Taking Stock

 This is the time of year to take stock in our career and personal lives. I'm just about the luckiest person I know. I am well aware of my good fortune, mostly because of the loyal friends and family I am lucky to have. I have a lovely parcel of land which is a family heritage. My old house trailer is solid for the most part, and my sister and I continue to make small and steady improvements on it.

 My studio is the best I could hope for and it belonged to my beloved Daddy as his workshop before I got it. I feel him with me each morning as I enter with gratitude. 

 Most of my trail is carved through the land, though I would enjoy another extension. I love living in the woods and enjoying the wild creatures who share it with me. 

 I continue to study and grow as a painter, thanks to the friends who support me with their purchases. They help me with referrals too. When their rooms get full of art, they give my paintings as gifts. My collectors are golden and I never can thank them enough for their priceless support. 

 All in, I have a wonderful life and I'm glad it was tough before this time, so that I understand how precious this stage is for me. If I had been pampered, I would not have understood how lucky I am now and how grateful I am.

 

Life is wonderful for artists.....

Determination

 Artists must be determined, flexible, and faithful to succeed. Financial success can be a very  long journey.  There are many marketing gurus in the art world and they all have advice that can be used to further one’s career. Just be careful about who you choose. 

 

There are times when all of the right moves are ineffective.  No matter how much you market, how much social media, post cards, ads, etc. you get, the sales simply dry up. This can be due to the economy ups and downs, perceived or real. It can be due to political unease, polarization, election years. It can be due to subject matter being in or out of fashion. There are many reasons why your work stops selling for periods of time. Having been in this business for many years, I have learned to live through difficult periods without fear or dismay. Sales always come back eventually. 

 

In the mean time, you must tighten your belt, live without dinner out, shopping sprees, indulgences.  When sales are down, I do more marketing and more art. I want to improve my work, so I must work every day, do the best work I am capable of and get it out in front of people. I must ask for help from friends to promote my work to their acquaintances. Everybody knows someone who can afford to buy art. I rely on friends and collectors to help me succeed, because I love and support them. They want me to be successful, so they are happy to help.  

 

Flexibility helps. Reading the coming market, political period, and mood is important. I often do small series of works in a limited number, changing up mediums, sizes and subjects to attract collectors of smallworks. I will change venues and add or let go of markets that aren’t producing.

 

When all else fails, sheer determination helps me to stay focused and motivated, happy to be a full time artist. There is no job I would be more qualified for and I always survive in the topsy- turvy world of art.

 

Country painters keep trying…….

The Bird Feeder

 Many of you know that I love birds. I often draw and paint them and make collages inspired by birds. 

I have a nice little bird feeder attached to the front window of my studio. I use safflower seeds in the feeder because squirrels don't eat them. The Cardinals love them. I can sit on the back porch of my house and watch the birds come and go. Yesterday I saw about 6 Cardinal pairs dive in for snacks, politely taking turns at the feeder. That pop of color on a dreary winter day was a pleasure. I often see woodpeckers, crows, and hawks as I walk the nature trails on my land.  Country painters have a wonderful life….

Good and Bad Years

 There are some years that don’t go well. Some years bring tragic losses, financial difficulty, health loss, a decline in one’s popularity as an artist. There are lots of reasons one can look back and claim a bad year. The pandemic has become a constant in our lives as well as polarization of our citizens, left and right with little moderation. 

 I think December becomes a thinking month, near the end of one year and anticipation of the next. I used to make all kinds of goals and business improvement plans every December. I worried about what events I had lined up, publicity, juried exhibits, etc. etc. I carefully planned my activities for the next year.

 It only took me 25 years or so to realize that none of that made any difference in my livelihood. Good and bad years come with little warning. Last year was my best financial year ever! No kidding! Who knew? I didn’t do any extra activity, plans or marketing. It was just great! I felt great too! 

 This year not so great, but survivable. There was no difference in activity, except that poor health forced me to my design table instead of my easel, doing small drawings and collages and making paper instead of large paintings. The large paintings are still in my studio, but everyone was more interested in small works. I don’t mind. They still support me. 

 It would be easy to become despairing of a bad year. Poor health, poor sales, pandemics can be very depressing. Instead, I walk forward with hope for a great 2022. Bad times don’t last. It is great to know good times are just around the corner. I am determined to begin painting again, if only for one session a week in January. It’s going to be a better year.

 

Country painters have a good life…..

Winter Beauty

 This is the wonderful Florida season we natives live for. It lasts but a few months but it is worth the wait. The tall sedges turn coppery brown and feathery tufts grow on the tops. They are like large bird feathers, appearing at the first cold snap. Other weeds produce silvery and lavender bunches mixed into the sedges. The distant trees turn smoky blue gray and purple behind the deep green live oaks and pines.The Spanish moss is a pale gray lace, gently swaying with breezes.

 

This is the Florida of my life time. The memories grow deep of a carefree childhood with horses, dogs, the beginning of understanding the natural world and my long career as an artist. The woods are my soul mate, the wild creatures share it with me. I never tire of observing this small slice of the upland magic of what was. 

 

Country Painters are privileged…..

Red Tailed Hawk

Original hand made collage

Mounted to mixed media paper

6x4

20.00

https://www.lindablondheim.com/collections/168465

Small Beauty

 Yesterday my dear friend sent me an Autumn leaf in a marvelous, impressive card. The card was a quilled bouquet, original art, mounted to fine paper.  

I have seen examples of quilling now and then before. Now, after working as a collage artist for some months, I see the quilling with new and profound respect. This was so expertly made, that I can’t imagine learning such a refined technique. 

Each flower and leaf was exquisite! Each one had repeated patterns and shapes that were separate and perfectly done. I was truly in awe. My ADD personality would go bonkers trying to do this work. I am so glad there are artisans in the world with the skill to make beautiful art that so many of us take for granted.  

My time with PMR has blessed me with the opportunity to love and respect art forms that are not painting. Art is art! Whatever the medium one chooses. We should respect lesser glorified mediums and gifted artists, not just painters. I have learned humility and respect for many art forms this year, thankfully. 

 

Country painters can learn……

Pen Fun

 Now and then I like to do some drawing at my design table. This is a pen and ink drawing of a Belted Kingfisher. I was a drawing major in art school long ago. A couple of years ago I bought myself a nice drawing table. I would love to make a living drawing, but alas, drawing is on the very bottom of the food chain of the art world. To make money, you must be a painter. 

in my view, drawing is the most important medium of art. It is the skeleton of all skills in art. Even the most famous abstract painters knew how to draw. My collage work has helped to improve my drawing. I don’t use other templates or patterns. I don’t cut out pictures for my collages.  I draw every collage myself first. Drawing is crucial to all mediums and basic design skill. I keep working at it. 

Country artists practice drawing…..

Wholesale Attitudes

 Some artists have what I call a wholesale attitude about their work. These are painters who sell their work substantially below market value. 

 Their work tends to be formulaic in style. They have found a style which is easy to do quickly and is marketable to the pop culture we now live in. Often, they will line up canvases, painting all the sky, then trees, then grasses, with slight variations.

 They use tried and true palette colors, brushwork they are used to, and subjects they are sure will sell. This sounds like good business and financially it probably is. They sell lots of paintings with their production line assembly. They borrow it from Ford’s original idea. It is the same for artists who sell reproductions. To each his or her own. This is probably jealousy on my part.

 That is an easier way to make a living than for those of us who struggle with new and difficult processes we are unsure of. I am always pleasantly surprised when finishing a painting in good form. Many of my experiments are failures, but I learn from all of them. Constant study, changing brushwork, palettes, subjects, and mediums are risky. The rewards are vast!

 

Life is process and experimentation for country painters....

Early Walk

 This morning when I hiked around my Deer Woods Trail, I was led by Mr Moon. It was just dawn and the sun was still sleeping in the east. This is my week to get up before dawn and let my French Bulldog out for his break from his crate. The almost full moon threw off just enough light in the west to guide me along the path. When it is near dark, I am more aware of the sounds rather than sight along the trail.

I could clearly hear the song birds waking up to talk back and forth. Blackie the crow and his pals were not awake yet. They usually start cawing and flying about 7:30, looking for a diner for breakfast. It was even too early for the owls to clock out for sleep. They must have been off getting in that last quick hunt before bed time.

Strolling along in moon light is a really lovely way to start my day as a painter. I observe large shapes and think about the atmosphere as it gradually lights along the way. The soft cool moonlight over the tall pines in. the west is lovely to see.

I think about my projects for the day and listen to small animals rustle along the edge of the path in the woods. The tortoises are asleep, but I call them by name as I pass their dens. Having a life in rural north Florida is extraordinary for a landscape and nature painter. As I age, I have become happiest out here in the woods and farm land my parents thoughtfully purchased 60 years ago. 

Life is wonderful for a country painter….

Muscle Memory

 I am a science buff and I've been reading  about muscle memory. I read up on muscle memory and found this paragraph in a Popular Science article.

 "Neurons inside your muscles play a strong role too, of course, but [the pattern of activity](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16290273?dopt=Abstract) that helps you perform the same action over and over happens inside your brain. It only feels like something your muscles are doing on their own." I am grateful for this muscle memory that my brain tells my hands that they can still be steady enough to do some art. 

 That is the great thing about being an artist. There are no real limitations except the ones we place on ourselves in our own minds. Over the years we evolve with physical changes and our taste changes in color and design. As a young painter my color saturation was intense in my work. As I mature as a painter, I have subdued my palette quite a bit and am more interested in value and contrast, moving closer to a Notan approach of values transition.

 I was a long time Plein Air addict, but have become most comfortable in the studio, due to health restrictions. No matter, anytime I can paint in or outdoors, I am grateful and lucky! I still get out in cool weather to do a few paintings. 

 

I hope to paint and draw the rest of my life, however long that is. The gift of creativity is precious and should be honored and cared for, not taken lightly by artists or society. Think about the fact that a painting is done once in a lifetime. Owning it, the only one of its kind is very special. That is why I don't make reproductions of my work. There should only be one.

 

Life and science are wonderful for country painters…

Issues

 I’ve had some health issues this year. One thing it has taught me is to be flexible. I was able to paint about ten real paintings this year and I am grateful for that. I have a lot of muscle pain in my arms legs and hands right now, so I have switched to making paper and making hand made paper collages.

 

Moving to different art mediums gives me a fresh outlook on my work, until my hand dexterity improves again. I know it will. I am confident that I will get back to painting again. I have always found a way to be an artist. Reinventing my art every now and then keeps me learning and growing. The collages have improved my drawing and design skills greatly. 

 

All art is good and fun for country painters….

 I read an article in a science journal that reinforced my long time belief that being goal oriented and having a purpose filled life is the key to a well balanced, positive thinking mind.

The article research showed that purposeful life goals prevent narcissism, and mental instability. Goals promote independent and higher order thinking skills. There was no particular emphasis on the level of education. I believe that this view of life can benefit people at any stage or education level. My daddy had a third grade education, yet he became a successful machinist at a university because he was purposeful and had goals of self education. He was a prolific reader. 

A purposeful life keeps me busy. I don’t get caught up in the chaos and hatred swirling around. Yes, I care deeply about public issues. I put my money into support for organizations who fight for human rights, who fight to protect our planet. I don’t get involved in the shouting matches with unstable purposeless people. 

I keep to my goals both as a painter and person of decency and civility, helping those I can.  I believe most Americans are decent and patriotic, on both sides. 

I  have conservative and independent friends. We find ways to avoid politics and enjoy each other’s company. There are lunatics on all sides. I move forward!

Being purposeful is good for Country Painters….

Post Cards

 It has been awhile since I did a post card mail out. Since I can’t have big parties right now, I decided to do a mail out about my collages. They are becoming popular, and I enjoy making them so much. I think it is time to tell people about them. 

I have an excellent mailing list and that is gold for artists. I use Vistaprint for all my post cards. They do a good job at a reasonable price. There are many options and the design process is easy. I’ve never been disappointed. 

I have found post card mail outs to be my best marketing tool. People love to get post cards with paintings on them. They often save them for a time. I always put my website URL and email on them. I try to give people purposeful information.  If any of you would like to send out my post cards to your art loving friends, I’ll send you some stamped cards. Just put the name and address of your friends on the card and drop them in a mail box.

Becoming a paper and collage maker has been a wonderful adventure.

Life is wonderful for country painters....

Gratitude

 I’ve been on a course for a few years now to improve myself as a person and a painter. I’ve discovered the key to my improvement is simple gratitude. we can focus on the good in our lives, avoiding the chaos and meanness in our current world.

There is nothing I can directly do to end the violence, political anger and strife whirling around me. I simply inch forward one step at a time, helping other artists when I am able and wake up grateful every day. As I age, I have become aware of the rare privilege of being a painter.

We record the culture and visual elements of our time here on earth. We landscape painters record in our own unique texture and style of the life, earth, smells, and tastes of the places we live. We are highly influenced by the regions where we live and grow up.

I believe when we offer dignity, kindness, and appreciation to others, we are an example to those around us whom we can influence. Artists have great power, in that we are admired and are influential to our collectors and students. The way we behave is noticed by others. It is not just our work that we put out to the world, but also ourselves.

If you are an angry, resentful artist, frustrated about your place on the food chain, perhaps you are missing the greatest opportunity, that of being grateful to have this wonderful gift. No one forces us to be professional artists. We make that commitment, knowing that it will be difficult financially for most, and there will always be artists who paint better than we do. Instead of anger and jealousy, let us redirect ourselves into artists who are grateful for the privilege each day.

Life is a privilege for country painters.....

Blogging Along

 A lot of people have declared blogs are dead. That’s ok. I have been writing a blog in some form for as long as there have been blogs.

I don’t write it to try and sell products, or to be an influencer. I write it for myself and others who wish to have a glimpse into the life of a painter. I write about whatever is on my mind on Wednesday morning each week.

I think blogging is a great medium for me particularly, as I like to take notes and write a few paragraphs at a time. I have so many interests and notes are perfect. I am old school. I take notes on vertical  index cards. I keep stacks of them on my design table, my office desk, by my bed and in my studio. I write down to do lists on Sunday night for the week ahead. I write ideas down, naturalist notes form my walks in the woods, and color mixing, composing notes on the cards. 

Some of those end up here on the blog. I’ll keep on with blogging. It matters not whether others do as well.

Life is swell for country painters……

Eletism

 I had an interesting conversation with friends last week about elitism of artists. That seems to be a big problem in almost every town.

 There are always little groups of artists who try to shut others out. I saw it as a festival artist years ago, as a gallery artist, and as a paint out artist too. I’ve heard stories from artists in other cities about this elitist attitude.

 I call it believing your own press. I used to have a good friend back in the starting out days, who was a terrific painter. He wanted to make it to the big league. He has distanced himself further and further from his old friends and now considers himself far above us peons. I have other old friends who are just as successful now but they still love their old friends and are still just as kind as ever. 

 Who do you think is happier, deep in their hearts?

 Elitists artists live on the edge of failure, just as the rest of us do. They just can’t admit it to themselves. Many well known artists price themselves out of the market. When hard times hit, they can’t sustain their income, so they become workshop teachers. They become completely dependent on teaching, not by choice but by necessity. I’ll leave the big league to others. 

 Being just a country painter gives me a wonderful life.....

Ethics of Selling

 I’ve been thinking about the way we do or should sell art. It can be a touchy topic. I think there are some unspoken ethics about selling art:

 Don't talk to someone else’s studio guests and try to sell your own art while visiting. I have actually had this happen to me and it is quite awkward and uncomfortable. 

 Don't sell your work in front of competing artists if you can avoid it. Find a more private situation to interact with your patron if possible. 

 Don't try to steal patrons away from artists at exhibit openings. I have seen this countless times at paint outs and exhibits. Some artists will blatantly stand in front of another's work and direct patrons to their work instead. Some will actually cut into conversations between patrons and artists to distract patrons away from the artist's work they were viewing.  Some actually remove sold signs from an artist's wall and place them on their own wall. Some artists go around the gallery and count the number of sales each artist makes. Then they brag to collectors that they sold more than others. Add cold calling to this as well. Do not call other artists' patrons and try to steal collectors. Some artists show up to another artist’s exhibit to hand out their own business cards. 

 Don't bad mouth other artists to potential patrons. The opportunity presents itself quite frequently. Sometimes potential collectors will ask what you think of another artist and their work? Resist the temptation to speak your mind. There are exceptions. If you feel another artist is unethical or about to use an innocent person, it gives you something to consider and there may be a third party you should discuss the situation with and obtain advice. In most circumstances, say nothing. Better to say you don't know much about the artist's work than to insult them. 

 Be helpful. I will often send collectors to an artist who specializes in subjects that don't interest me. You will be appreciated by other artists who will do the same for you. Be generous when you can. 

 Don't bad mouth other artists to galleries. This is a disgraceful habit and yes, I actually know an artist who did this to another, well respected painter. It caused great damage to the innocent artist's relationship with his gallery dealer. 

 Don't be cliquish. I know far too many painters who are like high school cheerleaders. These groups form to promote their own agendas and egos. Exclusivity is clearly part of their goal. The funny thing is that the best painters I know are not a part of this. They are generous, kind and always willing to share.

 Worry about your own plan, not anyone else's. There is room for all kinds of art and everyone can sell their work in an ethical manner. 

 Be kind and thoughtful to your collectors and they will care equally for you. We must overcome the obstacles in our path to success without walking on our competitors' backs. We don't need to abuse other artists to succeed in selling our own work. 

Country artists have to play fair…… www.lindablondheim.com

Reuse

 I like to reuse and recycle my art and marketing materials. I’ve found it to be useful, saves money and resources and is fun.

 I use old post cards that are leftover invites to past dated parties to make bookmarks and paper flowers. I cut the flower shapes out of the images. Because the cards are thick paper and glossy, the flowers are really pretty. They are easy to Stitch edging on too with crochet thread.

 I use scrap mat board to make my tea bag paintings. I use everything in the tea bags except the tea and the tiny staple. I put the used tea in the garden. I also make little art pins from 2x2 inch mat board. They are fun to wear. I cover them with clear packing tape and put a little metal pin back on them. 

 I use old pieces of craft paper from my table tops in the studio to wrap framed paintings before shipping them. I use shredded papers from the mail to fill the shipping boxes and I save all bubble wrap that comes in shipping boxes. I reuse it to ship paintings. 

 

Saving resources is good for Country painters......

Expertise

Expertise means something. If I could have a dollar every time I hear someone say

”I can do that” in front of someone’s painting, I would be well off financially indeed. Good painting looks easy and effortless.

Any expert in any field makes the work look easy. If you watch house building shows on TV it looks easy. Now try it yourself! Through the digital world, we think we have become experts at everything. 

 Fine art takes a big hit on this issue because anyone can buy paint and brushes and suddenly become a painter. They don’t have to go through the arduous lengthy and expensive process of obtaining art degrees like I did. 

 My point is that to be an expert in any field, you must be well trained, with years of practice. There are very few masters in any field. I would never think of myself as a master painter, though I’ve painted for over 60 years, with art degrees. I am but a student of the game. Calling yourself a master painter is the highest form of hubris, though I see artists do that all the time. Most master painters think of themselves as mere students. Experts in all fields are in rarified air. 

 Life is humbling for country painters......

 

Paths for Artists

 There are several paths to success for artists. Many don't understand that there are multiple choices. 

Path 1

I started out with the typical after art school path. I patiently built my credentials, met the right people, did competitive shows, joined all of the right national organizations, became a listed artist, showed in invitational museum exhibits, and so forth. My goal was to become a regionally known artist first, then hopefully on to a national level artist.  The ladder was tall and there were many who tried to climb over. 

I woke up one day with an epiphany. I was tired of the stress, the politics, the oneupmanship, the expectations of others, the fear of failure and fear of marginalization. I knew many unhappy painters who were sick of that path as well, but who were afraid to leave it. I also knew painters who thrived in that competitive, cutthroat environment. 

 Path 2

The Non competitive painter. I switched to this path, after my epiphany. I came to the realization that I didn't have to live in the world of being the best known or best painter. In fact I could be a nobody and love my job. I am quite successful as a non competitive painter and a country bumpkin.  I don't do national shows. I don't enter contests, I rarely go to art openings, I don't do paint outs and I don't hang out with the so called "art elite" anymore. The cool people I know are kind, authentic, and wonderful! Most of them have not set foot in an art  gallery. They are farmers, business people and lovers of the natural world. 

 Path 3

The commission artist. This is a good path for those who like a steady reliable way to make money. It takes time to build up a following and patience to deal with a demanding clientele. Marketing is very specific for this niche, but not always. Some commission artists are lucky right away and build steady clients. Word of mouth is a good tool for commission artists. 

 Path 4

Now the online business model for artists is becoming viable. We no longer have to depend on galleries, festivals or live events to sell art. I know artists who only market and sell online. They are savvy at social marketing and get their work out in front of huge audiences, having no real art credentials, because their followers don't care about their training. There are lots of sub paths to an art career, including retirees who decide to be artists and unfortunately undercharge for their work because they don't need to make money.  The paths meander here and there, but there is a path for all of us, both in elite and low places. 

 

Country painters follow the path that makes them happy…..

 

Have Fun

 Have fun with art. I have learned this valuable insight as I have aged. I spent many years worrying about being taken seriously as a painter. I didn’t realize that fun makes me a better painter. 

 

About two years ago I started doing paintings on tea bags, archival paper, and mini art card paintings at my design table. I have had a lot of fun, and they are wonderful regular practice. I started making hand made paper about a year ago, using it for a variety of projects, including embossed note cards. It has all been a wonderful addition to my job as a landscape artist.

 

Every bit of fun art I do, adds to my experience as an artist and gives more depth to my learning journey.

 

Art is fun for country painters…… 

Career Choices

There are two basic paths with offshoot variations, to a career as a painter. I chose path one as a young painter out of art school. Art school teaches you nothing about business. In fact they steer you toward building prestige and elitism for artists.

 I spent the first part of my career entering competitions, getting to be listed with auction houses, Who’s Who, etc. I worked very hard to be one of the known Florida artists. I did museum shows, art center shows, building my resume, bio, and statement. Later, I did all the big Florida Paint Outs. I consulted on all of them, and I was the project manager for the Epcot Artists in the Garden paint out for 10 years. I belonged to all the southern plein air organizations, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, of which there were many at the time. Path one is climbing the ladder.

 About ten years ago, I began to despise all of path one. It takes a lot of pointless energy to walk on path one. You do it because you have the false sense that it is the only legitimate path and that you will be marginalized without it. I woke up one day and said I’m done!

 I stopped doing paint outs, stopped doing shows where you must pay to play. I only do invitational exhibits now. I stopped caring about building resumes, bios, statements. No one has asked me for one in 10 years. 

 Path two is very different. It is cozy and very kind. I no longer compete with other artists. Instead, I began to learn to cheer for their successes. I began to make friends with my collectors instead of the artsy-fartsy community. I didn’t need to run around hoping to be seen with the cool people. I began to put my energy into my paintings instead, spending my precious time learning how to paint. 

 Perhaps I have become marginalized by the art community for stepping away, but I’m a better painter now and I have a lot more friends, both artists and collectors. All the paths we take, make us what we are. I wouldn’t change any of it.

 Life is wonderful for country painters.....

 

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Thinking Too Much

 Sometimes thinking too much is dangerous. I have spent a lifetime of thinking about the business of being a painter. I spent years trying to figure out how to sell, how to market successfully and worrying about being marginalized by not hanging around the right galleries, museums and arty people.

 

 I spent years building up my teaching business, running all over the place teaching workshops, teaching locally and coaching students online. Writing tutorials and so forth.  I've been asked many times to write books about painting, plein air painting, and marketing. I even seriously made the effort to sit down and write a painting book but I got too distracted by it and gave up.  I just couldn't settle down to it long enough. My best writing has been on blogs because I think in an adventurous sense. I like to write a few paragraphs and be done. As an ADD artist, that's about all of the attention span I possess as a writer.

 

 After all of this busyness, I find that I like to spend my time painting and hanging around my studio and my nature trail now. I've spent a lot of years acquiring information and learning to paint and I'm far from through acquiring knowledge. In fact I am just getting to the stage where I can study in earnest.

 

 I won't make the mistake of wringing my hands and saying why did I spend all of those years doing all of those busy things? I can accept the fact that they were important at the time and I actually cared about being a known painter then. I've been very lucky to have a good career and to be known to the people who support me in so many ways. I've learned that they are really the only people who I should care about pleasing with my work other than myself. I have learned the art of study and passion for my work as an artist. I'm excited every time I step up to the easel and see that new canvas. The masterpiece painting is just around the corner for me every time. I trust that I will do it someday.

 

 

 Once I began to give up the clubs, organizations, the competitive world of juried competitions and shows, the teaching, I began to have time to focus on the fields and trees, the cattle, rivers and marshes that I love to paint. I stopped worrying about what other painters were doing, what they were painting and where my next collector would come from. I trusted that they would arrive, and they do. I still believe in serious marketing, which I do regularly, but my approach is more focused and toward others who love the same subjects I do.

 Life is good when you are a country painter………

 

Paper Making Growth

 My paper making growth continues. Today I made a batch of 12 pages, 5x7. That is the size of my usual batch. I filled the blender with old papers and newsprint and a bit of white latex paint, making a nice light grey. I did 6 sheets that color and then added a bit of orange dye, which turned the pulp to a tan color. After two more sheets, I added more orange dye to make a warm tan. At the last two pages I added cherry red dye to make a brick colored paper. Nice! The grey of the pulp neutralized all the colors, making them more subtle. I am learning as I go. 

Life is fun for country paper makers….

Who’s Fault?

 Who's fault that some artists can't make a living?  I know a lot of artists who automatically go to the old standard reasons. The economy is poor. Young people don't buy art. People only want famous artists' works. There is little art education in schools anymore. Everything is digital now. If you don't paint abstracts, no one will buy your art. There are really hundreds of reasons why artists have a hard time making a living.

 I am the first to admit that selling art is a difficult task. I've been in the art business all of my life. I do think it is far too easy to self pity and say it can't be done. Making a living as an artist is daunting, but it can be and is a viable way to make a living. Attitude and willingness to succeed are everything. This goes for any occupation.

 I don't spend my time worrying about any of the reasons that art doesn't sell. That is a complete waste of my time and resources. I do instead, spend a heck of a lot of time thinking about what I can do to sell enough art to pay my bills and buy art materials. My goal is not to become wealthy, though that would be lovely. My goal is not to be famous. There are obligations attached to that that I am not willing to carry out. My goal is to continue being an independent self sustaining artist, paying my own way through what is left of my time on this good earth. A simple, doable goal.

 I never for a moment think that I can't succeed. That is out of the question. I will not fail. I work very hard. I depend on others to aid me. My followers on social media are my referral team. I know they will help me and I will help them. I know my collectors want me to be successful, and they help me with referrals. I know that my work is of a subject that appeals to niche collectors. I don't try to appeal to every market. I don't try to be trendy. I don't switch my painting subjects and styles to fit the latest trends. I don't try to fit in to art societies, or groups any more. That is ego driven. I go my own way, secure in that my efforts are truly genuine.

 There is no blame for lack of success, only props that give you excuses to fail! Don’t play the blame game as an artist. Don’t go pro if you are not willing to work very hard. Enjoy a happy and fulfilling hobby instead. 

 Life is wonderful for country painters.......,

Sharing Our Thoughts

 I saw a post about a woman who wrote her thoughts just before her passing. It made me think of all the questions I should have asked my parents when they were still with me. 

 Artists have a specialized skill, as do other career professionals. I have been a blogger/group writer for long years. These blog/group postings are my professional career journal. I wonder at all of the information I and other artists have missed through the years that artists could have written and shared with artists coming behind them? It is not necessary to be an expert writer. 

 What could I have learned from Daniel Green’s musings? Anders Zorn, John Singer Sargent? There are hundreds of other artists, some nearly unknown in the art world who had important words to share. 

 I know some artists like to be mysterious, who don’t like to share information. Perhaps they are afraid to be copied or out done by someone who might have more talent. I never worry about that. In fact, if I help someone to become a master painter, I will have done my job as a mere student of painting myself.

 

Sharing is caring for country painters…….

 Value of Art

 

I've been thinking a lot about value of art. So many unfortunate people don't seem to relate to art as having value. What they don't realize is that art relates to every part of their lives. Industrial design makes the furniture they use, and the tools they pick up every day.

 

Artists are the historians of our culture. We record our time on this planet and interpret our culture's style, tools, and politics, along with the beauty we see. I decided to put into words what I think the value of my art is for my time on this planet. 

 

What is the real value of owning original art?

 

Most of my collectors are not wealthy. They don’t buy art as a speculative investment. Many of the best treasures have true emotional value. My collectors tell me that my paintings speak to them as memories of places and times they have experienced as destinations throughout their lives.

They want to be closer to the natural world. They enjoy the birds, flowers and trees I paint. My paintings take them out of their busy lives, if for only a moment at a time. They are concerned about our environment and long to savor a moment outside of their office, out in the wild spaces where I roam. Through my paintings and stories, they join me.

 

Owning an original painting means owning the only one in the world. I don’t sell copies or reproductions of my work. There is a magic to possessing the only painting like it.  There are many reasons to own original art.

 

Think about starting your collection or giving art to those you love. Start small. Tiny and small paintings are less expensive and still bring joy.  If you already have a large collection, think about gifting art to others who will have the same joy in ownership that you feel with each of your paintings. Paintings last your lifetime and for future generations to enjoy.

 

Artists have a marvelous friendship with their collectors. My collectors mean everything to me. They are my friends, supporters and part of my every day life. Our relationship goes far beyond an exchange of art for income. We develop friendships through mutual interests and deep respect for each other and our families. We don't concern ourselves with hateful political rhetoric or taking sides. Our relationship builds community and all of the positive aspects of our lives. 

 

Artists have a truly wonderful life......