Sunflower Mural

MY FRIENDS, the Reeds, finally painted the outside of their house this week. On Wednesday, I got a phone message asking if I could possibly paint a sunflower on the wall- by Friday, when our dinner group was meeting. I had just finished a 3-week mural job, and had some down time, so I agreed. I finished on Friday, and had enough time to take a leisurely bath before dinner.

Nadi's 15 Artist Survival Suggestions

1. Paint every day, whether you “feel like it” or not.

2. Get 9 hours sleep every night.

3. Get computer-savvy. You need your work to be seen, and today’s art buyers are looking online.
     Understand that, no matter how proficient you become on your computer, there will always be frustration. If you think of yourself as a student for life, you will enjoy the journey.

4. Learn 1 new skill on your computer each day.
    It could take 5 minutes like learning how to change your password, or 4 hours, to put “Buy Now” buttons on all your art.

5. Use a  2-year day-planner designed for artists. It will become your #1 tool as it simplifies and organizes your life.

6. Have 3 paintings on your easels, 20 in your day-planner, and 100 in your head.

7. Look for beauty in unexpected places.

8. Listen to a variety of music as you paint.
     I listen to movie soundtracks to ease into the morning, celtic to calm me, opera to get the juices flowing, and screamo to push me through a long night. Pandora Radio is magic.

9. If you are feeling discouraged, clean the windows in your studio. Your outlook will change immediately.

10. Break the rules.
       Hence “suggestions” in the title. If they were rules, I would be trying to break them.

11.  Seek out accomplished artists whom you respect, and learn from them. Never before has there been such a plethora of artists willing to share their expertise and passion.
       Robert Genn, Artists Helping Artists

12.  Find a “kindred spirit”,  an artist of like mind.  Talk frequently, share your experiences and support each other.

13. Create an “I LOVE” scrapbook. It will be your best friend.
        (see mine here)

14. Always act on sudden creative urges. Artistic growth always trumps commissions.
      But be responsible to clients. I try to schedule in “lost time” in my day-planner.

15. Tell the universe what you want and ask for opportunities. Then keep your eyes and heart open so you will recognize them when they appear.

Portrait of Wyn Lamb

I REALLY MUST paint this woman. Her name is Wyn Lamb and she lives here in Three Rivers. She is a lovely woman and has a passion for so many things. She loves books, music (especially the piano), horses and the critters of Three Rivers. Born in London, she came to America at the age of 7. Prior to moving to Three Rivers, she was an orange rancher in Elderwood for over 60 years.

HER PORTRAIT will be predominately white. The only colors will be her skin and floral pattern on her scarf. I wanted to add the long shadow to indicate how many people she has touched in her life, over long distance and time.

Three Rivers Hidden garden Tour

IT'S APRIL- and that means Hidden Garden Tour. I'm really excited this year- I will have 20 paintings finished of the 4 gardens on the tour. In addition, I will be painting a portrait of one of the garden owners on Saturday, in her garden. Each garden has an artist (or 2) painting "en plein air", a real treat for those of you that like watching an artist at work. There is also music, art for sale, food and beverages at each location. The event is this Saturday, April 21st, from 11:00-4:00.

TICKETS are still available- get them HERE for an absolutely wonderful event.

Will You Marry Me

Wow- things got steamy really fast!

Holding Hands

It's raining today. I guess Teal Chair  and Orange Chair thought it would be cozier if they sat closer and held hands.

Quails and Blackberries

18x24 acrylic on canvas, 3/4 painted edge. $300.

THIS PAINTING has been in the works for some time now. I took pictures on the South Fork last summer of the blackberries growing along the fence at the Well's Ranch, where I lived for 8 years. I always envisioned quails, but still had very few photos to work from. Since I created the "rock sheet", my quail file has grown considerably.

#23 O Winter Sun

8x16 acrylic on canvas, 3/4 painted edge, $120.

WHEN I PAINT, I love listening to both opera and screamo (a style of emo notable for its screamed vocals). The phrase "fever pitch" comes to mind. One advantage of opera is that, since the words are usually in a language I don't speak, I can change them to anything I like, and sing aloud my own story.

TODAY I watched Cavalleria Rusticana, a tragedy about love and betrayal in Sicily. Since I was painting the January light behind the trees on the BLM land, here in Three Rivers, I envisioned the trees and rocks singing to the sun. "O Winter Sun...  DON'T FORSAKE ME...You are too beautiful..." You get the picture.

HAD SOME trouble at the end, when she screams, "They killed Torridu!" It's a work in progress.