That was a most exciting weekend! Minnekhada Lodge was quite magical, full of surprised & interested people & lots of great art and artists. The "First Annual" may turn out to be a regular event. The organizers said there were almost 600 people over the 2 days & with shorter hours (11 to 4 pm daily) there was a steady flow of folks to entertain.
I was pleased to sell some of my magic books, cards, magic lists and at last, an original painting! Seems like this year is a bit tight for original art so to sell a watercolour at this sale was a breakthrough for me. There were lots of others there who didn't. My business cards also vanished at a surprising pace so my presence and name is getting known. And I had lots of fun with the magic draw, the magic pencils (almost sold out of those & they were a real hit with the kids) & playing with the magician & other people who were interested in magic, fairies, and the like.
Minnekhada Lodge used to be the summer/hunting lodge of one of BC's Lieutenant-Governers, Eric Hamber, back in the 1920s, and is now a regional park. The Lodge itself is a beautiful building set on a hillside overlooking farmland and the Pitt River where it flows into the Fraser, and the room I shared with another local artist had a fantastic view and light. The Lodge is set into a Metro Vancouver park, with a lovely beaver pond, lots of forest and walks, and also, lots of bears (which hide out in the woods when they're not headed for the local blueberry fields.) There were many sighted by people on the shuttle buses and the local hikers & bikers during the weekend, including a sow with 2 cubs. I was just starting my walk from the original farm down their driveway, & up to the Lodge on Sunday morning when I noticed the traffic on the main road had stopped. I was about 100 metres from my truck at the time, and about 200 metres away from the road. So, I too stopped to ascertain what was going on & sure enough, there was a large-ish black bear between me & the road. Needless to say I didn't carry on for about 10 minutes, until the traffic drove on, the bear continued across the field to my left & into the ditch, over the road & into the blueberries on the other side. At that point I had about 5 minutes left until showtime but I figured the blueberries would be more attractive to the bear than a tough old artist so I hightailed it down the driveway & then onto the main road where there were a few more people, dogs, and bikes. No worries!
The rest of the day was much tamer although I was a bit worried that the smell of the bbq just outside the Lodge would be even more enticing to bears than the old blueberries!
A great time was had by all, and now I'm very ready for bed, a possible meeting with Michael who has a corporate branding & website proposal to present tomorrow, and a well-deserved rest week! I'll be back soon to create some more fun & magic--see you then!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I Know you're out there somewhere...(yes, that was a song!)
Very heartening to get some responses to my last blog, even if they're not here on this site. Thanks to you all for letting me know you're reading, even if you're stumped by the technology here. There are more than a few!
This week is going fast, getting ready for the weekend show at Minnekhada Lodge which is originals only. After my experience at the last sale where very few originals were sold I'm spending some time painting some magic books & will paint some smaller originals in the form of cards tomorrow and Thursday. I've spoken to some other artists & they are also concerned about the amount of work and costs to set up with the prospect of little to show at the end of the day. So, making some affordable original works to sell is my goal this week.
I'm also heading off to Langley to capture some magic pencils to complement my art...maybe I can slip some under the table this weekend for $1, or else see if I can use them to amaze & surprise people coming by my table. The great thing about shows (other than prospective sales!) is the chance to interact with people & have fun. And apparently there's a magician at this show so who knows what trouble we could get up to together!
I'm one of the fortunate who doesn't have to worry about starving (or getting evicted) if I don't sell my artwork--so in some ways I'm freed up from anxiety, stress, wondering if people will like my work enough to buy it, should I change my style for others, all that survival thinking that I'm sure many creative people are impacted by. I have created a lovely lifestyle, with family & friends and support everywhere I look, by luck & hard work, so anything I do in this field is really freeing and I'm just loving that. Had I started in art earlier, when the demands of being financially stable, building home & security seemed necessary, I'm quite sure I wouldn't have the same sense of possibility. Then again, maybe not...and you never get a chance to live things over, do you? Certainly I'm grateful for the chance to express my creativity now, in this fashion, in the world I live in which is already so rich in so many areas.
And, my aim IS to sell my stuff, to have it generally available in the world, at prices that are affordable to anyone who likes it. I dream of the day when people see my art on the street, or on transit, (in Canada, Australia, Europe and the US for starters) and start a conversation about it with the person carrying it around because they think it's gorgeous and they want to know where to get some for themselves! I'm really happy with the decision to branch into beautiful items with my art on them that are also functional and serve people in the world...(calendars, journal and drawing books, bags, cards, fridge lists, and so on), so if you have any wonderful ideas for me please send them on to me! I love new ideas--something with a distinctive twist (preferably with an enchanting element), not the same old, same old, is right up my alley!
That's it for tonight, probably for the rest of the week. Not only is the show coming fast but some family just left and more are coming to visit for the weekend. I'll be back to let you know what happened after "Art in the Park", probably Monday night.
This week is going fast, getting ready for the weekend show at Minnekhada Lodge which is originals only. After my experience at the last sale where very few originals were sold I'm spending some time painting some magic books & will paint some smaller originals in the form of cards tomorrow and Thursday. I've spoken to some other artists & they are also concerned about the amount of work and costs to set up with the prospect of little to show at the end of the day. So, making some affordable original works to sell is my goal this week.
I'm also heading off to Langley to capture some magic pencils to complement my art...maybe I can slip some under the table this weekend for $1, or else see if I can use them to amaze & surprise people coming by my table. The great thing about shows (other than prospective sales!) is the chance to interact with people & have fun. And apparently there's a magician at this show so who knows what trouble we could get up to together!
I'm one of the fortunate who doesn't have to worry about starving (or getting evicted) if I don't sell my artwork--so in some ways I'm freed up from anxiety, stress, wondering if people will like my work enough to buy it, should I change my style for others, all that survival thinking that I'm sure many creative people are impacted by. I have created a lovely lifestyle, with family & friends and support everywhere I look, by luck & hard work, so anything I do in this field is really freeing and I'm just loving that. Had I started in art earlier, when the demands of being financially stable, building home & security seemed necessary, I'm quite sure I wouldn't have the same sense of possibility. Then again, maybe not...and you never get a chance to live things over, do you? Certainly I'm grateful for the chance to express my creativity now, in this fashion, in the world I live in which is already so rich in so many areas.
And, my aim IS to sell my stuff, to have it generally available in the world, at prices that are affordable to anyone who likes it. I dream of the day when people see my art on the street, or on transit, (in Canada, Australia, Europe and the US for starters) and start a conversation about it with the person carrying it around because they think it's gorgeous and they want to know where to get some for themselves! I'm really happy with the decision to branch into beautiful items with my art on them that are also functional and serve people in the world...(calendars, journal and drawing books, bags, cards, fridge lists, and so on), so if you have any wonderful ideas for me please send them on to me! I love new ideas--something with a distinctive twist (preferably with an enchanting element), not the same old, same old, is right up my alley!
That's it for tonight, probably for the rest of the week. Not only is the show coming fast but some family just left and more are coming to visit for the weekend. I'll be back to let you know what happened after "Art in the Park", probably Monday night.
Friday, August 14, 2009
The latest news
I'm not sure if anyone is actually watching since no-one replied to my last blog!! However, my coach said she tried to but was stopped by some site restriction that even her high-tech son couldn't figure out a way around (I think you have to join google to comment) I guess at least someone was there reading. I'll keep going & see what happens next! The invitation is still open--talk to me!!!
My art sale last week was a bit slower than I expected, didn't sell any originals (nor did many others, I gather), however was very happy to have some sales of my magical reproductions & cards. It was also a great networking opportunity as there were lots of fabulous artists there, and I got lots of interest in my "Magic Box Draw" (guess what's in the magic box) & am just about to send out the winners' names to all who wanted to hear more about magic, from my new email address mymagic@shaw.ca. We'll see how that translates into further interest in my paintings, calendars for 2010, and other items with art on them (original and reproduction) that I'm creating. If you want to know more, email me there & I'll tell you what I've got!
And, I'm taking further steps regarding website development, marketing & branding with a wonderful experienced man who my coach introduced me to today. I'm very excited about seeing what magic he can add to the business of art, particularly MY business in art!
So while Michael is thinking about what he might be able to do for me, I'm taking this weekend off the art business & spending some good home-time with hubby & my own place--the grass needs mowing, hubby has volunteered to make me a display rack for my work for next weekend's sale at Minnekhada Lodge in Port Coquitlam (just google it for directions, it's out in the country as it was originally a hunting lodge for a Governor or Lieutenant-General in the 1920's). August 22/3, 11-4 both days, and I'll be inside the lodge (there are other artists outside along with musicians, cafe for food, even a magician--besides me--apparently!)
So, that's the update for today--hope you're enjoying following my trail!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Notes To the Universe
Is there anyone out there? If so please speak!
(Not that I have much time to listen this week but there's deafening silence out there. Is everyone on holiday or what?)
I've been running full tilt getting ready for my art show launch Sat/Sun in Langley, 4860 203 St, 10-5 just in case you're interested in going! By the way, you're invited! It's in someone's beautiful garden, spilling over to the neighbour's place, which is where I'm going to be situated. I haven't been there before but heard about it through Opus (a great art supply store that I use as often as I can get there) & although it's been family-run for over 15 years apparently this is the last year they want to do it. Sounds like they're going to go out with a splash so I'm going to be there with bells on (ok, not really but you get the picture).
As an artist getting into the reproduction end of things has been very educational & also surprisingly inspirational. I'm looking for ideas everywhere for functional objects that I can put my art on, & also objects that inspire other people's creativity. And that seems to be a circular type of flow which inspires my own creativity! Very cool.
My new printer Darren is awesome & I have so much to learn about computer graphic designs that it's scary. I can see a new computer, new programs to learn (Indesign & Photoshop are his recommendations & I have never worked with either) in my crystal ball & no idea how I'm going to find the time to do that. And yet, it's quite magical, what you can do with an image, or piece of artwork, once you have it in one of those programs. Add another thing to my to-do list (which is actually one of the things I'm printing up for sale at the show, btw!--with my art on it, of course!)
My coach is lining me up with her corporate branding expert, hopefully next week, to get my game expanding as it's meant to. I'm looking forward to our next coaching session too. It's quite different to be coached in this field, as compared to in the sports field which is my previous context or reference. And, it seems to be working very well so far--at least I'm being open & taking things on board. We'll see where the flow takes us next--& it's all good (if not great) so far.
I'm just about done for the night, will try a bit of meditation to get calmed down so I can sleep. So many things going through my mind leading up to the set-up tomorrow. Of course not everything is done yet--some of the printing won't be here until tomorrow night & it needs to be packaged & personalized too. It feels like Christmas coming up! I can hardly wait!
Talk to you when it's all over--although my brother & nephew are flying in from Ontario on Saturday night for a week so I'll have them to spend some time with. Take care until next time & wish me luck!
Cheers!
E
(Not that I have much time to listen this week but there's deafening silence out there. Is everyone on holiday or what?)
I've been running full tilt getting ready for my art show launch Sat/Sun in Langley, 4860 203 St, 10-5 just in case you're interested in going! By the way, you're invited! It's in someone's beautiful garden, spilling over to the neighbour's place, which is where I'm going to be situated. I haven't been there before but heard about it through Opus (a great art supply store that I use as often as I can get there) & although it's been family-run for over 15 years apparently this is the last year they want to do it. Sounds like they're going to go out with a splash so I'm going to be there with bells on (ok, not really but you get the picture).
As an artist getting into the reproduction end of things has been very educational & also surprisingly inspirational. I'm looking for ideas everywhere for functional objects that I can put my art on, & also objects that inspire other people's creativity. And that seems to be a circular type of flow which inspires my own creativity! Very cool.
My new printer Darren is awesome & I have so much to learn about computer graphic designs that it's scary. I can see a new computer, new programs to learn (Indesign & Photoshop are his recommendations & I have never worked with either) in my crystal ball & no idea how I'm going to find the time to do that. And yet, it's quite magical, what you can do with an image, or piece of artwork, once you have it in one of those programs. Add another thing to my to-do list (which is actually one of the things I'm printing up for sale at the show, btw!--with my art on it, of course!)
My coach is lining me up with her corporate branding expert, hopefully next week, to get my game expanding as it's meant to. I'm looking forward to our next coaching session too. It's quite different to be coached in this field, as compared to in the sports field which is my previous context or reference. And, it seems to be working very well so far--at least I'm being open & taking things on board. We'll see where the flow takes us next--& it's all good (if not great) so far.
I'm just about done for the night, will try a bit of meditation to get calmed down so I can sleep. So many things going through my mind leading up to the set-up tomorrow. Of course not everything is done yet--some of the printing won't be here until tomorrow night & it needs to be packaged & personalized too. It feels like Christmas coming up! I can hardly wait!
Talk to you when it's all over--although my brother & nephew are flying in from Ontario on Saturday night for a week so I'll have them to spend some time with. Take care until next time & wish me luck!
Cheers!
E
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Living an Enchanted Life
Just a quick note before I head out to work very hard this week leading up to my art show in Langley on Saturday. I had such an enchanting weekend, finally caught 2 fairies (along with many salmon, halibut & even a cod for our anniversary fishing charter off Ucluelet) & was away with them! The family reunion was magical too--saw some mermaids in the pool, just off the beach in Qualicum, and in my Aunt Joyce's magical garden by the sea, painted magical images on my cousin Lyndsay's wonderful pottery & will be doing more of that to create a joint business venture.
Now it's time to really get stuck into my art work & get ready for Friday set-up. Most of my printing (for cards, art and journal books, and invitations) is in, just getting the trimmings ready & following up with all the details necessary to put on a good show!
More about my enchanted life & how I got here...but later!
Stay tuned!
Now it's time to really get stuck into my art work & get ready for Friday set-up. Most of my printing (for cards, art and journal books, and invitations) is in, just getting the trimmings ready & following up with all the details necessary to put on a good show!
More about my enchanted life & how I got here...but later!
Stay tuned!
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