Everyday challenges

 

I have been trying to keep up with my everyday demands. Painting, Listing, work, etc. I went shopping a few days ago by myself and I get a bit weird as I am a bit agoraphobic. Anyway I get a bit nervous and worry about having a panic attack as I get them sometimes. I did ok though I never spend as long I as I would like in the stores.

 

People say they wonder what it would be like to be an artist and maybe an anxiety disorder or mental illness or illnesses aren't always present with artists. They do seem to go together more then with other groups of people maybe that is just my imagination. Anyway imagine being deathly afraid of the produce aisle; it ain't fun.

 

Life is good today I posted an item and have my holidays planned out. I am preparing for another art show on the 23rd.



The Holiday Sale Season in Swing

So as per usual I have been working hard and seems like no one can see my efforts.  I know it's a negative thought; forgive me as it's the holidays and the stress levels are up their.

 

I recently did a show.  It was an unexpected event in my local community and I was personally invited to do the showing.  In reality it was a small business event.  It was called Shop Small in Stafford Springs CT.  I did sell a painting and it was a pleasant atmosphere but somewhat disappointing in sales.  I only had a couple days to plan for it.  Still lots of work loading and unloading for the event sitting all day and selling. I also had to put things in frames etc.

 

I have been very focused on creation as well as of late and the sales end has suffered a bit so I am back at listing and showing my hard work again.  I am going a little nuts as I have a large dental bill coming up and part of it already past; so I am doing all I can to deal with that. Despite taking the best care I can for my teeth things come up.

 

Maybe I should not be so personal when I write these blogs but I feel people should know what it really is like to be an artist. I have mild depression and anxiety and had a few bad days but blasted through them.  I had some pretty horrible thoughts; the worst was Thanksgiving I had been to the dentist two days before and I had to work at my "real" job that day.  I came home in a really awful mood thinking things people should never think.  Cried my eyes out and had no thanksgiving meal. My man made me feel better and the next day I determined and willed myself to feel better. Being an artist the world is not always real helpful.  I have had to work retail and usually miss out on holidays and have to pay out of pocket for such luxuries as the dentist or sometimes the Dr. 

At times I want to give up but I feel I can't I am only gifted with so many skills and talents.

 

I hope for a good Christmas and am thankful for my man and my pets.  I am thankful I am not losing any teeth and that I already bought my Christmas presents. I live in a good home and have people who care about me.

 

 

                                                The holidays are approaching

I am getting ready for the holidays or shall I say I have been getting ready for the holidays the last few weeks both on a personal level and with my art sales.

I have been creating art and not working on the business end so that I could actually have some things to sell.  I have been making art but I am in a bit of a dry spell seems everything I make lately I really don't like as if I have made gaint leaps backwards.  This maybe because I have been using new products and still haven't worked them out yet.  I say new I bought some pan pastels and soft tools the end of August it's November now.  I like them and at times create better feelings of texture and atmosphere and have great control.  At other times I feel confused.  You may wonder why I bought them in the first place they cost more then regular pastels and do very similar things.  I see so much potential to them and started to work out some of the potential. They can create a different feel to my work.  Anyway the dry spell my be my own creation.  Sometimes I just don't like my work.

I will keep going as always soon I will create some really awesome work I just got to keep going.  Getting ready for the holidays has been fun so far even if a bit frustrating.

Look for more items coming soon.

http://stores.com/blueartmouse

I have other places I sell as well but my main focus with selling my art this holiday season will be on ebay.  Hope to share tons of art and have holiday sales prices as well.

I am not sure if I will have a physical art show this year

Well I have been trying to build up money for an upcoming art show.  I needed the money by  9/15/17 it's 9/7/17 so I am not sure it will happen.

I wanted to do an art show in Windham CT it occurs in Oct but you have to apply and pay before the show.

I try to do a physical show of some sort every year.  I sometimes wonder why I bother however not being negative; its just that I make my money online.  Seems like a better fit for me.  It fits my schedule as I am always working my "normal" job on the weekends when most shows occur.  Seems to me like more and more art business is being done online and you should go to where things are going to be instead of where they are to stay on track. and not fall behind.

I wonder if I am the only artist that feels this way?

I recently went to a local gallery to seek representation and she was more then willing to represent me but I wondered looking at the other art there whether it made sense for me to display there.  The art looked like beginner works and there is nothing wrong with that but I am a little more seasoned and didn't think it would match her place.

  I wonder if seeking out a gallery in Willington CT is realistic as there isn't much of anything to choose from; which brings me back to doing business online.  It so much easier to show, share, and collect funds.   Other  functions are also easier; such as setting up displays (because there is non except your gallery should look nice); also giving a percentage to charity is easier; calling for friends, family, co-workers and past customers to help out is also easier most of the time.  Though that being said some sites will not let you contact the buyer or past customer outside of a sale that they are involved in; this depends a great deal on what website or sites you are using.  Still advertising is so much easier with a with clicks and a few dollars, sometimes free, your done.  So again this question comes up why do actual shows.  I know there are many reasons but for today I am just going to ask me this question and leave it at that.

Well here I am reflecting on almost thirty years of creating art.  I am turning the big 40 on August 24th.  I have been painting and creating art with "real" art supplies since I was twelve.  (Not thirty years but close.)

I have looked at my old paintings and thought of how I have changed and how I have stayed the same. I have always had a impressionistic leaning. I still do.  My drawing skills have become much better of course. 

It seems like I have finally been selling my work consistently for some years now.  Lately especially this last month I have seen room for hope; as I get better at showing and marketing my art.  That is my greatest challenge.

Selling has gotten to be such a dirty word in our society and yet it is necessary and good.  I am sharing my passions with others and giving back.  All products and services need passion and a use otherwise they wither and die. 

I will always create art. Sell or no sell.  Somehow art is more alive when people are actually making it a part of their lives.

People make it a part of their lives by painting or admiring or purchasing; visiting a museum.  Seems too often the visual arts that aren't related to television, sports, video games, or dance these days get left behind.

The internet while flooding the market making it easier and cheaper to afford original art work gives me hope; despite the fact that artists are as far I as I can tell making less big ticket sales.  Selling has become easier and freer as an artist doesn't have to censor themselves are stick to painting just one thing as in the old days were traditional art galleries were masters and artist must do as they say or not sell or work.

Selling is now global or in my case national were before I could only sell to people within my adjacent towns. This is very helpful for consistent work and sales.  Which equals less years of no profit or no sales because you are selling pool is huge and at times maybe a bit overwhelming.   It means there are plenty of people out there looking to own.

The future seems bright.

I sit here and reflect on this and that.  I have been doing this a long time.  Seems at times an almost cruel joke as I work and get little in return at times.  Still I have customers who have contacted me  at times years after the sales and have told me how much my paintings have meant to them.  I wake up everyday excited about work and I am these days generally happy as I know it is my choice to be happy.  For some a "normal" 9to5 job is just right; for me this is just right.  I work part-time and am an artist part time.  At times I have done a more "normal" job.  But for me art is a major part of my life and not a choice I have to paint and draw.

Finding a subject to write about?


Well it is July 18, 2017  as I write this and I am wondering what to write about.  I always just write about my days as an artist and what that is like.  I wonder if it is a bit boring?  At any rate I guess I will write about my day again.

I have been going over my business plans as always.  I have decided to list more items on ebay even if it means non-art items.  I like picking as they call it.  These items I find get from family, buy from various sources, and find, do have value.  I have tried to do just art on ebay but seems like I get less views to my art and less sales of my art which is very counter intuitive. 

I hope to do more charity work with my sales out of genuine concern for pets.  Perhaps other charities in the future.  The ASPCA is my charity of choice for now.  I have a passion for all animals especially cats and dogs.

I hope people will help me.  Right now I can only afford to give 10% on some of my art sales because I have to pay for my own expenses and living expenses materials and such.

Today is a lazy Tuesday I woke up.  My husband had gone off to work and I blasted the radio while working on my listings and online promotions.  Great way to start the day. 

Later I'll be going to my part-time retail job.  Exercise and getting out of the house can be a bit of a challenge when your an artist.  Yesterday was paint day as I call it and I spent many hours painting not sure how many. 

My husband got a new well paying job so my fear of having to get more "normal" work is over for now. I can continue to do my online and offline sales.  I had made a decision this time when his seasonal job ended that I was not looking for more work that this is my work.  Nathan is always so supportive and tells me I don't have to work but I know things run smoother in every respect if I work at least a part-time job.  This time his job is not seasonal.  Thank God!

I thank the universe, God, for a life I enjoy and feel I have value to others!

Today so far is much like many of my days.  I woke up had breakfast and started creating art. I worked from about 8am till about 1pm; had lunch.  Now I sit here typing this.


I started a painting of magnolias that were outside my house.  (they are no longer in season but were just a few days ago.  I think the flowers against the backdrop of my house makes a great pattern.  A sense of the abstract in the natural world.  The photo I took has a flatness to it yet it also is a real scene.


Anyway not much to report.  I have continued to post on Saatchi.com  To be more accurate the address is www.saatchiart.com/tarastephanos  This is where I will be posting my higher priced items.  My ebay store is http://stores.ebay.com/blueartmouse . 


I love to paint but some self control is needed for sure.  Today is a lovely day and I would love to be outside.  Great thing about being an artist is that you can kind of make up your own schedule.  Still don't be fooled I usually put in well over the "normal" forty hours a week between my art and my part-time sometimes multiple part-time jobs. 

I ordered an inflatable kayak this morning and hoping it provides me with fun and inspiration.  I have used kayaks before but I had to borrow them.  Now I will own one; a two sitter for me and my husband. He's really excited his birthday is in a couple days and the boat should arrive a few days later.

Little Leeah whom is a neighbor and; I am her Aunt?   (Long story)  was over last night their was a power outage and so she came over to visit.  (We have a generator)  She flew through the house and had a great time and felt the need to look through all my artworks.  She said I was like Picasso.  I don't have kids of my own .  Partially by choice; partially because of a physical problem.  It made me feel as if I was giving the gift of art to the next generation.  I have other nephews and nieces as well.  It feels good to know I could pass down my love for art to others.