The challenge of Painting in 2 styles

My posting here has been neglected due to the carpentry work we've had going one. I've been quite distracted. But everything is getting back to normal.

As you probably know, I paint in 2 styles: American Indians/western which I've been doing for many years and Contemporary Realism still lifes which I started doing seriously about 3-4 years ago.

I think it's great to paint in different styles/subject matters because it keeps everything fresh. I don't feel like I'm painting the same thing over and over again. My "problem" is that I don't want to show both styles at the same galleries and I'm a slow painter because of the detail I paint. The result is that I have twice as many galleries as I would have if I painted in one style and I spend twice as much time in the studio. Fortunately, I'd rather paint than anything else but it can be over whelming at times.

But I'm not complaining. Being an artist is a great life for me and I'm Blessed by being able to paint and have the galleries that I do.

New Family Members

It's been a crazy few months around our house. We've had a carpenter here installing solid hardwood flooring and wainscoting requiring me to move our furniture a dozen times (at least it seems that way). There are several other projects that need to be done but I can't stand the chaos so I'm saying goodbye to the carpenter until a later date.
Our new array of solar panels are up and providing us with electricity. That has been Hubby's project and I'll have more on that later.

On top of it all we had new baby chicks and ducks arrive via the USPS. They are 2 weeks old now and are providing hours of entertainment.

Yes, I've gotten some painting done but it doesn't seem like much. Hopefully I'll get back to my regular schedule soon!

Studio news

Currently my Studio is the spare bedroom in our home. I've been away from the easel for almost a month as a carpenter has been laying a hardwood floor (the real stuff not the thin snap together pieces)

I've got the studio back together enough so that I'm able to paint again. Yippee.

Here are some pics I took just before the final trim pieces were installed around the window and door.

Good News, Bad News

Shaman, 24 x 20, oil on canvas

The Bad News is that I have to box up 13 paintings to go to galleries and art shows. I'd rather be painting.
The Good News is that I have galleries and shows to send my work to. Woo Hoo!!!!

Remember to sign your work - or not

Red Feather, 20 x 30, oil on linen
I've been known to ship a painting to a gallery without a signature. Yep, I've done it more than once. Last week I shipped a painting. The next day, I got The Call. I had forgotten to sign it. I told the gallery "ship it back and I will sign it, or sell it and then ship it back for a signature". Well, they decided to sell it first, which they did yesterday. Hmmm, I wonder if I forget to sign all my paintings they will all sell that fast!

Setting a Limit

Summerfall, 36 x 30, oil on canvas


One of my galleries just sent an email asking for new paintings. I'm always happy to send out new work. In fact I don't keep many paintings on hand at the studio. What's the point of that? Nobody sees them here.

The problem with this gallery's request is that they don't want to send back the paintings that they have. Most of my paintings are on the large size: 24x30 - 30x40. I think 6 pieces make a good display. More than that can be over whelming. (I also do smaller paintings, 8 x 10, and don't always include those in my "count")

The other reason is for my own protection. I've had galleries go bankrupt. A friend of mine had work in a gallery that was destroyed by a natural gas explosion. Limiting the number of paintings protects me from huge losses. When a painting sells I replace it with a new one as quickly as I can.

Of course, there are some exceptions. In case of a show, or if a gallery has a long track record with me I'll send more work.

What are your thoughts on this?

Spring!

I try not to veer off the subject of art on my blogs but it's been a long hard winter and today I'm celebrating the first signs of spring!