I just finished a quilted book as a holiday decoration. First time for me on a quilted book. It was fun. I will probably do another one after the first of the year.
Stockings and tree are up. Most gifts are already wrapped, but I still have a few more to buy for my husband, my daughters and granddaughter. I will probably go with more gift cards this year for my daughters. The cards were a big hit last year.
Money is still tight this year so for my extended family, I decided to give handmade jewelry to my nieces, and bird watercolors, that I painted, to my brothers, sister, and mother-in-law.
Everything looks brighter for next year, but I will still work on my art. I love to upcycle my found objects for my mixed media art and assemblage. I may focus on creating art pieces as Christmas gifts for next year not only for my family but also to sell on the web site.
Happy Holidays.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Adding Affiliates
Hey. I am adding affiliates to my site. I have bought products from these affiliate links. I love the art supplies and books I can find from my favlinks. New thing for me these affiliate programs. I hope they work out. I will have to check out more websites related to mine. Maybe I will find many more favlinks to add.
What are some of your favlinks to art sites, art suppliers, etc?
What are some of your favlinks to art sites, art suppliers, etc?
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Stolen Art
Hey, I have a complaint about stolen art. I placed eleven shadow books with the artist C. Jordan at her local gallery - Jordan Art Gallery. In May of this year, I managed to get 8 books back. She claimed she would like to keep my other three books on display because of their themes - Texas Cowboy, In-DuST-Ria, and Bubba's Fishin' Shack. Ms. Jordan also commissioned me to do two Harley Davidson/motorcycle shadow books that she could take to the Harley Davidson rallies where she was asked to display and sell her retail line of various items, such as, ladies clothing. I accepted the commission without a contract because Ms. Jordan is a renown international artist and, I thought, trustworthy. I was born and raised in Texas. I grew up believing that a verbal agreement is as solid as a paper contract, just like a handshake on a deal.
I finished three HD/motorcycle shadow books in July, and called and emailed Ms Jordan repeatedly to set up an appointment with her at the Jordan Art Gallery. No answer at the gallery, nor were there any replies to my emails. In mid August, someone answered the phone at the gallery, and I immediately wanted to speak with Ms Jordan. I also wanted to know what was going on with the gallery being closed. The representative at the gallery informed me that the Jordan Art Gallery was officially closing. I told the young woman that I was an artist with art pieces in the gallery, and would like to come by and pick them up. I also explained about the motorcycle shadow books. The rep told me over the phone that she could only find two of my last three shadow books on the displays. I arranged to come by the next day, to pick up those two pieces, and that we would have to search for my third piece.
I arrived the next day. The rep and I searched the gallery without disturbing boxes that had already been sealed. I told her that Ms. Jordan needed to find my piece - Texas Cowboy, and return it to me as soon as possible. If she could not find it, then I would expect a receipt of sale with the buyer's information along with my part of the commission of the retail price that the piece was sold for. I was told by the rep, who I understood is a family member of Ms. Jordan's, that she would call Ms Jordan and ask her about the last art piece.
When I came back to the gallery, the rep told me that Ms. Jordan claimed I had already picked up Texas Cowboy. I informed her that I did not pick up the piece. The rep called Ms. Jordan again. The rep told me that C. Jordan would contact me soon about the item. After several weeks with more emails sent to Ms. Jordan, still no reply and no contact and no Texas Cowboy shadow book and no payment. I can't believe that a renown artist would take advantage of an artist just getting established. My mistake was trusting the Jordan Art Gallery and its owners and representatives. I moved from the city to this rural area 20 years ago, and have come too comfortable with trusting others. I guess I need to let the "city girl" out when I need to deal with people in business. I should have trusted my intuition when it came to contracting with the renown international artist who left me with a "bad impression" when I had my first appointment to drop off my art pieces. Also, no one informed me about the closing of the Jordan Art Gallery - no phone call, no letter, and no email. The owners were closing without notifying some of the artists. I was just lucky to have someone answer the gallery phone in mid August, or I would not have found out about it. I would have had 3 stolen pieces instead of just one, but Texas Cowboy is one of my best pieces.
There's more to this story, but maybe I'll tell the rest of it later. Now, how do I get back my Texas Cowboy shadow book?
Any suggestions?
I finished three HD/motorcycle shadow books in July, and called and emailed Ms Jordan repeatedly to set up an appointment with her at the Jordan Art Gallery. No answer at the gallery, nor were there any replies to my emails. In mid August, someone answered the phone at the gallery, and I immediately wanted to speak with Ms Jordan. I also wanted to know what was going on with the gallery being closed. The representative at the gallery informed me that the Jordan Art Gallery was officially closing. I told the young woman that I was an artist with art pieces in the gallery, and would like to come by and pick them up. I also explained about the motorcycle shadow books. The rep told me over the phone that she could only find two of my last three shadow books on the displays. I arranged to come by the next day, to pick up those two pieces, and that we would have to search for my third piece.
I arrived the next day. The rep and I searched the gallery without disturbing boxes that had already been sealed. I told her that Ms. Jordan needed to find my piece - Texas Cowboy, and return it to me as soon as possible. If she could not find it, then I would expect a receipt of sale with the buyer's information along with my part of the commission of the retail price that the piece was sold for. I was told by the rep, who I understood is a family member of Ms. Jordan's, that she would call Ms Jordan and ask her about the last art piece.
When I came back to the gallery, the rep told me that Ms. Jordan claimed I had already picked up Texas Cowboy. I informed her that I did not pick up the piece. The rep called Ms. Jordan again. The rep told me that C. Jordan would contact me soon about the item. After several weeks with more emails sent to Ms. Jordan, still no reply and no contact and no Texas Cowboy shadow book and no payment. I can't believe that a renown artist would take advantage of an artist just getting established. My mistake was trusting the Jordan Art Gallery and its owners and representatives. I moved from the city to this rural area 20 years ago, and have come too comfortable with trusting others. I guess I need to let the "city girl" out when I need to deal with people in business. I should have trusted my intuition when it came to contracting with the renown international artist who left me with a "bad impression" when I had my first appointment to drop off my art pieces. Also, no one informed me about the closing of the Jordan Art Gallery - no phone call, no letter, and no email. The owners were closing without notifying some of the artists. I was just lucky to have someone answer the gallery phone in mid August, or I would not have found out about it. I would have had 3 stolen pieces instead of just one, but Texas Cowboy is one of my best pieces.
There's more to this story, but maybe I'll tell the rest of it later. Now, how do I get back my Texas Cowboy shadow book?
Any suggestions?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
DM Submissions
Hello, Everyone. I have been sort of in the "slumps" the past few weeks, but I am pulling myself back up again. I got a lead on doing DM cover art submissions. I did four 8x10 watercolors which are on the home page of my website. I will submit them tonight. I have no idea how a DM cover is suppose to look like even after all the research I did online. It's just a submission so all they can say is "no, thank you". Hey, I still own my original art work. I can improve my future cover art and resubmit to the DM website or submit to a few other DM websites.
Got a short instructional book in the works. More work to do on the project though. I will be taking the photos as each step is finished in the book. My youngest daughter is my hand model in the photos for the steps, so pics, so far, are great!
I also have new watercolor/acrylic painting idea projects. After a little more research, I will get started on those too.
Have a scary Halloween!
sgsartworks
Got a short instructional book in the works. More work to do on the project though. I will be taking the photos as each step is finished in the book. My youngest daughter is my hand model in the photos for the steps, so pics, so far, are great!
I also have new watercolor/acrylic painting idea projects. After a little more research, I will get started on those too.
Have a scary Halloween!
sgsartworks
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Cleaning House/Setting Up Art Studio
I have been decluttering my house for about 2 months now. I have been placing some items in my art studio that is a separate building behind my house. I have also taken a lot of my art supplies that I had stored in the house out to the studio. Organizing has been the hardest part but I am about halfway through. I can't wait until I am finished. Doing my art work in a quiet area will be very positive for me. I even have a large comfy chair with pillows in the studio in case I want to take a break and read. (I love to read as much as I love doing art work.)
I also got an air conditioner for the small building. I have an extension cord that is connected to an outlet in my husband's Craftex building only a few feet from the side of my building. At least I can get electricity that way. Maybe I'll get plumbing in a few years, and have my own sink to wash paint brushes and other items. But for now, I keep a jug of tap water in the studio for when I need to clean items.
I finished three motorcycle/Harley Davidson shadow books this past weekend. I might be sending them to Canton. Next, I am thinking of doing a shadow book using baby items like old white baby shoes, diaper pins, a tiny doll, and other small items bought at garage sales and the local thrift store. Or, I'll work on ATCs for awhile.
I also got an air conditioner for the small building. I have an extension cord that is connected to an outlet in my husband's Craftex building only a few feet from the side of my building. At least I can get electricity that way. Maybe I'll get plumbing in a few years, and have my own sink to wash paint brushes and other items. But for now, I keep a jug of tap water in the studio for when I need to clean items.
I finished three motorcycle/Harley Davidson shadow books this past weekend. I might be sending them to Canton. Next, I am thinking of doing a shadow book using baby items like old white baby shoes, diaper pins, a tiny doll, and other small items bought at garage sales and the local thrift store. Or, I'll work on ATCs for awhile.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Hi! Welcome to my blog. Today I want to tell you about the shadow books I create. I love shadow boxes but they are expensive. I could make my own but that would have defeated my purpose of upcycling.
I get old hardcover books before they end up in a dumpster and sent to the landfill. I started with a lot of old congressional books that were being thrown away by a local college. I turn these books into shadow books. I use tacky glue to glue items in place inside the book. After the items are arranged, I use plexiglass and #4 - 1/2inch screws to adhere the plexiglass to cover the cut-out area inside the book. I drill the holes and use a screwdriver to insert the screws carefully so that tension is prevented between the plexiglass and screws, so the the plexiglass doesn't crack. I hate it when that happens. I have to then cut a new piece. Luckily I have only cracked about 3 pieces of plexiglass so far.
I would like input on what I could use to adhere the plexiglass without having to drill and insert the screws. A glue product must dry completely clear and not look tacky. Any suggestions?
I get old hardcover books before they end up in a dumpster and sent to the landfill. I started with a lot of old congressional books that were being thrown away by a local college. I turn these books into shadow books. I use tacky glue to glue items in place inside the book. After the items are arranged, I use plexiglass and #4 - 1/2inch screws to adhere the plexiglass to cover the cut-out area inside the book. I drill the holes and use a screwdriver to insert the screws carefully so that tension is prevented between the plexiglass and screws, so the the plexiglass doesn't crack. I hate it when that happens. I have to then cut a new piece. Luckily I have only cracked about 3 pieces of plexiglass so far.
I would like input on what I could use to adhere the plexiglass without having to drill and insert the screws. A glue product must dry completely clear and not look tacky. Any suggestions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
