I am a Grandma/Life Stuff

[gratitude28]

HI All,
I should post this on the animal thread... but I am just so happy. Our guinea pig had her babies - 3 adorable guys- and we got to watch the whole birth. It was incredible and I adore them and my children are thrilled. You know, as a kid we had guinea pigs and they had babies, but we never did any of the learning or appreciating and caretaking that went along with them... it was one more thing that was cute and was bought just  cause we didn't have any yet...
In other news... I got a big heaping of humility this weekend... I took part in a sale (with my paintings). While I had quite a few people who appreciated, no one even looked at the prices to buy one. I did learn a lot about marketing and had some local artisans take me under their wong so that I can get more into the selling... problem is we are leaving shortly. I do feel bummed. Honestly, I like my work, but I wonder why it is not marketable. The prices were totally comparable (if not a bit less) than other items... Here's one as an example. I don' feel TOO bad, but I am moderately bummed.
At any rate... here's one of my works. My paintings of Henry generated interest and I met some bulldog owners
Thanks for letting me write about me. I wish I could show you all my piggies!!!!!!
Love, Beth

[debkor]

Hey grats,

My daughter had guinea pigs when she was younger.  I loved them I use to go in her room to see them every day and play with them.  Clean the cage too. They were her Piggy's but clean up was mine.  Congratulations on your new piggy grandma.

Love Deb

[Leah]

Beth, is that one of your paintings?  Well I don't understand why you have not sold any either.  I really do think It's beautiful.  

As for your guinea pigglets ..... I want one!!  Never seen baby guinea pigs.  They do sound munchy.

I bought a "how to start in watercolor painting" for simpletons like me    Heavens knows why, I can't draw an apple!

Leah x

[debkor]

Leah,

I took a class on painting with the Bob Ross method.  I didn't think I could do a thing and when I was done I was shocked.
It was a beach with a palm tree infront of it.  It actually came out really nice.  I did oil painting.
I never tried water colors yet.
My friend who went with me to painting class still is painting on her own at home and is amazing.  She did a beautiful light  house on a stormy night.
I really should go back to painting I find it really enjoyable.

Love Deb

[gratitude28]

The piggies come out just like tiny adults... hair and all. They are just too cute!!! They also start eating real food as soon as they are born, if you can believe it. They are just so cute. And you can hold them as soon as the goo from birth is cleaned off by their mom.

I know marketing wise I need to make postcards, get shown more (I've had two shows and then been in some group shows).

Deb, I would love to try oils (and I hear they are more fogiving). I would love to see your painting! What is the Ross method? I am learning and learning about styles and such.

Leah, thanks for the kind words I feel OK... mostly.

Love, Beth

[Gaining Strength]

Beth - your painting is beautiful.  Your doubt is misplaced - its not your work that is the problem it is your audience.  - your friend - gaining strength

[Leah]

Marketing makes the difference - what about website exposure??  In addition to your postcards of course.  Leah

[gratitude28]

Actually, Leah, one of the girls there who is wonderfully organized (and an amazing photographer) gave me an online site that accepts work and does advertising and allows people to order framed copies of reproductions of your work. I am going to look into it.
I am sad that I have just met the whole community of artists and now am due to move. If we do go to San Antonio next, I know some people there. I also have photography from all over the world. Might do a mix of that too.
(((((((((GS))))))))))) Thank you!!!!!

[debkor]

Hey Grats,


Ross does the wet on wet technic..  And yes it is more forgiving.  You can fix your mistakes pretty easy. What was interesting is each of us in the class had all different versions in size of the beach and palm tree. I guess it was what was appealing to our eye.
I actually learned at an AC Moore store.  They have all kinds of classes going on there.  They had a cake decorating class there one day didn't get to do it but I peeked in the window and it looked lots of fun. Water colors now that would be really a challenge to me and scary to the public who looked at mine.


Love Deb

[Leah]

Leah,

I took a class on painting with the Bob Ross method.  I didn't think I could do a thing and when I was done I was shocked.
It was a beach with a palm tree infront of it.  It actually came out really nice.  I did oil painting.
I never tried water colors yet.
My friend who went with me to painting class still is painting on her own at home and is amazing.  She did a beautiful light  house on a stormy night.
I really should go back to painting I find it really enjoyable.

Love Deb

Deb, truly inspiring, the beach with the palm tree sounds gorgeous and restful.

Love seascapes and lighthouses.  Love the sea fullstop.

Well, spring is upon us, and, I am tempted to go out to the bluebell woods and have a go .... love the color blue .... may not be many visible 'bells' 

Leah x

[CB123]

Beth,

I truly like your painting.  If I saw if for sale, I'd buy it!  Really! I like the composition with all the white spaces around the stems and leaves. 

Keep showing.  Sometimes it takes awhile to find your audience.

CB

[gratitude28]

The wet on wet is just one part of painting... and you still don't get much forgiveness with watercolors unless you move really quickly That sounds like a fun class. My teacher is an amazing painter. Through him and through beginning to study others, I am learning a lot more about technique and how many zillions of ways there are to create.
I would like to take a class in photography. I just met a girl who teaches it and does wonderful work. I am pretty good with composition, but want to learn all the ins and outs of various equipment.

[gratitude28]

Thanks CB!!!! Yes, I need to gain an audience and recognition. Thank you. I appreciate your input!!!