Welcome to 2013, A Good Year

Sorry these came out sideways

Blondheim Furniture Art

Notes From My Office

I am feeling very positive about 2013. It's going to be a good year. No divisive election to feel angst over. The economy is ever so slightly improving. I'm feeling pretty good. I have a more diverse paintings offering than I used to. The furniture and painted frames are appealing to folk who would not consider buying original art in the traditional format. My hard work at the easel is beginning to pay off with more advanced work and hopefully that will continue. 

I have a very popular beginning painters class that is almost always full and it is only once a month, so the preparation is very manageable. My other intermediate class is small but equally fun and once a month now. I am now embarking on a year of study with my mentor group, which can only improve my painting and theirs as well. That leaves me two Saturdays a month free to greet visitors without interruption. I think I finally have my teaching under control and manageable without cutting into my own painting time. The once a month class was a great idea and it will work very well. I have never depended on teaching as a way to make a living. it is risky to do that. Teaching just a little keeps me in the student mode and makes me stay fresh with my technique, always striving to be a better teacher and painter. 

My Artist in Residence Project is ongoing and I have several residencies that I am looking forward to this year. I have acquired sponsorship for art supplies and am very grateful to the companies who support and believe in me. My only disappointment from this project are inconsistent sales of the paintings. I'm not really sure why these coastal paintings do not sell as well as my rural agricultural paintings. I suspect that the old saying is true. Paint what you love the most and it will sell. As you all know, I love Fair Oaks and rural North Florida with a passion. Those are the paintings that sell regularly. I am considering doing more tree paintings in my travels because I love painting trees so much. Many people who come into the studio who are looking for coastal paintings, are looking for the typical sand dune with sea oats paintings. That is the kind of work you see up and down the coast from artists who work with the tourist trade. My interest is in the coastal marshes instead, the wild Florida that tourists rarely see. 

The studio is much improved this year after much thought and moving stuff around. I am looking forward to some new lighting this year which will improve the space. My goal is to find a way to overcome the stair barrier. I must find a way to improve the foot traffic. My first studio party will be my annual Chili Party on February 16th. Always fun and I will give away a small framed painting to a lucky guest book signer. 

I'm ready for an excellent 2013....