Year in Review - 2010

I feel like lots has been accomplished this year, but that I also have so much undone stuff from this list that embarrassment is heading my way. So here you have it, my year in review!

Art-Related

I set out to create:

5 new 7 x 6" paintings

20 new 16 x 13" paintings

20 new 18 x 14" paintings

15 new 24 x 20" paintings

This is difficult to review, because of the fluctuations in my sizes, which I can never seem to get under control. I will put it like this:

small paintings - 26

medium paintings - 11

large paintings - 5

extra large - 1

So that brings me to a total of 43 paintings in 2010. The only problem with that figure is that it only accounts for paintings that got to stick around to see the light of day, it doesn't take into account for the...ahem, not-so-great paintings. My goal was 60 works and I think I may have hit 50-55 if I had counted the scrapped pieces. So not bad. I suppose I will give myself a pat on the back for that number.

Business-Related

Send out a large (researched) mailing of brochure/cover letter packets

Major fail here.

Send out 3 larger packets each season

Fail here as well. I think I sent out packets to a grand total of 4 galleries. I can and will do better than that. Which brings me up to the next point which is...

Receive representation at one gallery

As mentioned above, I only sent out 4 packets, which to no one's surprise, brought me no galleries.

Update mailing list quarterly

Check!

Schedule 2 solo shows for 2010

Yes, I am counting this item as a major success. At the beginning of the year, I had the exhibit at the Federal Building and the fall show at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley (which, due to the fact that I displayed 44 paintings - my largest show ever, will be counted for this category, even though it wasn't a solo exhibit)

Have 30 brochures printed quarterly

I had one printing of my brochure done, and have recently run out. There will be a new brochure coming soon!

Have 100 business cards printed

Check!

Update website at least once a week with new paintings and current events

Check!

Update blog at least once a week

This one isn't 100%, but I would give myself a solid B

Enter at least 3 juried shows within the year

Check. Fingers crossed for New American Paintings....I would need all the luck in the world for that to ever happen! I can't believe I even entered.

Improve upon my record-keeping system for inventory

Fail. This is definitely going at the top of my list for 2011, no doubt about it.

So there you have it, my 2010. Soon I will post my 2011 goals and a new painting(s) post, so check back soon. Happy New Year!

New Painting!

December 4th. oil and acrylic on canvas.

December 4th was completed after our 2nd snow of the year, I've been late to post it. It's been so unbelievably cold lately. I honestly don't know how people live in colder climates than mine! All I've wanted is to stay home and drink coffee all day long. So I've just been settling for espresso (and chocolate) in the evening. My husband makes the best:

I'm still developing small 8 1/2 x 10" paintings as I look ahead to the April exhibit at Slingluff Gallery. Seems to be slow but steady production, as I am still working full-time, and Christmas being around the corner and all. Which I am still not ready for - although yesterday was spent baking way too many Christmas cookies! I'm really looking forward to the new year, because January 1st will be my official start date for the new, 1/2 time day job! I daydream about it constantly, all the possibilities that two whole additional days will provide for painting - only a few weeks away...

Grantwriting Workshop/Gallery of Gifts Reception tomorrow!

November 1st. 9 x 12" oil and acrylic on canvas.

(one of several paintings on display tomorrow)

Just an FYI for anyone interested, Arts Monongahela is hosting a free grantwriting workshop for state art grants on Wednesday, December 15th from 3:00-5:00 at the Jackson Kelly Gallery, 201 High Street, Morgantown, WV. Presenting the workshop is the WV Division of Culture and History and the WV Commission on the Arts. For more info or to pre-register, contact Debbit Haught, community arts coordinator for the arts section, at (304) 558-0240, ext. 714 or email at debbit.r.haught@wv.gov.

Also, speaking of Morgantown events, a reminder about tomorrow's Gallery of Gifts reception at the MAC - a great place to pick out gifts (I bought the best ornaments there last year!) and grab a snack, refreshments will be provided!

Shame...

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and all I have left is shame. Since my day job is at a college, I had last Thursday and Friday off from work, plus both Derek and I took a vacation day yesterday to make for an extra long weekend. I had the best of painting intentions! The days leading up to the vacation I had prepped several canvases. Despite my preparation, most days were spent eating the most beautiful brownies and Christmas m&ms, playing Sonic the Hedgehog on Derek's old nintendo, and cleaning/decorating the house (for Christmas). I did not touch a paintbrush or palette knife the entire time. Ouch. So now I am feeling fairly guilty and desperate to paint. Yesterday on the vacation day I did take down the display at Barnes and Noble and dropped off four works at the MAC in Morgantown for their Gallery of Gifts exhibition that runs from December 4th - 22nd. There will be a Holiday Reception for the show on December 4th from noon - 4:00pm with refreshments provided. So all was not lost, at least I got that taken care of, but I still have the lingering shame and unpainted canvases....

New Painting

November 13th - Prickett's Creek. oil and acrylic on canvas.

8 1/2 x 10"

This weekend, I prepared to say goodbye to gorgeous fall weather - I think we have had our indian summer, sad to say. (Unlike last weekend, where we received our first snow, as you can see from the painting below!) Went out to Prickett's Creek for the day, and above is my best. It's fairly different, but I was really into it all weekend and seeing it today, even in jpeg format, it still stands up for me. The weekend was just all-around good. I received a really kind email from someone who recently purchased a painting. Unexpected and totally made my weekend, so everything has been good. There is just nothing better than when someone really relates to your work and they make space for a piece of yours in their home. I was very lucky with the last show, over half of my 44 paintings from the exhibit found new homes! Amazing and I thank you all.

November 6th. 9 x 12" oil and acrylic on canvas.

Grumblings/Barnes and Noble

February 28th. oil and acrylic on canvas.

Currently at Barnes and Noble!

I'm already tired of Daylight saving time. Grumble grumble grumble....I don't like coming home from the day job, only for the sun to be setting. Nothing drains my energy faster than not getting an ounce of sunlight all day long and then coming home to darkness. (I'm very excited that my new desk at the new day job will be situated near a window - a window! I can't wait!) Not to mention, no possibility for painting outdoors in the evening.

I suppose I didn't write this post purely to whine about Daylight Saving. I wanted to mention that I have a small little exhibit up at Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Morgantown, WV. I had been looking for something small to do in between exhibitions, especially since the Sleeth Gallery show has been moved. This is perfect! So if you are in the mood for a book, cup of coffee or tea, and some art, it will be up until December 1st.

Etsy Renewals

November 1st. oil and acrylic on canvas. 15 x 13"

Just an fyi to let everyone know that all unsold works from the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley exhibit are now relisted on my Etsy website! I will also be listing a few more over the next few days. Have a look, you know you want to! http://www.etsy.com/shop/laurenadamsart