Now that the leaves have fallen and you’re on your second or third bag of Halloween candy (you know who you are), its time to start thinking about the holidays and what are you going to get that hard to buy for person(s) on your list?

I have a great suggestion: commission a piece of artwork for them. Now is the time to book an artist. I get mostly pet portraits, a few house renderings and maybe a portrait of someone important in my client’s life. To save a little of the awkward conversations I want to streamline the process for us both by offering a few simple package deals.

Watercolor Pet Portrait 8x10, framed to 11x14 for $150.00, +$100 for a 2-pets in the same picture.

Watercolor Pet Portrait 12x16, framed to 16x20 for $250.00, +$150 for a 2-pets in the same picture.

Watercolor House Portrait 8x10, framed to 11x14 for $150.00.

Watercolor House Portrait 12x16, framed to 16x20 for $250.00.

People Portraits quoted separately, price based on size, style and complexity. Really this applies for all commissions. So, DM me your ideas, get on my schedule and be winning during the holiday season this year. Prices do not include shipping, delivery or onsite consultation (I must drive to take reference photos or meetings)

Think about that beloved pet that passed this past year or that childhood family home that your folks have downsized from. What’s better than keeping those memories close by?

For me personally the Plein Air Painting season has come to an end. I participated in fourteen events, ranging from single-day to 5-day events, garnered several awards and many sales along the way. Two of these events I stayed with host families for the first time and met some terrific new friends in so doing.  I truly enjoy the challenge of finding something interesting to paint or creative ways to approach the subject matter in the field. It stretched and made me grow in ways I hadn’t even considered. Not all of the pieces turned out great, but the really good ones sold, and the rest can be found on my website in the “Seasonal, Studies & Sketches” section. This section is kinda like a “Bargain Bin” and you never know what you might find in there – worth a look-see.

By mid-December I will start turning my attention to my studio work. I have so many ideas rolling around in my head like BINGO balls, I am not quite sure what will shake out just yet.  I keep a spreadsheet of all my artwork and the Juried Exhibitions I enter, what I entered and what was accepted and what was not. I was accepted into 25 Exhibitions around the State of Indiana this year, again I garnered awards but sadly came up empty when it came to sales (at least so far). I am also keeping track of the exhibitions that are lacking in either overall sales and/or offer awards so small that they just are not worth my time and energy. I wish that the organizations that put on these exhibitions would take a hard look at what it costs the artist to participate ($30 entry fee, materials & framing, driving 2 or 3 times to the venue, etc.) and then they give $100 Awards and maybe a nice ribbon.  My plan to bridge the experience gap I saw between myself and artists with +20 years’ experience, was to compete with them in Juried Exhibitions in order to build my own experience and reputation. I think I have achieved this over the past five years, and I am not a full-time artist.

I think that if the last few years have done anything it was to remind us that we have no idea what tomorrow may bring.  I have some ideas; I hope you’ll enjoy seeing my progress.