I’m drawn to this piece because it’s a curious hybrid of spatial elements within a decorative motif. Your works generally speaking have a wonderful use of expressive color and undulating movement, and this piece is no exception. But the elimination of the horizon line pushes it further from a traditional landscapes orientation, and into purely organic figuration. There’s a robust, assertive arrangement to the roses- nothing delicate or equivocal. The more I look at the piece I’m thinking it possesses a hedonistic attribute- a wealth of luxuriant open blooms, set off in bold complementary hues. The extreme contrast of value is also unusual for the subject. The deep pockets of blue-black and violet set off the red shadows as hot, glowing halos of light. I enjoy several of your more abstract landscapes for their intensified space and color. Unlike landscapes that are reminiscent of a particular time and space, your works are radiant environments unto themselves.

Kristen T. Woodward

Curator of Artists2Artists

I had my reception for my art show last Friday night.  I have to say that I've never been treated with more kindness and respect as I was from Alta Phoenix Lofts Gallery in Phoenix, AZ.  All I had to do was hang my work, show up and stay for the reception.  The fact that they needed to emphasize the point of staying the entire three hours led me to believe that some of the artists that they had given receptions for, didn't.  Who wouldn't want to be there? 

They served wine all night long and never ran out.  The food was simple and very good and they brought in a DJ who in his own right was extremely talented and played a great variety of music at the perfect sound level that made it so easy to talk and listen to all the many people that showed up for the party.  (I wish I had his name so I could mention him here.  He was fabulous.)  It didn't cost me a dime.  They paid for everything.  It really doesn't get any better than this.

I learned or I should say I was reinvited to learn something essential about myself.  I love people.  I have no problem coming up to anyone, extending my hand, greeting them and having a conversation.  But what I do know about myself is that I am horrrible at selling my own work.  I just can not close a sale.  I've read all the books and blogs and everything out there about the art of selling and I worked it.  I greeted them.  I listened to their questions and led the conversation back to what they saw or felt about the painting they were interested in.  Then I gave them a very short answer on what my motivations or message was always working their vision into my words.  I didn't talk to long about anything.  I listened and gave space in the conversation.  I incorporated their vision to help them see it in their home or on their company wall.  I offered the work to them to buy.  I'm sure I'm leaving something out, but on Friday night I was present and did my very best to incorporate what I had learned about selling art work with each person I had the opportunity to interact with.  

I could say that my work is not sellable, but from the conversations with those that came and listening to others talking amonst themselves that the work was enjoyed and created a lot of interest.  I believe that if someone else had been there to work the room who had the gift of a sales person that I could have sold at least three paintings that night. 

We all have a different strengths.  If this had been a show for another artist who's work I enjoyed I could have sold their work all night long.  And I have done that so I know it to be true.  I am a disaster when it comes to selling my own art. 

I do find this an important aspect of knowing what kind of artist you are.  There's no point in beating yourself up because you aren't great in every aspect of marketing.  To deligate is the answer to this situation.  Find your strengths and put all your energy into that area then find someone else who has the abilities you lack to work their magic. 

I know now that I must get out there and find a gallery to represent me.  In the last 24 months I have lost all my galleries to the economy except the one in China.  I can only hope that I will be better at selling my work to a gallery director then to the public.  It's not that I don't love what I do or think my art is not worth buying.  It's the simple realization that I'm not the one to sell it. 

I wouldn't say that I'm a slow learner, but it may be time for me to check myself.

My routine in the morning is to grab my coffee, turn on my computer and check my emails.  I scan the list, read personal emails first, read whatever comes from FASO and start picking through the rest.  I immediately delete the 'buy something' emails and what is left is a lot of self-help, how to... emails. 

I could spend the entire day listening to videos or reading blogs on how to become my best self and get rich.  Who doesn't want this?  Be honest, we all want to be rich.  I wouldn't need all the self-help info if the rich part came first.  Money is not the enemy and it does do a lot to eliminate the stress we are trying to get rid of which makes us buy the self-help info. 

So here's what I've learned, meditate, think good thoughts, make a bucket list, get organized, get rid of all your personal baggage, love yourself, network, or write a book on how you overcame all your road blocks, sell it and get rich.

I don't mean to trivialize.  Oh the heck with it, of course I do.  Obviously, I need to WORK on that.  I read that I can actually change my own DNA.  That one really caught my attention, but it cost $995.00 for the complete set of DVD's and workbooks.  I'm waiting for the package that teaches me how to exchange my DNA so I can get the DNA of a very famous artist.  Then I wouldn't have to do all this other work.  Meanwhile, I'm going to do my very best and work the rest of it out on my canvas. 

I'll let you know when my book comes out.

I'm always studying, reading art books, looking at art work and listening to webinars.  I give the computer part of my art business at least 20% of my precious time.  I do have my computer in another room away from my easel, but they say it's important to get up and take breaks.  That gives me a good excuse to pop in and check my emails, etc. during my painting time.

Today I listened to a webcast done by Jason Horejs, owner of Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ.  It was about writing an artist's statement.  Very informative.  Adam Eisenstat was the guest and he is a professional writer of artist's statements among other things.  This is a subject that has been weighing on me for quite a while.  It's very difficult for me to talk about my art, where the inspiration comes from and what drives me to paint. 

What it did for me today was to get me back to my website writing descriptions for each of my paintings.  This has also been a block for me.  I'm always afraid that whoever reads it will get the wrong idea of who I am.  But today I said, who cares.  This is me and my work.  I put my fears and insecurities aside and just started talking. 

First of all, how arrogant of me to think I'm so important that anyone would care to judge me.  I'm always hearing that ego is a bad thing, but last week I listened to someone talking about ego and what they said rang true for me.  They said that ego is the truth of what you believe is possible.  I can live with that.  We all have aspirations and dreams of where we want to be at a point in the future.

Well, the future is slapping me right in the face.  I'm turning 60 this year and I have to say it's a big one.  If I'm not going to get outside of my fears now then just when is a good time?  I don't want to be turning 70 and thinking the same thing.  So I better get going right now before now is over.

Getting in touch with mortality definitely has it's different colors.  Letting go of fear should be one of them.  Letting people know you the way you want them to is probably out there with NEVER.  All I can do is be my real self and let it all hang out.

So if you find yourself browsing through my website, be kind.  It may sound as if I'm off my rocker, but my feet are firmly planted on the ground.  Now my artistic feet do tend to lift off and fly often when I'm painting.  That is the beauty of art.  Allowing the not so normal to surface and play.

Tonight I watched the Kennedy Center Honor Opray, Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, Jerry Herman and Bill T. Jones. 

I'm always inspired by greatness and the house was rocking with it.  Paul McCartney's and Merle Haggard's music was so well preformed.  It was impossible to sit still and not sing along.  The creative brilliance of Bill T. Jones' dance productions and Jerry Herman's repertoire of incredible broadway plays left me in awe.  But when Jennifer Hudson stood and sang I wanted to run to my easel with the music filling the space and cover the canvas with my emotions.

And this came to mind:

We can't always be famous, but we can all be great.

We can't all stand in the spotlight but we can all be becons of light.

We aren't all going to be known for our individual creativity, but our creativity could, collectively, save the world.

There should never be a moment of envy.  We are all perfect right where we are today.  To aspire greatness should always be the goal.  These five incredible people who have touched our lives will stand for us, the creative soul.