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.

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!

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!

It's Been A Bumpy Ride

The end of 2008 brought some difficult times for the people in my life. And just when I thought I had made it through the year with relatively little drama! ha.
Anyways, it's been hard to get real motivated with original art, so I've worked on my regular decoupaged mirrors and plaques to bring in some extra holiday money. My etsy shop is probably more full right now that it's ever been so if you've gotta few minutes to spare, please stop by...because I sure can use some traffic thataway!

These are the only two paintings I did in December. Interesting mix here, huh? I guess it all goes with my erratic emotions and merciless hot flashes. hmm.

On the left is one of my favorite images La Dolorosa. She's done in black and gold which apparently has become a habit for me. I tried to do her in beautiful rich shades of reds and blues but to no avail. I just didn't like it. It seems that black and gold are the only things that work in my head.
Next to her is the flaming redhead Rita Hayworth...calavera style of course. I enjoy painting these whimsical images and for some reason the actual painting just seems to flow so smoothly. I finished Rita up in about two hours, but the Dolorosa took me a couple of days. Is my head trying to tell me something?
We did find out that the San Antonio Show I'm vending at in April runs at the same time as San Antonio's citywide Fiesta time. Which to me means...more people...more potential contacts and customers! Not to mention the fact that the more I read about San Antonio, the more I want to visit. Since the whole family is going, we'll be doing the whole touristy thing. But my husband and I are very interested in the actual history of the town and it's occupants. So if anyone has any suggestions, please head 'em this way!
Okay I'm off to the airport to go pick up my daughter who has been visiting family in California for the past two weeks. I'll be glad to have her back home. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and let's pray for a healthy happy 2009! Felicidades!

It Ain't Easy!

Being an artist is probably the hardest job I've ever had. Well no, scratch that. Being a mom is the hardest job. But this artist business sure runs a close second. This is a hard working job that is not only a physical drain, but an emotional one too. When I am setting up a table full of art, along with the wood and paint goes a part of myself. No matter how frivolous my art may seem to the passerby, it was done from the heart and usually with a story somewhere in the back of mind. I paint a little bit of my own self into each painting and it's not something that I can ever take back. Most of the time the feedback I get from strangers is positive. Compliments and giggles are the favorite emotions evoked from potential customers. But every so often I get an invisible crackling smack across the face from some insensitive people who think that because my work is for public sale, then that makes it fair game for public insult. It used to upset me to the point of tears when I would get a cruel comment or rude reaction from the public. I had a woman once come to my table and tell me that I should not be allowed to sell at the farmer's market and that she would never buy anything from my table. The reason for her anger was that I had decoupaged a plaque using the image of Frida Kahlo's "Broken Column" and the woman thought it was inappropriate to display nudity in public. If she had bothered to get past her own ignorant assumptions, she would have known that Kahlo's painting has nothing to do with lewdness or nudity. I tried in vain to explain this, but of course this woman could only see with her eyes. I don't mind when somebody doesn't understand the work I choose to use in my own artwork, but to blindly make accusations and not even bother asking "why" is beyond my understanding.
And then there was this great day when I heard "I've always passed your table up because I thought they (my artwork) were cheap Mexican imports." Hm. Obviously she hadn't shopped in Mexico lately because she'd find that their "cheap" products aren't so cheap anymore. Another time I was setting up for the celebration of Diez y Seis de Septiembre (the 16th of September is Mexican Independence Day). There was a couple walking by and looking at the decorated plaza then glancing down at my table as the woman asked the man "what is all this stuff?" to which he replied "I dunno...some Mexican imported shit." Wait. Huh? Did I suddenly turn to stone? Because was he speaking like I...didn't exist? On another day as I was talking with a fellow artist in front of her booth, there was a group of tourists who walked up to her table and the man...you know the type...the obnoxious type of man who thinks it's cute to hand feed a shark from his fishing boat...this man walks up to my friends table and bellows out..."hey...hey...look here...pick out the ugliest thing you can find on this table! hahaha!" Wait. Huh? Did we suddenly become invisible as he chose to not only loudly insult my friends artwork but to also make fun of it right in her face as if she had no feelings at all? And then there was the lovely weekend in Casa Grande Arizona where I made the bad decision of trying to sell at the Bluegrass Jamboree Festival. I figured hey I love Bluegrass music so why not try and make a few bucks there too! Supposedly this was a venue open only to artists of handmade crafts and goods. End result? I sold $40 bucks of merchandise and the vendors next to me (really nice folks from South Dakota who sold Made in China (yeah I saw the stickers) resin figurines of things like singing frogs, fishing bears and dogs in tutus) completely sold out. Lesson learned. Never sell at anything with the name Bluegrass or Jamboree in it.
I could probably write a book on the negative experiences I've had selling my own artwork, but truth is the positive far outweigh the negative. And although it can be hard not letting that one ugly splat on the wall get me down, I find that I still go home everyday and look forward to putting another piece of my heart down for posterity. Man...gotta love this life! jeje

Next Show: Fiesta Arts Faire 2009 San Antonio Texas

About 125 artist vendor spots and open to the whole country and I made it! I was so excited to find out that I have been accepted to this well attended juried show! I don't have much energy to start working this month. Things have been difficult on the personal front with my son getting himself into big trouble. It's pretty much been a rollercoaster ride the past week. I try and keep on the upside with the old "things could be worse" and it's true...they could always be worse. I'm lucky that I have the support of my loving husband and family and then as if I couldn't get luckier, well I've got some great friends! Enough of me. Let's talk art!
I'm looking forward to receiving a lot of new unifinished wood pieces from Mr. Ernie Bean of Las Cruces this weekend. He is not only the greatest woodworker I've ever met, but he's also my good friend. If any artists out there need some custom made retablos, nichos, plaques, framing, whatever...he's the man for the job. He's the only person I trust with custom orders and get this...his prices are unbelievably low! I always feel guilty about it too. Hit me up if you wanna know more!
I'm working on some Christmas presents for friends. My latest fun mirror goes to a friend who babysat our bird while we were up in Santa Fe. I love Nightmare Before Christmas and so does she. So it was a blast to be able to paint something Nightmarish for her! Check it out:














Then there's another project I'm working for but he's not quite done. A calavera groom. Been having a hard time with this one. Sometimes I just can't get the exact image I want and I have to walk away and come back to it later. Well I'm hoping the image will hit me and I'll be able to get it done this weekend. In fact, I have to...it's a commission job!
I've been pumping out mirrors for some extra cash for Christmas too. Although my mind has been pretty distracted and my workflow is quite a bit slower than it normally is. Ah well.
Enough for now. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Call For Artists! Hispanic Contemporary Market in Santa Fe July 25th & 26th, 2009

Call to all hispanic New Mexican Artists...especially those in the southern part of New Mexico! The jurying process is coming up for this popular well attended show. Entries are being accepted on January 31st 2009 at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, exhibit hall C from 9 am to 12 noon. Take three of your best pieces and drop them off, pick them up between 3 pm and 5 pm. Notification of acceptance will be mailed on February 16, 2009.

This is a great show that brings in thousands and thousands of art buyers & collectors. It runs at the same time as the Spanish Colonial Market which helps bring us even more potential buyers. We really need southern New Mexico representation at this event. Last year there were only four artists from this area. It's well worth the time and money invested to vend at this market, not to mention the potential for important contacts. C'mon!