Gone To The Dogs

Finally finished my commissioned three dog portraits. The cocker spaniel was a real headache as the colours in his coat were very complex so in the end rotated the photo so that it was upside down which made it into a series of abstract shapes and easier to paint.

The red setter was a bit easier to do although getting the highlights right on its coat was tricky. Setters are lovely looking dogs but I have heard that they're a bit scatty.



I enjoy painting fox terriers as their faces are so full of character. "Frank" looks like he's a real laid back fellow who takes life as it comes. His owner asked that all three portraits were done on black and his colours stand out the best on this whereas the spaniel's tends to blend into the background somewhat.

Fingers crossed that the owner likes the finished results.

Money!

Received a cheque from The Napier Mail in payment for the article on microlighting so looks like this will be published next week sometime. I was excited enough to scan the cheque which I guess is pathetic but it's the first income I've earned from my writing in New Zealand. I also scanned the first cheque I earned from an overseas publication years ago.

Finished my last assignment for my journalism course but have to wait three weeks to see if I passed and will graduate with a diploma. I have applied to join the NZIBS Graduates Club as they send out job listings and other info plus you have the opportunity to network with other writers which could be helpful.

With my writing earnings I made a visit to the Flying Pig and bought six canvases to replace the ones I used in the exhibition. I love buying new art supplies and am ever reluctant to use them. Their pristine white surfaces seems so full of possibilities and the first brushstroke seems to mark the beginning of frustration and dissatisfaction for me. I never achieve what I really want to say/show. Perhaps the Buddhist theory of the journey being more important than the destination is relevant to my outlook.

Over and Out

Mystic Mermaids and Fantabulous Felines are no more. Went down after lunch yesterday and packed up the exhibition. Always intrigues me how it takes well over an hour to set up and only five minutes to tear down.

I had sold another painting this week- the black and white bunny. Apparently it's gone to the US. I wish we had sold more but our names aren't really "out there" as yet. The gallery have asked me to make some cards from my donkey painting and they will sell them. I will try a couple of the unsold paintings on Trademe but have my patchwork cats for sale on my art site.

Back to work today on the dog commissions plus I only have three questions left on my final assignment for my journalism diploma. Once that's away I have a three week wait to see if I've passed.

First sale!

Creative Hastings left a phone message mid afternoon yesterday to say that a lady wanted to buy my donkey painting but as she was English and flying home within the next few days she would need to take it right away. Usually sold works are left in the exhibition till it's finished but Lyn made an executive call to let the picture go which I'm happy about. I already had a buyer for it if it hadn't sold by the 18th March but he is ok with me painting another version. If I can sell a couple more pieces I will have at least made my costs. It would be wonderful to make a profit but everyone I speak to says that art shows don't sell out like they once did.

Received my next book for review from Homebizbuzz. It's about surviving the bird flu. Slightly depressing but at least it's not about tax.

Managed to get some painting done as I am trying to finish three dog commissions for a lady in Wellington who has been patiently waiting since early this year. I really dislike commissioned work but I guess it makes you work outside your comfort zone.

This n That

Heard back from the editor of the rural paper I had applied to work for a month ago. The answer is no- they decided to hire someone they already have some association with. Hey ho. Anyway he did say they're having a meeting sometime this week and he will be discussing the possibility of my having a column with his sub editor. My interview with John Ridler (microlight pilot) is still going to be published in the Napier Mail this month but I am not sure when.

Homebizbuzz got in touch asking if I was willing to write another review for them. I said yes and they've mailed out the book already. That's positive news.

A friend went into town to have a look at the exhibition yesterday afternoon. Was highly complementary of Judy's work and said as she left two people came in and were looking at her mermaids. As yet neither of us have made any sales but it is pretty early into the exhibition to hope for that I spose. I would like to make my costs though.

Applied to register (yes you have to apply to enter) the Original Art Sale in Auckland in June. Sent an email with one of my patchwork cats plus contact details. Had a really good response and have been told I can enter four works (four is my lucky number). Apparently the adjudicator wanted to see some of my other paintings as she likes my technique and wanted to see if I can cope with other genres. My framer says I need to get my work up to Auckland as there is a bigger market there so hopefully this will be the start.

MMs and FFs

Finished the last painting I was intending for the exhibition late yesterday afternoon so had plenty of time to photograph work and put d-rings on the back of my smaller cat paintings. Managed to spear the small screwdriver into the end of my left thumb and bled like there was no tomorrow so there is now some of my DNA on a couple of my paintings.

Got to the gallery at 10.25am and we managed to finish setting up at 11.45am. I contributed twelve items, Judy thirteen so there is a range of work for people to see. In fact three different groups of folk were peering in the front windows while we were working with a couple of women even thinking of trying the front door. Fingers crossed that this is a good sign. I am totally exhausted.

Work for the Exhibition

I have finally scanned in some of the pictures I'll be selling at the exhibition. These are all painted in acrylics and sealed with a matt varnish.
This is the first in my series of Patchwork cats. It is 4" by 4" in size on gallery wrapped canvas.



Here is a shot of the bottom (I've painted the patchwork right round to finish it all off).







Patchwork cat 2 has turned out really girly which wasn't my intention but hopefully someone will like it. This one is 5" by 7".











I have four paintings around 3 1/2" by 4" painted on Bockingford Watercolour paper that I am taking into the framer today.
This is my girl Briar











I've painted this girl on a pendant before but she didn't sell for some reason. Finally auctioned her off and got NZ $7 for her which was donated to the EDFNZ













I enjoy painting black and white animals for some reason.














Finally a very folk arty Calico cat.

Wishing For More Hours In the Day

In town yesterday so popped into Creative Hastings to collect some of my cards left over from the Christmas sale. Was able to have a good look at the wall space for the exhibition. I am not so panicky now as I think between Judy and I we should be able to fill it. It's a question as to how many people will look at our work and actually buy it that worries me now.

I then dropped off a pendant ordered by a lady whose much loved dog is in his sunset years and not going to be around many more months. She was happy with the work and asked for a card so that she can pass the word along. The stone was one I had drilled myself. I had worried that it would break due to being quite narrow at the top but it all worked out. I have asked my sister if she can find some similar stones near where she lives as she originally got this particular stone from the Clutha River. For some reason they're much easier to drill than the local ones in Hawkes Bay. They're a bit rough so perhaps they have more tooth for the drill to grip to.

The amount of work I am trying to complete at the moment is quite daunting. I still have three assignments to complete for my journalism course so am trying to fit this in around my art work. I wish I hadn't taken on the dog painting commissions as I really need this time to complete my other work. I wish there were more hours in the day and I had the energy to employ them.

Interviews and Other Stresses

Of all things I had an unexpected job interview last Wednesday. I had sent an article into a local community paper and the editor rang to say he was interested in running it and what were my rates. We got to talking and in the course of the conversation he mentioned that his other paper (a monthly rural publication) is losing it's main writer and would I be interested in the job? I went along the next day to talk about it with him as well as his sub editor. The interview lasted an hour. I have no idea if I will get the job as I think they're wondering if I can cope with the work involved. I am hopeful though that they will use me somehow. There was even some talk about my writing a column on life out here on the farm.

Under three weeks till the exhibition so it's stressing out time. With the hot weather and feeling a bit unwell I haven't finished as much work as I hoped plus I have three dog portrait commissions hanging over my head. Very nerve wracking.

Also today my book review for Homebizbuzz came out.

Bloomin' Bloggers

I have to say I'm grumpy this morning since discovering someone had hotlinked to one of my images on The Menagerie. Hotlinking means that whenever someone views their page your image is downloaded from your host costing you bandwidth which of course equals money. Now what really annoyed me was that it was an image of one of my rabbit cards and on that page it does state that all the drawings are copyrighted and must not be reproduced. Obviously the individual felt if they were downloading it straight from my website then that didn't count.

I have only been hotlinked twice by bloggers whereas my friend Lea Frydman of Elvis Presley News is constantly targeted. This has cost her a small fortune with her host and no wonder as she tells me that over 12,000 images were linked! Now the techies at Host Nexus have sorted her problem so that it can no longer be done but she'll never recover the money she lost through these bloggers.

Apart from that I have been trying to paint despite the heat (it was 34oC here Tuesday 31st Jan). Creative Hastings just published their February newsletter with Judy and my exhibition listed so now it feels horribly real (and close!). I still have four commissions to finish before the end of this month as well so panic stations.

Also returned to The Craftsman in Taradale, Napier and was happy to learn that the owner is willing to sell my work. She particularly liked the brooches. She's not sure the cards will go as they don't sell many usually but I asked her to try anyway. I can always take them away if no one wants them.

Today I am sending away two articles to New Zealand publications so fingers crossed they sell. It feels really tough trying to break into this market. I guess I just have to find my niche.

Patience

At the moment I'm reading "Buddhism For Busy People" by David Michie and last night had a major epiphany which kept me awake till nearly midnight. I always say that my life lesson is patience. I seem to have to wait for important things in my life- usually for years. In his book Michie mentioned that patience is the opposite of anger and that good Buddhists try to cultivate this in order to negate any feelings of anger that can create bad karma for the future. Looking at my life at the moment I realize that I am angry at many of the things that have happened in the past few years plus I was worrying as I was losing my equilibrium and obsessing a wee bit too much over what was done and not done. As the Dalai Lama says that our enemies are our greatest teachers perhaps I have to turn my way of thinking on its head and be grateful to those who have caused problems in my life as it has given me the opportunity to cultivate patience.

The other message in the book is if you look back to a time when you've been terribly miserable it usually is when you've been thinking of yourself and dwelling on your own problems. How true! Perhaps you're not able to go out and save the world but if you can immerse yourself in some activity, particularly a creative pastime such as writing or art, then your spirit lifts and the day becomes much brighter and easier to bear. I know my danger times are mid morning and also just before sleep. At the moment gardening helps (even if it's just for 15 minutes) and of course I keep a few books by my bedside to dip into in order to take my mind off my worries. They're still there of course (I have my second migraine of the month to prove it) but I am hoping by taking this major life lesson and working with it as a positive rather than something to fight against I can become more settled.

Last night I was talking to someone about how important it is to have humour in your life. I have always said that if you can't laugh at yourself you could be missing the joke of the century. Not only that but who wants to spend time with an old misery guts (Kiwi term)? We don't laugh enough during our day and I'm sure that's why there is so much illness in modern society. We spend so much time in pursuit of material possessions we think will make us happy that even when we achieve that new TV or pair of shoes that happiness only lasts a moment. It means nothing.

Happiness (which equals peacefulness in my opinion) does come from within. A new house, boyfriend, job or more money will not bring you joy but just lead to more dissatisfaction. The more you have the more you want. Unfortunately we live in a world where this is seen as a good thing.

Onto art- I am enjoying painting at the moment. The stress of being just a few weeks away from the exhibition has not hit home yet. We finally finalized the name "Mystic Mermaids and Fantabulous Felines" which covers my friend's wire and bead sculpture and my animal art. Also I returned to The Craftsman yesterday but the owner has not returned from holiday so haven't a definite answer on my work. Have to cultivate some more of that patience and go back next week.

Received another assignment back from my journalism tutor Monday just as I mailed another. I was worried as I had to write two articles "What I Think of Today's Children" and the other on a subject of my choice (rabbit illnesses) and I was not confident I had done a good job. However my tutor liked both and suggested the bunny one should be submitted to some publications. Fingers crossed!

Moving Out Of The Comfort Zone

Went into a shop that have stocked a few items of my work before and took in a selection of jewelry and cards. The lady responsible for buying wasn't there this week but her husband liked what I'd taken so I left everything there and will go back next week. Left $190.00 worth of work- would be great if I could sell all that. The shop caters mainly to tourists but is upmarket and doesn't have all the tacky Kiwiana you sometimes see in souvenir shops. Fingers crossed!

The lady who books exhibitions at Creative Hastings rang this week and wants a name for my friend's and my March show by Friday. Panic!

Back in the saddle

Have finally begun work again for the New Year. Finished a commissioned pendant of a lady's white Flemish Giant bunny "Ed". The photos she sent were good but they didn't show the feet so had to be creative. I did about eight bunny portraits last year so I think this may be a more popular subject here, especially considering how many people keep rabbits as pets. Not many people want their cats painted which is weird though.

Finished my book review for Homebizbuzz and emailed that in but haven't heard anything back yet. Also am in the middle of another assignment for my journalism course which deals with reviews of all things. I have to make this course a priority for the next few weeks so that I can finish on time. Also have to begin another commission for a pendant within the next few days (a dog this time). However today I want to do some work towards my friend Judy's and my first joint exhibition in March 2006.

Auctions

One thing that really annoys me with an auction is how if it doesn't reach reserve and you offer the item to the watchers they never accept or reject the offer but leave it until it expires three days later. This holds you up so that you could lose a potential buyer. Most of my auctions have finished for the left-over Christmas sale stock and although a couple of things sold eight others did not so I offered them to people watching. In the case of one pendant there were two bidders and three watchers, none of whom have made a decision whether or not they want the thing. What's worse is that Trademe introduced a scheme last year whereby you can see when people log into their account and in all cases these individuals have been looking through TM but just haven't made a decision. Just my pet peeve for the day!

It has been too hot to paint so I have been concentrating on finishing my book review for Homebizbuzz. I also have another to write for Klauw on Kate Bush's new album "Aerial". Did manage to finish an article for Kiwi Herald on the weekend on Ian Holm and his work here on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Had quite a few interesting observations about Peter Jackson. Last week did a massive mail-out of newsletters for the EDFNZ so was able to begin the New Year with a clear conscience.

A reporter from Hawkes Bay Today came out to do an interview about EDS and the work of the Foundation which should come out this week. Be interesting to see if it's a serious piece or just another Freak of the Week story. At least it will be a clear week before I have to go into town again after its publication so hopefully everyone will have forgotten about it by then!

Sale Aftermath

The gallery sale ended Christmas Eve so went down at lunchtime to pick up my stuff. I was the first to arrive, in fact there were still customers shopping when I began packing up. I had sold another pendant that week and a brooch that day but disappointingly I was down quite dramatically from last year. I felt a bit blue about it (thinking no one wanted my work) until a friend also participating told me her sales were down drastically also. My family told me that there is so much junk displayed there that it's sometimes hard to see past it to the quality work (I hope they count mine amongst the quality and not the rubbish). My friend isn't going in the sale next year and I'm going to have a rethink. One good thing is that eleven of my business cards were taken and I have already received an order. New Year's resolution in the art line is to find more outlets.

I have put my remaining gallery items on Trademe so fingers crossed something sells.

I had one day off (Christmas Day) and now have to get back to writing. I have to finish the book review for Homebiz plus have five newsletters to complete this week. I'd be moaning if I had nothing to do but it's slightly stressful at the moment so plenty of St John's Wort tea is being imbibed.

Orders

My auction for the rabbit pendant ended last night without reaching its reserve so I offered it to the bidders and watchers and it sold shortly afterwards. Also someone had asked if I could paint her dogs and so it looks like I'm going to receive an order for seven paintings from her. Great way to end the year.

I finished the book I am reviewing for Homebuzzbiz last night so have a few days in hand to finish writing my review. Fortunately the book was extremely well written and informative as I was dreading having to write anything negative!

Tis the season for burnout

Only a couple of weeks till the end of 2005 and I'm really tired. I haven't achieved half of what I wanted to do due to "people stuff" which can tend to fill the days with worry. Yesterday I received some more information on the Arts and Creativity Diploma run by the Learning Connexion in Wellington. It does look interesting and I think I could really use some help, especially with life drawing and portrait work (humans that is). Apparently they're in the process of upgrading this course to a degree. Lets face it that's the only way I'll get a fine arts degree in New Zealand extramurally as all the other schools need you to attend in person. There is alot of emphasis on preparing exhibitions and getting out there before the public which is what I need to do if I want to make a living from my artwork and writing. My journalism course should be completed in March if I pull my finger out so I could start in April if I can get some funding. The registrar says she'll ring me again in Febuary 2006 for an interview.

I rang Creative Hastings yesterday but have only sold a few items since last week. It's been a disappointing year there for me so far, not only for me either as I know two other artists who are finding it not as lucrative as previous years. Perhaps people are just sick of my stuff as the lady running it says the sale is going very well. At least I'll have some stock I can sell on after Christmas which will make a change. I have also listed an auction on Trademe offering to paint someone's pet bunny on a pendant. This is due to end Friday and I have a couple of watchers so fingers crossed.

Breaking the exhaustion barrier

Adrenaline has alot to answer for. It gets you through extra work you have to do but leaves you totally wiped out on the other side. I painted myself into a stupor yesterday trying to finish off a few more items to take into the gallery sale. Then this morning I was hurriedly trying to put brooches into their packets and then messed up the labels and so had to start again. My problem is that I only can work in natural light so even with daylight saving I feel like I'm racing against time. I finished stringing the last pendant five minutes before my ride arrived.

I have sold two pendants, one brooch and a folk arty fox stone in a week so hope the rest of the month goes as well. There were quite a few people browsing there although I didn't see anyone whipping out their wallet.

Yesterday I heard that I have been accepted as a reviewer on Homebiz a New Zealand home business website. My first book has been sent out with reviewing guidelines. I am really looking forward to trying this. You never know I may even learn something.

Late As Usual

I was intending to make daily entries to this blog but unfortunately life gets in the way. Was running late with finishing work for the gallery Christmas sale but took enough down to town on setting up day last Sunday (27th November). There was the usual air of contained chaos with a few white faced artists helping set up displays. Fortunately I have the wooden stand my friend's Dad made me which allows me to display my jewellery and small works together so they don't get lost in the general melee of items. Once the lady in charge had time to find a spot to place the thing it only took five minutes to set up. On Wednesday I took in a couple more pendants in plus over 50 animal cards. Apparently the first day went really well but I have no idea how much I've sold.

Also managed to finish my christmas card for the artists' swap. I stuck the completed painting onto a piece of red card and sent it off to Canada last week. I decided to crop the picture and have printed out copies as cards. I also reprised the image and painted it onto a pendant (on Clutha river stone) which was the first one I had drilled myself. It only took forty minutes! Hopefully I'll speed up as I gain experience.

Also finally put up the interview with Katbite on Kiwi Herald. I agree with Kat that it's the smaller bands making the most interesting music at the moment although I have to admit to buying a Yulia CD last month. Definite sign of age there I think!

Girl With A Drill

Big excitement yesterday when my friend John arrived out for a visit and gave me an old drill he no longer wanted. I have been having to rely on the kindness of friends to drill stones for my hand painted pendants over the past couple of years and had decided that I must save up for a drill so I could do the job myself. Now I only have to buy a vice to hold them and I'm in business.

I have only twelve drilled stones left since I completed a few commissions for people over the winter (mainly rabbit portraits and one horse!). My latest order came from the US and was for a blonde pomeranian dog. Eventually it will end up in Hawaii as it is intended as a christmas gift. Some of my prevous pendants can be seen at Passion For Paint

Today I have to finish off a commission for an Elvis stone again destined for the US plus a Christmas card as part of an exchange programme I'm involved in with other artists so there is some pressure on. Fortunately with daylight saving here in New Zealand I can finish up some work in the evening after I've finished my farm chores.