Got a Website!

Much as I enjoy updating and writing on this blog, I realized a while ago that my blog name is waaaaaaaay too long to just write it out on the back of a business card. And one of the questions I got most at the arboretum art show was "Do you have a website?"

Now I do.

It's not much to look at. In fact, there's little on there that isn't on this blog. One big difference, though, is the photos of the paintings were taken by a professional photographer, so the quality is far better than what is on the blog.

I plan to continue to update my blog. Here's the address for the website if you want to check it out:

www.edwardsart.org

What a Day!

Art in the Arboretum came and went, and I have to say it far exceeded my expectations. Easily worth getting up at 5:30 to be there by 8:00 (in 40-degree weather) to set up my booth, which was sandwiched between a trio of potters and another painter.

Shortly after the event got rolling, I was approached by a group of judges who were each holding clipboards.

"Greensboro Beautiful," the first judge began, "is proud to award you first prize for Best in Show at this year's Art in the Arboretum!"

I couldn't believe it. My first show and I took first prize.

I had a steady flow of people through my booth and received visits from friends and really sweet people from my mother-in-law's office. It was especially nice to see my sister and her husband, who traveled nearly and hour and a half to see the show.

I sold nine works of art. It was unbelievable.

Next up is the Moses Cone Cancer Center event. I'm excited about this one, too.

Free Bird

I've had this idea for a painting rolling around in my head for some time. I finally took some time to do it. I like the way it turned out, but I plan on refining it and maybe making the birdcage a different color than the off white I used. I think I'll call this 'Birdcage on Green.'

The colors are actually much more vibrant than what shows up in this photo. I have terrible lighting where I paint.

If it dries in time, I'll have this painting to show at the Art in the Arboretum on Oct. 2.

Fruits of My Labor

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I need to get busy with painting for an upcoming art show. I was picked by a group of judges associated with the local beautification committee to take part in an arts and crafts show. "Art in the Arboretum" is an annual event where local artists can show off their talents and work to each other and the public (art can also be bought at the event). The show is attended by hundreds of people throughout the Triad. And if I remember correctly, there is a bit of judging that takes place during the event, with cash prizes awarded to the top three artists. I truly am honored to have been picked to participate in this show. It takes place on Oct. 2, from 12-5 pm. Tell your friends and come on out.

On the more stressful side of things, I really have to get to work coming up with paintings. At the moment, I only have about 10 - 12 completed paintings to show for. That's where these pears come in: I was able to do this painting in a day. It's a small painting -- 8"X8" -- and I like it. I might do another with only one pear.

I am also working on another bird painting, but with a bit of a twist. I hope to have two or three of those in time for the show. In all, I'd like to have as many as 20 pieces of art to show at the Art in the Arboretum.

Sailing Away!

This is a painting I did to be raffled off at The Business Journal's Fast 50 event on Sept. 22. It's called "Smooth Sailling." I like this one fine, although I am not convinced this is the best 'boat' painting I can do. Also, this is likely the last painting I'm doing for a Business Journal event. I've really appreciated the exposure, but I need to devote more time to doing work for an up coming art show.

I do like the water and sky relationship. As much as I might not like the actual boats, I really like the calmness of the painting, overall.

Alfred Hitchcock would be proud

I'm very nearly finished with a triptych for the new cancer center at Wesley Long Hospital. Several months ago, I was asked by a woman who serves on the board of directors for Moses Cone Health if I would submit a prototype of a bird painting to be exhibited at the new cancer center. She liked my original bird paintings (enough to buy one herself), but wanted the prototype to reflect nature, family, community; to help heal and "to make you smile." She also wanted more birds in the painting.

So, I submitted an idea to her and, a couple of months later, I received a call telling me the painting idea was a hit. However, they wanted me to make it a triptych. And it needed to be done in a month.

Well, here it is: 25 birds of varying sizes and shapes on the three panels. The piece is six feet wide, which easily makes it the largest project I've done.

I now have to send a photo of the painting to the woman with Moses Cone Health. The photo will be printed in a catalogue to be distributed to people who will be attending a gala event and fundraiser for the cancer center. The tryptic will be priced and (hopefully) sold. The cancer center will then pay me for the painting and keep the work of art at the center.

I don't know if I'm invited, which is fine either way. I like the idea of a lot of people seeing my work. I do hope to see where it winds up being displayed. I've been told it will probably go into the break room for doctors and nurses.

I believe the fundraiser is slated for Oct. 13.

'As idle as a painted ship upon a painted sea'

I was asked by a co-worker to do a painting for her. I'm cool with birds and doing a pretty good job with apples. But she wanted something that reminded her and her husband of their honeymoon to Saint Lucas. Something with boats and the ocean.

This is what I came up with. To date, this has been the most challenging painting I've done. I knew immediately how I wanted to do it, but the colors and the mountain gave me fits. Also, I wrestled with where to draw the line at how complicated I wanted to make the painting. I tried adding reflections of the boats and was really unhappy with how those turned out, so I repainted the water for a third time.

In the end, I'm really happy that I kept it more simple, giving very little detail to the boats, mountain and sky.

My coworker says she loves it, so I'm calling it a success.

Next up is a flower painting for another co-worker.