What I Listen To While Painting

Being an artist at a private home studio can be a silent and solitary profession. Sometimes I embrace the solitude. (Ever notice how the word “embrace” gets overused these days??) Sometimes I trap the UPS driver into seeing my work and hearing about it, because I haven’t talked to a soul all day long. I’ve tried making phone calls using the speaker-phone so I can paint while talking. The recipient of the call says “What?” so much that I’ve decided that is just not a viable way to multi-task.

triptych of tulip fields oil painting
This oil painting of tulip fields (still unnamed) heard a lot of music, podcasts and sermons.

Lots of times I use the painting time to listen to good stuff using my laptop and Bose speakers. (What a wonderful addition to a laptop for $100 – GREAT sound!!)

Here are a few of my favorite listening sites:

Artists Helping Artists is very very interesting, especially if you are an artist. (Thank you, Captain Obvious!) Leslie Saeta from Pasadena, California, is a working artist who used to be in marketing. She has a weekly podcast on Blogtalk Radio in which she interviews working artists and shares marketing tips. She is very upbeat, high energy, giggly and encouraging.

my pastor, Alex Garcia from the Three Rivers First Baptist Church. I listen because I miss a lot of Sundays in the summer, and I listen because I learn so much from Alex.

Michael Hyatt is one of my favorite bloggers. He is an “a-may-zing” guy, and I have learned so much from him about business, writing, getting published, blogging, leadership (as if anyone is actually following me!), marketing, and personal development. He has a great podcast once a week.

Chris LoCurto is another of my favorite bloggers. (I’ve guest posted for him 3 times.) He does a podcast about every 2 weeks, interviewing some very great business people like the head of Zappo’s, Tony Dungy, the head of Tractor Supply Co. and a number of business authors.

I Heart Radio is a new website that my sister. Melinda, told me about. (She has always been ahead of me when it comes to cool stuff.) You type in a favorite song or singer or group, and it creates a personal radio station for you based on your choice. First I put in Toto (remember them from the late ’70s or early ’80s?) and now I can listen to “Toto Radio” – it really surprised me how many groups from that time sang with very tight harmonies (like Little River Band, or even the Eagles.) Then I put in Casting Crowns, and got to hear new songs by old favorites and old songs by new singers. Then I had them make Steve Wariner Radio for me – he is my Absolute Favorite Male Voice of All Time. (Yes, he is Country – so what??)

There are other things I listen to, but this post is just getting too long. Besides, I probably disgusted half of you by admitting that I listen to Country music, and annoyed the other half by saying I like to listen to my pastor’s sermons!

If you are still here after all that annoyance, will you tell me what you like to listen to?

Where Are The People?

This summer I have been contemplating the fact that there are thousands of people passing through Three Rivers each year. Most of them come through during the summer, either on their way to or from Sequoia National Park. They come to see the big trees (sequoia gigantea), bears, and vast views of mountains. They come to escape the heat. They come for camping, river rafting, and to see deer and wildflowers.

in the lobby of the Buckeye Tree Lodge in Three Rivers

I know they come; I see their cars!

The big question is WHERE ARE THEY? We don’t have many restaurants, not too many stores, and very few galleries. Where are these People Who Visit Three Rivers hanging out??

They aren’t hanging out in Three Rivers during the day, but they are hanging out in the evening at the motels.

One of my favorite motels in the Buckeye Tree Lodge. It is the closest one to the Park entrance, owned, operated and staffed by friendly people, many of whom I am fortunate enough to have as friends.

I want these People Who Visit to take home an original oil painting as a permanent reminder of their trip to Sequoia, to have something of value rather than an unnecessary plastic item stamped “Sequoia National Park” or “Mineral King” or “Kings Canyon”.

Now, the lobby of the Buckeye Tree Lodge has original oil paintings and cards for sale. Gotta take it to The People Who Visit, because they don’t know where to find me.

Time will tell if this is a good move or if I am just storing art in a motel lobby. This business of art sure is a blurry route at times.

 

Mineral King Paintings and 3 Reasons Why They Are Selling Well

Mineral King is the second most popular subject that I paint. Oranges are first, pomegranates are third. Thanks for asking – does me good to know you care.

 

Farewell Gap oil painting by Jana Botkin
Farewell Gap, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $50, available at the Silver City Resort
alpenglow on vandever oil painting by jana Botkin
Sunset on Vandever, 6×6″ oil on wrapped canvas, $50, available at the Silver City Resort (should have titled it “Alpenglow”)
oil painting of Sawtooth Peak by Jana Botkin
Sawtooth #8, 6×6 oil on wrapped canvas, $50, available at the Silver City Resort
oil painting of the Oak Grove Bridge by Jana Botkin
Oak Grove Bridge VIII, 6×6″, oil on wrapped canvas, $50, available at the Silver City Resort (This is my favorite bridge, but you already knew that.)

Many of the artists I know have taken to creating small paintings in this crummy economy. Since Tulare County’s economy is usually crummy anyway, I was already doing that. It is very seldom that I am on the cutting edge of anything, so this has just been a real thrill, I tell you, a real thrill.

Stop yawning.

I’ve been really working hard on these little jewels this summer, because the Silver City Resort is doing a great job of selling them. They’re selling well for 3 reasons (just my opinion):

1. $50 is dirt cheap for an original oil painting (especially if you are from a big city)

2. People on vacation in the area would like a real souvenir of their trip that isn’t an unnecessary plastic item stamped with Mineral King.

3. (Ahem). They are sort of good. Not as tight with the detail as many of my other paintings, but whaddya expect for $50, hmmmm?

Just try to be polite, ‘kay? And might want to duck, in case there is a lightning strike for excessive braggadocio.

 

P.S. These might have sold – I haven’t checked since delivering them to Silver City a few weeks ago. BUT, do not lose heart – I can repaint anything for you. Just ask!

 

How I Write a Blog Post

Usually I begin a blog post with a relevant photo. There must be a reason it seems relevant, so I ponder why you might want to see it.

pencil drawing of Wilsonia cabin by jana Botkin
Attention to detail not only makes better blog posts, it makes for good pencil drawings. This is one of the cabins of Wilsonia from my upcoming book “The Cabins of Wilsonia”.

The thoughts begin flowing, and boy of boy, I LOVE to type because the words can keep up with my thoughts. I type fast, I make mistakes, but they are easily corrected. (Got fired from a typing job once – still smarts.)

After the thoughts are recorded, I reread them for flow and understanding. If anything makes me hesitate or wonder what I meant, or if it could mean two things, then it gets changed.

Next, I remove unnecessary words, such as beginning a sentence with “So”, which is a current speaking trend that I hope to avoid. (Has anyone else noticed this?) I also remove sentences after asking myself, “Does anyone care?” (if the answer is NO!)

Sometimes I think about SEO. That means Search Engine Optimization, which means using certain words in certain ways so that Mr. Google can find me (for certain).

Then I check for typographical and grammatical errors. Typos make me twitch. They jump out of other people’s blogs, out of menus, library books, the newspaper, signs, and anything with the written word. Websites with typos do not look trustworthy . . . nosirree, if that company can’t even make their website correct, then they won’t care about my order.

Finally, I do all the technical stuff like putting in key words and tags (geeky stuff), filling in the SEO all-in-one-pack (more geeky stuff)  checking categories, and finally, I schedule the post.

Now that you know my routine, you can join me in wondering “Does anyone care about this blog post?” 

 

How You Can Comment on This Blog

This post is instructional for you, my fine quiet readers, who may want to comment on the blog but don’t know how. It’s really easy. And, all blog entries by a California artist should show some art, or a photo of California, doncha think?? Here is one for you before I get into the instructions.

blue wildflower, now known to be Chicory
This is chicory. I know this now thanks to my friend Rebecca (and verified by Mr. Google, who knows almost everything).

If you would like to comment on my blog (and I’d love to hear from you!), it is really really easy. Really! Click on “No Responses Yet” or “Three Responses So Far” or whatever it says in blue at the bottom of this post. You will get a box that you can type in.  Say whatever is on your mind about the post or respond to another commenter.

If you have no email and it asks for one, use mine. (Really!) It is cabinart at cabinart dot net. (I wrote it out that way because smart internet people say not to put it in one’s blog using the normal method.)

The first time you comment, I will get an email allowing me to approve or delete it. I can also fix the typos, which I ALWAYS do. (the Typo Psycho – that’s me!)

Don’t put in personal messages to me about when you are going on vacation and leaving your house empty for all the bad guys on the internet to see. If I think you revealed too much in a comment, I will delete the personal stuff because I am looking out for you.

P.S. It isn’t hard to learn new things. I just learned that the earphones from an iPod work with my MacBook and now I can listen to tunes or podcasts without using the speakers!

Honesty is the Best Policy

Honesty is very important to me.

I told you about the animal paintings and the Silver City Store. I was excited to learn that 3 of the 4 animal paintings sold immediately.

The help in the store changes from day to day and doesn’t always know what is available and what has sold. It is dark in the store when the generator isn’t running. It is hard to see in the dark. (You may call me “Captain Obvious”.)

Last week I was dismayed/shocked/disappointed/heartsunk (is that a word?) to learn that only the first marmot painting sold.

So, let me show you what is still (sigh) available because that is good news for you! They are not on the website because if they sell in the store and I don’t know it and then they sell online and I go up the hill to retrieve them and they aren’t there and then I won’t have the internet to tell the online customer that there will be a delay because the item is “backordered”, then the customer will be disappointed.

Not disappointing customers is very important to me also.

Marmot II, oil on wrapped canvas, 4×4″, $30

 

oil painting of black bear
Black Bear, oil on wrapped canvas, 4×4″, $30
oil painting of buck
Mule Deer Buck, oil on wrapped canvas, 4×4″, $30
Black Bear II, oil on wrapped canvas, 4×4″, $30
Golden Mantle Squirrel II, oil on wrapped canvas, 4×4″, $30
oil painting of squirrel
Golden Mantle Squirrel, oil on wrapped canvas, 4×4″, $30

 

 

As a customer, what are the most important qualities to you in a business?

Online Companies I Use and Like

Notice I didn’t say I love these companies. (We’re supposed to love people and use things.) In spite of holding back emotionally, these are businesses I would be in a world of hurt without, and I cheerfully pass on the links to you, my readers and friends!

Farewell Gap, oil on wrapped canvas, 8×10″, $90
It is difficult to order from online companies when contemplating this scene in the Land of No Electricity or Internet, more commonly known as Mineral King.

Dick Blick is where I get my art supplies. (I beg you, why would any parent name their child Richard when the last name is Blick??) This company is fantastic in their inventory offerings, deals and customer service. Fantastic, I say!

Vistaprint is my new best friend. They are sooo very generous, so very tempting with all their offers of freebies. I’ve been having a blast designing products to sell and to give as promotional items.

I was despondent when Kodak announced their departure. I have tried to be brave. They have promised to send all my 90-something albums to Shutterfly. The albums have not arrived, but the tempting offers from Shutterfly have. Being a weak and gullible Regional Artist From Quaintsville, I succumbed.

(Trumpet fanfare. . .) There is a new book coming to my studio, primarily to be used for showing my work to potential customers. I have creatively and uniquely titled the book “The Drawings of Jana Botkin”. It should appear here:

Click here to view this photo book on another website. Shutterfly, to be precise. (It will cause you to leave my blog, but you can come back.) Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

 Alrighty then. It didn’t work out exactly as I had hoped. . . As I was saying, I am beginning to really like Shutterfly.  I hope they like me back.

Who are your favorite online companies? Let’s share the like (trying to stay consistent here)!

 

Three More Things Artists Don’t Explain

It is now over 6 years since I have been oil painting. These types of questions continue to haunt me. Perhaps if I left Quaintsville and visited some galleries in cities, I’d learn the answers. Or, perhaps I’d get tossed out of those galleries for flipping over their paintings to discover the answers.

 

 

 

The Oak Grove Bridge, 6x6", oil on wrapped canvas, $50

 

1. How to sign a painting.

Try to imagine writing your name legibly and artistically with a wet paintbrush. How about using a paintbrush that leaves blobs of paint or big sudden drips? Or one that runs out of paint in the middle of a letter? This is why my paintings are signed with first initial and last name only. This is why my signature looks like my 5th grade printing. HOW do the big boys and girls get such flowing beautiful signatures???

 

2. How to put hanging hardware on the back of a painting.

Some artist don’t bother. Some use screw-eyes and wire. Screw-eyes are considered tacky, and they scratch the wall. Sawtooth hangers are also considered tacky, and most galleries forbid them. No one actually explains what the best thing is to use or talks about having to wire the backs of their canvases before painting them.

 

3. How to secure painted canvases in a frame.

There are various pieces of hardware for this, but you have to be some sort of a sleuth to discover them. And each works on different types of frames, or don’t work. I know a great artist who just bangs nails into his canvases and frames (on the backsides, of course.) His paintings sell for more than my car is worth.

 Have you ever flipped a painting over in a gallery to discover its secrets? 

Are Competitions Worth It?

Some artists enter competitions on a regular basis. If you read their resumes, you see the awards they have won. If you are a gallery owner, this might matter to you.

 

If you are Joe Bag-of-Doughnuts (or Bag-of-Bagels or Box-of-Oranges or Sack-of-Tacos – don’t mean to discriminate here) who says, “I don’t know much about art but I know what I like”, then a list like that probably doesn’t mean much.

Jane Box-of-Oranges and Joe Six-pack tend to be my best customers. These are regular people living here in Quaintsville, Tulare County, who just like art they can relate to. The galleries around here are usually non-profit, and not patronized by folks who are aware of or impressed by art competitions.

As a business owner whose product is art, I have to carefully consider the costs of these types of events. If there is a competition that fits my style of work and the $$ aren’t upside down (entry fees, shipping, driving compared to winning and selling), it seems like a reasonable risk to take. The Celebrate Agriculture With The Arts annual show/competition/sale in Madera has been good to me in the past.

It is both juried (“Shall we let this painting in?”) and judged (“Give that one a First Place!”). The arrangement is not by medium but by subject matter. They have categories that I find fabulous for creative entries. It has been 4 years since I last entered, and maybe some day I’ll tell you about the last time. Meanwhile, you can see 4 paintings in progress for Celebrate Agriculture With The Arts, or as I, Jana Box-of-Oranges call it, “the ag art show”.

Do art competitions influence you to buy art from the winners?

Across The Fruited Plain

Is the Central Valley of California technically “the fruited plain”? Not exactly sure. It has been called “the land of fruit and nuts”. Take that anyway you would like. As the California artist daughter of a farmer, I take it in a literal sense.

 

The business of art requires thought and planning. If a place with a changing clientele sells a particular subject on a consistent basis, it is common sense to paint more of the same.

Here is a peek into the painting workshop. It’s kinda fruity in there.

The smalls are for Colors in Three Rivers. I’ll tell you about the larger painting of the persimmon tomorrow.

Do you think it is weird to paint the same stuff over and over again?