It's Showtime!

It's going to be a very busy time for me over the next week. If you want to see great local artwork, you're in for a treat.
Oct. 5, I'll be the featured artist at Just Be in downtown Greensboro for the October First Friday. I'll be there from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Here is their website: http://onlyjustbe.com/.

Two days later, on Oct. 7, I'll be participating in the annual Art in the Arboretum, along with 50 other arts and crafts vendors. There will be food, music, dancing and something called 'Bark Art,' which I believe is for dogs. Art in the Arboretum was a wonderful time for me last year. I'm hoping the weather will be as nice as it was last year.

I'll have several new paintings (including the one above) -- some I haven't posted on this blog. I hope to see you at one or both of the events.

This painting has sold.

Setting Sail for October

After a brief lull in work, I'm feverishly painting (as well as one can with oils) to get ready for Art in the Arboretum, the annual outdoor arts and crafts festival put on by Greensboro Beautiful. The date for the event is Sunday, Oct. 7.

My plan is to have 25 to 30 works of art on hand. Some will be paintings you may have already seen, but I'm hoping most will be new and fresh to everyone. My space for work is so limited I've actually had to return to the basement, at least to store canvases that are drying.

Last year's Art in the Arboretum was my first. It was a resounding success, as I sold nearly 10 works of art and won Best of Show. I was elated. I can't wait for this year's event. I can only hope the weather will be nearly as nice as last year.

Also in the works, I have a painting that will be auctioned as part of a frundraiser and grand opening of the new Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship. It is also celebrating its 25th anniversary.

The owner of Just Be, the downtown store that has a few pieces of my artwork (see previous blog entry), has asked if I would be interested in being their featured artist for the October First Friday in downtown Greensboro. I would have to be on hand doing a painting demonstration and meeting and talking with customers. This will be on Oct. 5 -- the Friday before Art in the Arboretum.

Naturally, I'm jumping at the opportunity to be the featured artist. The owner of Just Be has been very good to work with and I have received nothing be positive feedback for my artwork.

Just Be ... and the Birds and a Boat

 

If you’ve ever been near the intersection of Elm and McGee streets in downtown Greensboro, and you’ve wondered where the bubbles are coming from, look no further than a store called Just Be. There you can find an inspiring collection of handmade jewelry, clothing and art. And now you can find my artwork there.

The owner of this unique store liked my work enough to add it to her inventory of local offerings. At the moment, I have only five pieces there, including three Literary Birds, a small bird painting and a Literary Boat (something new), but I plan to continue to provide more paintings, depending on how well they sell.

I’m thrilled with the opportunity to be at Just Be. The owner and manager say they’re planning to roll out a web page soon, with artist bio pages. The downtown location is ideal, and I’m certain my paintings will get lots of exposure, particularly with the monthly First Friday events.

So now, when you’re downtown, follow the bubbles and you’ll find some birds ... and a boat.

   Thanks for looking, and please feel free to comment.

Waterside Retreat

My latest painting is called "Waterside." I don't know if  the photo does it justice, but the brush strokes for the sky give a texture that suggests a light breeze over the water and up the hill. The small building is nestled on a grassy field. This would be a great place to spend a weekend, week or a summer.

Just bring some books and fishing poles. There's probably no WiFi.

Thank you for looking and please feel free to comment.

This painting has sold.

New Birds

Here is my latest completed painting. The background is kind of a creamy color, the birds are a yellow/green and the branches are a dark taupe. The woman who commissioned it is planning to hang it in her living room above her mantle. The painting looks outstanding in her new home, which is very minimalist and painted with light neutrals. I'm hoping to get a picture of the painting in its final spot, once she decides whether to hang it or leave it resting on the mantle.

The process for this was a little different than my other bird paintings I've done in that the woman who bought the painting wanted specific colors. I met with her and she showed me the colors for her walls, sofa and pillows. I was able to mix the colors (mostly) to what she wanted and got her approval to proceed with the painting.

Susan seems very pleased with her painting, and it looks amazing in her home. I like the way the painting turned out: very modern, peaceful and cool.

Branching out ..... hopefully

I'm taking a swing at entering a juried art show at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center. I'm submitting two paintings to be judged for participation. The theme for the show is "Town and Country." I should know the results of the judging by the end of the month.
If the paintings are selected, they will be in a show July 13. First, second and third place cash prizes will be awarded, and all works of art will be available for purchase. The artwork will remain on display at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center until mid-September.

These are the two paintings I'm submitting for judging.

Wish me luck.

Merci Beaucoup!

The Parisian Promenade was tremendously fun. I met so many people and made many acquaintances. My booth location was great, despite the slope. A creek ran behind me, so I was able to watch ducks, ducklings, chipmunks and children run over rocks and through the water.
I received nothing but very, very positive comments and feedback about my paintings. It really makes me feel good to hear people stop and say, "Oh. Wow. Look at these." I felt even better when I would hear people say things like, "This is what I need. This kind of simplicity and serenity," when they look at my paintings of barns and windmills. Over and over I heard, "I love this simplicity. It's wide open and uncluttered."

THAT's what I want. That's what I get from my paintings.

A very special 'Thank you' goes to my paitent and supportive wife for being with me the whole day, and running around (going home to get the things I forgot) and helping set up. I struggled with Art in the Arboretum when I had to do the set up by myself. This time was much easier and enjoyable.

I gave out all of my business cards. I have a nice list of emails to create an email 'blast.' And I made a contact with the owner of a restaurant about putting up my paintings at his location.

I made one sale, which, while not as many as I would have liked, was very rewarding. This woman was impressed with the colors, brush strokes and simplicity of the subjects. She purchased "Eight Boats," which is pictured in the blog entry below.

There were lots of children that visited me. Several stopped in to watch as I painted. They asked smart questions. One asked for my autograph. One girl told me her favorite type of art was painting with dots. I told her about Georges Seurat and how if you look closely at his paintings you will see the dots.

I have no other events scheduled until the Fall. I hope to get in on a "First Friday" in downtown Greensboro. Also, I'll be working on a commissioned paintings over the next couple of weeks.