I’m listening

4×4 Impasto palette knife paintings
Flower Series No 80, 81, and 82

The number one question I keep receiving this holiday season is..can I get this painting in a size LARGE by LARGE? The size they name is always HUGE compared to the size I’m offering. My answer is always no, and it makes me feel terrible. Original paintings are just that, tho. Original. One of a kind. There is only one. There will never be another exactly like it. That’s what makes them so unique and special. There’s just no way I can take a 4×4 inch painting, and magically turn it into a 30×30. I would, if I could. It’s got me thinking about what people want from me, tho. I’m listening. 

9×12 Impasto Palette Knife Painting
Flower Series No 83
Fine art giclee prints available here

Two nights ago, I prepped 48 4×4 canvas panels, and it took me allll night, and into the next morning. My back was killing me when I was done. First, I had to paint all the backs black to cover up the brand name that was stamped all over them. Then, I had to gesso over the black paint. It took two coats of gesso. I do this so I can sign, title, and date the back of the paintings. If I use only gesso, the writing shows through.

Next, I spread on some modeling paste on the front side of each one. I don’t like painting directly on canvas. I’ve never liked the texture of canvas, so I cover it up somehow. I like a smooth surface, which is what I get after letting the modeling paste dry and sanding each one. Then, I had to gesso over the modeling paste, twice. WHEW. It takes forever, and that’s just the prep work. 

I kinda got a little discouraged looking at them all spread out on my work table. All I could think was..and this is only the very beginning. I’ve got to come up with a different design for each one of them. 48 new designs. Then, I have to sell them all, one by one. I imagined it all happening, in fast forward motion in my mind. Months and months going by before they’ve all gone off to new homes. It makes me groan just a little when I think of it. Honestly, I don’t make much money off them for all the work and time involved. 

So, between the messages I keep receiving, the missed opportunities to sell work because it’s too small, and thinking of all the work ahead of me when I look at these little paintings, painting larger is starting to look pretty darn good to me. Thinking about it, it’s easier to ship one painting, prep one canvas, come up with one design, and sell one painting, instead of 48. One sounds soooo much easier. Less work overall, less packaging to buy. 

So, I put the 4x4s off to the side, for now, and I’m spending the rest of this week on larger canvas. I’ll see how sales go. If I have to store larger paintings for an extended amount of time, I’m going to run into a problem real quick. My studio space is cramped as it is, but if they sell fairly quickly, it will work out great. Besides, it will give me a break from these little paintings, and right now, I’m all for that. hm..I just talked myself into painting larger. Who knows where this will lead. Stay tuned!!

If you’re ever looking for my Etsy shop, all you have to type in is artbykatiejeanne.com and it will bring you right there.