Oh Donald sunflower donald duck painting

Oh Donald  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

Wide Eye original oil painting still life flowers

Wide Eye  Oil on wood  8" x 10"  SOLD
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Ah, sunflowers on a table in the sun...not the most original composition but I like it.  The wood table is hand carved and gorgeous.  I got "bidding fever" at an antique auction and paid too much for it...and do not regret it.

Mull it Over Monday: Blogging is good: Part I



Final Pink, sold

I'm a bit of a shut in--not quite a hermit but definitely an introvert.  It's one of the reasons I don't teach workshops.  Dealing with more than a few people at a time makes me anxious and tired. Blogging for someone like myself is nothing short of a lifeline.  It allows me to share what I do and gratefully receive feedback.  If it wasn't for this blog and the fellowship I've formed with like minded artists and collectors, I'm not sure if I would have stayed the course, learning to paint (again) in my 40's.    It began as an experiment, just to see my own progress...  It has become so much more.  My inspiration, ideas, failures and all associated energy: neat & tidy and shared over time.  Discovering and joining the daily painting movement made it even sweeter. 

Colin Farrell sports a fantastic
comb over in Bad Bosses.  He's almost
un-recognizable!

Actually, this blog has provided more opportunities than any other single thing I've done.  I usually get philosophic about blogging when I do a give-away--but today it's because I realized my art and my focus is changing.  There's a three page manifesto that sits on my desk outlining the changes, but I wanted to express this part of my plan today, the blog stays! Part II of related blathering in next week's Mull it Over Monday--  Do you blog your art?  Why?  Better question:  What do you treasure most about your art blog?

Rolling Stop pulltoy duck daisy painting

Rolling Stop  Oil on wood  14" x 14"  NFS
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Here's another paint-over.  I'm almost embarrased to link to the OLD version, it was sort of abandoned first time around...but here it is.  (:  Softer edges and more life-like values made a gigantic difference here. 
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Out of Sync painting daisy floral still life

Out of Sync  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  $195.

Another go round with the daisies in pottery vase--  I'm working on using thicker (more!) paint ...and trying to fuss less with initial brushwork.  It's hard to know when a painting is done sometimes, but I'm happy with this one for today.

Xmas Blooms christmas colors holiday

AFTER:  Xmas Blooms  Oil on wood  8" x 10" NFS

BEFORE

I'm sure I'll trot this painting out again before Christmas.  I LOVE the "fixed" version with the pumped up colors and triangle of deep reds.

Porch Flowers hydrangeas in the sun

Porch Flowers Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

Daisy Cycle original oil painting flowers

Daisy Cycle Oil on wood 8" x 8"  $195. 

One of the ongoing pleasures of painting small complete paintings is knowing you'll do it again the next day and most likely the day after that.  This is one of those heavenly weeks where I get to do that.  ***This painting was reworked 11/12/11 and the image above was replaced with the newer version.

Mull it Over Monday: Three Top Requirements: when selling art offline

Last Monday I wrote about how finding people who buy art is important if you are selling art.   It might seem like a no-brainer--but making smart choices when it comes to choosing venues for your art can make all the difference.  Here's the three things to look for in offline art venues.

Sometime in the 90's

1) A nice person present and within speaking distance of your art, a person who greets people and is available to chat and make the sale. I had a brief exhibit at a hair salon once. Even though it breaks my rule that forbids showing art in a non-art venue--The salon owner was always there to talk about the work and she was genuinely enthusiastic about it: Thanks to her, sales were made.  Finding people like that is like striking gold.   
2)  A destination that attracts lots of your target traffic: A museum or an art gallery specializing in the type of art you do is ideal! But remember, your target traffic is as unique as your art. I had good sales at the Cleveland Botanical Garden Gallery, but I paint flowers so go figure. Consider the issues and subject matter upon which your art is focused: Who cares about it and where are they? If your art focuses on conservation, find the next green event happening in your city and see if there's an opportunity for you to exhibit there. Well attended public institutions, tradeshows and special themed events in your city are good places to start--depending on your art.

Mick Jagger had a mullet once
I don't think he was happy with it.

3) TRUST:  When the stars line up and you've found a place that meets your needs:  Do not leave your art there without a written receipt, consignment form or contract.  Maybe they have boiler plate paperwork or maybe you'll have to print out your own.  Cay Lang offers some fantastic resources for paperwork in her book Taking the Leap.  Trust the person/business, if you have to call and get some referrals from fellow artists, do it.
Did I miss anything?  Do you have any top requirements for selling art (offline) to add?  Please comment!

Lone Freesia painting single bloom

Lone Freesia  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

Bowl of Orange eye candy fruit painting

AFTER:  Bowl of Orange  Oil on canvas  20" x 20"  $1400. 

BEFORE

There's a bit of a learning curve when a painter goes from a typical daily size painting, like 8x8 to 20x20!  This larger dimension painting needed more detail and that is something I will try to capture earlier on next time I paint big.  Love, love, love this one.

Friday already??

My Nephews

Have a great weekend!

Shadow Casters purple tulips painting

Shadow Casters  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  $195.

New Harvest sunflower oil painting still life

New Harvest  Oil on canvas  20" x 20"  1400.

I hope I'm not boring anybody, I can't seem to stop tweaking, but I'm very happy with the results, especially here.  It took a few times to get New Harvest right, to see previous incarnations of this painting, click here.

Kitty Pitcher II painting of sunflowers

Kitty Pitcher II  Oil on wood  10" x 10" $295.
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The first version of this painting can be found here.  I'm really happy with this new one and I  may try a few more "iterations" on favorites.

Mull it Over Monday: Advice You Might Resist

I could design cat cards all day.   (:

When I started making lots of art and realized I needed to start selling it:  I knew I had to get it in front of people.  What a lot of non-artists don't realize is that our creations are like our children.  We are personally invested and completely in love with some of them--and sometimes we might lack objectivity.  We think:   People who see my art will be intantly smitten, I'm sure of it!  So the idea of getting our fabulous-ness in front of people seems like just the ticket.  What people one might ask?  Why anybody and everyone of course!  Wrong!   If you want sales, don't waste your good energy by placing your original art in un-attended lobbies, daycares and cafes.  It's sort of like a car salesman trying to sell Audis at a Job Seekers Convention.  If I had a ten dollar bill for every non-art venue I tried to sell art in (and failed) I could buy every.single.one of you a coffee at Starbucks. 

Keifer is smitten with your art.

Here's a bit of advice:  Sell art in places where people look for and buy art.  Your art might be good, people might be smitten by it--  but if they aren't there for art and actively looking to buy art, you're probably spinning your wheels.  There are exceptions and truth be told, I've had a couple.  I am curious about other artist's experiences:  Have you successfully sold art in a non-art venue??   (like a salon, lobby or other non-art destination?) ...and if so, why do think you it worked for you (besides your art being brilliant, of course!) 

Carried Away oil painting calla lilies

Carried Away  Oil on Canvas  20" x 20"  $1400.

I posted an in progress shot of this one here.  A smaller version is available, here.

Trumbull Art Gallery 47th Annual

I'm pleased to have two paintings in the upcoming Trumbull Art Gallery's 47th Annual Juried Exhibit.  It runs from August 13th through September 30th.  If you happen to be in the Warren, OH area, do see it!  Accepted entries pictured above:  Hydrangeas with Pears and Summer Hues.  Have a fantastic weekend everybody!

Civil Entry oil painting of hydrangeas

AFTER:  Civil Entry Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD



 BEFORE

Once again I meant to fix a detail but darn near painted the whole thing over.

Landing's Muse fixing painting

AFTER:  Landing's Muse  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  $195. 

BEFORE

I popped out the whites of the cosmos here and added some saturated red and yellows.  I did not re-paint the background--even though it looks a much grayer.  Maybe that can be attributed to a new (fantastic) camera I've been using?  The top photo looks nearly identical to the current incarnation of this painting.

Mums re painting white petals

AFTER:  Mums  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD 

BEFORE

The lower front petals on each mum needed freshening on this one.  This painting is one of my personal favorites and it fits under the category "arts & crafts-inspired."  Wanna do more of these simple arrangements!

Mull it Over Monday: Painting = Cat's Meow

My Coco:  Days after being the first singled
out of a litter in a San Pedro, CA Shelter.

Anything that isn't painting feels like filler. Ok, maybe that's a little drastic but consider the following: Like most professional artists I find myself doing a lot of art hustling. Activities like introducing my art to people, making newsletters and correspondence takes much time. Researching venues in which to sell my art, following up on inquiries and getting the art in front of people...the promotion side is necessary and it still feels like a mystery:  I'm learning it as I go.  I posted a couple weeks ago about "trying stuff." Most of my art hustling is exactly that: trying stuff. The results of such activities vary. Mostly it feels hit or miss. (...and God help me but sometimes I wonder why I didn't just major in marketing instead of studio art in college? Not really! Kidding! That's crazy right?!)  Actually, it's amazing how my art degree included all things art including art history except how to sell it, but I digress.) The point is, I'm not a horn tooter.  It doesn't come natural to me and I'm never sure if what I'm doing is working! I'd rather be in the studio. (If you are an artist, this book by Alyson B. Stanfield should be required reading!)

If you have three minutes,
check out this really funny
video on Youtube.

Gimme a few un-interrupted hours with my paint and some good music, please. That to me is living...and the best part is I have something to show for it when the day is done. A painting can be held in the hands. It can be used as a gauge by which to judge if progress is being made. ...and if it's really good, well if it's really good then that's the cat's meow. It's a real thing and it NEVER feels like filler.

Fallen painting over a painting

AFTER:  Fallen  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD
mailto:$Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

BEFORE

This is by far the boldest tweak I've made but the life sucking gray background here had to go!  It's amazing the difference background color can make.  ...Once again, I'm reminded how cool "broken paint" is!  I want to do more paintings with broken paint application.  Achieving this effect is easier with a completely dry underpainting.

Lime Lines fixing tweaking paintings

After:  Lime Lines  Oil on wood  6" x 6" 
Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Before

More noodling.  Originally I just wanted to get rid of the brownish-mauve table top--but I ended up punching up the daffodils a bit too.  Better!

Tulips and Apple re-paint fix edit oil painting

AFTER:  Tulips and Apple  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  $195.

BEFORE

I love the tulips in this painting, but the Granny Smith apple needed to be punched up a little--  That's better.

NPR Cleveland Pat Washington woohoo!

Look at how many different ways children interpreted the same still life arrangement!

No painting today--as I am working on a side project.  Just a quick brag:  My longtime friend Pat Washington the writer may be reading a letter she wrote on NPR.  It's incredibly exciting, if you want to read about that, click here to visit her blog.  She's seeking freelance writing gigs too--if you need someone to proof read your latest masterpiece, she's reliable and very, very good!!     

Mull it Over Monday: Work Clothes, mmmph.

Painting aprons don't actually work for me,
I don't like that strap around the back of my neck

I'm no longer in denial about my work clothes.  Yes, I cleaned out my closet and all illusions were shattered.  I thought I was one of those organized artists who knows the difference between work and regular clothes.   Work clothes are the ones stored in a small tidy laundry basket for the exclusive purpose of painting.  Regular clothes are to be taken care of, dry cleaned and/or ironed on occasion if necessary--and they are always properly displayed for easy retrieval.  Work and regular clothes are never to mix.  Yeah, right.  An interesting thing happens when I'm in my happy painting place, regular clothes become work clothes with nary a thought.  It's deplorable!  ...and nearly impossible to quit.  As the paint flies, so too does any hope of salvaging whatever I might be wearing. 


What would Carol do?

 
I realized upon tackling my closet:  what was once a reasonable pile of work clothes had become a un-manageable mountain of paint splattered ruination!    In an effort to gain back workable space, I threw away most of the unsightly mess.  My closet is in order again, but I'm not sure what to do about this issue.   Painters & fellow bloggers, do you have your clothes properly managed and if so, how do you do it?