The Gray Day

Yesterday we were out of school. Thank goodness. Because the art show put me down....down...down. Not only physically but mentally. Now I remember one of the main reasons I quit doing shows. Plain and simple. The sales. It was horrible. And it wasn't  just me. That's one thing about the art friends I've made over the years. We do not sugar coat. We speak the truth. And the truth is in Spring of 2012 I sold 25 paintings in one show. And since then....well I've not been so fortunate.  It's such a catch 22 though, because if I don't put myself out there I won't grow.  My sweet husband I could tell knew it was a bad weekend and he was trying everything to be sure I came home to a calm environment. Laundry was done, hot tub was getting winter ready, he quickly started unloading the van without being asked, dinner was made, etc....he knows me. And knows how a bad show makes me feel like total crap and like a total failure at life. It takes several days for the funk to lift too. Because folks, when you are an artist and you paint your heart on the canvas you become vulnerable. It's a word no one wants to admit is in their blood but it is. So although I wasn't the only artist with bad sales, I still felt exposed, vulnerable and raw.

Today is a new day. I rested yesterday. Watched 2 movies with William. Napped. And did pretty much nothing. I am still in love with my new paintings and know there will be a wonderful home for them one day. My goal is to get items listed into Etsy soon. Including original art and some prints. I'll be sure to let you know when. I hope you don't mind my being so candid here. I don't want to come across as whiney. Just honest. This past weekend was disappointing, wet and tiring. It was another weekend in the life of an artist.

Today I head back into the classroom. Looking forward to spreading some joy on my budding artists and sharing what I love about art with them. They amaze me with their abilities and willingness to try all that I bring to the table for them.

Norcross Art Fest 2014

I am so excited to be participating in the Norcross Art Fest again. This was actually the first outdoor show I participated in back in 2008.  See the whole post here and here about the first time I did the show. Boy...lessons learned for sure! Look at my short poofy hair! First lesson learned. I look better with long hair. Good grief. Back then my business was called "Mattie's Social Circle". You see, Mattie is the little blue bird I painted. All the friends I painted with the dainty flowers were her "social circle".  But then I started painting bikes, trucks campers, etc...and the name didn't make sense. Plus I was told by a wise person that an artist should be using her name for her business, not hide behind a catchy business name that was confusing people.  Especially since there is a town outside of Atlanta called Social Circle. Which no, I am not from. So I made the switch to Jenni Horne Studios.....baby steps. And now just Jenni Horne.

So tomorrow I pack up and head to the show. I've not done a show this size in 1.5 years. I am nervous and excited all rolled into one ball of sticky wax. I've had such an amazing journey getting ready for the show. With SO MUCH new art. New style. New colors. New. I love it. If you can, please come by and say howdy. Here's the link: Norcross Art Fest

Just a few of the 20+++ new pieces! Plus I have all 12 original bike paintings for sale from my licensing contract. Plus a ton of older work at a HUGE discount (think $50 smackers ya'll). And jewelry. And felted birds. And...well you need to just come by and SEE for yourself. Yeah art shows!!

Still Life and Weekends

The weekend is upon us. I can not wait for tomorrow. I've got a 10 mile run in the am. Last weeks run felt so good. I am hoping tomorrow feels the same. I had some calf tweeking earlier in the week...which freaks me out because it was about this time last year I had the same issue. And didn't get to run my marathon. Sigh. So hoping for better luck this time around and a calf that calms itself down.

I also have big plans to get all the paintings I've been working on framed and wired. Since receiving notification that I was accepted into Norcross Arts Fest I've felt a need to paint...new ideas...new paint...new...new. And it feels really good. I've about 20 paintings to get ready plus a pile of old ones that need repair. I intend to have a huge sale at the show on older work (think $50 paintings peeps!!) so it might be worth a drive to Norcross if you've wanted an original for a spell.  Here's the link if you are thinking about putting it on your calendar for NEXT weekend. I sure hope to see some of you there!

Orange Happy

I'm plowing along with daily painting. Although I'm not really painting everyday. So I really shouldn't call it daily painting I suppose. Although last week I did paint 4 out of 5 lunch times. That made me happy. This week I have a less stressful afternoon/night schedule so hoping to get a custom painting finished and shipped as well as some more works for the upcoming Norcross Arts Festival. It's in 3 weeks ya'll. What was I thinking???

These new paintings are making me very happy. I think because they are just effortless with the brush. That sounds perhaps a bit like I think I am "all that and a bag of chips", but what I mean is they are seriously translating from brush to canvas what I want them to do with ease. I get pretty discouraged about some of my work. Looking too tight, like I am trying too hard. I am not a realistic painter and yet sometimes feel my paintings are stuck in the middle of real and whimsical in a very bad way. I think these crazy flowers are speaking to me because they are literally just whimsical. No real. I'm not looking at any flowers, I'm not tracing anything. Just using my head and heart to draw and paint. Having fun with color and layering a lot.

Well...another week in the classroom teaching. It's all about Halloween right now. Gearing up for the Family Fun Night exhibit. This year is gonna be sooooooo good!! Have a lovely Monday!

Norcross Art Fest Wrap-Up

This past weekend was my second time being a part of the Norcross Art Fest. And once again I was not disappointed. I am telling you, these folks know hospitality. From the moment you arrive to unload your car (they are like ants on a picnic when unloading your car!), to the constant coming by with cold water, to making sure that people come to the show, Norcross (with the help of the fabulous Francis) make this a wonderful weekend for the artist and the buyers. I have to give a HUGE shout out to Valerie Dumas who came up with me Friday night, woke in the wee hours Saturday, helped unload, set-up and sell....sell....sell...... Which I did! Yipee!! The hot items of the weekend were.... well, not the original art so much, but definitely the smaller items like these:

My hand stitched felted flowers and custom bag tags were huge sellers this year for me. People loved the bag tags. You can't miss your luggage coming off the belt with a pink camper on it now can you?

Here's a view of the tent. I had a lovely neighbor from Florida who made stained glass pieces on my left. And the lovely Kathryn from Savannah who makes metal jewelry was on my right. So, yes, it was a successful weekend. And yes, I love my JOB!

Here's hoping you folks had a great time this weekend. And if you came by the booth and are just getting to my blog, welcome! And please come back. Gotta go now and check on my dear hubby, who by the way now has my cooties from last week. I feel for him, really, because last week I was really sick. sigh.....

Norcross Art Festival This Weekend!

I'm all packed up and ready to go! Valerie and I are headed up to Historic Norcross for their annual Art Festival this weekend. I am so keeping fingers crossed for nice weather! If you want a fun day of fine art, jewelry, sculptures and more, then come on out! Yeah!

New Work to Show Off!

I've been working for several days now on some new smaller pieces. I've been combining texture, acrylic and collage all on one piece. And although it is a process of cutting, pasting, drying, waiting, painting, drying again, filling lines, etc....It produces a look I am very pleased with! (Although not so easy to photograph!) This is called Morning Walk. I love the vertical layers on the very bottom. All 5 of the bottom layers are supposed to represent the layers of the earth.

And this one is Walking Towards My Heart. I really love the play on all the textures and colors. I've got one more on the table that needs finishing up. I will probably be cleaning the art desk up for the rest of the week at this point once it's done. I've got to get labels made, jewelry on cards, tiles in frames, etc. All building up to this weekend. I like to be super organized because there is no night before setting up. It's an early Saturday morning for Valerie and I! Have a great week!

Flower Power

Okay, the post title is a bit cheesy, I'll admit, but it's Saturday am and I am trying to gear myself up for a morning at the baseball and football fields. I'm packing the flower power up with me to work on during the approximately four hours of sports spectatorship. I don't sit still very well, and since Norcross Arts Fest is now 7 DAYS AWAY! Yipeeee! Every hour counts. Here are my flowers for this season: You can wear them on your blouse, in your hair, on your raincoat, on your purse, anywhere you want to brighten your outfit up a bit! They are made out of this amazing wool, most of which is hand dyed. I made my own little pattern up for this season's flower. Just love them!! And at $15 each, they are sure to be a great seller.

We look a bit washed out, don't you think? Well, it was raining this day...remember? This is my mother, Nancy. Official worker bee during the rain. Well, hoping you all have a creative weekend!

What I'm Up to Right Now

Well, for starters I've got a bin full of freshly made birdies! I can't resist a car trip project. So to and from Tennessee I made these little darlings, which Mailey laid all out last night and named. I just hope I can remember which name goes with which bird (she had me write them all down). Upcoming events are drawing near. So here's the low down on when and where you can find these birds, new paintings, framed tiles and a few surprise goodies!

Celebrate Earth Day: The Art of Green

Saturday, April 25th from 10-6PM

Historic Senioa, GA

Wesleyan School Joie de Vivre

Thursday, April 30th-May 2nd

Norcross, GA

Serenbe May Day Celebration

Sunday, May 3rd

12-5PM

Serenbe Community

I hope to see some of you at these events! Have a great week.

Happy Weekend!

So, I've been asked by many of you, "How'd it go?" Let's just say it went better than I could ever have imagined! We woke Saturday around 6am, hurried to get ready and were in line to set up by 6:30. It was still dark at that hour! The volunteers were seriously like ants on candy at a picnic helping us unload and set up. I was super glad we did a mock set up in my driveway on Thursday. The way I laid out the booth I was a little worried people would not enter the tent to look around. But I was wrong. They saw my end-caps, and came right in! Inside I had so many little details and vignettes, that people stayed awhile and took it all in. My little felties were on Baby Animals Golden book-book shelves. Everyone loved that idea! The felties were the first items to sell out. The 4 caged, 4 on stands and the Tweet Nest all have new homes. Note to self: make more for Marist!
The other felted items I had were these cuffs, which all have happy wrists to keep warm now! They were displayed on one of my drawing dolls.
This was the left end-cap. The 2 paintings here got lots of attention and eventually found new homes. Tons of people asked if I'd be willing to sell my paper skirts, not this time around, sorry! Over the mannequin's left shoulder is my other cool shelf idea- a roll of blue tickets. Here's me...the prints were on the clothesline and in a great rack I borrowed from the Flea. My larger pieces were on the back grid which I covered in white burlap. Overall the feel was soft and inviting. Several others vendors said they could totally tell that it was; a. my first show, b. that I used to be in retail, c. that I would sell my items because of the variety. So, lessons were learned and new ideas found. I am now gearing up for the Marist show on Saturday, November 1st. If you couldn't make it to Norcross, maybe you can make it there!

Norcross Art Fest

So here are a few shots of my weekend. I'll post a couple more later. The weekend went wonderful! People were very receptive of my work. I had great neighbors too! I couldn't have done the weekend without my Dad, Sister Molly and buddy Ellie. Mom was super help back at the homefront with Billy, which also made the weekend run very smoothly. I've got more credit slips to call in and cash to deposit. Let's just say I will definately be back next year! The people of Norcross were amazing to work with and the customers, well I hope everyone enjoys their gifts to themselves and for others!