Back in the Saddle.

As I said last night-there is a reason for everything.

I realized that the universe was taking me by the hand and saying "look Patti, just because you paint a few things here and there, a painter you are not. You need to breathe, eat, drink, and love the paint. Then, and only then, will you be successful."

I pouted for a bit, but then I humbly acquiesced. I am not even a Sunday painter. I am a workshop painter. I will never know my colors and how the paint works in various ways until I do it and do it and do it again.

Today I went to my workshop to get jump started. I had more confidence than last year, though I still spent some time looking at my gesso and paints, unwilling to throw the first stroke upon the white canvas. But once I started, it was like riding the proverbial bike again.

The photos of the work here are poor and blurry, and the paintings not quite done.But they give you an idea of their subject and mood. Tomorrow another 7 hours of painting. Hopefully the snow will wait to fall until I am home and have put the drying oils in the studio.

More tomorrow...

patti

On Being Rejected

I got home after a very tough week in the teaching world, only to come home to "the letter". I had spent 135.00 to join an elite art organization, and another 20+ for the fee to have 3 pieces submitted to a show that was curated by a Bard College teacher.

By now you know how deep my love for the Hudson River Valley region runs, and how it is reflected in some of my art. It come from a very spiritual place inside of me, and I love the work that I produce from my experiences spent hiking, photographing, painting, and being one with the region.

200 pieces submitted, 47 accepted, I sent in 3 slides...nada.

I know this is par for the course in the art world. I don't take it personally.
I know I need to work through this rejection and not loose faith. It was not the venue for my work, and I do know there is a reason for being rejected.

So I am trying to be happy about my weekend workshop of painting at the Woodstock School of Art with Christie Scheele. She is a fabulous teacher, and a great artist. Lois my friend will be there too, and I am sure after the first hour I will be back in the saddle again.

patti

A Quickie

Well, no one is watching my ATC/ACEO cards on eBay ,but I am on the search for lovely frames so that they can be presented better. I know lots of people just sell them as cards, but a frame elevates them to a higher level, and instead of being little cards of whatever, they are now a piece of art work.

And, if they don't sell online after putting them in frames, I will have them ready to sell in other places, or hang on my wall.

Always trying to figure it all out!

Online Community for Paper Lovers and Started a GROUP

As I was perusing the internet today, I found an online community for paper lovers at Papercraftplanet.com that I just joined. Here is a link to my HOMEPAGE, and I have started a group called CATSKILL PAPER. (what else would I call it, lol).

I hope I get members who participate. Again, I am in the minority in regards to the materials that I use, but there MUST be people out there that want to know more, and be involved in swapping, information, challenges, etc.

I posted my ATC/ACEO cards on Ebay, and got sooo excited that I got a "watcher" and when I went back later today, the watcher "unwatched" my card. Hard not to get discouraged, but I have to remember that the economy sucks, and I am not desperate for money - yet.

I am going to go and do some work on this blog to make sure all links are working and entered that need to be entered, and see if I can figure out how to jazz this up a bit. Last time I did that to my other blog, I lost all kinds of info. I even lost the counter on this one, so as far as I know, Debra is the only one reading this, lol.

The two photos are for sale on eBay. It has even been slow there. But I don't give up, I keep listing, and have faith in the universe it will provide enough money for another month or two of propane for the studio!

ACEO/ATC's on Ebay

I have put these on my Ebay site starting at 4.99 each. What a bargin for a lovely little piece of art. These are called Artist Trading Cards, or Art Cards Editions/Originals and are 2.5 x 3.5" in size. They can be framed, put on a little easel, leaned up against any number of things, collected etc. Each one is one of a kind, and I use only antique paper in them - no prints or copies! (unless otherwise noted) And, the best part is that they start at 4.99 opening bid!

On Ebay Again

I vacillate about whether or not I should put my fine art on Ebay. I have sold a few small pieces, and the fine art almost NEVER moves on Etsy.

Sometimes it is hard to not get discouraged. I post tons of cards online, and they don't move very fast. I post art on both sites, and on a rare occasion they sell.

But as a friend of mine tells me, I have a tiny niche in the huge market, so I should do it for the love of it (which I do) and not for the money.

But hey, I thought that if you did it for the love of it, the money will follow?

I probably should try and market my blog/sites etc. to sites that carry Victoriana.
I cannot afford to advertise in Victoria magazine, and unless they feature me in an article in the magazine; an ad is out of the question.

I always wanted to submit my work to Mary Englebreit magazine, but even SHE went under?!

So what to do.

I have a few products and a few styles. Do I have one shop for cards, one for my fine art, which can be landscape paintings or mixed media, and one for supplies? That seems like the smart thing to do, but a lot to juggle.

What do YOU all think is the way to go?!

HELP!

Patti

Antique Botanical Prints

I have the most lovely botanical prints for sale on Etsy. Some listed a while ago, some newly listed. They came from a turn-of-the-century salesman's book for a nursery in Rochester, NY.

Great to frame, or use in artwork. A steal at 5 and 6.00 plus shipping.

To be found in my Catskillpaper shop on Etsy!

Patti

Adopt Frank Clark

Frank Clark is sad. He needs a new home. He hopes that by hanging out on Ebay he will find someone to love him. So far, no one is even watching him. But I have faith that Frank will end up happily ever after. Keep in touch to see where he goes.He lived in the 1800's, and is portrayed on metal, called a tintype. All you altered artists out there could re-purpose him. If you don't, then I am going to have to do it.

I have joined Twitter, and have another new curve to learn in all of this internet gunk. I do love being so connected. Perhaps someday it might even help me in my art business. I quite haven't figured THAT out yet....and I still have 1/2 a tank of gas in my studio to keep making art for a while, but I do have to pay the cable bill, or all of this internet stuff will come to a screeching halt.

Oh and my Ebay ID is catskillpaper.

patti

Art at the Varga Gallery

This week I decided to join the Visionary Art Collective at the Varga Gallery. Christina Varga
is a unique, exotic young woman, who has tons of energy, is a bit zany, and perfect for the job. She fits right into the aura of Woodstock, besides her being an amazing artist herself.

She is a smart business woman, who has developed a clientele of buyers, and has made the gallery into an artist coop. We pay a monthly fee we can put two pieces a month into her show. This way she has a steady group of artists who show, and knows exactly how much she is going to take in fees each month. It is a good deal, and I am going to give it a go. I also joined the Woodstock Arts Association/Museum, and have submitted art for a juried show there.

Though I have enjoyed showing art in Kingston, I think that more sells in Woodstock, the "colony of the arts". For some odd reason, people rarely buy in Kingston, and where nearby towns like Rhinebeck and Woodstock draw crowds with money, Kingston somehow misses that boat.

At some point I will rejoin the Kingston Art organization, as I like to support what is happening in my own city, but for now with money being tight, I am investing my money in the places where I will get the most visibility. It's a no brainer. Now if I can SELL some fine art, then I will gladly re up my membership.

So, I have GOT to get into the studio to make some new art. I have one month, and besides, I also have got to see what else is going on locally.

I did not make it to the opening, mainly because it is Valentine's Day, and I wanted a quiet evening with my man. There will be plenty more to attend, and besides, I like it much better when it is warmer and less icy and muddy.

patti

Etsy Treasury!

Just a quick note to say that my card above was posted in an Etsy Treasury called Missin' Spring, the link HERE.

It is always an honor to find out someone likes your work and posts it in a treasury.Often I look at the items in those treasuries and sometimes find a gift for a friend or for myself!

Etsy is a great way to support handmade USA goods. Support the economy and buy local/USA and stay away from the box and dollar stores! (which supports China and it's horrid policies of human rights violations)

patti

PS and thank you to those who leave encouraging and kind comments about my work!

NEW CAT CARDS AND MORE

I am in the process of listing a group of cards that are hot out of my studio, many of which are cat cards, purrrfect for the cat lovers in your life, or to mat/frame.
Etsy ID: pagibbons.

I am busy making the cards, and the Art House notebook project is on hold as the fine print states that they hold the copyright on the work should they chose to do anything with the book.

NOPE I say. If anyone is going to reproduce, print, etc., it will be me.

So I lost 12.00, which is much better than losing the rights to my own work.

Be careful of what you sign up for. It may not be what you think it is. Read the fine print, and when in doubt, consult an attorney!

Patti

Ebay Goodies

I am selling some of my precious Chromolithograph prints on ebay (seller ID: catskillpaper...what else?!)

They are late 1800's...from a traveling salesman's nursery catalog.

FAB real botanical prints for your home.

Shameless promoting here.

But I need to pay the heat.

lol.

patti

Olana Project

I have many irons in the fire now. A postcard exchange with my friend Patty Harrison in the UK. The notebook for the Sketchbook project. Applications for seminars and a residency. A check to send for a workshop I want to attend at the end of the month. Cards for my client, and now some cards to design for the gift shop at Olana.

I want to show my best there. It isn't even about the money. I am honored just to have my cards in the shop. OK, that won't pay the heating bill but.....

Since I have had insomnia for a week now, I lie in bed dreaming about what I want to do and how I will do it. It makes me smile, and I am content with plugging away every day, doing what I can, with as much joy as I can.

That is what it is all about.

patti