As a self-employed artist, I must puzzle out many dilemmas and questions that come my way, out here forging along in the big wide world. Here is a random sampling: 1. Why did a customer not pay me for selling a boatload of paintings for 5 years in spite of numerous attempts to collect and […]
A Question Artists Don’t Like
The question that most artists don’t like is this: Will you donate a piece of artwork to My Good Cause? And then it is followed by something like “You can write it off on your taxes” or “It will bring great exposure”. The answers to the follow-ups are “Only the cost of the materials” and […]
Mineral King Paintings in Progress
Every year summer happens. This is not a surprise. Summer means lots of time in Mineral King. It means paintings of Mineral King get sold at the Silver City Store. This is not a surprise either. Every year I am just certain that this will be The Year I Paint Ahead. This year I actually […]
Invitation to Visit Wilsonia Blog
Did you know that I have another blog? “Cabin on a Sunlit Meadow” – sold Yeppers. It is called The Cabins of Wilsonia. For almost three years I’ve been working on a book of pencil drawings of the cabin community Wilsonia at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park. The process is documented here. If […]
How to be a Professional Artist in Tulare County
Love the place Be flexible Never quit Easy sounding? Here are the details: 1. Love the place – take a camera everywhere, always be on the lookout for a different angle, another landmark, better light, something never noticed before. Take what feels like endless photos of Sequoia trees, Mineral King, oranges, poppies. Learn as […]
Wrapping Up the Studio Tour Wrap Up
On Monday I told you about the number of visitors who came to my studio during the Studio Tour. What I didn’t tell you was that they came in groups, such as nine people at a time, and they came steadily without ceasing until the next to last hour of each day. My studio is […]
No Longer At Loose Ends
Now that the drawings for The Cabins of Wilsonia are finished and the book is in its first review session, I’ve been sort of wandering aimlessly. Organize a little, paint a little, work on the blog a little, procrastinate a little, wonder what to do. Suddenly I have a big list: Finish painting the outbuildings Begin […]
A California Artist Interviews Herself
It’s been awhile since the California artist has had a conversation with herself. I’m sure you have some of the same questions that she does. How about if the interviewer is in black, and the California artist replies in her favorite color, which is teal. Hey California Artist, what are you doing now that your drawings […]
Commissioned Oil Paintings With Far Away Customers
Commissions are an important component of earning a living with art. Some artists love them, some do them while figuratively holding their noses, and some artists flat out refuse. I fall somewhere between the first 2 types of artists, because it depends on both the idea and the customer. While I worked with Lisa on […]
Sierra Wonders, a Book For You
Sierra Wonders is a beautiful book of art, photos, essays and poetry about the southern Sierra Nevada. It was compiled and published by the Arts Alliance of Three Rivers, and edited by my friend Karen Kimball. It is full of work by people I know, and it is truly beautiful! Nadi Spencer’s art is on […]