Monday Monday...A day in the Studio

Monday is not so bad any more, now that I work from home. I enjoy going to work. I must, because lately I have been working pretty much 7 days a week. I may not work 8 to 5, but I do work every day for at least 8 hours, and I enjoy it. Some days are longer, some days are shorter. Some of that work is on the computer, some of it in the studio. Of course, being a stay at home Artist, the money is not as good as teaching, but I do save on gas, clothes, and stress.  And most days my work 'uniform' is pretty much a t-shirt and jeans or my comfy knit pants.  Most days are pretty relaxed, which is the way I like to work. I do have a tendency to be easily distracted, which can be a problem when you have a lot going on. I am trying to work on that!
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Mondays are for planning my work for the week and looking over the results of last weeks work.

1. Did I get my goals for last week accomplished? What am I wasting time doing? What is working and what is not working. I'm constantly trying to re-evaluate what I should be doing with my art.

2. What do I need to do this week? What needs to be worked on first?  I set priorities for jobs that need to be done before moving on to the next order.  I also have several projects going on at the same time. I can work on one project while another is drying, etc.

3. List some new marketing ideas to implement. I'm always trying to find new ways to get my work out in the public.  I can't sell my work to the same people, over and over. So I have to look into the future and keep up with the latest.

4. Research new marketing ideas. New technology means new opportunities to try.  I've been on Instagram for a couple of years now, but really haven't used it for marketing much. I've been trying to use it more regularly by posting picture of my work in progress, in the studio.  Now I need to figure out how to get those pictures seen by more people. Getting followers, for me, seems a little bit too pushy, but I do need to learn to sell myself better.

If you are on Instagram, you can follow me here:
Beth Macre on Instagram 

If you are on Pinterest, you can follow me here: 
Beth Macre on Pinterest

If you want to follow on Facebook, my Art page is here:
Beth Macre on Facebook

And of course, I am on Etsy. You can see that here:
Beth Macre on Etsy 

How is that for promoting myself? Well, it really is hard for me to put myself out there like this. In real life, I am not an extrovert.  I wouldn't call myself 'SHY'...anymore, (I'll leave that explanation for another day), but I am not outgoing. But I do enjoy interacting with people, especially other artists, craftsmen, and bloggers.

5. Write, or plan, a blog post. I have been trying to be more active on my blog by posting more often. I tend to go in spurts. When I am in the middle of a bigger project, I hate to take too much time away from it. But I know it is important to post regularly. So I am working on that too. (My list of improvements!) I am also trying to make my posts more informative, rather than be just about myself and my art. Maybe it will be easier, since I really do not like to talk about myself anyway! My goal is to blog 2 to 3 times a week. It may take me awhile to get into that habit, but it is a goal.

6. Work on creating for at least 3-4 hours, hopefully more.  After I spend half my day, going through my list (above), then I try to work on one of my projects, sometimes more, for at least 3 or 4 hours. Sometimes more.

So, I will end it with that and a picture of a small colored pencil drawing that I created this weekend. The little bird drawing above, is a a small colored pencil piece that will be traded with another artist.  I really hate to let go of this one because I love the colors so much! I may just have to do another one for myself...when I have time.

Until next time...

Beth♥

Bloom Where You're Planted

Getting ready for the Art Fair in October is keeping me very busy. I want to have both clay items and acrylic paintings to sell. I also have custom work to complete, so between all of those things, I am happily staying busy! October will be here too quickly.

This painting is an example of some of the work that I will be taking to the Art Fair, unless it sells before then! This painting idea came easy to me. After painting it, it seemed to need some words and "Bloom Where You're Planted" just seemed to fit.  After moving recently, it also hit home for me. Moving to another town is a big adjustment! So I must make sure that I put down some roots and bloom! 

Bloom 

Where 

You’re 

Planted! ♥

Beth♥

Wordless Wednesday

Beth♥

The Hard Truths about Being an Artist

First I want to say that I love doing what I'm doing! But I also want people, and future artists, to understand what the reality of being an Artist is. What we go through while pursuing our dream. Some of this applies to me and some of it applies to other artists on their own journey.  But most of this, is my own opinion. If you are an artist and would like to add to my list, please feel free to leave a message! I love to hear from you!

Things to think about when thinking about buying handmade original art/craft.

10 Truths about being an artist:  
    (20 would probably be more truthful)
1. Artists create art because it's their means of expression, but often it is their livelihood.
   1b. If an artist works at home, it is still a job.
2. It takes a lifetime of experimenting and exploring. We never stop learning and changing.
3. Many artist undersell themselves just to get a sale.
4. Artists have bills to pay...hence the reason for #3.
   4b. ...waiting for a sale to get paid...no regular paycheck.
5. Creating artwork involves purchasing supplies.
   5b. Selling artwork involves even more expenses.
6. Many artists work late nights (after their day jobs to pay the bills and buy supplies).
   6b. Most artwork takes many hours to create...it is not just slapping some paint on a canvas.
7. 99% (my guest-imate) of artists are not independently wealthy.
8. Artists must pay taxes, license fees, etc. for doing business.
9. Artists do not have factories in China or India to churn out thousands of reproductions...well some do and you can buy their art at discount stores, usually cheaply made...not original.
10. Custom artwork should be paid what it is worth...the artist's time, expense, and expertise.
     10b. Would you bargain with your plumber, electrician, carpenter? Don't ask for a life-size mural on a mini budget!


Joys of being an artist:
1. Creating unique, one of kind art that people enjoy!
2. Working when inspiration hits (if you are lucky not to have to work another job...or two)!
3. The enjoyment of experimenting and exploring!
4. Buying new art supplies! (it really feels like Christmas to get new supplies!)
5. Freedom of expression through art!
6. Having artsy fartsy friends that understand you!
7. Making a sale!
8. Getting paid for that sale!
9. Making enough to pay your expenses and bills!
10. Being your own boss!


If you can relate, then you must be an artist, craftsmen, or other creative individual trying to make your dreams come true.  My advice to you is to keep going! It may take time. I taught high school art for 29 years before I could even dream about quitting my day job! But I still need to work and I enjoy working. I work 7 days a week, sometimes 8-12 hours, but I can take breaks to play with my Sophie or run to the art supply store, if I need to!

If you are still reading...
...please think about buying from an artist this year. Go to galleries and art festivals and find ones that you like and enjoy. They make great gifts too!

Thank you to those of you who already support handmade craftsmen/craftswomen!!!

 Beth♥

William S. Paley Collection at Crystal Bridges

In a post from a few days ago (found here), I talked about my visit to Crystal Bridges. I took some photos of the amazing grounds and architecture. I love taking photos there because they look different each time I go. Different light, different seasons, and different art displays.

In this post, I would like to show some photos of the some art that was on display in a special exhibition(the show ended July , the William S. Paley Collection.  Some of my favorite works shown in this show. I took several, but I seem to have been drawn to the Picasso paintings and the other cubism style paintings. Many people do not understand cubism. I used to be one of those, until I taught my high school students about cubism and made several cubist style examples. I think it is more about the design and the composition, which is a challenge.  Creating cubism art is not a simple as it looks, which makes these paintings by Picasso so interesting to me.  Although my art is not so abstract, I do like to incorporate some cubist elements into some of my art.

I look forward to sharing more, in the future, about more trips to Crystal Bridges.

Here is a link to my trip when the Norman Rockwell exhibit was there. Although no photos of the traveling exhibit was allowed, I did get some photos of some of the permanent exhibit.

Beth♥

Wordless Wednesday

Beth♥

Trip to Crystal Bridges

Now that I am in Northwest Arkansas, I am within a 20 minute drive of the new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. Before moving here, I had visited the museum twice before.  But since moving here 3 months ago, I had not been there. Thursday I finally took the afternoon to go for a visit.  I met up with some hometown classmates to have lunch there, so that was the perfect time to take in the current exhibit.

I love the scenery around the museum as much as I enjoy seeing the exhibits. Here are a few of the scenes from my walk around the museum.

From the Silver Tree outside the museum to the gold heart hanging over the restaurant in the museum.


I did take some photos of the art on exhibit, but I will leave that for another post. It was a beautiful day for a stroll through the exhibit and the grounds.

For more information on this destination, click on here:
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Edit: For more photos of the actual exhibit click here:
William S. Paley Collection at Crystal Bridges

Beth♥