Book Review: Acrylic Solutions

I have a lot of art books on my bookshelves, for reference, for inspiration, and for solutions on how to work through a knotty place while I'm creating. But probably my all time favorite book is this one:

I have taken not all, but most of the workshops by these two artists, Chris Cozen and Julie Prichard. And because I have taken their workshops and know the quality of their teaching and their art, I signed up right away in September 2012 when Amazon announced it was taking orders for their new book. It came in February 2013 and it has resided on the corner of my painting table since then. Oh, I've tried to put it on the shelf with the others, but I kept taking it down, so I figured I'd just make it easy on myself and leave it. They go through their marvelous acrylic creations step by step, and give a lot of background on why as an artist using these steps are important. (Chris & Julie have distinctive styles from each other, which encourages you to try something a new way.) They take you from the kinds of substrate you paint on, to the finishing touches you can use to make it really something special. And it's the kind of book you will probably have paint flecks and spatters on different pages, just like your favorite cookbook!

AND.................................

It's on sale at Amazon! Just in time for your gift giving if you have seasoned artists, or budding artists on your gift list. Get it at this link! And enjoy!

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Promote! Promote! Promote!

That is the mantra on the art discussion threads I have been reading. Have a blog! Send out tweets! Send out Facebook updates! Send out emails! Give your business card to everyone you meet! On the main website for my art - Bellesouth Studio -in the discussion area it's been stressed over and over to comment on other artists! Like their work! Moves you up in the ratings!

So, I started trying to do as much as I could - promote, promote, promote! And that's what I have been doing all month. Have I gotten any sales because of my work? Not yet. But I did get a relapse, and realization that I was becoming anxious about the whole thing. So, with prayer, I had to stop and regroup. Here are some things I realized:

*Yes, some promotion is vital, but I am not a "normal" so I pay.

*I pay with my energy - it was all being used up in these endeavors.

*I pay because I cannot create new art, my energy is gone.

*It takes time to create a following.

*Am I doing this to become rich and famous - no.

*What was my purpose in creating? To worship and praise God for my gift.

*I have to choose wisely about how I use what energy is given to me.

*One thing I cannot do, which is one of the best ways to promote, is to do art shows. I cannot set up, sit all day long, and break down everything. Perhaps I can find someone who would be willing to share my art in their space.

I've neglected my blog, I've neglected my art, and some art I have done has been the crummiest I've seen come out of my brush. They immediately got a coat of Gesso so I could start over.

So, find out what is best for you. There are no rigid rules. What is the most important thing? For me, it's being in the mindset to create when I am able!

After They Left

(click for details)

Sometimes when people leave, the space they filled seems so empty. A little bit of you goes with them, and their echo is all around you.

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Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!

The Latest Commissioned Piece

I mentioned a few blogs back that I was going to be doing another Pear picture, because a couple saw the first one I did:

(click to view)

and really liked it so much that they asked if they could have a similar one done. We all knew it would not be the same, because they needed to fit a specific narrow area in the kitchen. So the canvas was 10 x 30 and rather than having one pear, as originally planned, we decided on having three! I love that it has its own personality and I think they will like the way it came out:

(click to view)

This was made using acrylic paint, gel medium, oil pastels and ink.

 Long and skinny, but fits the requirements!

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Come see my latest postcards I've received on Postcards Buffet!