Paint like you're retired

Earth Passage 2
36x36

As artists we have at least 2 jobs - the 2 main ones being painting and marketing. We're constantly walking a fine line between what the market wants (or just plain trying to figure out what the market wants) and what we really want to paint. Do we paint for the trends, the current popular palette? Do we paint what we think show judges will want to see at the next big juried exhibition or do we paint for the gallery director we're hoping to impress.

We spend our creative lives second guessing what other people want at the same time we're figuring out who we are with each painting challenge. What a stressful place to be for a creative spirit. If we're constantly trying to please others there's a part of us that dies. If we don't even think about the market the bank account dies. We have to learn the balancing act and one thing that I've decided is to leave the marketing at the office door. Thankfully my office is separate from my studio so mentally it makes it easier for me to compartmentalize the two aspects of my art career. When I'm in the studio I'll paint like I'm retired. For me, separating the office from the studio is the only way to enjoy the process of painting and isn't that why we're painters to begin with? We're called to the process. I think we're creative from cradle to grave. As painters we don't really retire but we can paint like we are.

Happy New Year and happy painting in 08
Carlynne

Happy New Year

Hi All,



At this time of renewal, I though I'd say a few words about what the beginning of a new year means to me. I do not do New Years Resolutions, but I am a major believer in setting goals. Many people ask Lynne and I how we started working together and why. The answer is simple-goals.



We were not accomplishing what we wanted to in our art careers. We wanted to be artists who teach, but we were teachers who had little time for art. About 5 years ago, we started combining forces to help each other. First we started teaching classes together and eventually combined all of our classes into 3 hour studio courses. This allows us to teach any media and to have two instructors allowing one of us to be gone when needed without cancelling classes. We began to teach workshops together and eventually put our experience into a book proposal which was accepted by North Light (F & W Publishing) and was released in May of 2007, Creative Colored Pencil Workshop.



All of this was a direct result of setting goals and being accountable to each other. There is no question in my mind that book would never have been written if we had not decided to set goals and deadlines for accomplishing them. We now have a new book we're working on that has been accepted by our publisher and is slated to be released in 2009. Who would have thought?!!



We also choose priorities for each year. Which exhibits to enter, how many pieces to finish, what new series to begin. We report to each other and encourage each other as well as critique as needed. This has increased production and recognition for both of us. We are also a part of a salon group called Out of Hand Artists which focuses on marketing. This has been immensely helpful for us; we are learning to network and use our skills and individual strengths to get our work out there and create sales.



My advice to anyone who wants to accomplish something, anything, in 2008 is to set goals. Decide what is most important and which steps are needed to get there. Give yourself deadlines for each step and congratulate yourself when you achieve them. Focus on what you have done, don't waste time on what didn't get done.



And write down those goals. Remember, an unwritten goal is only a wish. My wish for all of your is a Healthy and Prosperous New Year.



Peace in 2008



Kelli

Artful Giving

Hi everybody,

We wanted to let you know what's happening in downtown Ocala. There's a wonderful show at Brick City Center for the Arts. It's a great opportunity to buy some special gifts for the holidays and everything is priced under $200. Stop by and find a little gem to share.

Have a peaceful Christmas,
Carlynne

New Work

Hi All,

Finally, here is something new I am working on. This new series is called bondage, and it opens up a whole lot of possibilities for me, creatively and emotionally. Even when I paint something that is based entirely on representational subjects, I think something of myself goes in. I believe that artists cannot avoid that. But this one really hit home for me. I think bondage can describe many stages in our lives, both good and bad. When we are children we are in bondage (or so it seems) to our parents. When we marry and have our own children, we are bound to them by love and duty. We can be bound by jobs, debts, contracts, or addictions. Bondage usually has a negative conotation, but love can be as binding as any thing else.

I hope you have a lovely and creative day.

Peace,

Kelli

top, l. to r.: Carlynne Hershberger, Kelli Money Huff, Jessica Miller, Sharon Crute, Mary Verrandeaux, Moe Hahn. bottom: Lorna L. Effler, Nancy Moskovitz, Merrill Anderson, Margaret Watts, Jackie Shindehette

Well, here we are.....the fabulous OoHA's - Out of Hand Artists. As a group and as individual artists we're painting, brain- storming, planning and working it. There are some things in the works so we'll be sure to update you on the next group exhibition.

Peace,

Carlynne

just a few more

can't have a day without flamingos

spa time

more inspiration

My husband and I had the brilliant idea of going to Crystal River and Homosassa last weekend on a photo expedition. You know how "some days are diamonds" - well Sunday was one of those. We had a wonderful day shooting on the coast and then stopped at the wildlife park to capture some lovely creatures such as this one - what a lovely smile! The little furry guy at the top just posed for us. I threatened to send this photo to my mother for a screen saver - if you knew how she felt about squirrels you'd understand why that was funny.

Mark and I took 2 cameras - digital of course. Between the two of us we took over 1200 pictures. Amazing! Remember the days of carrying around rolls of 36 shots that had to be rationed over the course of the day and then pray they turned out? Don't worry, I'm not going to post them all here but I would like to figure out how to get the ones I do post in the blog the way I want them to appear. Someday I'll get all this stuff figured out.

Carlynne