Week 39 Put Yourself Out There

The challenge for this week is to Put Yourself Out There. No one can purchase your art if they never see what you've been up to. Start by gathering contacts, emails, and addresses so that you can connect with potential buyers using newsletter, email blasts, or postcard mailings. Remind them that you are still around and show them your latest work.

Here is your free worksheet.

Abstract painting : : reflections on my process

"Abstracts are to painting what 

Jazz is to music."

"Exercises of the essential, meditated by trance. By chance captures, in unregulated meander through the wallows of the inspired and unrevealed. "  -James Michalopoulos

My weekly painting group WAGG (Wednesday Art Gallery Gang) was discussing the abstract paintings that we had been seeing a lot on social media and online. We decided to give it a try during our weekly meet up. I knew that I would have a hard time just winging it without a plan so I decided to take a step by step approach.

STEP ONE

I started by getting our huge supply of acrylic paints organized, throwing away the dried out tubes, and pulling out colors that I was attracted to in order to create a limited palette so I wasn't so overwhelmed by too many colors. 

STEP TWO

My next step was to get inspired. I pulled out several art books from our book shelves to see what styles I was attracted to. I also watched a few You Tube videos of various painters showing their process. I came away with a few conclusions about what makes a good abstract painting "work." I noticed that composition was a big factor in a successful abstract painting. I also noticed that when there were areas of rest and areas of activity helping to move your eye through the painting. I found myself attracted to lots of layering and variety of mark making.

STEP THREE

I did a few thumbnail sketches in my Jumpstart Your Art workbook based on some inspirational images.

STEP FOUR

Then, I did some painting tests on loose canvas using various materials like bubble wrap, palette knives, a catalyst, different sized brushes, charcoal, masking tape, and a spray bottle. I used only the colors I had pulled out in Step One for my color palette.

STEP FIVE

I started painting! I didn't want to work too small or too large so I chose 24" x 24" as my canvas size. I tried to remember to step back a lot while working and kept turning the canvas 90 or 180 degrees to check the composition. I spent 2-3 hours the first day and 1-2 hours the next day. I was assuming that after all this preparation, the actual process would be freeing, but I was surprised to find how mentally challenging it was.

Here is a close up detail that I think shows the layering. And here is link to see the final painting.

For my second painting I decided to use a photo reference of water as a jumping off point but then just let the painting tell me where it wanted to go. Here is a Link to see the final painting.

I took some photos of Cindy painting her abstracts during WAGG. She made her own scraper and was using that and other interesting materials to create paintings with beautiful results. Here are a few of her creations. 

Cindy has enjoyed the process so much that she has continued to create some beautiful and unique pieces of art. 

Week 38 Under Promise and Over Deliver

As artists we tend to be people pleasers. This week's challenge is to pay close attention to the promises we make, how we package and deliver our art, and ways to make the presentation of our work more special and memorable for our clients.

Here is the worksheet ready to download.

Abstract painting number 2

Effervescence

24" x 24"

Acrylic and vine charcoal on canvas

This is my second attempt at painting an abstract. I learned so much throughout this process and I plan to write a follow up post that explains the steps I took and my reflections about the whole experience.

Something different for me : : Abstract painting

It's A Party

24" x 24"

Acrylic and vine charcoal on canvas

Available $350

My weekly painting group decided to take a break from our usual subject matters and try our hand at abstract painting. This was my first attempt. I learned a lot through this process so I am going to collect my notes and reflections and write another post about the whole experience. 

I found this to be freeing and yet mentally challenging at the same time.

Here are a few close up details:

Week 37 Create Provenance

This week's challenge for Jumpstart Your Art is to Create Provenance. Have you ever acquired a unique piece of art and wondered about its history, its creator, or its legacy and been frustrated because the information just couldn't be found? It's time to record that information about your own work for future generations. It adds value and provenance.

Here is your free worksheet ready to download.

Week 36 Create a Tagline

Week 36 continues the theme of Marketing Yourself by considering adding a tagline to your logo that helps to tell your story.

The worksheet is below:

Week 35 Create A Buyer Persona

It's September already and we begin a new theme this month called Marketing Yourself. It's one of the most challenging things to do as an artist but there are 5 challenges this month so let's get started with Creating a Buyer Persona!

Here is your free worksheet: