This is the photo that is going in the local newspaper to advertise my fundraising venture for getting to Italy in May. The pear painting on the wall behind me is off to an exhibition in a week or two; the piece in my hand is a trial run for the Italy works.
I am selling art shares in the trip, you’ll find all the details a couple of posts back. If you are interested in an original piece of art work and more, for just $35, have a read and then email me. I’d love to hear from you.
Today I have been cleaning, tidying and de-cluttering. It never ceases to amaze we just how much “stuff” can come into our house that we really don’t need. Gifts, things through the mail, junk from work I mean to do something arty with…in the end, it’s all just so much clutter! I find too much clutter quite tiring so today 3 boxes of books ‘n things have gone to charity,and a few pieces are on sale on TradeMe (NZ’s Ebay).
While I was cleaning I was thinking about my art practice and questioning where my art has been going since I finished my Diploma. Party, I was starting to feel like I’m just puddling round, not achieving a lot. But on reflection I know that’s not true. In some ways I am not as driven as I was, but that’s only because I am being kinder to myself, and taking more account of the other pulls on my time.
I still have a rigorous art practice and definite goals. And the evidence is all around me; from my stacks of journals and visual diaries, art books, paintings in various stages, art supplies stacked up on a case beside my desk…check out these photos as evidence:
I got behind the camera and what did I see?
Greying hair
Tired eyes
43 year old problem skin
Too many chins
Chipped nail polish
But hang on, what else do I see?
A loving wife
A daughter who has been caring for her mother for 8+ years
A sister, auntie and friend
A good employee who knows she is valued by her employers
An artist, scrapbooker, photographer, fabric artist
How do you see yourself? Are you kinder to others than you are to yourself? Probably!
Why not be kind to yourself this weekend – I bet you deserve it.
Once a year I do a stock take of my paintings; checking what I have against my records, making sure they are where I think they are. Then ensuring that details listed on websites are correct. Increasing my prices by 10% once a year, every year (thanks Robert Genn). This year some of my prices got out of alignment, and now is my chance to fix that. Some will go up, some will come down.
It will take me a few days to complete. And then once the boring stuff is out of the way, it’ll be back to play time in my studio. Yahoo!!!
Even though I would rather be wrist deep in paint and pastel, I know that if I do not look after the business side of my art, no one else can do it for me. It’s like ironing or cleaning the bathroom, it just goes with the territory.
I did a scrapbook page of my wishes and goals for 2008, so it is time I also documented my art goals.
My art goals for 2008 –
1) Load new work regularly on my own website and Etsy.
2) Promote myself by being active on the web.
3) Continue to build my relationship with the one gallery that has my work.
4) Think hard about potential benefits before taking on auctions, cafes etc.
5) Paint when I feel tired, because NOT painting makes me tired. Try to remember this when I am tired!
Cath Sheard Art 