5 Steps to Curating a Show… how I put my Best Art forward

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Deciding what pieces to show

When I do a show, which I do a couple of times a year, it’s an opportunity to meet new people who may have never heard of me or seen my work. It is vitally important that they see my up to date work and my best presentation.  So curating a show starts weeks and maybe months in advance.

  1. Create a body of work… Each January I set to work deciding what direction my art will go in the coming year.  I have many customers that come back year after year and they need new and fresh images to look at. So I sit down and map out what I might be painting seasonally.  This year I decided that I would do a Spring Collection that consisted mostly of floral paintings since I hadn’t created any in a few years. Now that summer has arrived I will be doing a series of new monsoon paintings, and as fall approaches I bring in a series of paintings that pop with reds and oranges and yellows.
  2. Paint in different sizes… When doing a show I want to have something in several price ranges from the seasoned collector to the new person just starting out  collecting my work.  So I have small painting 8″ X 8″ up to 30″ X 30″ or larger.  I also provide cash and carry items to bring the collector to the display, note cards and small prints are easy ways to start a conversation about my art.
  3. Hang paintings in the same color palette together… This year I found that many of my paintings have cerulean blue in them, it is one of my favorite colors, and also blends well with my other favorite colors, purple and teal.  When a person walks up to a display they want a cohesive feel and having a similar color palette will provide this.
  4. Have one large painting as the star… I make sure the painting is facing my audience. I need a focal point to draw in the viewer as they approach my space.. It maybe a jumping off place for conversation, or it may become the inspiration for a commission or help the viewer to see themselves with one of my paintings in their home.
  5. Make sure your paintings are ready to hang and displayed properly… I choose not to frame my pieces, instead I use 1 1/2″ gallery wrap canvas with sides painted in complimentary colors, and a UV coating to keep them archival.  The are ready to hang with D rings and wire. I also include a “Certificate of Authenticity” giving the copyright and medium and title of each piece. I firmly believe that every inch of your painting, front and back, should shout “I am a professional”

I am currently in the process of doing these exact steps as I get ready for the

Les Femmes des Montage Art Show and Sale July 14th

10am-4pm

At the Hassayampa Inn’s Marina Room

 

 

Black Eyed Susans

BLACK EYED SUSANS

Black Eyed Susan’s   16″ X 16″

Welcome to summer, it has hit our area in full force. Hot and dry, hardly anything can grow in this arid land until the monsoon rolls in. But when it does one of the first flowers that takes hold are Black Eyed Susans.  The other day I was researching them and discovered that there are many varieties.  I saw this lovely salmon colored variety and just had to paint them. I think they celebrate the joy of summer and all the promises it brings.

Next is to find out if they will grow in my area, which I hope they do.  I am already planning a bed for them. Hopefully the Javalina will not have much appetite for them and I will have fresh bouquets every where.

These Susans are the perfect entry for my floral series, and will probably be the last because it is time for a new direction since the monsoons are coming.  So I am looking forward to putting out some crazy exciting monsoon inspired paintings.

This week I am in the studio transitioning and focusing on the up and coming Les Femmes des Montage 14th Annual Art Show and Sale. Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 10-4. Hosted at the Hassayampa Inn Marina Room.

Les Femmes artists will partner with the  Highlands Center for Natural History in support of the work they do to help educate the public about nature and the environment. A Raffle will be held for an item from each artist with all proceeds being donated to the Highlands Center. Representatives of the Highland Center will be in attendance to answer questions, distribute information and sell raffle tickets.

So if you are into floral paintings I will be exhibiting them at the Les Femme des Montage. Hope to see you there, and have a safe and fun 4th of July.

Pam

 

 

Reaching Your Highest Potential

REACHING UP

Reaching High 24″ X 24″   TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PAINTING

As you know I love to paint inspiring and up-lifting pieces.  I thought these Cone Flowers were just right for that kind of motivation.  Stretching themselves to reach to the sun, they are the tallest plants in this garden.  Just like these Cone Flowers we should be reaching ever upward, seeking to have a most productive and joyous life. Being the best we can be, and living the life of our dreams.  It doesn’t matter what stage of life we are in, we can always look forward to greatness, joy and abundance.  Whether that means we volunteer our time to help others, travel to places we have always wanted to go, or seek new talents, we can always reach our highest potential.

Go out this week and find the time to do something wonderful.

Pamela is an Art workshop instructor, and a motivational teacher.   To find her CLASSES and  to enjoy her Positive-Energy ART

Becoming a Painter

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“Iris”  16″ X 16″  Learn More About This Painting

Hi Friends,

I didn’t start painting until I was 40 years old.  Some people might think that a true painter would be innately born to be a painter.  Maybe I was but life didn’t present me with the desire till I was older.

My father was a wonderful painter and professional artist, I would sit hours by his side and watch him paint.  He would teach me about color, perspective and composition. Yet I never put them into practice. I idolized him, and then he was gone, at fifteen I became broken when my father suddenly died.  I never picked up a brush after that for the first half of my life.

My husband was in the Air Force and he was up for transfer to another base. So we visited Kirkland AFB near Albuquerque, New Mexico.  A friend I was working with suggested I visit Ghost Ranch, where Georgia O’Keeffe painted.  My epiphany came when I walked in her shoes in the beautiful New Mexico soil. It brought up the long shackled desire to paint.

It became my passion and the Yin to my Yang of self-preservation while working in the field of Child Welfare. It became my joy and my spark to igniting a creative life.  My father was at my back spurring me along.

That is why I believe it is never to late to find your passion. If it is visual art then pick up that brush, mold some clay or weld some metal. Join your local art’s guild find some classes or workshops, find the joy in life.

Never stop finding your true calling.

Pam

 

Spring… rebirth, renewal and resurrection

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“Iris”  16″ X 16″

As the seasons change so do I, winter barely left us when I was waiting for hints of spring, I have an Iris garden just off my deck, surrounded by my  creek and this is where I look each year for signs of spring.  Now Iris are one of the few flowers I can plant that our pesky Javalina don’t seem to have an appetite for.  Daffodils are the other spring flower that is not on their menu.  So these two flowers are planted everywhere in Prescott .  When the leaves start popping through the earth, just like clock work around the spring solstice I know spring has sprung.

This became my inspiration for a spring collection, which is all about flowers this year; specifically Iris. So from now through May you may see a lot of flowers blooming on my website.  A fresh inviting look full of promise and hope for an amazing 2018.  Isn’t that what spring is all about, rebirth, renewal and resurrection.

Original Boutique Art  (only 1 available)  Shipping free in the US

“Iris” Original Acrylic Painting

16" X 16" X 1 1/2" Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas sides painted teal and ready to hang.

$320.00

 

ENJOYING THE JOURNEY

ENJOYING THE JOURNEY

“Enjoying The Journey”  9″ X 12″ Acrylic on Paper

Number 2 in my 30 in 30 days painting challenge.  Today I chose to loosen up and paint from the heart, which almost always turns into flowers. I also tend to paint in blue or purple when it comes from deep inside me.  Two of my favorite colors.

This painting was quick, not like yesterdays which took me several hours. This spark of creativity was spontaneous. It just bubbled out after meditation time on the deck. It is actually my favorite way to paint. Loose brushstrokes, a limited color pallet and contrast. It never fails to produce a dramatic painting.  So I named it “Enjoying The Journey” because that is what I do as an artist.  Enjoy life one painting at a time.

If you love this painting there is more to see if you click here.

ENJOYING THE JOURNEY

9" X 12" Acrylic on paper. Ready for matting and frame.

$45.00