't all...it wasn't but a few days after that I was told my piece for the Richard Schmid Auction had been greatly admired by artists and patrons alike and bid up way past the gallery price. So I received another nice little check...I then received an order for some prints.
September was an extremely profitable month as well as busy! It took quite a bit of time to get everything installed and hooked up...we also had the electrician out one more time.
A little update on HCG for those who remember...I have lost a total of 35 pounds...I have ten left to go...which I will do after the Holidays! That will bring me to my goal of 135 pounds...which is what I weighed in High School. Oh...I used some of the winnings to buy just a few knew clothes...after all I am a girl and I love nice things!
More later,
Theresa

Living Artfully.......

Happy Earth Day!! After almost 40 years of experiencing Earth day and trying to live as green as I can (and often laughed at in the process) which by the way does not give me pause at all....I see we have not moved too much closer to our original resolve. I would like to ask just one thing of everyone who reads this blog. Please do not buy water in plastic bottles anymore...this is one thing everyone can do to cut down on pollution and reckless waste of energy. Get a filter and attach it to your faucet....or a pitcher that drips through and makes clean water. Also if you eat less prepared food and use fresh and cook...there is less packaging required. These two things will make a tremendous difference if everyone does it. I have been living this way for a very very long time and it is really very simple and something everyone can do and feel the effects of. To those of you who are already doing so...Bravo!! You are making a huge difference. That said on to other news!!!

Thank you to every single person who comments here visits here or passes by in one way or another! I have been so busy I have not had a chance to personally reply to everyone's comments or visit everyone's blog...sadly...as it is my loss. On the other hand I have had many new and exciting experiences! The party for The Edward Jones Financial Group was a delightful success. Many of my personal clients dropped in and want commissions or have a painting they saw on my website that they want. Several people wanted prints and a few paintings are marked on hold! But........here is the best news!!!!

RICHARD SCHMID HIMSELF HAS PICKED MY PAINTING! The rules changed this year and everyone who was an automatic entry based on there quality and selling was no longer automatically invited. He decided to limit the entries to 52 this year instead of 75 as in previous years. Believe me I was really worried that I would not get juried in ( Max...the big show off never once doubted in me....the man amazes me!)....there were 100's of entries....here below is the copy of the letter I received...in part:

Dear Theresa,
The selection of art for the 2009 Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction has been made. Richard tells us that it took longer to choose than he anticipated because he agonized over trying to limit his selections to 50 works. In the end, of the hundreds of images submitted, he chose 52 pieces.

Richard chose those pieces strictly based on on his opinion of how well they might sell in the auction.
Images were identified by a number only and he did not know who the contributing artist was.

Your work, "House on Harmony Road" was chosen for the live auction this year!

Thanks for taking part in the selection process.

Thanks,
Wes
www.RichardSchmidAuction.com (last years auction list)



House On Harmony Road 16x20 oil

On other fronts...the demo and workshop went great!! I had a wonderful audience and managed to begin a lovely little still life (below)....painting in front of people has always been a little disconcerting for me (it is such a private thing for me) but as time goes on and experience and confidence grow...it starts to become fun and....thank goodness....not so traumatic!!. I might add that no one.....absolutely no one has ever recognized my shyness or nervousness in this area of being around people...but what goes on inside is like a tempest!! Hmmm....I guess I can act, too! LOL! The workshop will last one more day and then that is done...some money made at these events too. St. Avips a local invitational event is coming up...the artist's party for this event is April 24 and the silent auction is May 1. I will try to have three pieces for St. Avips....no promises though. I need to get a couple of paintings scanned for entry into some shows and deliver some new work to Cherry's Gallery and get some frames made. Things stay busy I guess I like it like that!

Neosho Demo beginning 14x18 oil

In the gardening world...it is too wet to do much and some of the seedlings I started got damping off disease from it being on the cool side. I will restart a few more and call it good. The rest can be direct seeded outside.
Back to the easel for the next few days, and here is something I said while giving the demo that tickled the ladies and gentlemen.
I was describing how art begets art...for me living in an artful and beautiful surrounding helps me create. I mentioned that I try to live artfully. I am certainly not the only one nor am I the first one to say this....but it was the first time some people had heard it. .........Now I am being quoted......ha!
Life is good no matter how you slice it,
Theresa

This Could Be Called Too Much Information!!

Quiet Evening 30x40 sold
Ok...I have been naughty and not even posted so much as a hello!! I will try to update over the next few days ..all the goings on artwise and personally...geesh where do I begin??
First of all I have been painting, painting, painting (I have a show coming up in one month exactly) when I paint it has to have my undivided attention.... also preparing canvases and touching up and ordering frames....I have also built a database of clients, fellow artists, friends and family, and potential clientele (people who have expressed an interest in my work and or have taken workshops and classes from me or intend to in the future). If you would like to be on the mailing list and live in this vicinity go to my website and email me your address and phone number if you feel like it...no one will know but me...promise!!
The other thing that I have done is get back on my diet and been getting all my checkups done ( cholesterol, mammogram, bone density, etc., etc., etc....I have always been a little on the curvy side...but the last year put 12 pounds on me...that I neither need nor want!!! Now you may wonder why I would even bother to mention this...but there are a few people out there that know some of my health views and what I have been doing about it for some time.
First of all I am very blessed with an extremely good constitution. Most of my family has lived into there 90's and 100's with the exception of.....my parents....what??? you say!!! Well, my Dad committed suicide when I was very young (which by the way is another very long story) and my Mom died of undiagnosed metastasized breast cancer at 65 (unbelievably she was afraid to go to the doctor!?) brought on by being an alcoholic and smoking 2 to 3 packs of cigarettes a day plus a worrisome frame of mind. For myself I have been adamant about eating healthily most of my life...whole grains, vegetables, fruit and lean meats plus the occasional dessert (sometimes too much)!! organic when possible and affordable...(which led me to grow all my own food for many years). I have smoked less in my life than I have been a smoker....about a pack a day when I was smoking and too much alcohol makes me feel miserable!
Back to the point...my checkups have been admirable...my doctor cannot believe I am 61 (on the 17th if this month), cannot believe what my tests indicate, even my bone density increased by 10% (after falling to a minus level) and my overall age is 42. She also can't believe my legs are in such good shape (no veins)..LOL!! I believe one of the reasonsfor some of this good health is the fact that I use Bio-Identical Hormones (small amount of estrogen plus testosterone and dhea). I have been doing this for about 3 years. Unfortunately, the one bad thing in my checkups was a slight rise in blood pressure...not dangerous but a rise never the less....which brings me back to the weight issue. My doctor suggested HCG. I had never heard of it....but after seeing the scales I was anxious to hear more!! By the way, I pay my doctor with framed giclees which she so kindly has agreed to and obviously she likes my work. So I am now on the HCG Protocol.....OKAY!!!! I am 100% amazed and sold!!
First of all I am Italian....seems to be a bit of a genetic thing...also both parents were over weight at times...an sometimes I get carried away with portion control...I have a slow metabolism and losing weight has always been a slow thing for me although I have done it twice in the past. I am here to tell you...especially the ladies...this is amazing stuff!!!! I have been on this protocol for 5 days and have lost 7 pounds....this has never happened in my life....and the first two days I ate what ever I wanted ...in fact you are supposed too. I am never hungry and do not feel deprived on this way of eating. You can only stay on it for a month than you must rest before you do it again. Wish me luck!!
Well, friends and folks that is some of what I have been up to. Tomorrow, I will begin explaining Jeff's demo. Promise!!!
Back to the easle,
Theresa

At Work....

Soapstone and Roses 18x24 oil sold
First off if you like my blog add your self as a follower...I just added the widget to the right. You won't be harassed, bothered or annoyed...but I would like to see all your bright beautiful faces on my blog...and in turn I am marking those blogs that have this widget that I read!
Now onto the business of painting!!
I have been away for a little while...and yes, doing just that....painting. I am working on a semi-large piece about 24 x 36. I actually did this particular subject once before....but a few things about it annoyed me personally. First of all it was done in a format that was rather square and I believe the subject needed a longer rectangular format. Second....the original was stolen! So I am starting it in the new format.
The past few paintings and the next several are all being done for a solo show at a local art center. I need to have 11 to 20 pieces and I will also be giving a workshop during the time my show will be running. The show is at Spiva Center for the Arts....it will be my first solo show there. The workshop will be during the month of April. The show runs from March 7 to May 8. Along that note my old artist friend Jeff Legg is coming to Joplin to give a workshop at the end of January...I hope I can attend...if finances allow.
Unbelievably I drew this out the other day and after I had painted on it for a whole day....I was not satisfied with the composition. Soooo....what needed to be done? but....remove everything and start all over again...ugh! How did that happen....not thinking. I was feeling rushed and hurried and only had a small time frame to paint. For me I have to have a large block of time and no distractions. So here it is...the corrected version.
Outside of that we have attended a birthday party for a friend, Tom, complete with duck dinner prepared by mutual friend, Kim, we have done a lot of mundane house chores, I had a wonderful call from a friend, Barbara, in Cananda....who always lifts my spirits, another friend recently got married...hurray....they are so good for each other and lost three of the holiday pounds I managed to put on...I am not saying what is left but it is enough!
I also have posted a little painting, at the top of the post, that I did a while back and is rather tight....I don't know why but that happens to me with a still life on occasion ...I posted it because, well, I just really like it!
See you next time and have a creative day,
Theresa

As Luck Would Have It....

Gladys's Quiet Determination 22x22 sold
I have been away for a while....catching up on some business, house chores and a little visiting. Not to mention working on the huge painting which is just about done! The gallery in Kansas City wants six of my paintings and three of my photographs. To get everything ready for them entailed going back over some frames to address any issues they might have, replacing a liner and a completely new frame for two of the paintings. The photographs need to be printed and matted and then framed....that is still on hold to see if the raw image has enough megabytes for printing. There was also an issue as to whether two of the paintings could go or not.
During the Midwest Gathering two years ago I had a painting of an older lady in her garden. The woman I chose to paint was like a Mother to me and welcomed me and included me in every family celebration and holiday. Her name was Gladys Murray. She was the strongest woman I have ever met...not only physically but emotionally as well. She wrecked buildings for a living with her son and some hired men through a company she and her husband built. They built their home with mostly salvaged materials that still stands today is still a beautiful home on 40+ acres. She cooked for a large and extended family including hired hands regularly. She watched two children, a husband and grandson die. She always had a welcome mat, hug and cup of coffee out for anyone. She taught me many things about life and I still use her guidelines until today. I could say so much more about this amazing woman but there is not enough room tell all of the stories we shared.....She was 76 years old when she passed away. I was with her every moment of the 36 days she had to live once diagnosed with cancer. It was painful but well worth it. I had done the same with my natural mother whom I took care of until the end. I wrote a poem for her about having two mothers...one by birth and one by choice...and put it in her pocket when she was buried in her favorite pink suit. I may show it to you one day. She made the flower arrangements for her own funeral. I was and am proud to have been her friend and daughter by choice and I miss her every day. I did this painting of her and called it Gladys's Quiet Determination because of how she always appeared to me. The lady who saw it is Max's sisters best friend.....she came to the house a few months ago and expressed how that painting affected her and how much she would like to have it. I told her then as I had for some time to other people that selling the painting was not very important to me but if she wanted it I would let her buy it because of how it struck her emotionally. In other words the painting would have a loving home and appreciated for the spirit it was painted in. You can see that I get attached to certain ones for emotional reasons. She said she really loved it and that the message that came through really identified with her...I let her know the painting was hers when she decided to purchase it. Well as luck or fate would have it, this was one of the paintings that the gallery wanted.....and I had already told this woman that it wasn't going anywhere. I talked to Max's' sister about this complication and when these two friends went out to dinner this past Friday they discussed it and called me. She bought the painting that evening and I am very happy it is with someone that truly appreciates it!
The second painting that had a complication is entered in a competition and will be on exhibition for awhile before it can be delivered. Not a huge problem but I am hoping to win a prize on it. I also received an email this morning from someone who had seen a painting of mine at an art fair in Pineville last year...the painting is called "Of Saints and Sinners" and she expressed interest in it. If you have a website make sure they are up to date and list all pertinent information including how to get a hold of you!!! I have had great success with my website but I have also done a lot of work through art fairs, shows, auctions and exhibitions to get my name out there. I am still working hard at this part that many artists hate....me included!!
The Profiles magazine article came out and it is wonderful....makes me sound like I know what I am talking about!! More about that next time.
The big painting is close to being done and will also be posted at a later date....I already have ideas for a new one and am anxious to start on it.
So that is the brief update and I wish everyone of you reading a happy and creative week!
Love, Theresa
Of Saints and Sinners 20x30 oil

Back To The Vacation...Day Three

Well it's been awhile since I talked about our vacation. Everyone knows how life can just get in the way sometimes...not always a bad thing either! As you can see from the last post, I started an extremely large painting....50x40! Many people were amazed at how fast I "finished" it....sorry darlings....I am NOT finished! On closer inspection you can see that the hands are not done, the sheets need to be finished in one or two areas, some thin glazing here and there and the dogs finished off a bit....just a bit though. I like the semi-unfinished work...to me it leaves an immediacy and spontaneity that a completely covered canvas does not have....unless it is a small piece done in one sitting. Upon looking closely at many paintings from some of the current and past masters that I thoroughly(seen in the list to the right) enjoy one can see transparent shadows, thin glazes and dry brushing that allow the canvas to show through. Then there are levels of thicker paint juxtaposed with the thin and medium layers that are so expressive I can hardly stand to look at the magnificent brushwork and color without weeping. Sargent, Zorn, and Schmid were and are masters at this as well as the names listed to the right. So to sum it up the painting is close to finished but for me now comes the hard part. I must think long and hard how the next stroke will add or detract from the painting...is the temperature and value reading correctly.....is it the right shape and where does it begin and where does it end. I have gotten past some of these issues....but, dang it, so much of it eludes me. All I can say to myself is this...more miles on the brush...paint what you see and not what you know.....and keep experimenting....you can always wipe it off until you get it right. I do a lot of that sometimes. When I was still teaching one thing I often said was....Paint the picture in your head first....that is why the first three days went so fast on such a large painting....but alas I neglected painting some of the details....so physician heal thyself...! A final word on showing this painting..I have full consent of Max to show this image...we view it as a good painting with a good composition and it means something special to both of us...irregardless of who it is I paint. It was not meant to attract viewers or bloggers...I have plenty of work to post that is better than this one or worse. I just want to make things clear in case some are put off by subject matter and this is NOT directed at anyone. Okay? 'Nough said...:)
Second day of our vacation! When we awoke I immediately started thinking...the party for the Schmid Auction was tonight I kept thinking what would it be like? Who would we meet? We drove up two Fort Collins where we had our reservations....checked in and got ready for the party....Bellevue is about 45 Minutes away. We were there early enough that we decided to drive up there and make sure we found the place. That was definitely the smart think to do!!
Stove Prairie Ranch is and astounding citadel of Morgan horses and cattle nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Rist Valley . You have to see this astonshing land to appreciate it! The ranch is huge and anyone can drive through it as long as they stay on the road. Several other ranches and homes are built on this prairie...all of them charming! We drove up the Rist Canyon road and stopped to take pictures of the Old Flowers house and the Bellevue store. Once past the Auction site we started to wonder if we were lost....I looked at our print out of the directions and it said to keep going until Old Flowers Road. Onward! We drove through the beautiful rockies and remembered that distinct light and air from my years in Utah....I thought how much I missed it and the simple living off the land life I had while I lived there. Then I remembered the work....the milking ....the feeding.....the tilling and toiling....the butchering...and all of the 1oo's of daily chores that consumed my life before painting seriously. Naw!!...I don't miss it that much!!! I am quite happy where I am in my life right this very moment....it is the right place at the right time!
We reached th top of what seemed to be a hill and over and down we went...12% grade....from my truckdriving days I remembered that this was not your average 6% to 7%( although I have seen 17%).....and I could see it was long way down.....I can't imagine it with snowpack and/or ice! Down we went at the bottom of the hill was Old Flowers Road....we drove through this stately an well planned ranch and were completely amazed at the size of it. There were many barns and out buildings....horse shelters....what seemed to be two guest homes...many more buildings....a huge covered arena with patio where they were setting things up for the party that night...and capping it all off an amazingly large house sitting up on a hill looking over the estate...everything made from wood and natural rock...stunning!!! I took many pictures some are on the slide show at the top of this page.
It was finally time to attend the party. We drove up to the first stop where my name was checked on the guest list and then we were waved ahead when it was okay. The there was a second stop...where my name was checked once again....very secure...gate crashers beware! On up to an open prairie where we were assigned parking. On to the party. We came up to a huge covered arena and walked through massive wooden carved doorway......Wow!! We were greeted by a third group checking invitations and I was given an artist name tag and Max was given a guest tag. Horse stables lined each side of the center walkway....a charming tack room, off to one side, decorated in Mission style oak and Arts and Crafts accessories. It was immaculate, the horses were gorgeous and by there friendliness and contentment one could see they were handled often and well. After visiting with the horses (which everyone did! How could anyone resist?) we came into the arena. Huge wooden beams were decorated with tiny white icicle lights....The fine sand was wetted and tamped down for the party...tables were arranged and decorated beautifully through the entire center and the whole seating area was roped off. A bar was set up in two opposing corners and the some of the food and barbeque where set up outside. We stopped and got a cocktail for me and a beer for Max and wandered out to the patio (name tag in place) where the quests were mingling. We didn't know anyone there personally but as the evening went on many interesting people came up to us and we visited and chatted amiably including Richard himself who asked me to find his "lovely wife Nancy"and send her over to him. Mr. Schmid is not only a genius of an artist but is equally well versed in many subjects...is always learning something new and a true gentleman and loving husband with a very wry sense of humor. I have very high regard for him not just as an artist but as a human being.
We were called to dinner and filled our plates and found a table. The guests greeted us and we began a wonderful conversation. Max struck up a conversation with the man sitting next to him...Tom Sutherland. Now this is amazing....he turned out to be THE Tom Sutherland who was kidnapped and held hostage in Beirut for 2354 days. We met his wife who was equally charming! Everyone at the table was gregarious and we all had a wonderful time with great food. We were called to attention that the ceremonies and introductions were to begin...and also that a special event was planned for us. Thanks were given to all who planned, participated and attended the event. Wes Rutt who pretty much is the glue of the auction was introduced. He is a great guy and remembers every artist at the auction. He works very hard to make sure the event comes off well.
After the introductions we were told that we were going to be shown there top pick horses and new colt....which is why the seating area was roped off. They stunning animals were turned out and put through there paces around the ring by their trainer Kathy! I have had a little experience with horses and these were beauties with perfectly arched necks and real high steppers....certainly to be reckoned with in the championships the owner planned to enter. We visited some more got a bite of dessert and decided it was time to go home. Big day tomorrow and we were both tired but very happy.
I will end now as I sometimes I spend a long time writing too many words. I need to get back to work and Max has taken on the job of repairing and painting the window sills and trim of this 100 and something year old home. You know he always thinks he may not get these repairs right...but he always takes his time and thinks things through before making a move....something I admire as I am rather impulsive often to my detriment! Just another reason we are good for each other.
Until tomorrow, Theresa

"As a man thinketh, so is he" - Proverbs 23:7

Okay...I wasn't back Monday...but better late than never as they say! It has been one heck of a weekend. Attending The Midwest Gathering For Artists is always fun, profitable and tiring in a good way! The event kicked off with midday meeting and drawing for numbers. The numbers represent the order in which the artists work is auctioned off....I picked number 24...ugh...way down the line among 31 pieces! That means, for me, lots of anticipation until my turn. I have related to you how these events are for me and Friday was no different! We then had a brief meeting and introduction of new and returning artists. Well, Lo and Behold I could not believe my eyes! My old teacher, Barbara Courtney, was among the returning artists. There was a last minute cancellation and they called her up. I was so very happy to see her there!! She is a great artist, mentor, teacher and art Mom and is extremely deserving of all this ! She is the one who set me on the right path when I started painting 7 years ago and I owe her much. Most of all, I am in debt for her great confidence in what I was capable of doing in the art world. I hope I never prove her wrong! I will always look forward to growing and do not believe that I will ever "arrive"....which I believe is death to the artists soul, creativity and continued growth towards excellence. After much hugs and kisses since many of these artists I only get to see once a year because of their living distances we adjourned and had a wonderful lunch, set up our auction pieces( one for the first auction and one for the second) chose the artist that we thought was the best and went home to prepare for the evening.
I went home and did the rest of my painting tags and took a brief nap! I had bought a lovely creamy beige confection of embroidered lace and ties and ribbons....very girlie and when I saw it I had to have it....Max said buy it you are worth it! I don't ask for much...but I do like a new piece of clothing every once in a while. Most of the money goes into the house except for the occasional book...I should say books!...art supplies and frames!
We arrived on time to a huge crowd...always good to see...a beautiful arrangement of hors d'oeuvres and wine ( provided by Max's cousins husband Jim)...all of which we enjoyed as we greeted buyers, friends, artists and clients. We sat with Cherry and her squeeze Joe...and had an absolute blast!! Cherry is the owner of Cherry's Gallery and sure knows her stuff! She has great eye for art and a real business head besides being a real sweetheart....Joe is a hoot and he and Max talked about cooking up some fish boil confection that actually sounds delicious. We watched as once piece after another was auctioned off some with great success dollar wise others with not so much success...nerve wracking!! My turn...I started to get very tense that my piece would go for a pittance like some of the others at $300 to $600.....friends to the rescue....Max, Cherry and Joe soothed my nerves.
Now...here is the crazy thing! I have been reading a book Called "The Secret" ....it contains a belief system that I have always practiced or at least tried to. Others have written about it and you have all heard of it. The first time I read this concept was in...yes...the Bible....the second time was a little book by James Allen which is a free online book...at least it was. I have tried off and on to keep this thinking in my mind....but not always successfully. This type of thinking is to positively create images of whatever in your life you want to happen. When I started this thinking on a stronger level...... I was given a house to live in when I suddenly found I didn't have one anymore (another amazing story)...Max came into my life (which is a tale in itself and WILL be recounted at one point!) Then I kind of relaxed and went into a lax posture concerning art concentrating mostly on this house and moving. A few months ago I started the thinking again and have been applying it to my self confidence and my art.
I am here to tell you.....this works!!!! I now have a much better self image and art....well it has taken off like the proverbial gangbusters!!I sold a small piece for starters. Then I sold two pieces to my local hospital for a highly respectable sum. The Richard Schmid Auction netted me exactly what I wanted and a personal introduction by Richard himself(it seems he only introduces the artists with paintings he likes). I received a cold call from a new gallery in Kansas City that would like to represent me. I pay my doctor with prints for services and had some framing done for the same. We are having electrical work done in our old house for a painting (it was once gas lights and rather difficult to rewire) I have been asked to judge a show for this weekend. A newspaper item in the Joplin Globe and 4 State Arts( they wanted to use 3 of my pieces as the pictures for the MGA ad), a Profiles Magazine article and a Carthage Press ad. The MGA first auction piece went for the price I asked the second piece which was a print went for decent amount. I sold a small painting and some cards during the weekend and got home to find a confirmation letter from the gallery in Kansas City! I will be hanging with the likes of Pino and Dan Gerhartz!!! It DOES NOT get any better than that!!! I can hardly believe it!! I can only hope and pray and positively think..:) that one day I will achieve their artistic level. I also received an invitation to paint outdoors with Todd Williams another fantastic artist!
Now, if you have not explored this type of thinking I urge you to start and watch the changes in your life!
Here is a female singer (for you Lori) that has a beautiful sound, her name is Pieta Brown and she is one of my favorites to paint by. Here are a few more...Cat Power, Lucinda Williams, The Felice Brothers, The Avett Brothers, The Be Good Tanyas and just about all Classical(great for improving your intelligence ratio, creativity and imaging.
See you tomorrow...hopefully with a slide show! I am judging a show tonight and giving the awards on Saturday.
Thinking Positively, Theresa

Missed A Day...It's Okay!!

House on Highway 71 8x10 sold

It's Sunday, right? I have been so busy I almost forgot what day it is! Friday was spent catching up on art business, shipping my painting, "Septembers' Barn", to the Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction . Calling the host of the artists party to R.S.V.P., I received an email that they would really like me to be there...so Max said..."Let me check the figures and the car and we will go." Looks like I am going to Colorado! To download a color flier of the auction, click here
I met Richard Schmid once before...a few years ago. It was my first year at the auction and I was terribly nervous...but I walked up to him anyway and asked if he would take a look at my paintings and critique them. Being the gentleman that he is...he permitted me some time in his very busy auction day schedule....and took a peak. He studied them carefully and while still bent over..he is very tall and my piece for the live auction was hung rather low.....he peered at me curiously over his glasses and said "This is very good work". The painting I entered was a small piece, "House on Highway 71"...only 8x10.....and I had it listed for what I thought was a fair price..$465. Well, I waited around for what seemed forever...for the live auction to begin. Finally the notice was given and off we went. The pieces of art were to be described alternately between Richard Schmid and the other artist hosting the proceedings. As the auction went along I noticed that if Mr. Schmid really like a piece he would take the turn himself to describe and introduce the artist...instead of going turn for turn. I anxiously awaited to see if he would pick mine......and.......Yikes...he did!!! He praised the work highly and said he wished he had painted it himself. The he turned to me and asked if I would step up to the front and introduce myself...I did. He asked me to explain how I painted it and when I mentioned that I painted en plein air he stated that "Nobody hardly does that anymore!"
Richard Schmid and his followers, which I am one, believe in painting from life as much as possible and although I do use photos for many of my paintings I always paint from life when I can and as a continuing observational tool. My teacher for some years was Barbara Courtney ( a wonderful artist herself and an avid Schmid fan)....taught us that right from the beginning. I learned much from her and am honored to have studied under her. All really good artists I have spoken with paint from life regularly!
To continue my Schmid story he then said congratulations on such fine work and shook my hand...then..paused and said "Come here..let me just give you a hug!" Well...what can I say, except that was quite a day...a high point in my art career I will never forget. I returned to my seat and the auction began. I was thrilled when the bidding went past $600....but it didn't stop there, in dismay and tears, I watched the phone banks ring and people bid....$700...$1,000.....$1200...$1500.....$1800....$2000...anyone for $2100??? No going once...twice...three times....and sold for $2000 to a lawyer and his wife who lived in California and had law offices in Singapore. She loved my style and has kept track of me ever since.
You just never know what will happen next. I am anxious in a good way to go to the party...but as always I get very nervous at these affairs...Max says I do fine and no one would ever know how nervous I get. He himself was a business man for many years and was in constant touch with bosses, clientele and buyers and such......he has no problem....he is my rock!
I have to say this.....I never had a rock.....never had that solid, dependable, faithful guy...who was smarter than me....sounds bad but it's true....I sure like having a rock! So we will attend and the painting I submitted this year is posted along with the one from the first year. I have been given the high seller status....which means you have a guaranteed place as one of the 75 in the live auction. This event is widely publicized and adds have been run in Southwest Art twice, Western Art Collector and American Art Collector. So I can I say truthfully my name has been in these magazines....of course you have to squint to see it....but it's fun to see ones name in "lights" however small...LOL!
I have been sending out invitations for The MGA also...getting entries ready for a show in Texas and of course painting! After all the craziness these past weeks between art business and doctors appointments. I can finally get back to what I love. I don't mind the other stuff anymore and it is life...and I intend to live life...always have! But painting is something that builds up in me if I can't do it...makes me feel like I am all bound up or something. So I started a new one yesterday....painted most of the day....a larger piece...and am enjoying that process thoroughly...with the addition of music...always...! Really enjoying The Felice Brothers and the Avett Brothers....someone my Max found...he IS a music connoisseur!!
Well I am burning daylight, so off I go to the studio, watch those edges.....keep it loose and don't over paint....until later, happiness, oh and take a look at this video!!
Theresa Septembers' Barn 16x20