Affirmations for Artists Positive messages for artists in today's economy

Central Florida Art Connection: Florida Museum for Women submission/ women only/ November 1, 2008 deadline

Central Florida Art Connection: Florida Museum for Women submission/ women only/ November 1, 2008 deadline

This is a great opportunity for our gender to showcase our talent.

Alone time

Today's Art Biz Blog: Deep Thought Thursday topic is "Going Solo". It referenced a quote from Art Calendar by Jack White who said,

When you made the choice to become an artist, you committed yourself to a life of solitary confinement. That is, if you plan on being successful.

Here is my comment to that:

I wouldn't exactly call it solitude but there is a significant amount of alone time in my mind required to be my creative best. Having worked the past 30 some odd years in the advertising/marketing/graphic design industry, I have learned to be creative in a bustling group situation. It is exhausting, yet exhilarating at the same time.

The little free time I have is divided between time with my understanding husband, my son, our 2 dogs, my friends, my art associations and my artwork, leaving little time for true solitude. Fortunately, I have learned to turn inward for quiet contemplation in small spurts or there would be no painting. Those special times when pure solitude is present are precious and result in all sorts of discoveries whether about my art or myself. And while I would love more time alone, I could never thrive without the interaction of others in my world.

What's more is that a lot of my work is inspired by the things people do or do not do. They make me think, laugh, get angry, among other things. As John Donne said, "No man is an island," we need one another so much more than we let on. Too much solitude would be shear pain, for each of us longs for at least a moment of recognition and the love and touch of another. God did not create us to live in solitude, but does ask that we spend time in quiet to hear the small voice that will guide our spirit to find its purpose.

My Artist niece, Amy Windland

Creativity runs in my family. My niece, Amy Windland is a very talented young artist. She scored the cover of Natural Awakenings magazine this month (July). You can view it at http://www.naportland.com/.

You can also see her work online at http://www.yessy.com/amywindland/
If you happen to be in Columbia, SC, you can find her work at Simply Savory, a Fine Wines & Gourmet Foods store on Devine.

Featured Artist At Artwalk Downtown Jacksonville, FL

I have been selected to be the The Art Center Cooperative, Downtown Jacksonville, featured artist during the August ArtWalk on August 6, 2008. If you are in or near Jacksonville, please check out my work. You will find a collection of my work that includes everything from Acrylics, Drawing, Mixed Media Collage, Watercolor and other interesting things I have created along my path as an artist.

My wonderful and dear friends, Angelo and Claudia Gonzales will be there with delightful samples of appetizers they create for their new business, Taste the World Catering! Check out their website at www.tastetheworldcatering.com!

Drawing Day - June 07, 2008
drop everything and draw

Drawing Day is a worldwide drawing event encouraging everyone to drop everything and draw for the sake of art. The internet is an open canvas. Help us create 1 million drawings online this day and boost online art communities.

I will be drawing. How about you?

Go to http://www.drawingday.org for more information.

Deep thought Thursday

I subscribe to Alyson Stanfield's Art Biz Blog and today's question was "How much affect do circumstance and location have on the type of art you make and the way in which you make it?"

What are your thoughts on the topic? And if you do not already subscribe to Alyson's blog, you should. The topics and writings have really been helpful to me. I am sure you will find something of interest there, too. http://www.artbizblog.com/

Below is my response.

I have had both large and small studio spaces. Never a room actually built as a studio, but one I have reserved as "my space" for creating. Right now "my space" has spread to the entire house much to my husband's dismay and need for order.

So I would have to say that my studio is wherever I am at the moment with art supplies and ideas on hand. What affects me more is my mood and energy levels which unfortunately swing from one extreme to the other at times. I have been reading a lot lately about how clutter and disorganization affect you so maybe getting a studio large enough and dedicating it to my work would make be produce more often. (Another big challenge as I still have to have a alternate job to pay the bills, which is probably another obstacle since it is also a creative job and drains my brain every day, but that is another story.)

Environment does play a part in creativity mainly because of the local market. But I try not to get wrapped up in making art for someone else since that is what I do to earn money (graphic design) while I am trying to transition to my real job (painting & mixed media). And of course, money always plays a part. Having become accustomed to a rather nice lifestyle, letting go of the perks is really quite frightening. It is a huge catch 22. And very frustrating, as all I really want to do is paint, read and just enjoy the beautiful world around me.

Great Creative Weekend

Wow! I am exhausted after taking 2 workshops this weekend. One with Ted Head at Reddi-Arts where I learned that the old ruling pen I mastered in the 70's is the perfect tool for applying frisket for painting whiskers, feathers, fins and hair. Sure am glad that I held onto it all these years. I think I paid about $7 for it. They now sell for close to $25! Any way, it was a great workshop and I can now add some more tricks to my bag. The other workshop was at the Art Center Cooperative. Joyce Gabiou showed us the process of layering. I was pretty happy with the 2 little pieces I completed. I will definitely be putting all that I learned to work. What I learned made a lot of new things and ideas click in my head. Can't wait to get into my studio and put them to practice.

I signed up to get Alyson B. Stanfield's Art Biz Feeds some time ago and have been getting great information as well as seeing many other artist's blogs and websites. The most recent Feed happened to be especially interesting to me as the question referenced the advantages and disadvantages of belonging to an art cooperative. As a current member of The Art Center Cooperative here in Jacksonville, I was immediately intrigued by the post. The artist asking the question was mixed media artist and teacher, Brenda Marks at http://brendamarks.typepad.com/.

If you get a moment go to Brenda's blog and check out what Alyson had to say. And while you are here, read about Alyson's book, I'd rather be in the studio, all about marketing and selling your art. She is a great art coach and you can find her at ArtBizCoach.com

I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion is for artists of all kinds. Painters, sculptors, ceramist, jewelers, photographers, and others will benefit from the easy-to-follow self-promotion practices in this book.

Author and art-marketing consultant Alyson B. Stanfield, of ArtBizCoach.com, focuses on sharing the artwork directly with potential buyers through electronic and traditional communication outlets—in a manner that is comfortable, not artificial. Artists match Internet marketing strategies with sincere personal skills to take charge of their art careers.

The book includes online worksheets and downloads.

Happy creating!

Check it out! As a member of the Art Center Cooperative, I participated in a collaborative painting project that has brought quite a bit of attention to the gallery and its artists during this month's Downtown Jacksonville's Art Walk. The project came about as we (the members of the Art Center Cooperative) were planning how we could participate with MOCA of Jacksonville's Annual Mosaic Event, which is normally held in April, but was pushed back until September this year. I suggested we take a photo and divide it into sections then have our artists paint their particular section, then we would put it back together as one image.

Check it out! As a member of the Art Center Cooperative, I participated in a collaborative painting project that has brought quite a bit of attention to the gallery and its artists during this month's Downtown Jacksonville's Art Walk. The project came about as we (the members of the Art Center Cooperative) were planning how we could participate with MOCA of Jacksonville's Annual Mosaic Event, which is normally held in April, but was pushed back until September this year. I suggested we take a photo and divide it into sections then have our artists paint their particular section, then we would put it back together as one image.

I first tried this technique as a workshop participant at The Hilton Head Art League in Hilton Head Island, SC, and found it to be an amazing experience. I have continued to use this process when teaching art to children. By beginning a class with this project I am able to show children that all of us are unique and so is our creative expression. The children are always amazed to see that even though their work does not look like the others, it still fits and is an important part of the whole picture. It really frees them up and lets them be themselves without the concerns of whether it is right or wrong or as good as the rest of the class.

FIRST COAST NEWS CLIP/ MOSAIC

"Downtown Jacksonville Gets International Recognition."

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/player.aspx?aid=124860&sid=106215&bw=hi&cat=2

Posted by
lhisartsy53

at
8:30 PM

DAILY RECORD article

To read the story about the "MOSAIC" mural click this link
http://jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=49751

Where in the world is Linda F. Hawkins???

Island dreaming, that's where!!! It is cruise time again and we will be headed to San Juan, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. I have never been to San Juan but have been told by some very good friends that the art galleries are great there. You can count on me to let you know. You can also count on seeing some new paintings on my website, www.lindafhawkins.com shortly after our return. The islands and time away from the daily routine always inspire and energize me. And boy do I need it.

The Jacksonville Watercolor Society Spring show deadline is coming up Mid-March and a new bright and colorful piece will be entered. Also I have entered "Angels Watching Over Me" in an online competition at www.greatchristianart.com. I am scheduled to be the featured artist at The Art Center Cooperative for the month of July, too. So I have a lot of work to do.

Keep coming back to see my journal of the trip and the progress on my paintings!