Monday, July 23, 2012

Do you like one flavor or want a variety to choose from?

When it comes to ice cream, I usually stick to chocolate or variations of chocolate and vanilla.  But Rocky Road is a good mix of both of those plus a few nuts in the mix for a change.

As an artist, I create things that I enjoy creating.  Because I was a high school art teacher for 29 years, I have taught a variety of techniques and media to my students.  So now I find myself wanting to work with several different media and styles.  I have always enjoyed drawing with pencils, ink, and colored pencils.   I also enjoy painting with acrylics and oils.  But I also enjoy working with clay, creating small whimsical houses, like I have often posted about here.

I really enjoy working with a variety of media.  I have been able to sell these things in all of these different media. I get requests from customers in all of them.  For now, it makes me happy to be able to create using this variety. This variety keeps me busy.  My dilemma is whether too much variety is confusing to customers.   I like a little realism and a little whimsy.  If I limit myself to one style or media, I think I limit my sales and risk getting a little bored doing the same thing all the time!

So my question to fellow artists and to potential customers...Is a Variety of Art Media and Styles too confusing?  Does this affect my 'art style'?   If you have any input, please share.  I am curious what other artists think and if anyone else struggles with the same thing.

Beth

Monday, July 16, 2012

Happy 16th of July!

Well, I was going to post on the 4th of July, but that didn't happen! I've been a little preoccupied lately...in a good way!  After my vacation to Florida, I had to get busy on some private commissions. (I haven't even blogged about my trip!)  I've got a couple of large commissions to complete, so I've been busy working on those.  Hopefully by the end of August I can post more information about them.  Here is a quick small watercolor painting that I did while on my vacation on the beach.  It was a gift for our host for the week.  So, this painting was for Dottie.

Other than the commissions, I've been doing some rearranging in my studio and have even expanded to a bedroom.   I really could use one of those professional designer/organizers to come in and redesign my space!  That would be so good.  It's difficult to try to stay organized when you are so busy and some things just do not have a good place to be stored.  I am trying to get rid of things that I do not use anymore, which creates another pile in another room, where it waits to be donated.  I've been busy pinning studio ideas on Pinterest, so maybe eventually I will get the studio organized.    Maybe I should take photos of the before...in case there is an after!

Summer is going by quickly, but this year its okay! I look forward to NOT going back to school and having that time to create instead of sitting in hours and hours of in service that is not related to what I teach! So my retirement will not sink in until time for teachers to go back to school.


Beth

My Kiln

My Little Kiln She is small but mighty. She gets the job done.  The size of my kiln does limit what I can create, but I get a lot of use o...