Oklahoma Friendly National Juried Show

Silver City Marshal, oil on canvas

I just got notified that I have work accepted into the National Juried Show, "Oklahoma Friendly 2011". Of the 782 paintings entered, only 20% were selected for the show. I entered 3 pieces and I don't know which painting(s) was accepted. I'll find out soon.

This year's show will be on display at IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan in Oklahoma City. The opening party and celebration will include great Oklahoma music (Buffalofitz), and Oklahoma food (Big Truck Tacos), as well as outstanding National art

The show dates are March 18-April 9, 2011 with an opening reception on March 18th.

More info to follow as it becomes available.

Tick Tock

Bladder Bag, Work In Progress, detail

I've just sarted the 5th painting that I need to have finished by the end of the month. The good news is that I should have one of the 5 today!

Indian Market - Santa Fe

Since 1901, oil on linen, 30 x 40

Gallery 822 on Canyon Road will be having their Annual Indian market show this weekend. You are invited to attend the Artist's Reception on Aug 2o, 5-8pm. Artists will be in attendeance with new art work. I hope to see you there!

Bosque Art Classic

Cowboy and Indians, oil on canvas, 18 x 24

I have been so busy painting! I'm hoping I can get a few hours at the easel this morning before I have to pack my paintings for the Bosque Art Classic in Clifton, TX. I entered 4 paintings in the show and had all four accepted.

Frustrations in painting and Greeley Stampede Art

High Noon, 24 x 18, oil on canvas, at Greeley Stampede Western Art Show

The past week has been frustrating for me. If I don't get a full day of painting in I get cranky!

First, we've had to have work on the truck. Since a round trip into town is about 2 1/2 hours it took a big chunk out of the day when we had to drop off the truck. And since we drove all that way, we took advantage of the trip and did grocery shopping. The next day we showed up when the truck was suppose to be finished. Of course, it wasn't so we had to wait an additional hour.

Then the next evening, June 9th, I was going through my folder of upcoming shows and found a copy of the invitation to the Greeley Stampede Western Art Show. I had accepted their invitation in December but hadn't heard any more from them. I thought the opening was July 4th weekend. But on a closer look I found that the show started on June 24th and ended July 4th. PANIC!!! Emails were sent, phone calls were made. They hadn't received my acceptance letter! To make a long story short, I spent Thursday, boxing up 5 paintings (fortunately, I had set these paintings aside for the show) made arrangements for the FEDEX to meet me the next day(they don't come to my house) the paintings got shipped and hurray! the paintings arrived by the June 15th deadline!

Whew! I'm sequestered in my studio this week hoping to get some work done. And to top it off, I'm working on 4 (!) complicated paintings so I don't get the satisfaction of finishing a painting anytime soon. Ah, well. It sure beats having a "real" job!

Do you really Need a website?

Quilled Moccasins, 12 x 9, oil on canvas

I've read all sorts of articles about 'How to sell on the internet', 'Bring customers to you Blog'. Does it work? Not much.

I find my websites are most useful to show my artwork to my galleries.  And the buyers that are already familiar with my paintings  stop by and look but still, almost all of them buy from my galleries. I don't think I'm going to Be Discovered through my sites and become rich and famous.

So, is a website / blog worth the trouble. You bet! This is what happened to me this weekend: I was participating at a gallery show and a buyer came up to me and said "I really liked that painting you did of the Moccasins but it sold before I could buy it. Do you think you'll be doing another one?"I happened to have another painting of moccasins on my website so the buyer and I went into the gallery office, pulled up my website and voilà! I sold the painting. And as long as we were on my site, I showed them another painting I thought they might like. Sold! 

Because my website was up to date I was able to sell 2 paintings then and there. I've had that happen more than a few times. And of course, this is counted as a gallery sell and the gallery gets their commission.

I'd love to hear any success stories you've had with your paintings and your website.

Gallery 822 - Show opening

Sings with the Eagle, oil on linen, 20 x 30

Hope to see you at The Gallery at 822 Canyon Road, Santa Fe this Friday May 07, 2010, 5-8 pm. I'll be there with the other gallery artists. Lots of New work