End Of A Long Day

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"End Of A Long Day"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel

$200 with display easel.

Even though this painting is titled "End of a Long Day" I do have to say that in reality today is the "end of a long month"! Between traveling, kicking off the "Artists Helping Artists" blog, painting, commissions and way too many hours at my computer marketing my art ... I am tired!
I am so looking forward to August! My oldest son is swimming at the National Championships, we have a beach vacation scheduled and all three boys are home ... so I am a very happy mother and wife! I will enjoy every single day this month because I can't even stand to bear the thought that next month the boys will be back in sch**l (I can't even type the dreaded word!).

I finished my newsletter a few minutes ago (quite pathetic since it is my July newsletter and today is the last day of July ... Dreama and I have been very tardy this month!). I do want to share with you a new program I kicked off in my newsletter today. If you recall, I sold a painting earlier this week and donated all of the proceeds to the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I have decided to sell a special collection of "Pink Power" notecards (they are a set of six for $20, including shipping) and I am going to donate all of the profits to the Avon Walk. This is a cause very dear to my heart and I would love it if you would purchase some of these cards and allow me to make a donation on your behalf! Click here for more info. Join me in fighting this disease that affects one out of every eight women!

Mission and Meridian - SOLD

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"Mission and Meridian"

Oil, 6" x 8" on canvas panel.

Sold.

There is an adorable coffee and ice cream shop in town called "Busters" ... and the building really symbolizes the small town charm of South Pasadena. I painted this yesterday (yeah ... no summer reruns!) for a new friend who is moving out of town ... I hope she likes it. The colors in the building really are this yummy!
Although South Pasadena has 25,000 residents it really does have a sense of Mayberry RFD. What an incredible town to raise a family! I am blessed!

Summer Reruns - The Church

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"The Church"

Oil, 6" x 8" on canvas panel.

$250.00 framed.

This is one of my favorite paintings. It represents "anytown USA" and I love the shadows and light on the main building. I am still posting "reruns" although I never made it to the easel today ... ended up spending most of the day at the Apple Store and on my computer. I was able to install a "favicon" on my website (see Tuesday'a post if you are not sure what a favicon is ... or ask Dreama) and I changed the navigation bar on every page of my website. I created one that has the green from my logo and it took me three hours to change every page of my website. Not easy, but well worth it. I hope! Although I am seeing blurry by about now ...

Happy Birthday Dreama!

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Some of my favorite Dream Tolle Perry Paintings!

If you have been reading my blog for a while, or even a short time, you will know that my best art friend in the whole wide world is Dreama Tolle Perry! Although we have only met once (she lives in Kentucky and I live in California) she is simply wonderful and we do talk every day. Ok, perhaps two or three times a day. Ok, sometimes four. 

I often refer to her as my "business partner". I mean ... we do co-host a radio show together. So, today is her birthday and even though I tease her a lot about "not having resources in Kentucky", I would love it if you all wished her a Happy Birthday! Her blog is http://dreamatolleperry.blogspot.com/. 

Have a wonderful birthday my dear friend! 

Summer Reruns - In Front of the Golden Gate - SOLD

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"In Front of the Golden Gate"

Oil, 8" x 10" on canvas panel.

Sold.

I am going to post a few "Summer Reruns" while I work on larger commissioned paintings. These are paintings I have posted previously that are offered at a 20% discount. This first one is one of my favorites and portrays one of my favorite cities - San Francisco!

A quick tip! I finally figured out how to add a favicon to my blog. A Favicon is the little customized picture that appears next to your URL address. If you look in the photo above, you can see my logo ... I know it's tiny but it is fun to have! I found a lot of instructions on the internet but most were out of date. These seem to be the best "how-to steps" ... http://rumblinglankan.com/145/how-to-add-a-favicon-in-blogger/.

Pink Power - SOLD

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"Pink Power"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

Sold.

Last night my husband and I had the pleasure of attending the infamous "Pink Party". It is a very fun party in the neighborhood that is also a fundraiser for breast cancer. It was so wonderful to see so many great people and to know that all of the funds raised were going to help fight the disease. Breast cancer has touched so many of us and it is nice to be able to help such a worthy cause. It was an honor to donate a painting to the auction.

Last year I participated in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk with this incredible group of women. But this year my darn feet are bothering me ... starting with a broken toe a few months back ... and I just can't do it. I am sad because it was a truly amazing experience. Next year for sure!

So ... this painting was inspired by this incredible group of women and if it sells all proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. Even if you can't buy my painting ... please try to do something to fight this terrible disease that effects one out of every eight women. If we all do something, we can make a difference.

This one is for you my beloved Betsy. I miss you.

A Modern Family

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I did not get a chance to finish a painting to post yesterday. I am working on larger commissions I sold through my Summer Special and they aren't done yet. As soon as they are ready I will post them here.
I did end up selling three paintings yesterday to the TV show Modern Family. You can expect to see my art on TV when the new season starts this fall. I am really thrilled for the opportunity and very happy that my art will be seen on such a funny and well-liked television show. Yippee!

Here are the three paintings purchased so watch for them on the show.
Today I am heading down to Randy Higbee's gallery and frame place. I am meeting some artists (some for the first time!) and we should have a very fun afternoon. Thanks Randy for hosting us!

Reflections On a Vineyard

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"Reflections on a Vineyard"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 with display easel.

This was a very fun painting to paint. I am enjoying the different subject matter and I had a lot of fun with the colors in this one. This is a great late day scene in one of my favorite places in the world, the wine country!
Today was one of those surreal days ... so many good things happened that it just made today a really great day. Empty Easel published a great article about our Artists Helping Artists radio show and Fine Art Studio mentioned the show in their daily newsletter. Clint Watson confirmed as a guest on our radio show in September and needless to say, our "hits" on the AHA blog were up 500%. Cool.
But the best thing that happened was a set decorator from a very popular TV show purchased one of my paintings today. It was purchased to be featured on the set of the show. I can't give out any details yet but I am very excited! Yippee!

The Wiltern

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"The Wiltern"

Oil, 6" x 8" on canvas panel.

$200 with display easel.

So, as promised, I am trying different subject matter with the palette knife. I decided to paint this for one obvious reason ... color. There aren't too many buildings in Los Angeles that are this color and I absolutely love it!
The Wiltern Theatre and adjacent 12-story Pellissier Building are Art Deco architectural landmarks located on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The entire complex is commonly referred to as the Wiltern Center. Clad in a blue-green glazed architectural terra-cotta tile and situated on a diagonal to the street corner, the complex is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco style architecture in the United States.

Chit Chat

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"Chit Chat"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 with display easel.

So, I have painted a lot of boats this summer and I am thinking it is time to mix it up a bit. So, beginning next week you will see new material. That's right. I am moving outside of my comfort zone.
So ... help me out guys. Please let me know what you think I should paint. Just remember I am working exclusively with a palette knife, I really like bright colors and I LOVE reflections. Other than that, I am all open to your suggestions. Let the comments begin!

Gone Fishing

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"Gone Fishing"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 with display easel.

I have been told that some of you couldn't view my palette knife painting demo so I uploaded it on youtube as well. Thanks to everyone for all of their amazing feedback. I do intend to film a demo every month or so  ... so please check back for more.
This painting is a nice, calm, restful painting. The last few weeks in my life have been pretty hectic so I think that's why I was drawn to this. Of course ... I couldn't resist adding in the bright colors!
Don't forget to tune in to tomorrow's Artists Helping Artists radio show. I honestly can say I think it will be one of the best ever and and could have a huge impact on your art sales! You can join us live at 9:00am PST or listen to the recorded show any time. And please visit the blog for the show because there are two documents posted you will need to look at before listening!

Morning Colors

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"Morning Colors"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 with display easel.

So, I just completed the drawing for the free marketing 60-minute marketing consultation. This prize is valued at $200.00. If you have been listening to my radio show, "Artists Helping Artists" you will know that I have plenty of ideas and suggestions when it comes to selling art on-line. The consultation includes a discussion of new ideas for the winning artists' website and blog, marketing materials, facebook, whatever the artist wants! This is their chance for personal one-on-one marketing advice. The winner of the free consultation is Kelley Sanford! Too funny ... it is not often that I pick a name of someone I feel like I know well!


Today's painting is a bit of a departure from the sailboats that I normally paint. I was looking for something different and thought these boats would be fun. I was up at 4:45 a.m. getting my son ready to head to the airport for volleyball camp and this painting was finished by 6:00 am. This is probably the earliest in the day that I have ever painted. Hence, the title "Morning Colors" seemed appropriate.

Settled In (and my first palette knife video!)

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"Settled In"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 with display easel.

I have been promising myself I would do a palette knife painting video for quite some time now. After spending about 40 hours on my son's volleyball video I figured now was a good time to get it done. My editing skills are certainly refined and it was actually fun to do. Plus my new TB hard drive allows me plenty of storage for my video projects.
So my first palette knife demo is complete and you can view it here.
I love uplifting music so don't expect some slow playing classical music in the background ... I had a lot  more fun with the Black Eyed Peas!

Happy Together

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"Happy Together"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200.00 with display easel.

So ... this painting is what you might call a "labor of love". I had a very busy week in Austin attending my son's volleyball nationals, not to mention the blog that Dreama and I created last week for our
"Artists Helping Artists" radio show. And ... I have spent the last four days editing about 50 hours of volleyball video. Tomorrow is the team dinner and I offered to produce a video (just finished that project!). Needless to say, my time at the easel has been very limited!
So last night I had an empty house and was convinced I could paint away! But unfortunately ... I had zero creativity in my brain and after scraping two finished paintings ... I gave up. I even called Dreama (and it was way very late in Kentucky) and strangely enough ... she was having the same problem.
So ... this morning I came downstairs with hopes the "painting fairies" had fixed my painting. (If you are an artist you will understand the "painting fairies" concept ... you think if you walk away, maybe come back later, the painting at your easel might suddenly look better.) Unfortunately ... the painting fairies must have been working on someone else's easel. Julie ... were they at your house?
So, I tossed another one in the trash and started over today. Fortunately I finished two paintings and even took the time to video one painting session. So ... watch for my video. I am now an expert at imovie so it shouldn't take long for me to edit my demo!
** Also, I will pick the winner for this week on Sunday since blogger had so many problems this week with posting. So keep commenting!

"Artists Helping Artists" Has a New Blog

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That's right. The radio show "Artists Helping Artists" that I co-host with Dreama Tolle Perry is a hit. So now, it has it's own new blog. We were stunned when last week over 1100 artists listened (via the internet) to previously recorded shows of our blog talk radio show. I guess you could say we kind of "underestimated" the response. But we are thrilled and glad so many artists are enjoying the show!
So, the new blog is located at http://artistshelpingartistsblog.blogspot.com/. All of the previous shows are listed with links to resources mentioned on the show and links to listen to recorded episodes. And please don't be shy about leaving comments and/or suggestions for future shows. The program will only get better with your input!
Tomorrow's show is titled "How to Create a PR Campaign to Promote Your Art". You can join us live (although spots are limited) or you can listen to the recorded version via the internet soon after the program concludes. If you call in to the live show, we will answer all of your questions on the show. We promise!
Please tell all of your artist friends about the show. Thanks!

Sailing Day

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"Sailing Day"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel

$200 with display easel.

This painting really depicts summer to me and now that the 4th is behind us ... it really feels like summer! We are still in Austin at the Volleyball Junior Nationals and so far things are going very well. The weather here is interesting ... certainly different from Southern California. I guess I forgot what real humidity is like!
I did receive some great news this week. Two of my paintings are going to be featured in the Dick Blick Holiday Catalog. They contacted me and I was thrilled. The exposure is simply amazing. Yippee!
Don't forget I am offering another "free giveaway". Anyone who comments on my blog tis week will be eligible. This Friday at 10:00 a.m. PST I will hold a drawing and one lucky person will win a Free One Hour Marketing Consultation with me! This service is valued at $200 and will include a discussion of your art website, blog and/or marketing materials (if you have any!). This is your chance to discuss what results you would like to see from your website and blog and my chance to make sure you you are doing everything you can to make that happen.

Flying High

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"Flying High"

Oil, 16" x 6"

NFS

I hope everyone is enjoying their 4th of July weekend. I am in Austin, TX attending the volleyball Junior Nationals. I know you are surprised ... another sporting event with my husband and kids!

I am pleased to announce I am offering another "free giveaway". Anyone who comments on my blog for the next 7 days will be eligible. Next Friday at 10:00 a.m. PST I will hold a drawing and one lucky person will win a Free One Hour Marketing Consultation with me! This service is valued at $200 and will include a discussion of your art website, blog and/or marketing materials (if you have any!). This is your chance to discuss what results you would like to see from your website and blog and my chance to make sure you you are doing everything you can to make that happen. If you have listened to my Blog Talk Radio Show, Artists Helping Artists, you already know that I have an extensive background in marketing. As an artist, I am "living in the trenches" with all of you and I do feel I have a very good understanding as to how you can and should sell your art online!

Speaking of the radio show, yesterday's show with artist Carol Marine was fantastic. Carol was such a great guest and her stories were amazing. We have already had 600 people go to our radio show website and listen to the recorded version ... in only two days. Don't forget that all of our shows are recorded and there is a lot of great information that applies to all artists. And next week's show will explain how you can create a PR package for your art. We'll share what you need to include in a "PR Package", how to write a press release, how to "discover" what constitutes your "newsworthy events" and where you should seek publicity (and not just in the arts community!). If you are an artist who wants to sell more art, you Do NOT want to miss this show.