 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
August 10, 2009
Well, it's been a while since I last checked in. That's because
any of you reading this blog have gotten more information by
reading my Facebook postings. Except for those of you out
there who aren't part of my Facebook world.
I have been blogging on the various sites to try to gain
exposure for my art.
I've gotten a decent response regarding my newsletter,
considering. That is good, because it gives me the pressure
of actually doing it. I have a lot of it done, all except the part
which requires actual thinking.
Since I last checked in I have participated in one other Art
Market. It was a bust. Just no traffic. But I had fun, and
that's what matters. They put me on the blog for the Artist's
Market, which is pretty cool. Unlike the article written about
me in the local weekly rag, they actually chose paintings I
like. I have two more shows, both in October (well, at least
one show - perhaps the other one too). We now have fun at
the shows, since I am no longer focused on selling (though I
have sold some recently, but not at high prices) and am
focused on having a good time instead.
Enough for now. I have to go work.
Peace,
cjh.
July 14, 2009
I did have some limited success at the July 4th event,
including a potential commission for three large pieces. The
main goal was to familiarize ourselves with setting up and
breaking down the display, as well as securing it on top of the
truck. Most importantly, it was fun talking to people and
taking in the scene.
Here's a pic of the display, which is much better than anything
we have had in the past:
The paintings were a little crooked from the wind. I also got
some interesting pictures from our ride out after the event.
This looks like a structure that was used as both a dwelling
and a place to sell wares.
Someone suggested to me that this little structure was used
to keep vegetables from rotting. It appears to have been
built into the mountain and is too small to be a dwelling.
Cool cabin.
An interesting way to advertise.
All in all, it was a good time. I would haved liked to have
sold more than 5 paintings, but 5 is more than none, right?
Speaking of thinking positively, I finally listened to a CD
recommended to me by a few people: Abraham Hicks. Very
enlightening stuff. It has a mix of The Secret, psychology,
universal consciousness streams, etc. all rolled into one. I
need to listen to it about a hundred times. I sit around
whining that I don't have the right exposure to my art, when
success is out there for me if I really want it. Same with my
career (or lack thereof) and in my relationship. I need to
change my way of thinking. I have a habit of putting "Yea,
but..." at the end of every positive sentence I hear.
Enough for now. I need to wrap this up and get some work
done.
Peace,
celeste
June 30, 2009
Well, I didn't win the World Art Critic's Artist of the Month
contest. I am so happy, though, about all of my friends who
took the time to vote for me. I am not bummed. The person
who won really deserved it, and she wasn't really nominated
that much. Guess they weren't looking for a popularity
contest. LOL!
I am starting a newsletter. Sign up is at the bottom of the
art site home page. Please sign up so I have people to send
it to! I have a few responses so far. I know, you are
thinking, the last thing I need is another email or freaking
newsletter. But this will be different, I promise. Well, I think
so.
Delores and I just got finished watching the entire t.v. series
of Twin Peaks (it only ran for two seasons and was 29
episodes.) I hadn't seen it since 1998, so most of it was
totally new to me. The ending was really unexpected. It
haunted me the whole next day. Now we need to watch the
movie. While the first season's focus was on who killed Laura
Palmer, the second season was altogether different. David
Lynch is awesome. The movie is actually about the last week
of Laura's life. One thing about the show is that it had a lot
of action and there was great character development. If you
still have a VCR, let me know and I will lend out the series to
you. My DVDs are too priceless. Or maybe I can talk a friend
(yes, I am talking to you, RH :)) into copying them for me. I
am a big fan, and own lots of Twin Peaks memorabilia -
mostly from the movie. Movie release posters from around
the world (Italy, France, Asia, Germany) and the entire set of
Wrapped in Plastic magazine (that dissects the series and the
movie, as well as talks about other projects the actors from
the series are involved in.) It's actually an intelligently
written magazine. There are about 70 issues. And of course I
own every book written about the series. Viva la Ebay! O.k.,
I will stop blathering now.
I got together with two of my artist friends this week. Very
successful artists. Oh, what the hell, I will give them a plug:
Adija Wolf and Lou Majors. What free spirits they are! It is
fascinating to listen to them and their experiences. As you
can see, Lou is not lacking in the confidence area. Addi (as
she is known) paints beautiful work and also makes Sacred
Space Angels which are awesome and incorporate items sent
to her from women all over the country. We traded for one.
It is awesome. She also gave me a giclee print of my favorite
painting. I wish she still had a copy of it on the site.
Hope you are having a great week!
Peace,
celeste
June 14, 2009
I went to Jonas' performance painting yesterday. He was
really in his groove. Here's some pics (click on the thumbnail
for a larger image):
Me and my hero. :) His painting wall.
Creating another masterpiece. End result.
During. End result.
A painting in five minutes. End result.
It was fun, as always, and inspiring. I still have to complete
another original work for him to see by June 20th. He
introduced me to some people yesterday as "a wonderful
artist." That tickled me. He always pays special attention to
me, which feels great. He knows how much his art - and him
as well, with his generosity and support - has affected me.
Having a great weekend and hope you are too,
celeste
June 13, 2009
Going to watch Jonas paint again today. I have been blessed
by the number of live paintings he has been doing. I think he
has been doing it to pick up business; even though he is
doing well, every artist can use help in this recession.
No big deal, but I am thrilled: I was named Artist of the
Week on Global Art Collectors.com. I just wish that I had
posted more paintings to my profile. There are only three. I
submitted more today for approval; hopefully they will get
posted before the week is over. I hope people will vote on
them.
I hope you have a great weekend,
celeste
June 6, 2009
I bought a new domain, cjhabstracts.com. This will be much
better, so that potential customers don't have access to my
personal information via the celestejheery.com/cjhabstracts
URL. Delores, who is a pro at designing web sites, is
designing the new one for me. I ordered business cards
already, but could kick myself, because I forgot to use the
new logo. The launch will take place by July 4th, as I will be
participating as an exhibitor at an event at the Rumbling Bald
Resort. I will take my paintings which are priced to move,
nothing over $100. The more expensive paintings I will leave
at their various venues. I didn't sell any there last year, but a
lot of them were on wood and frankly inferior to the work I
have done since then. It's free to participate and a lot going
on there, so why not. Last year Delores sold several of her
designed bird houses. They were a big hit.
Jonas started a new partnership with a gallery downtown and
they had a reception last night. I hated to miss it, but I was
spent from the workout and putting in a full day of work
starting at 5:30 a.m. The great thing is that now he will have
his own gallery plus the majority of the gallery at the
Asheville Area Arts Council downtown. More exposure for my
hero!
Well, ta ta for now. I hope you have a great weekend.
Peace,
celeste
May 31, 2009
I went to Jonas' performance painting yesterday. Here's a pic:
It was great, as usual. I was able to get a refill of magenta
(a popular color for me to use) even though his supplies are
running short. He has also agreed to refill my jars when I
bring them in. He gave me an assignment: two new
paintings by June 20th. I haven't painted since April 9, so it
is a bit daunting. I will start warming up on some do overs.
The only new canvases I have left are a small one and two
very large ones that he bought me. A little intimidating. But
it's for Jonas, so I will do it. He treats me like the father I
never had, and he always makes me feel special. He always
says something to me during the performance painting.
Yesterday he didn't notice I was there at first and during an
interlude, he said "How long have you been here?" He was
busy beforehand and didn't see me there. He made a
comment about it twice and asked me if I wanted to tell my
story. This time I said no and he left it alone.
We are planning to go to the Y today. I need to work harder
as I wasn't even sore last time.
We also need to have our weekly "church time" listening to a
message from New Hope. We have tried out a couple of
churches and they just don't hold up to New Hope. We
attended that church every Sunday back in Lorton, VA. We
really miss it. And they have a new facility that is amazing. I
started going to New Hope in January 2006 because I needed
to let go of some serious resentment from a past relationship.
One of my friends, Cynthia, has such a strong faith (she
never preaches, though) that I wanted what she had. So I
asked about her church. Through God, I was able to let go of
the resentment within a month, and I had been carrying it
around for a couple of years! God is so powerful.
That's all for today. Have a great Sunday.
Peace,
celeste
May 30, 2009
Painting in the studio. Actually, I was doing "paintovers" -
painting white or black over canvases that I didn't like the
result. I have a lot of those. :) Since I can't get any new
canvases right now, it's great to have these. I am preparing
for a July 4th event at a resort. We went last year, and
Delores sold almost all of her bird houses. I didn't do well,
but my quality of work is better and my prices will be set to
sell.
I am going to see Jonas paint today, so I am really looking
forward to that. I hope to get some painting in today.
Hope you have a great weekend,
celeste
May 29, 2009
As you can see, I now have a logo. Delores designed it. She
is also designing a new web site for me, and I am very
excited about it. I need a more professional-looking site.
Today is my first solo workout at the YMCA. I hope I
remember how to adjust the settings on the various
equipment! I am really looking forward to it.
Happy Friday,
celeste
May 23, 2009
Went on a hike today at the Blue Ridge Mountains - the
Craggy Pinnacle Trail. It was fun and the views were great,
as usual. Click here to see all of the pictures.
Hope you are enjoying your long weekend.
Peace,
celeste
May 20, 2009
I went to a workshop today that was designed to identify
potential careers. Some of the results were just plain weird,
like TV Producer and Cosmetologist. One result was
interesting - being an Arbitrator. Before I entered into the
Public Administration graduate program I had considered
applying for the graduate program in Conflict Analysis and
Resolution. I was afraid, especially with a liberal arts
undergrad degree, that I would pigeon hole myself. If I had
to do it all over again, I would probably do the
Conflict...program and move to wherever a job was available.
Well, maybe. Doesn't matter now. I'd have to find a similar
program in the South or go to law school, neither of which I
have the financial resources to do. The workshop was an
interesting exercise, though.
I got added to the Asheville Now web site as well as Global
Art Collectors.com. Never hurts to take advantage of an
opportunity.
I think Twitter is lame. I also joined SodaHead. I did a poll
on Jackson Pollock and got some interesting answers
(question: Was he an integral part of the Abstract
Expressionist movement or a fraud?). Most believed the
former.
I haven't painted since April 9th - what's up with that?
celeste
May 6, 2009
It's been a while since I last checked in. Since my last check
in, there have been visits to family, a little bit (but not much)
painting, and a seemingly endless parade of chores and
errands for someone who doesn't work.
I hung 8 paintings at a new restaurant called Razcal's
yesterday. Hey, they aren't making money sitting at home.
The owner wants to have a "House of Blues"-type feel. One
of my Facebook buddies hung some there as well. Mine are
upstairs which wouldn't be my preference, but that was what
was available to me. I haven't had the "urge" to paint lately.
I know I will get it back.
Enough for now.
Peace,
celeste
