Some people's reaction to my art

 

Art is absorbing but people are fascinating. It's always an adventure to hear their reactions to my art. Everyone has a different view. Each is looking for art for individual reasons and each person has a unique emotional response to each piece. Also, the location in which they view my art sometimes elicits a different reaction. Last winter, I advertised my art on Facebook Marketplace, asking people to come to my house to pick up their purchase. In that private place, they were much more likely to talk longer about art and their individual preference than in the public setting of an art sale, standing in my house, holding their purchase or looking through my bin of finished pieces. Below are some memorable comments from either a public or private place:

1. "Did you actually paint these?" 
• This is the most common question asked. Maybe it's because I look more like a grandmother than an artist. You know -- no tattoos, no dread locks, no big earrings or other face hardware, and no flowers in my hair. One man took my business card and told me he would look at my website to see if I was actually the person who painted them. 
2. "Is this really watercolour?" (confused look on their faces) 
• I then talk about the flexibility of watercolour. 
3. "Are you self-taught?" 
• It's a romantic idea but what is self-taught anyway these days when free and paid lessons are everywhere on social media? Sure, I do lots of experimenting on my own, but I also took lessons in the past from two private teachers in the city and now follow some artists' YouTube channels. 
4. (Picking up a painting of a farm) "Is this a farm in Saskatchewan?" 
• If the answer is no, they put it down and turn away. 
5. One woman bought a dog portrait because it looked like a dog she used to have. 
• Pet portraits are emotional and don't always have to represent the actual pet. 
6. (Picking up a print in a silver frame.) "This will fit with the rest of my decor because all my art has a silver frame." 
• (I hope she also liked the print inside the frame.)
7. Two people recognized my name as a writer in a local newspaper. 
• They didn't buy any art so I hope they like my writing better. 
8. "Do you know (name another artist)?" 
• Usually, the answer is no. 
9. One woman bought four pieces, saying she was refreshing her house. 
10. A customer bought a few farm pieces because she was redecorating for farm friend. 
11. A customer bought a painting and commented she would throw the frame and mat away and reframe it. 
• Ouch! 
12. A couple of people have told me they want to collect landscapes by local artists, aiming to cover their walls with art. 
13. A friend gave one of my cards to a friend who turned it over to read my name and asked, "Does she sell cards at McNally Robinson?" 
• Relating this to me later, my friend said to me, "You're getting famous!" With all the names out there, this is unusual.
  (Insert happy dance here.) 
14. Since this is Saskatoon and we love our pelicans, many people love my pelican art. 
15. I should also mention that several people commented on how much they love all my art. 
• That's my favourite feedback. 

What to Write in those Blank Cards

 This is just a quick post on ideas for dealing with a blank card. Let's say you've bought a blank card from me or from another artist at a craft sale. It's a pretty card on the outside, but now you're staring at that blank page on the inside. What do you write in there? 

The Inside of a Card  

Normally,  all you write in a card goes on the right side. The left side is left blank unless you want to add a short note. So, on the right side, you'd put: 

1. The salutation: 

        - examples: To (name), Dear Mom, or just a name ( Greg, )

        - put a comma after the salutation

        - drop down a line (that's the space of a line, you can guess at this) 

2. The verse or sentiment: 

        - Here's the hardest part for me, maybe you, too? More on this later. 

3. Your signature

        - Depending on who you're giving the card to, before your signature you could write Love, Yours truly, Your (friend, brother, cousin, etc.) but be sure to be honest and sincere with it. I don't recommend writing Love, ... if you're sending a card to a new friend, for example. In appropriate situations you could write something to fit the occasion: 

• for a birthday or anniversary: Best wishes, Happy birthday or Happy anniversary, 
• to express sympathy over a death: In sympathy, In sorrow with you, 
• to celebrate a promotion or graduation: Congratulations, Best wishes, 

Now to find that verse or sentiment: 

1. Being the sentimental person that I am, I have a small collection of those old Ideal booklets that came out in the 60s and 70s. For a special occasion, like a birthday, I'll look through them for something that fits the occasion. I've put some examples at the bottom of this post.  

 2. There are also lots of websites offering many examples of verses you can use. Just Google a phrase like "what to write in a blank card", or make it more specific and type "verse to write in a blank birthday card". Here are some I like: 

• https://www.wikihow.com/What-to-Write-in-a-Birthday-Card
• https://www.bhg.com/party/birthday/cards/funny-birthday-jokes-poems-riddles/
• https://www.papier.com/thefold/articles/what-to-write-in-a-birthday-card

3. Before you write that verse:

You can save yourself some embarrassment by doing a little planning of how this verse is going to look on your card. Here's what you do:

1. take a piece of scrap paper and lightly draw around the folded card so that you get a rectangle the same size as the space you'll be writing in; don't make a dark, black line around the edge of the card by pressing too hard with the pencil or pen
2. do a quick practise session by writing out everything in the rectangle on the scrap paper; even include the salutation at the top, and your signature at the bottom if you wish.
3. Go ahead and write everything in the card; use a coloured marker, gel pen, or for a smart or formal look, use a black pen.
4. Some people might insert in the card a small, sentimental item like a photo, sticker, bookmark, or other small, flat, pretty thing.

Got an Envelope?

Normally, an envelope comes with any card, but if you don't have one, here's a link showing a really easy way to make envelopes for 3 sizes of cards. You can use gift wrap paper, plain white paper, brown paper, or the kind of colourful paper that creator Natasha Foote used in her post.

Here's some of my favourite verses for cards:

I've used one verse out of a poem by James Joseph Huesgen in a few birthday cards, depending on the season the birthday lands on, for example, this one for spring:

Then suddenly it's spring again

A different kind of hue,

When colours burst from out the ground

In shades of joy and blue.

I love this short poem, also by James Joseph Huesgen, for a birthday:

Live not in yesterdays

Look back, and you may sorrow

Live precisely for today,

Look forward to tomorrow.

Another nice poem for a birthday by Erle D. Parker:

Life is a beautiful garden

Made of our days and years.

It always is growing and changing

As each new birthday appears.

And so in the beautiful garden

Brightened by sunshine above

May you go through the years and gather

It's blossoms of joy and love.

Here's one that might work for a sympathy card, by Emily Dickinson:

I never saw a moor,

I never saw the sea;

Yet know I how the heather looks,

And what a wave must be.

I never spoke with God,

Nor visited in heaven;

Yet certain am I of the spot

As if the chart were given.

A Bible verse is often used in cards. Here is a List of Bible Verses to Write in Cards and Notes.

Wise, short quotes never fail to give meaning to a card. Here are 50 Short Meaningful Quotes to Write on a Card.

I hope you enjoyed this post and found something useful for future cards you may send. 

What is it like living a double life?

 How do I do two things at once? I love writing and I love creating art. I have a bucket list of goals in both activities waiting to be accomplished. At first I found it frustrating. If I spent a lot of time painting, I felt guilty that I hadn't worked on that article or book for a long time, and vice versa. So how can I place a priority on one over the other? I couldn't choose which was the most important, therefore settling the question of which to spend the most time there. I couldn't choose which earned the most money as a way of choosing to spend more time on that activity. Sometimes art earned the most income and other times, writing pulled ahead. 

But I'm technically retired. I'm doing these because I enjoy doing them. In fact, I put off art until after I retired. This was always what I planned to do in my so-called leisure time. 

Finally I decided to try dividing each day into two sections. Morning and afternoon became the obvious choice. I decided on art in the morning because the light conditions were the best then and so, writing would become my afternoon endeavor. There are days when my plans don't work. Sometimes, I have to spend all day on one activity whether I want to or not because I'm working on a deadline. Other times, in spite of happily living a reclusive life, I actually do go out and have coffee with a friend or child, go shopping, visit my doctor or other health professional. But having the plan makes all the difference. I allow myself time off because, after all, I am retired and should be spending time outside enjoying the sunshine and the people around me. I also enjoy writing and painting. 

I've discovered that I perform better at both if I spend time doing both each day. Once I've done a bit of painting, my brain is relaxed and happy, better able to think of the phrases I need for writing in the afternoon. I've learned that I NEED to do both, not necessarily as a choice. Writing is like the dessert after a meal of art, or maybe art is the dessert I have before a writing meal. Both are relaxing and very much enjoyed. Both deserve attention and both return the benefits. 

  

Nathaniel Mary Quinn

 A few months ago, I watched an episode of PBS Art Talk about a young life that will forever stay in my memory. It's the story of an accomplished American artist named Nathaniel Mary Quinn. Some people live through tough childhoods and he is one. He grew up in the poorest and toughest part of Chicago. His parents were illiterate, raising four boys on almost no income. 

He drew on the walls of his parents' apartment. His mother thought she should punish him but his big brother stopped her, pointing out that Natianial actually showed talent for good art. Then she encouraged him, repeatedly washing the walls so he could have new space to keep drawing. 

His art saved his life in many ways. As a young boy, he drew sketches of gang leaders so they would feel good about themselves and it stopped them from beating him up. As a teenager, he won a scholarship to a high school where he could live in residence. During this time, his mother passed away and he never learned the cause of her death. A few weeks after her passing, Nathanial went home for Thanksgiving but arrived to find an empty apartment. He didn't know where his father and brothers had gone. 

He gained a new appreciation for his school, seeing it as the place that gave him a secure life: three good meals a day, a roof over his head, and a chance to learn and grow in safety. He worked hard to gain top marks so he could stay in school. He won awards and world-wide accolages for his art. His art is very original, and when you learn about his life, it makes sense. He creates pictures of broken people; people who are still holding together somehow. Damages souls. 

He added his mother's name to his name to honour her. knowing she always wished she had an education, he made sure that her name would appear on his degrees and awards by having her name as part of his. I found this very moving. His life is very inspiring but, in the interview, he talked about it in a matter-of-fact voice, not complaining at all or feeling sorry for himself. He only expressed gratitude for the life he lives now. 

I tried to find that interview on the internet so I could share the link with you, but my technical wizardry only goes so far. Other, shorter interviews are available but not the one I saw. Watch out for him. His is an inspiring story. 

His story taught me a few things about life: to appreciate the safe and privileged life I live, for to take the opportunities offered and make the most of them. I hope you will do the same. 

Three Good Questions: 

Simplifying your life is simple but not easy. here are three questions to ask when making decisions, setting goals, or planning uyour day: 

• Will it matter tomorrow?
• Will it matter in ten years? 
• Will this matter at the end of your life? 

---Jennifer Louden, The Woman's Comfort Book 

Monarch of the Wild 

Joy at Work

I'm really enjoying these past weeks at work. It's been such a good feeling to get some important things done that have waited on the wings of a busy summer and fall. They're the building block type of things that have only mattered to me, making a difference in my art and writing business, and what a relief to finally have a day to take care of those tasks. I'm a methodical worker. I go from one completed task to another, which could be frustrating for some who like to multi-task, but if I know one job is completely done, then I can fully focus on the next one without my mind returning to the last, yet unfinished job. I strive for that peace of mind that comes from a job ticked off the list, crossed out, the door closed. I'll admit I am slow to accomplish things but it's worth it to gain that peace of mind. I love the doing the task, and love it when it's done.  

How does your mind work? Here is a short quiz you can do to find out, click on Idealist. 

We're not human beings trying to be spiritual. We are spiritual beings trying to be human. (Jacquelyn Small) 

Sunrise on the River

Reflections on my Backyard Art Sale

 In the summer of 2023, I was looking for a way to sell my art in a in-person setting. This was before I stared in community art sales and I was just starting out in selling. I have a pretty decent backyard and decided to use that. Once a month, I advertised on social media and set out signs on the day of the sale. My daughter has a Cricut so I bought the blank signs and asked her to put on the words and a graphic similar to my logo -- boots out a truck window, with a big heading that read, "Backyard Art Sale". I also sent notices to all my friends in the city, inviting them to come and bring a friend. 

This type of art sale is relatively new in my area and interest was high. In addition to original art and prints, I had a free draaw and offered a small framed print as the prize. I also offered free bookmarks with hand-painted flowers on the front and my name and website on the back. (I got these laminated at Staples.) I set out a few items from my RedBubble shop: coffee mugs, shopping bags, and cushion covers with my art printed on them. I also had some notecards with my paintings printed on them as well as some hand-painted cards. 

At the first sale, attendance was low but the word was getting out and more people came to following events. I learned how to talk to customers, how to display the items, and which items people were the most interested in. I also learned which subject matter people liked most in paintings. I sold a few things at each sale, enough to keep me excited to have another one the next month. 

After the first sale, I decided to invite a guest artist to join me for the next ones. I invited my son first to display his photography. The next month, I invited my daughter and husband to display their new craft business selling wood crafts and fibre arts. The summer was holding warm into the fall. I decided to have one last sale on October 14th and invited my writers' group. Two members signed up with their books and crafts. It turned cold that morning. Not many came except for the few intrepid souls and it was clear this would be the last outdoor sale of the year. In the afternoon, the sun came out and the day turned lovely and warm, bringing more people. 

At most sales (except for the October one) more people came out in the morning thatn the afternoon. The lowest attendance was in September with about a dozen people. The sale with the most people was in July with about 50. The best idea I came up with was to invite a different guest each time. Their products added variety to the whole display and I had someone to talk to in the quiet times. We generated ideas while we visited. 

Overall, it was a great experience and I'm glad I did it. The next summer, I signed up for some Art in the Park sales. I went into those being better prepared because of the experience of my backyard sales. With each sale, I went in being better prepared than the last one. I also procured more pieces of equipment each year: in 2023 I bought a folding table and borrowed another table and a canopy, in 2024 I bought my own canopy and a high folding chair for myself instead of using a lawn chair (in a high chair, I can talk to people face-to-face from the chair whereas in a lawn chair, I stood up each time to talk to someone). I enjoy talking to people about art, meeting new people in both customers and other sales people. It's a learning experience but an enjoyable one. 

Finding satisfaction under the sun

 

As I look out my window at the bending trees and scudding clouds I think, this is the kind of scene artists like to paint: the trees, the clouds, and people walking by holding their coats tight around them, but it's also a nice day to stay indoors and just watch the action through the window. I would paint the picture I see outside if I wasn't already deep into a painting of another kind. This one is a country scene with a boy, a dog, and a barn. The boy and his dog are running after adventure. His coat is flying open, the dog's ears are flapping, the barn stands big and solid, inviting. I love the freedom expressed here: the wide open landscape, the dog without a leash or even a collar, and no one is telling the boy to do up his coat or wear a hat. It's the kind of life all boys and girls (and dogs) want to live, and should live. Some other day, I’ll paint the scudding clouds and the cold wind that makes people hold their coats tight around them, but when I do, it'll be from the comfort of indoors. When I do paint outside, I'll wait for a warm, sunny, summer day.