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Summer job
Before I was called away to jury duty, I decided to take a break from painting florals and birds for the next couple months. I have 448 active listings in my Art By Katie Jeanne Etsy shop, and 656 expired ones. That means I’ve painted A LOT of florals in the past year and a half. I’m starting to feel a burnout coming on, so before it goes that far, it’s time to change things up a bit. When I get bored, it really shows in my work. So, it’s bye to florals for a little while, and hello portraits and figures once again.
Dreaming of Numbers and Flowers
I’ve given myself the huge task of going through all my Miz Katie paintings, and revising them. Some have been kicking around for 3 or 4 years. It’s time to make them better, hopefully irresistible, so I can get them out the door on their way to permanent homes. I’m calling this my “summer job” because I figure once September rolls around, I’ll be itching to get back to painting florals again.
Wearing Her Heart on Her Sleeve
It’s been a couple years since I painted portraits, and I had forgotten what a zen-like experience it is..I sit down to revise one of these, and I get lost in the process. Adding layer upon layer is so calming, and mesmerizing. It’s a whole different feeling than painting florals and birds, much more personal.
I know I have my work cut out for me. Not only is it a lot of work to revise these paintings, but I have to retake all the photos, as well. I’ll be spending a lot of time with my old pal, Photoshop, but it’s okay. Every time I see an image of a newly revised painting, it makes me want to push on to the next one. I’m loving the improvements so far.
As you’ve probably noticed, I’m changing the color palette as I go along, and my portraits are beginning to have the same colors as my florals and birds. That’s because I’m trying to form a cohesive look.
The reason this has become so important is because I’ve been actively looking for a new place(s) to sell my work. I recently sent in some applications, and I was accepted at Art Finder, and Amazon Handmade. I’m also looking at Saatchi Art, and will start selling there soon, too. More about all this later, when I’m more settled in.
It’s not possible to have two separate shops or galleries on these new sites, like you can on Etsy. So, I’m being forced to look at my work, and business as a whole, instead of separating it by genre, and painting style. My portraits need to look like they belong along side my florals, not clash with them.
These two paintings could hang side-by-side on your wall or on a website without a problem. Goal accomplished!
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. – George Bernard Shaw
When I first started changing things, I thought I was only going to tone down the backgrounds to make the faces stand out more. Now, some are getting completely new faces because my revisions are getting bolder and more daring the farther I get into this project. I’m going to have a completely different body of work after I’m done, and I’m excited about that.
So, here’s to a summer full of changes! I hope by the time a new season rolls around I’ll have this all figured out, and be better established in these new selling venues.
I started documenting the whole process on my other blog before I had a chance to really think it through. Now I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to have two different blogs, since I want to merge my work together, not separate it anymore. I’ll have to think about it, I guess. hm..well, I do have different followers on Blogger than here on this blog, so I probably will keep blogging over there, too.
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Sometimes life gets in the way of art
Floral No 250
Acrylic on canvas
Available for purchase here
If you’ve wondered why I’ve been so quiet, it’s because I was called away to jury duty. I’ve had it hanging over my head for 8 months now, like a black cloud, so it was a relief to finally get it over with serve. I got tired of stressing out about it. What a long drawn out process this turned into. I was first notified back in October of last year, and I sent in my paperwork. I received paperwork back saying I was to serve between the beginning of January to the middle-ish of June. At that time, I thought the case must be HUGE, and was going to take months. I waited, but heard nothing back from the court.
When June rolled around, I was beginning to think they forgot about me, misplaced my paperwork or something? I thought I was home free. Four days away from being dismissed, I received more paperwork in the mail. I was to report for duty in 2 business days at 8:45 am. I think they mailed everyone in town that day because 150 people showed up. Don’t ask me how I got chosen out of that many people when I’m such a wallflower, but I did, twice.
The first time they called my name, I was put in a smaller pool of 39 people in the center of the courtroom. We were in the running. I was in the first row, sitting in front of the judge with the defendant sitting a couple feet in front of me. We had to sit there directly facing each other for about an hour, maybe two? To say it was uncomfortable would be an understatement, especially after I heard the charges. It was a serious criminal case.
Both lawyers gave a speech to break the ice. They spoke to some of us individually, and asked a few personal questions relative to the case. Some people asked to be taken into the judge’s chambers to answer privately. If someone from the 39 was dismissed, they called another name from the audience. The lawyers continued asking questions, and weeding through our answers until they were satisfied. We were told to remain seated while they went back into chambers with the judge and defendant, and chose 13 of us out of the 39.
Skipping ahead with a funny story..days later, after the verdict had been read, we were told by the prosecution that we hadn’t really been “chosen”. The lawyers each got to strike out 13 people they didn’t want, and we were actually the “leftovers”. haha! Gee, thanks! 😉
I was the last name called into the pool of 39, and the last one called out of 13 (I didn’t end up being juror No 13, tho). I was counting on my fingers as the names were read off. I was just about to breathe a huge sigh of relief when they said my name. I stood up, instead of sighing.
Everyone else was told to leave, and the place quickly emptied out. We were swiftly whisked away, exiting through the back door. From there on out we became the property of the court, pretty much. If there was a court recess, we were taken into the back, and locked in the tiny jury room. We did get to leave for lunch, and we got to go home at night, so I have no complaints. Also, we were waited on hand and foot by the clerk. She brought us water, fruit, soda, snacks, and even made us coffee. It was hot in that little jury room, little or no a/c, and the temperature outside was raging well over 100F. We ran her ragged with requests for water. More water!! She was a real sweetheart. If we needed anything, all we had to do is buzz.
That’s pretty much where the story ends, at least here on my blog. I’ve decided that because of the sensitive subject matter, and out of respect for the family and the minor child involved, I’m not going to disclose any detailed information about the case. I’ll only say that I’m confident that I made the right decision for the verdict – not guilty on all 5 counts. I have no regrets.
Now it’s back to the studio for me. I re-opened my Etsy shops, and started painting again yesterday. On the outside, it appears like it’s business as usual, but I’m not going to lie. It’s hard to carry on as if I haven’t been changed by this experience.
My wish going forward is this.. I hope everyone involved can heal. I hope they somehow can find peace, love, forgiveness in their hearts, and that the verdict brings closure. My thoughts are with you all. If any of my fellow jurors want to keep in touch, please email me. xo
Why no one likes your art and other links
Every week I share my favorite finds with you..
Reading: Why No One Likes Your Art: 26 Reasons – this is a good one, and needs to be read more than once.
Listening to: Amanda Palmer and Jherek Bischoff’s version of Purple Rain. It is beautiful, and mesmerizing.
Watching: Sugar Coated – on Netflix it says, ‘This documentary investigates the history of the food industry’s use of sugar, its health impact on society and the politics of the “new tobacco.”‘
Watching this I learned that Welsh’s 100% grape juice, which claims to have “no added sugar” on the bottle actually has a ton of sugar in it. 10.5 teaspoons per serving to be exact. I thought so! I stopped drinking it a while ago because it was too sweet for my liking. I kept telling Greg there was sugar in it, but I secretly hoped it was just my imagination. I wanted to believe that Welsh’s wouldn’t lie to their consumers like that. I’m not happy to find out I was right. :/
As someone who has severe food allergies, celiac disease, and has gone into anaphylactic shock before, I can’t tell you how livid this makes me. I rely heavily on food labels, and will for the rest of my life. I can’t just pop something in my mouth, and eat it. I have to read the label first, and even go as far as looking up ingredients on Google, if I don’t know what something is. Someone like me needs to be told exactly what’s in a food, not some fabricated bs story they think I want to read. No sugar added when there are 10.5 teaspoons in it? You’ve got to be kidding me!! If I was allergic to sugar, I’d have been violently sick or dead from drinking it – all because I believed and trusted what I read on the label. And, what about diabetics? Shouldn’t they be informed about sugar in a juice that claims there is no sugar added? It’s sooo scary these big companies can mess with our health like that, lie to us, and get away with it.
Side note: Reminds me of that time I found out “gluten free” on the label doesn’t mean it’s wheat free, even though you’d think it would. Ugh..I was soooo sick, but luckily, that was about 4 years ago, and I haven’t made that mistake again. I make my own tortillas these days, so I know exactly what’s in them.
Watching: Frank and Cindy – this quirky story will probably make you feel a range of emotions. I still hold out hope for them. Yeah?
Watching: 72 Dangerous Places – pretty fascinating series if you’re a nerd like me. My husband got bored within seconds, and went to bed. Not at all interested. I don’t know how this show could bore anyone, but to each their own. Anyway, where I live (tornado alley) is number 6 out of 72. I’m not sure what number 1 is..haven’t got that far yet, but I will.
Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? You should! I’m giving away a painting, each and every month to one of my subbies. Be eligible to win by signing up now..
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Free printable June 2016 calendar page
..a little gift for you to print out or save to your desktop, whichever you like. You can download it here.
How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?
― Dr. Seuss
Favorite finds
Available here
I’ve been hooked on watching Casual lately. It’s funny with some surprising twists and turns. Can’t wait for season 2 to start on June 7th. It’s exclusively on Hulu.
I’ve been listening to, and watching documentaries on Nirvana lately. The live concerts are most heartbreaking, still, all these years later.
I learned from this: The Secret Rules to Modern Living: Algorithms.
The BIG Power of Working Small
Work through a theme
Allow space for mystery and magic
Let the metaphors speak
Let the tale unravel before you,
Let the art clean you out.”
If you have a youtube video you’d like me to see, leave a comment below with the link.
272 Blogging Topics for Artists
Pink cottage chic floral painting No 259
Available for purchase here
Prints starting as low as $10 are available here
I got a nice comment on this painting when I posted it on Daily Paintworks last week. Here’s what was said, “You’re on to something with your florals….I like a lot of them! Pleasing for color, ‘design-iness’ and other things I can’t put into words.” Aww..I love it when someone takes the time out of their busy day to leave a comment. Makes me feel like I’m not doing all this for nothing, and it’s just so sweet.
Last week I was dealing with major writer’s block. I had no idea what to post here on my blog. I was brainstorming like mad, but felt like I’ve already said it all over the years. Why bother repeating myself? Surely that can’t be true. I haven’t said everything, right? I started researching blog ideas for artists. I came up with several links that I thought I’d share.
1. 101 Blog Post Ideas That Will Make Your Blog “HOT”
2. 6 Blog Post Ideas For Art Bloggers
Hopefully, I’ll overcome my block this week, and get back to posting. We’ll see. If I’m quiet, you’ll know I didn’t find anything that caught my eye within these links.
Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? You should! I’m giving away a painting each and every month to one of my subscribers. Be eligible to win by signing up here!
This month’s winner is Cindy Riordan!! Congrats!!
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On the easel – 16×20 pink floral painting
Pink and green floral No 301
16×20 on canvas
Available for purchase here
Prints will be available shortly.
Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? You should! I’m giving away a painting each and every month to one of my subscribers. Be eligible to win by signing up here!
This month’s winner is Cindy Riordan!! Congrats!!
Never miss another blog post. Subscribe now to receive free updates in your inbox every time I post.
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