Successful art show opening reception

Okay, so I didn't post last week because I was getting my act together for the opening reception of my first show, "Canvasing Delaware," in my new gallery. It was very successful and sales were made! How sweet it is!
Lost track of time and taking photos but luckily one of my new friends, and excellent photographer, April Abel was on hand to snap some shots for me. Thanks for these April! Here's a short video just for fun..
http://animoto.com/play/nLK6NFemTUD4NViIYR0PCQ

Enjoy and I'll update you next week on joining a focus group for the Delaware Division of the Arts, more how sweet it is!!!

Must say Delaware really suits me just fine, thank you. Great wee state!

Art Trails column on online travel magazine

I'm cheating this week.... my blog is a link to my Art Trails column in the online travel magazine, American Roads... sit down, read and enjoy  http://www.americanroads.net/art-trails.htm

When Mr. Doubt visits

The troubling landscape on the mantle

I’m back at the farm. The painting thereof, that is to say. This time I’ve gone big - it’s a 30x40. I do love painting big. I’m reasonably happy with the way this one is going, however, I still prefer painting seascapes.  It’s that “reasonably happy” that’s the biggest problem.
Something in this one is bothering me, can’t quite put my finger on it. Here’s a photo of it above my favourite seascape. It’s still wet!
I find landscapes soothing to look at, I can get lost in the mists or bare fields. I wonder what’s over the horizon. I love the way the light and the colour changes  as you watch, the mood, the calmness, the joy, the saddness. Whatever it is you feel as you look at it - just like a seascape.
So, then… why is it, I have no doubts when I paint the sea. It’s just the right feeling every time. I do a landscape and Mr. Doubt arrives to visit immediately. He loves to linger in my mind and play jokes on me. Then I get nervous and start fussing at it. That’s usually when I mess it up.
I walked away from it some time ago. Now I just walked in to the studio, looked at the painting and picked up a palette knife to start fiddling. Then I thought, “Nope. Not going to - so there!” I put the knife down, picked up the painting and put it in the gallery, on the mantle above the seascape. I stood back and looked. For a long time. Still doubting. But this time, I’m going to leave it there until tomorrow. And then I’ll re-look at it. I WILL NOT pick up the palette knife to fiddle until I really do know what it is I want to change. I must start trusting myself with landscapes.
Let’s see what happens…..