Crazy?

Call me crazy, but I just signed up to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days next month! What better motivator than to commit myself to something like this when I am getting ready for an out of state art fest? I just added my blog link, announced it on her facebook and twitter pages, on my facebook page, and now I'm telling all of you. No big deal. :-/

If you would like to participate, head on over here and add your blog link: 30 Paintings in 30 Days.
It'll be fun! :)

Happy painting and God bless,
Lana

In Progress

I thought I'd share a few photos of the paintings I'm doing for the Norcross Art Fest that will be the first weekend of October.
 

I don't know why but I always feel like I have to explain why my art looks the way it does. I was showing it to my son this morning and said, "Ok, keep in mind that it's supposed to look whimsical and painterly... not real."
 

I have lots of new ideas, but I may stick with what I'm comfortable painting... at least for this show and then I'll branch out. :)

lumina pumpkin

I thought painting large canvases would be harder, but most times I think it's easier...

blocking in colors, shading the vase

adding more color

ready to add dimension to the roses

I'd like to thank those of you that have ordered sets of cards from my last post! I am confident that I'll reach my goal to purchase a canopy for the art fest very soon. If you are interested, I still have the PayPal Buy Now button up on the sidebar at the top of this page, or you may go through my Etsy shop to purchase them.

Now... back to painting!

Take care & God bless,
Lana

Canopy Conundrum

conundrum: a confusing or difficult problem

 Hi everyone!

I guess you are wondering what is a canopy conundrum? Well, for now... it's not my canopy falling down or blowing away at an art fair... fingers crossed and prayers said that something like that does not happen. :)

{The EZ UP canopy on my wish list}

This is it in a nutshell:
I am doing the Norcross Art Fest in Georgia the first weekend of October and I don't have the required canopy. Neither do I have the extra funds because this art fest is costing me much, much more than the semi-local ones ever cost. I have some things covered already such as the booth fee, canvases, paints, and hotel reservations... but the canopy is the last of my big expenses.

I was searching art business blogs for information about how to cover expenses and several websites suggested holding a fundraiser with an explanation of what the sale is funding for the artist.

Ok, easier said than done.

There's not a lot I can do in such a short amount of time since I am already working on inventory for the show. BUT, I did think of something that sold very well in the past when I was doing folk art fraktur paintings --- note cards! You can see a sold set with description here.

Here's my canopy fundraiser idea:
I am offering sets of 6 note cards with matching envelopes for $12 (U.S. shipping included). These will feature my new artwork (seen here). Each mixed set will have 6 different prints and will be chosen at my discretion. Who doesn't love a surprise?!! You may receive a few white note cards (4" x 5 1/2") and a few brown kraft note cards (5" x 7"), depending on the artwork used. The first 10 customers will receive 2 extra cards... just a little thank you for helping out so quickly. :)

To make ordering easy, I added a BUY NOW PayPal button to the top right sidebar of this blog. If for some reason you wish to have an invoice sent, just email me with your order request.

Be sure to tell your friends... your hairdresser... your mailman... just spread the word! You can even use the handy-dandy little links at the end of this blog post to share. How cool is that? :)

Thanks so much for your support! Orders, prayers, good wishes --- any or all are appreciated!

Take care & God bless,
Lana

Recycled Book Covers & Insecurities (again)

In the mornings (and sometimes evenings), in order to loosen up before painting on my canvases, I have begun painting on antique and vintage book covers left over from wreath projects (see my Simple Joys Paperie shop).

These are quick and simple, whimsical paintings, a bit painterly or impressionistic in style. I plan on doing at least one a day until the end of September, since the Norcross Art Fest is the first weekend of October.

{Cake on a Pedestal - Inspired by the latest Country Living magazine cover}

Who am I kidding? Let's just face it... I've had episodes of thinking, "What possessed me to sign up for something big like this??!!!" and I have to talk myself out of that panic-y mindset. I'm doing these small pieces to try to work through a big artist block.

{French Pear - poire - on antique French book cover}

Almost daily I have to remind myself that I may not be trained or schooled, and I may not have known a bright from a filbert (until recently), and I may make mud more often than not when trying to mix diads and triads and tetrads (thank goodness for color wheels and charts!)... but I know what I like and I paint what I feel and for some odd reason, other people have started to like it, too!

{French Apple - pomme - on antique French book cover}

My art is simple, sometimes whimsical, and always imperfect, but it comes from my heart... and my hand... not the hand of another artist, so it is what it is, I suppose.

{Cherries (sold) - on vintage hymnal cover}

I think if I just keep practicing and paint what I love and what I feel, it will serve its purpose, whatever that may be. It won't take away all the doubts and fears and insecurities, but it will put them in their place and I will be glad I tried. :)

{Cottage Roses - on old book cover}

Thanks for listening... again... :)

I'll be busy painting the next several weeks, but I'll try to post a few in progress or finished pieces once in a while.

Oh! I almost forgot --- my friend, Patti of Winding Vine Designs, is hosting a giveaway of one of my art prints. You have just a few days left to visit her blog and enter according to her instructions. Good luck!

Take care & God bless,
Lana