2014 The Year in Review

Paintings SOLD in 2014!

Happy New Year! And it was a very Happy Old Year!

It's been very busy and exciting!

As I get ready to say farewell to 2014, it's helpful for me to look back and celebrate the year – the things I learned, the places I went, the achievements big and small.

Here's a recap:

• An artist's “bucket-list” trip to The Olson House in Cushing, Maine, two trips to the Fine Art Museum of Boston to see the AMAZING Jamie Wyeth exhibit, a great quilt show and the Sargent exhibit. (If you haven't seen the Jamie Wyeth exhibit, its next stop is The Brandywine - mid-January through April. PS: The Wyeths have become my new obsession.)
• Several classes and workshops (most notably a pastel workshop at Acadia Workshop Center in Bernard, Maine with Michael Chesley Johnson) have (I hope) improved my skills as an artist. I've met some really wonderful new artists and friends.
• I've been given the opportunity to work as the Associate Executive Director of The Art Guild. I hope I can learn the ropes quickly and take on more responsibility in in the new year. It's been wonderful to be back in our building and we've planned classes for kids and adults beginning in January as well as photography and landscapes exhibits. 
• Though I sort of floundered though September's 30/30 Challenge, I did paint a lot and sold quite a number of paintings this year. Two commissioned paintings of the Locust Valley Fire Department was a nice surprise. Twelve 6"x6" paintings from the 30/30 Challenges sold via my Etsy shop.
• Most important (to me), was my very first solo show in my "Hometown" (East Islip) at the Public Library in November. It was a huge challenge - and I painted a number of pieces specifically for that show and the work did pay off! It was wonderful to have the support of friends and family who made the effort to stop by and say "Hi!" at the reception. Thank you to everyone who left a nice comment in the guest book - there were some familiar names in there. And a HUGE thank you to everyone who purchased a painting. It was a terrific validation of my growth as an artist and I'm delighted!

What I'm looking forward to in 2015

• January 1 starts the first 30/30 Challenge of 2015. Do you think I'm ready? LOL!
• Painting a new mermaid for 2015's GSBMF should be a little less stressful this year as there were two good choices last spring. The one not chosen was actually the one I preferred, so I'm looking forward to painting it. (Look for posts on the painting of last year's mermaid, coming in February.)
• I'm looking forward to seeing some interesting museum shows. It might be fun to see the Matisse Cut Outs Exhibit (through Feb10) and The Paris of Toulouse-Lautrec: Prints and Posters (through March 22), at MOMA. I doubt I'll make it to the Brandywine to see the Andrew Wyeth: Lines of Thought exhibit. Does anyone have any recommendations?
• I'm looking forward to helping plan some fun art/painting events at the Art Guild. We have lots of ideas! We hope to do an "art gallery swap" show with another art group on Long Island, that should be really fun!
• I'm looking forward to my annual trip to Maine. Not sure which workshop I'll be taking, but there are some good ones to choose from. 
• Painting, learning, creating, exploring!

If it wasn't for the support of friends and family...

I wouldn't be doing any of this. I'd like to thank my friends and family, everyone who follows my facebook page, blog and emails, for their love and support. Being an artist is often a solitary affair – so your comments and feedback are always important to me. I am thankful and honored to share my work with you. Please share with your friends, come to shows, and tell me how you feel about my posts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The Year in Review and a NEW 30/30 Challenge

Day 1, January 2014 30/30 Challenge

Hazy Light, Point Judith

Watercolor, $35. Available in my Etsy shop (click here)

Happy New Year! And it was a very Happy Old Year!

It's been very busy and exciting!

Here's a recap:

• I've painted A LOT this year.

Probably more than I ever have before. An artist's “bucket-list” trip to Monhegan Island, Maine, two 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenges, several classes and workshops, have not only netted more paintings, but (I think) improved my skills as an artist. I've met some really wonderful new artists and friends.

• Exhibited in three shows

The Art Guild's Member Show at the Graphic Eye Gallery

Concert of Color at Chelsea Mansion with The Art Guild

Port to Port Show at Bridgeport Arts Council with Port Jefferson Arts Council

• I've also sold more paintings than ever!

It's always exciting to sell a painting. It's personal - like sending your child out into the world.

I spend a great deal of time, deciding what to paint and getting it right. Sometimes it's quick and seemingly easy and the birds sing and the sun smiles on you. Sometimes it takes planning and agonizing. Some days you go off in the perfect sunshine to one of your happy places and nothing turns out right. Sometimes you go on that special trip and it rains. And you're there. 500 miles from home and you have to muddle through it. And sometimes a little procrastination can get in the way, or you get bored and creative block creeps up and you have to figure out how to shake it off and move on.

So, given all that, the back story, the process, I always hope that that person loves the painting as much as I do.

Where they went to live:

• Everyone's favorite Blue Truck, North Fork, found a new home with a friend – so I get to visit it from time-to-time. Her husband is in LOVE with it and it has a place of honor in their living room.

• Evening, Bayville Bridge was also sold to a friend. She bought it as a gift for the gentleman who owns the marina next to the bridge – a perfect fit!

• Quite a few smaller 6” x 6” paintings from the Challenges sold too. Lighthouses seemed to be popular - both Sunset, Orient Point and Pemaquid Point, Maine were also sold to friends. While Green & Blue Summer Day, Jordon Pond & the Bubbles, Clearing Skies Over Oyster Bay, Monhegan Fog, Blue on Blue Boat, and Buoys at the Lighthouse, Bernard all sold via my Etsy shop.

• Prints and cards were also sold via Fine Art America and Zazzle. I'm looking forward to uploading more images and creating new products.

• Painted a beautiful new mermaid for Great South Bay Music Festival 2013 (and I'm working on a new one for 2014).

• Painted a ceramic plate pet portrait - It was fun to do this again! I'm looking forward to doing more.

What I'm looking forward to in 2014

• As I just mentioned, painting a new mermaid for 2014's GSBMF and doing more pet portraits.

• January 1 starts the first 30/30 Challenge of 2014. See above!

• I'm looking forward to seeing some interesting museum shows. Peter Max is at Nassau Museum 'til February. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get to Boston to see the Sargeant show I missed in Brooklyn.

• I'm looking forward to (hopefully) helping plan some fun art/painting events at the Art Guild. It will be nice to use our building again!

• I can't wait to get back to Maine. It likely won't be 'till late September. As much as I loved Monhegan, I missed Mt. Desert and my friend Gail.

• Painting, learning, creating, exploring!

I'd like to thank everyone for their support!

I'd like to thank my friends and family, everyone who follows my facebook page, blog and emails, for their love and support. Being an artist is often a solitary affair – so your comments and feedback are always important to me. I am thankful and honored to share my work with you. Please share with your friends, come to shows, and tell me how you feel about my posts.

I wish you all a very Happy 2014!