In the studio

People often ask me when I sell a painting, is it hard to let go? With the creative process being so personal, how can you avoid feeling that you have given a part of yourself away? How can you not feel loss of some sort, almost as if giving a child away?

I must admit, I do feel spoiled, as I have gotten to know and become friends with a lot of my collectors. I have the opportunity to see my paintings in their home on occasion, and perhaps even share a glass of wine upon its delivery. I get to meet their friends who also admire the painting, and meet family who sit at table with the painting joining them in the dining room each evening. I meet complete strangers who see my paintings on home tours, and form a deeper relationship with friends I have known for years—all through my art.

The recent sale of the painting above has a sweet story. It sold to a friend of a friend, completely online, over 3,000 miles away, without her ever seeing the original. Through many phone conversations with this collector, the relationship was formed, and her connection to my art became apparent. She told me that after looking for over 5 years for that special painting for her living room, and searching for one that really resonated with her, she finally found “In My Garden” (above). When initially describing to me what the ideal painting would be, I immediately thought of the painting above. After showing her several other images, she fell in love with this piece.

What I have learned, is that when I paint, I definitely paint to please myself, but in a bigger picture, it really isn’t about me, it is about the person in whose home it will reside. It is about them waking up to it in the morning, and living with it in their daily lives. It is about their dream, their connection to it.

So when a painting sells, my mission is complete. I have already let go of it the moment I created it and then again when it transfers over to its rightly owner—the person for whom the painting was created.

After just completing this triptych (and after painting over 10 triptychs in my career), I just read in Wikipedia that the origin of a triptych is from early Christianity, where the large 3 paneled artworks would be displayed as part of an altar.

This was perfect, I thought. What could be more ceremonious than a painting? What could settle the mind, focus your attention and create a sacred haven more than an image of beauty? I don’t see myself as an organized religion-type of person, but I certainly feel my spiritual connection to the world when I paint. Maybe that’s why painting triptychs has always been a love of mine.

When I paint, I work in layers of color, so with three panels, I do many under paintings spread across the 3 panels, adding layer after layer. Color continuity as well as variation is key when working from panel to panel. A branch might need to cross over to the next panel, the color of water not only needs to be consistent when crossing over, but needs to vary in the overall painting where the whole is as important as the technique. The continuous painting spreads from one panel to the next, playing games with the eye and allowing you to see each panel as a separate painting, and then the 3 sections all as one painting.

According to Wikipedia, triptychs were seen in early Byzantine churches, where gold leaf was used prolifically. Surprisingly, before reading this, I had already added touches of gold throughout this painting. Amen.

This painting called “Interlude”, is 26 inches by 78 inches acrylic on canvas. I hesitate to say what I see in it, as sometimes with a more abstract painting, people see different things. I prefer to leave it open for interpretation. I’m curious…what do you see?

 

I just got a call from a client who is looking for a painting for a blank wall that she has. A blank wall? An artist’s dream come true! So what are the considerations in purchasing artwork?

First, and above all, the painting has to resonate with you. It should move you, excite you, calm you, in whatever form, it should inspire a part of your daily life. When you relax in an easy chair across the room, or kick back at your office desk, it should bring you some sort of connection, that says, all is o.k. in this busy life we live in, and should bring you pure enjoyment for years to come.

So once you have decided on the art you love, how can you make it integrate with the place that it will hang? Paint colors these days are about as luxurious as you can get. From the rich, suede type of finishes of Ralph Lauren paints to the inexpensive yet inspiring colors from the Martha Stewart line, the right color can absolutely make a painting come alive. Oftentimes, only painting the one wall the art will hang on, in a provocative highlighting color, can be as much a statement as the art.

Through my many years of selling art, I frequently find myself consulting with my collectors about styling the room where the art will be hung. From wall colors, to furniture placement, to hanging groupings of art, I find as much fun in the staging as anything. (The above photo is from a beautiful home in which I sold 11 paintings and was hired to stage and hang as well!). First rule of thumb? De-clutter! Remove any excess knickknacks and wall art that would be a distraction to the featured piece. (Family photos are for a credenza, not a featured wall.) If you really want to highlight your original art investment, remove all clutter from the surrounding areas as well like coffee tables, bookcases and mantels. Just like people, art needs room to breathe!

In the end, we buy art for many reasons: we love the colors, we are entranced with the style of painting, we resonate with the subject matter. The size can either be perfect, or we can commission a specific size from an artist. All are our own personal choices. (And with a little bit of Ralph Lauren…!)

You know how things seem to catch your attention at the exact time that you need it? Last year, I read an article that really stuck with me. It was written by local business coach Machen McDonald, titled “Make Room for What You Want,”  stressing the importance of carving out what you want to happen in your life. It came at a perfect time for me.

In July of 2012, I put my request out on my Facebook page:

“O.k., time to dream big. I’m outgrowing my studio. If anyone has or knows of a building in town that would be cheap (or no cost in a philanthropic kind of way), and be suitable for an artist’s studio, let me know. Looking to develop my art to the next level and I need space to step back, without bumping into something… And if there is a God, ask her if she can find me a patron, while you’re at it.”

And a subsequent post:

“Dreams need to be specific. The studio space I’m requesting would need to be 800 sq. feet minimum, one big open space with high ceilings, bathroom (that would ideally have a utility sink), lighting and utilities, public accessible. Kind of like a barn, an outbuilding, large garage, preferably in town (Nevada City). Actually, if you want me to be even more specific, it would kind of look like this photo. (Monet won’t mind).”

 

 

By November, the posts that I made led up to almost exactly of what I had envisioned. The value of dreaming big and being specific to what you want in your life is very powerful. We are often afraid to be specific, as to not be disappointed. Being specific helped me not only define my dream of the ideal studio, but allowed the reality to be way more than I ever imagined. I am so grateful.