Tuesday, February 24, 2009

An Observation

What makes one artist think they excel above all other artists? I just do NOT get it! And it frustrates me. There are so many wonderful artists in this town. All different. Most of them unique. Quite a few are copycats but I still believe that two people can create the same work of art and yet they'll both come out different. I don't ever rate my artwork as being "better" than anybody else. And yet I see other so-called artist do it all the time. I have been snubbed by many people who have named themselves "true artists." Perhaps because they have enough money to sustain themselves and the free time to create art at whim. Perhaps because they carry a BFA or an MFA degree and feel that their degree entitles them to tell other artists how they should live their lives. I wish I had the time to become a "true artist." But I have a family and I have to earn an income to help pay our mortgage. So yes I will do things that are not truly original works of art, but are much more likely to sell at an art show. I wish I had a degree in art but truth is, school was never my strong point and I never had the desire. That might change one day, but for now I am learning more trying to break into the art field than I ever would in a classroom. So many ugly little people here in this little town with ugly little attitudes. And all I can do is shake my head and know that I will never ever behave like that.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Working Hard & Trying to Stay Focused

Things haven't been easy. I'm on a weight loss journey and I've hit some really rocky times. I'm working hard but the rewards have been few and far in between. It's hard to stay focused on losing weight, and it's even harder to stay focused on creating art. But I don't have any more time to whine. I have two shows in April and I really want them both to be successful. I also have a friend of mine who is an incredibile seamstress...and truth is I hate using the word seamstress because it's far too mundane of a description for the work this woman does...she is truly an artist extraordinaire. In all aspects. And I've hired her to make me a wearable work of art skirt to wear for my shows. I can't wait! I'll post pics when it's finished!

More originals that I've finished up for San Antonio! I'm starting on a commission order for a Guadalupe nicho. I've decided to go with a pomegranate motif. Pomegranates represent amazing things. Fertility. Life. Rebirth. It's been said that the gown of the original Guadalupe is decorated in flowers that are very similar to pomegranates, so I think that design will go perfect on this nicho. This is not a fully original nicho, I'm using a decoupaged image of Guadalupe...but the rest of it will be hand painted. I'll post pics as it progresses. Enough for now. I have three large pieces that I've just primered and are waiting for color! Hasta luego amigos!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Back On Track

San Antonio Fiesta Arts Fair is just around the corner! Time has flown and my inventory has shrunk. The work has been going rather slow for a variety of reasons, but it's time to get my butt into gear! The paintings that I've just finished have a theme. For some reason Mardi Gras is in my head and I've decided to roll with that theme to create what I feel are some really rockin' paintings! I have one more that I'm working on and should finish by this weekend. Then it's on to mermaids. I went ahead and signed up for another show in April. Could be a mistake and I might be putting myself under too much stress, but actually we could really use the extra dinero it might bring in, so I'm goin' for it. It's a new show. I don't know that the attendance will be good since new shows are questionable. It's up in Bernalillo which is just outside of Albuquerque. It's a Dia de Los Muertos show...yeah kinda early I know...but then in my mundo it's Dia de Los Muertos everyday! jeje I figure I'll crank out some decoupaged mirrors, boxes, candles and a few new originals too. But I'm betting on the lower priced items for this show. And then only one week after that it's off to San Antonio. Here's hoping that awful cold I have right now is at the end and I can get back to work. My painting hand is antsy!