Press

Recruitment Poster I made for Roller Derby

New Painting

Entangled (Illustration Friday)

My Entry for a Poster Contest

Happy Thanksgiving

In the spirt of Thanksgiving I created a list of what I am grateful for.  In no particular order, I am thankful for:
1) Supportive family and friends.
2) My revitalized attitude towards health, exercise, and nutrition.
3) Collectors of my work.
4) Discovering what I am passionate about and learning more about myself so that I can put it on canvas.
5) Incredibly convenient and affordable studio space.
6) Being able to do what I love.
7) Last, but the most important, my amazing husband.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday.  Thanks for reading.

The WOW factor.

I know, I know, I know.  You have to spend money to make money.  But it's really hard to spend it when I just don't have it.  In my visual world I think it is important to have a great logo and other marketing materials, especially because I used to market myself as a designer.  Sooo, I'm working on saving up to collaborate with other creative minds to brainstorm and create an official logo.  I also want to get together a really great portfolio to present to galleries when applying to have my art hung in their space.  I saw this video of a marketing package.  Most likely a designer applying to marketing firms.  But it inspired me to put this kind of effort into creating an amazing introduction of my art.  Maybe it'll inspire you if your looking to present yourself or your business to your customers in a different way.  Or if your a fellow artist, to do something above and beyond to wow the gallery.http://vimeo.com/7558876

Feed & Grain Art Auction and Fundraiser

I've been setting up and decorating at the F & G off and on the last couple weeks for the BBQ & Bluegrass fundraiser.  My task was to decorate the silent auction room with an old general store look.  To see it all together...you'll just have to come check it out and support our efforts to save this old building.

Or you can buy any of the 3 paintings I donated during the art auction from 6-10 pm Saturday, the 7th.  The starting auction bid is about half of the retail value of the work.

Saturday Nov. 7th, 6-10 pm, Feed & Grain

Broccoli Kickin' Cancer's Butt!

I might have been a little mean when I told my husband, James, his idea was stupid.  I felt so guilty that I drew it for him.  Here's the page from my sketch book.
Hopefully I'll come up with some way to incorporate a message of prevention into my work.  Still brainstorming...any ideas?  I promise I'll be nice.

Loveland Studio Tour

The studio tour was a great success.  I was able to talk with guests about what I'm working on and get feedback.  I heard lots of interesting perspectives and even got some inspiration.

I had so much help and support from friends!  Tons of thanks to Brad and Sarah for your help setting up, for the studio tour jams, and drinks.  Thanks to Amy for the not so pretty job of helping me clean up.  AND of course, thanks to all my wonderful friends who showed up (especially those who drove from Nebraska and Denver) and for your continued support.

A Sign

My studio door finally looks a little more official.  I painted my signature (logo) on the glass.

Larimer County Humane Society Donation

I can never say no to the Humane Society.  I love animals.
Acrylic on Canvas, 14 x 11 inches.

A new category for the resume.

I've been pretty relaxed about marketing.  Mainly I've been focusing on making GOOD works.  But now I'm at the point where I should start getting out there.  It sounds like I'm preparing myself to start dating or something. A juried exhibition could be looked at like a dating service.  First of all, I try to find out as much as I can about the jurors of a show.  If I'm interested I submit my work, bio, artist statement, etc. and the jurors decide if their interested in me.  Most entries end in rejection, hurt, and questioning yourself.  Also, much like dating.  So I was pleasantly surprised to find that my painting was selected for a juried show.  Yeahhh, so I thought.  I'm so naive.  I hadn't thought through the whole process of getting the painting to a gallery that is half way across the country.  Now I'm knee deep in crate, box, bubble wrap, foam, and shipping prices.  Not to mention the return shipping fee.  How's an artist supposed to make a 3-400 dollar investment without knowing what will become of the painting?  Who even wants to pay for a painting that is now 1/3 more expensive because of packaging and shipping?  It makes me question the juried show model, is it really worth it?  Why is it so important to an artist resume, or is it?  I had to date to find my husband.  So hopefully my efforts will result in some sort of art marriage.  At least I'm getting out there.

PS-I'm not a writer.  Don't judge me to harshly for my attempt.  

My new favorite blog...

since they wrote such a nice review of my work.  Check it out:  http://www.illiteratemagazine.com/blog/view/237
What they have going at Illiterate is pretty cool too.  Check out the rest of the site while your there.

Loveland's Feet on the Street Event

This weekend I participated in downtown Loveland's Feet on the Street event.  Artist are asked to contribute by decorating the sidewalks with chalk art.  But with the rainy weather not many feet were on the street.  Still, I was able to do the work under the protection of my awning in front of my studio.  I've never done chalk art but actually had alot of fun tagging the sidewalk.  

You should join me next year...assuming the weather is better.   

What am I up to now?