http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/rss?id=An+Artist%27s+Life This blog is about the thoughts and feelings that I have related to creating the art that I do. I share my process, problems, inspirations and victories. I am a professional artist in Southern California and my partner is a professional electric violinist. We are in our 50's and are loving life! en © 2009 Athena Media Group. All rights reserved. 2013-05-18T06:51:41-06:00 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/36-the-art-of-creating-and-income-with-art <p>I recently finished a commission for a woman in my writing class. Connie is a person who is overflows with enthusiasm for people and life. She bubbles over when she is excited about a topic and she can cry in an instant at something that is sad. Well... She wanted me to create an oil painting of her sister and her sister's two daughters sitting on a bench in Laguna Beach. The mother lost her husband when the girls were just babies and has struggled to work and do her best at raising ... 2011-12-20 13:17:56 -0700 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/36-the-art-of-creating-and-income-with-art http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/7208-the-joy-and-perils-of-self-promotion-or-the-outdoor-weekend-show <h2><span>Definition of <em>PERIL</em></span></h2> <div>1<span><strong>:</strong> exposure to the risk of being injured, destroyed, or lost.</span></div> <div><span><br /></span></div> <div><span>and this is the <strong>definition of the word "joy:</strong></span></div> <div><span><em>a</em> <strong>:</strong> the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/joy?show=0&amp;t=1305563049" target="_blank"><span ... 2011-05-16 16:58:22 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/7208-the-joy-and-perils-of-self-promotion-or-the-outdoor-weekend-show http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/7414-finding-my-niche <p>As a younger artist I envisoned myself in prestigious galleries, accepting awards from people "on high". I soon lost patience with that. I found that what I love most is to create exactly the kind of art that my heart desires. I've had no problem finding people who love my work and buy it, and as far as I'm concerned, that's all that matters to me. I've always had a childlike quality to what I do. I used to try to "overcome" that, but now I embrace it. I am childlike. I love to see the ... 2011-05-16 12:09:56 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/7414-finding-my-niche http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/8883-advice-to-an-artist-on-how-to-deal-with-galleries <p><span><br /> As an artist, I've been in about 15 different galleries and I can say that some experiences have been better than others. This was a response I had to several other suggestions on the subject.</span></p> <p><span>I have these tips for an artist approaching a gallery: <br /> <br /> Make sure the gallery is interested in your "type" of art. <br /> Call and make an appointment because usually they don't like to be interrupted. Having said that, if they don't call back, then ... 2011-05-16 12:09:56 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/8883-advice-to-an-artist-on-how-to-deal-with-galleries http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3766-finding-myself-the-she-series <p>It took me many years to find a better sense of security. Not just years, but pain. Pain is a good thing. It tells you that something isn&rsquo;t right. I did all sorts of things to avoid the pain, but until I stepped forward and claimed myself, I didn&rsquo;t get my release. On a spiritual level it&rsquo;s about &ldquo;self-realization&rdquo;. I love that term because it signifies that what transformation is about is the realization! The realization of who you really are. It&rsquo;s not ... 2011-05-16 12:09:56 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3766-finding-myself-the-she-series http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/7439-the-importance-of-telling-the-truth <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Writing in a journal is a saving grace for me. I don't have to share what I write with anyone, but I found that I do have to tell the truth to myself in order to be free. That's what my journal is for, telling the truth. It&rsquo;s an ongoing reality check that is never "done". I don't always hit the nail on the head the first time but that's ok. If at first I don't succeed, I try again. Once I tell the truth, the answers are there waiting for me. Sometimes it&rsquo;s tough to ... 2011-05-16 12:09:56 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/7439-the-importance-of-telling-the-truth http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/8886-today <p>I have overcome a lot of insecurities in the last 10 years. I don't know what the future holds, but I feel confident that I will be just fine. I love my life!</p> 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/8886-today http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3785-taking-time-to-enjoy-life <p>As&nbsp; a more mature artist I've learned that good art does not come from a person who is overworked and spent.Or if it does, its not worth it. I know when I get to a point where I need to get out and have fun.. take a walk, see a concert, be with friends. Life is for living and when I feel full I paint so much better. So, I'm going on my walk now and I'm going to enjoy every scent, sight and sound along the way with my partner Paul who does the same! Here's where we go, up on the hill.A ... 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3785-taking-time-to-enjoy-life http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3985-east-coast-beach-life <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;I grew up in an art colony by the sea and I have a fondness for the mentality of "beach people". Beach people value relaxation. I've painted Laguna Beach for years since it is my home. I've also traveled to Hawaii several times and painted Island seascapes. Now I'm enjoying the experience of the East Coast beaches. What I like about them is the subtlety of the colors there and the openness of the beaches. There's a Zen feeling on the East Coast beaches. There are fewer ... 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3985-east-coast-beach-life http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3340-emotions-are-indicators <p>Artists are capable of intense emotions. That's something I've had to navigate in life over and over. They say the "sensitive" in a herd of animals is the one who senses danger first and alerts the rest which is a good thing, but high sensitivity can also drive a person completely insane. What I finally learned to do after many years of suffering is, yes... be aware of my emotions because they inform me. I don't suppress emotion, but I let it serve as guidance. I'm careful to not indulge in ... 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/3340-emotions-are-indicators http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/2117-finding-alphonse-mucha <p>I was in Barnes and Noble one day and found a book about Alphonse Mucha. I didn't know much about this artist before finding and reading the book. Although I did take art appreciation and art history classes in college, I was far more interested in my own self discovery than I was in other artists. I think a lot of us artists are self absorbed. But anyway, I am impressed by his sense of design and line work. I also love the way he portrays women. Alphones's women are classy women though ... 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/2117-finding-alphonse-mucha http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/1576-thoughts-on-how-to-make-a-living-as-an-artist <p>I have had the most success through my personal sales at art shows where the artist sells their own work. This way I have a connection to my clients that I wouldn't have through a gallery. Galleries are nice, but you can't count on them. If you are in a gallery and sell your own work as well, avoid selling your work for less than the gallery does no matter how tempting it is.</p> <p>1. Have a mailing list!!! Get people who even stop and look for a few minutes to sign it.</p> ... 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/1576-thoughts-on-how-to-make-a-living-as-an-artist http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/4174-a-weekend-in-the-mountains <p>I could have pushed myself to work last weekend.&nbsp; I didn't think I could afford to take a trip. But one thing I know is that life is for living. I don't think I will say on my death bed, "I WISH I would have created 20 more paintings". An artist NEEDS to take time to drink in the beauty of life, take time to observe, to breath, taste, smell and feel. That's part of our work! I did that last weekend with my partner Paul who had 4 gigs in the mountains, enough to make it worth ... 2011-05-16 12:09:55 -0600 http://www.artfixdaily.com/blogs/post/4174-a-weekend-in-the-mountains