More Art

A couple weeks ago, I created a couple of paintings I planned to enter in the pop up gallery "Red" benefiting The Jackson Michigan Area Red Cross. I created two new works "Celestial Lime" and "The Best Laid Plans" both are oil pastels. I wanted to show them in the juried shows "Red" and one in Northville with the Ann Arbor Women Artists--I don't remember the name of that one. I would need to take time off of work if accepted into one or both shows to deliver my artwork. So, I did not enter either show.

I emailed one of the Red Show coordinators, Maggie Riggle. I asked, if chosen, could I deliver my work early. She emailed me back and said she would be happy to help by allowing me to deliver my work to her studio at Art 634. She said she would take it to the gallery for me. The deadline for "Red" was Tuesday, Feb. 28. I photographed my work, but didn't download it onto my computer. Tuesday came and went. I wish I felt better so that I would have at least entered the "Red" show. Back in December I has a knee procedure done to clean up a torn meniscus in my right knee. I'm still dealing with pain because both knees have arthritis. The procedure helped, but I still have pain and when I do not feel well I don't move as much. So then, I didn't enter these shows or create art.

Need to Photograph more Art

It has been a while since I've photographed my artwork and posted it anywhere. I closed my website www.gretaart.com earlier this year. It was more for vanity than for business and sales, so, to save money, I closed it. Eventually I may reopen it...or not. I hope that I can get followers of my art blog who will repost my blogs for others to read and follow. In this way, followers of my artwork will grow. I hope.

I have recently done about five pieces--oil pastels, which I need to photograph and post here. It is just a matter of doing it. That's the hold up...the doing it part.

Feel free to leave a comment and repost my blogs. I appreciate hearing from viewers. Thank you!!

Art and Beyond Belief on Primetime TV

Lately I've been creating art while watching TV. The art I'm doing is done either using oil pastels, which is a standard favorite of mine, or I use pencil with which to draw.

Right now I'm watching a "Primetime" special called "Beyond Belief". A reporter, who died and came back to life, interviewed various people who died and came back to life also. Though their experiences were somewhat different, most of them included seeing a calming white light and meeting deceased loved ones on the other side.

I wonder what my experience will be. I like the idea of the calming white light, seeing loved ones who have gone ahead and such, but after that I want to explore this place and I hope there are mountains and lovely landscapes on which to explore.

Sold Grapefruit on the Horizon

Back in March, okay, so I am having a bit of trouble keeping up with my blog posts here because I currently only have 4 followers and they do not seem too interested in my random ramblings.

Anyway, back in March, I was invited to be in the fund raiser art show for the American Red Cross here in Jackson, Michigan. I submitted four small paintings to keep the price down and so that they all might make it into the juried show. They did make the show. The show only lasted four days. When I went to pick up the artwork, I was informed that Grapefruit on the Horizon, a watercolor and pencil drawing, sold. The Horizon was of New Mexico...I was very impressed visiting my brother down in Carlsbad has left some very favorable impressions on me.

He's thinking of taking a different job in another state. Oh well. I guess I'll have to pull images from my memories of visits and the hundreds of photographs I took on my first visit several years ago.

Motivators for Creating Art

Here in New Mexico on my brother's patio, I think about what has motivated me in the past to create art. One of the best motivators is pain--emotional, raw pain. Well, okay, pain and TV allow me to explore and release my inner self. Pain helps because painting then becomes a positive outlet for it--something I can productively translate into something better.

TV is a motivator too because sometimes I see shadows and forms, which catch my attention and usually go to the sketching pad or tape up some paper on the wall and create my interpretation of what I saw with new colors, added depth or shapes, etc. It is a very freeing experience to create art.

I think too of Georgia O'Keefe and all the motivators she had to continue and expand her art in this dry, seemingly barren place. Did she run from her flirtatious husband who loved young women more than her? She grew up, no longer the ripe young flesh that his lust desired. She was a cast away of his love. Yet, she did not wallow in pity, but made her break and set her mind to deeper things. (But why in the world did she come here? It is nice now, but it is so dry and so barren. Yes, the shapes and colors of the homes and landscapes are beautiful with subtle colors and depth, but I do not want to live here like her (and my brother--for now).)

(My hands are so dry. I need some lotion and to drink a lot more water.)
On my brother's wall above the entrance to the kitchen are two of my oil pastels--"Pomagrante" and "Apple #2" (or #3). Lower down beside the doorway hangs "The Three Sisters" landscape painting. He bought the two oil pastels from me and I threw in "The Three Sisters" because he liked it and I didn't. I'm very glad to know that I have a fan of my work from someone within the family.

Down in Carlsbad New Mexico

I'm here visiting my brother, Mitch, in Carlsbad New Mexico sitting on his patio listening to the ground popping as twilight deepens into night. He flew me down this week, March 17, 2011, to photograph items he wants to list on E bay. I'm thrilled. I got a free trip to the southwest. We haven't gone sightseeing like we did the last time I came out two years ago with mom. I am very content to sit here on the patio, listening to the cooling ground, feeling the warm night air caress my skin, knowing a comfortable bed is ready anytime I am.

I don't need much to be happy. I am happy now, by myself, in this simple moment. Here and now is all I need and it is good.Thank you Lord.

Made it into the RED show

I was chosen to be in the Jackson Michigan American Red Cross charity art show "RED" happening March 24=27. Yeah!!

Creating Art

I haven't felt much like creating art for several months now. The reason for my lax is because I am not selling any work. Why continue to create when there isn't anything going out the door? As one Internet friend reasoned "because you enjoy the process of creating". Well, I do enjoy the process of creating, but it is small consolation when I see my framed work sitting on the floor next to a dresser my grandfather made or what I like to call my creativity station.

I'm trying to make room by hanging pieces on the walls in my home, but they are only reminders that in this too I have failed. It feels like such a failure if I'm creating art, but not selling it. Yes, the economy is bad right now...blah, blah, blah...but if I were good, I feel people would buy my work.

This is just another low spot for me with no remedy.

Hanging at Sweetwaters Cafe in Ann Arbor Michigan

On Monday, May 31, 2010,I will be hanging 7-10 pieces of artwork at Sweetwaters Cafe in Ann Arbor Michigan. I'm not feeling at all confident about my work or this show. I've really lost a lot of steam in the creative department probably because I had two major art blows this year. The first being not getting into the juried show at the Ann Arbor Library for a second time. The other--none of the three pieces I submitted for the "Water" show at River Gallery in Chelsea Michigan were accepted for their juried show. The first blow was bad enough, the second? Well, it was devastating. I haven't created anything fresh since Feb. And even that piece still hangs taped and unfinished on my dining room wall.

Did my muse run away or did I slam the door in it's face? What a terrible thing rejection is to the creative spirit. Feels like I'm back writing again and finding letters of rejection in the mail. The last letter of rejection was for my very first young adult fantasy novel. It came with a personal note as to why it was rejected. Even so, it was rejected--not good enough to be published. This is how my art feels right now--not good enough to sell.

I have no idea how to price my pieces either. Most are 22x28" oil pastels. I'm thinking of putting a price tag of $150 each on them...but will this be too little? There is one I love and do not wish to sell it, but it is an oil pastel and like some others...pricing must be consistent, so says me.

I'll figure it out before Monday.

Sweetwaters Show

So today I was notified that a spot is open for me at the Sweetwaters Cafe in downtown Ann Arbor Michigan to show some artwork from June 1-Aug 1. I'm excited to get to do a show, but wondering what in the world do I have to put up at it.

I didn't make it into the A2 Women Artists Spring Juried Show at the Ann Arbor District Library. I only entered two pieces into the show. I thought for certain one at least, if not both, would have made it in. I guess my "Ode to Mark Rothko" oil pastel paintings were a bust for the juror. I wonder if Mark Rothko himself would have gotten into that show...probably because he is Mark Rothko.

I'm learning and playing and creating and discovering more and more about this art process. No, my work is not popular, but I'm creating it for myself as a catalog of what I thought was important at the time. I'm trying to capture moments in time and put those down on paper so I remember what was important...views of Lake Michigan and the peace visiting that spot on the world gave me...the near collapse of Wall Street and the fear it invoked and the dreams...my body--the celebration of the fat woman that I am and the embracing of it. I fear failure. (Is it okay to fear failure, but to try anyway and maybe not have my art liked because it's not from someone who is an "accomplished" artist or understood?) I feel so cold thinking about the failure of getting into that juried show.... I sent out a disc for the upcoming show at River Gallery in Chelsea...I hope I make it into that one. If not, I may question why I do art if I am not selling it. Is there really a reason to have so many canvas's lining the walls in my home if that is all they are doing?

My work is not that great, I admit. But it is mine and that must be worth something to someone. Yes it is. It is worth a lot to me.