Today I had to take my car to the mechanic for the fourth time.  He can't figure out how to get my AC working.  It's really, really hot in the South right now, and we have a good two months until it cools off, so it's a little stressful.  While I waited for the mechanic, I walked to a nearby coffee shop. 

I sat outside on the patio for as long as I could stand the heat, entertained by a group of older gentlemen sipping coffee and discussing current events, probably a regular appointment.  My dad has one of these groups, which he calls his "gaggle of geezers," at the coffee shop near his and my mom's home, too.   Anyway, I sat there and half-giggled to myself about that. 

I had brought my sketchbook (I usually do) and some oil pastels (think soft crayons), which I haven't used much yet, so I started drawing.  In a stressful situation, this is a great way to pass the time because I'm busy observing everything around me and imitating it on the paper, so the concentration is on the creation, not on the reason I'm waiting.  There are professional art therapists who use art making to help people every day because it can take them out of their worries and help reveal what they really need most.  What a wonderful profession that must be.

Although the resulting "creation" is neither my typical style nor all that impressive, it certainly was therapeutic, so I'll go ahead and share it anyway.  Thanks for reading.

The latest finished piece to grace my studio is now in my home page slide show.  I started it nearly two years ago, but as is my way, I took my time to get all its elements the way I wanted them.  Typically, there are three, four, sometimes five unfinished pieces at a time in my studio, and they don't get attention on the same days.  I may have to leave a piece alone for weeks or even months before my light bulb goes on and I'm able to work on it again.  In the case of "Butterfly in the Garden," even though its original vision came from a vivid dream, the bottom right corner was a mystery to me for months before I finally decided what to put there.

At the moment, I have three partially done paintings and one blank canvas with a planned design being worked on.  I just returned to one of my mermaid ("Undersea Adventures") paintings that I've been staring at for months because a tail just wasn't right.  Last night, after a grueling week and a very long Friday complete with broken car air conditioner in 90+ degree weather, I watched a few episodes of Discovery's Shark Week, and my light was on.  Now I'm back in the studio working on it and feeling as if my hands are suddenly untied. It's an incredibly liberating feeling, like coming up out of water to breathe air.

Since the butterfly painting is finished, I can now share some of the time progression it went through.  Thanks for reading.

I recently had a casual chat with a younger artist who had a problem with potential "clients" who said they wanted a painting but never followed through.  She may have actually gone through the trouble of creating something for them, and they were either unwilling to pay or just casually unconcerned about the whole affair.  For a hungry artist, this is a big deal.  We are all trying our hardest to get our work out there and make a living.

I shared with her something I did some time ago that has helped tremendously, and I have forgotten to put it on my website here (but will do so right after this posting).

What I created was a contract form, which gives the buyers a space to describe detailed needs and desires for a commissioned piece.  It helps clients figure out what they really want in design, subject matter, color scheme, size, and price point.  These are important considerations.  Instead of just saying, "Can you make me something really big with a New Orleans theme?" they can be sure what they're asking for is something they'll love to have in their home.

What it also does is let clients know that this is my business and I am serious about the painting requested, that I want to create the best match for their space as well as their budget.  (I price my art by size) The contract ensures that they get the painting they want on time, and in return, they stick to my payment schedule.

I think the form takes a lot of pressure off both parties because there is no obligation on either part until the contract is complete.  It leaves me free to paint other things and them free to spend their money on whatever they consider a priority.  But once everyone involved agrees to the deal, there should be a smooth, seamless transaction that makes everyone happy.   Of course, you can always buy "off the rack," as it were, from my gallery of already-painted paintings.

Although I'm not fond of other artists copying my artwork, I don't mind sharing this form with them.   Cheers!