I Continue to "Wade into the Water's"

 

I just moved, deleted and added categories to my website.  The category I added was E-MAIL NEWSLETTER.  Yikes!

I think I made a commitment to my art business in at least a C+ sort of way two years ago when I purchased a tent and the necessary equipment for outdoor shows, developed a website as well as this blog, and began to take workshops to improve my painting.  The 100 or so oil paintings I've done in the last two years shows at least a C+ effort, I think.

I remember in one of my college classes (Human Growth and Learning II), the professor offered to let us contract for our grade.  On the first day of class, we were handed a list of grades with
projects we needed to complete to qualify for each one.  I was the one sitting in the back row with my mouth open in disbelief.  We can choose what grade we want?  I'm going for the A+!

I don't remember the exact amount of work I was expected to do for the A+...scrap that...she didn't think anyone deserved an A+...the highest grade offered was an A.  I do remember the feeling when I had my one-on-one with that professor and turned in my contract for the expected A.  It was a little like this morning when I decided to commit to a newsletter, a little dread, a little excitement, and a little of that "What did I just do?" feeling.

Well that college professor gave me an A- (she never liked me!!).  I could have slacked and gone for the easy C+, just like I can continue to give my art business a C+ effort, but I'm all in now.  I'm "wading into the waters" up to my neck! 

Thank you, friend, for reading my blog and supporting me.  I'm redoubling my efforts to share my art and connect with others in my field.  If you have a website, blog, newsletter, or Face Book business page, I'd like to keep up with your progress too!   Please contact me by e-mail through my website or sign up for my newsletter at http://www.maryopat.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

"Getting Out There", the Good and the Bad

 

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I started posting my paintings for sale.  First on Fine Art America and Contemporary Fine Art International, and then on my own website http://www.maryopat.com.  I started with just a few paintings, knowing that they were far from being even close to the professional level.

The thing is, as with any endeavor, you can jump in and learn as you go, or spend years and years preparing for your dream to begin.  I imagine that after awhile putting off becomes a habit that's hard to break.  Procrastination and the need for perfection takes over and that dream gets shoved further and further down the road. 

Looking back at the first few paintings I posted for sale, I can see mistakes galore, depending on whose wisdom I'm currently following.  It's easy to get discouraged when you come away from an art show without a sale, or when your paintings are turned away during the jury process.  The thing I feel the most successful at is choosing the right teachers on this wild journey. My knowledge about art has increased more in the last two years than I could have imagined. 

So, as the two-year mark draws close, I'm thanking my friends and family who check out my blog from time to time.  My view count will go over the 9,000 mark.  In my haste, I made some not-so-perfect paintings, but I'm not sorry I "got out there" with my work.  You've got to start sometime, and for all of us, the road ahead grows a little shorter each day while the road behind grows longer!

Live is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Do You Have Something to Say?

"Red Skirts" Sold

 

When I declared that I was planning an art blog to round out my on-line presence, my niece, Lisa, said, "Do you have anything to say"?  I wasn't sure.  Don't all artists have something to tell the world through their art?  But am I an artist, or just someone who has the ability to paint?  At what point does the craft person stop and the artist begin?

 I do know that as painters, artists, and everything in between, we are continually learning while seeking out the best way to convey what we want to present to the world.  It's a way of life that has no required retirement date, and the richness of experience is equal to the time and effort invested.

So do I have anything to say?  I think we all do.  And the best time to begin is always in the present!

Life is Art...Paint Your Dreams!

Mary
http://www.maryopat.com