Information Overload

As an artist my main mission in life is to paint and to create. It is not to go overboard signing up for every art marketing newsletter, blog, book, Facebook friend, group, and Twitter feed etc...

I am in Linda Blondheim's Mentor-ship for this year.She is wonderful mentor and I am enjoying the comradeship  with the other painters. Linda is the "down home" on what works and what has not worked for her. She brings new  ideas for each particular artist's niche.

I have a serious Internet addiction when it comes to art marketing information on the web. At  one time that would have been a good trait. But now it tends to overload my time -- reading  to keep up with all that is out there. Its all great information... but my "painting for sale inventory"  has dwindled to only a few!

Being really overwhelmed with all the online advice to artists that supposedly will keep us from being in the "starving artist" category is my operating system these days. But what is the use if an artist doesn't have anything to market? Recently I was  wowed by an announcement of what my online Facebook friend Nancy Medina did at Artscape in Dallas this past weekend - she sold over 60 paintings! I am not the least bit jealous-- I am wowed!

But what I am jealous of,  is her perseverance and copious productivity. Linda Blondhiem is extremely productive as well. This is where I fall off the map-- I am or WAS a painter that waited for the mood to strike me... to begin painting. Unfortunately that has not been a great idea for me to make into a habit.
 It is especially complicated when I have the information obsession... because lets face it we can all spend 100% of the time messing around on the computer  on the Internet  in the name of research...:) and then call that time WORK.

 By the time I get done with that-- or any art business task...I am ready for a nap! NO Painting!

 Today I am dropping off this painting for an up coming  show at Florida Hospital Altamonte.

There is my water lily painting series to finish up and actually two other paintings that are 1/4 done -- then there is a gift  that I need to paint-- with a deadline no less. And all manner of general life's business invades my precious time to keep me from actually painting. So at this point I need to stop "reading about" and "start doing".

This is a picture of a little bird that comes and sings nonstop every spring in my front yard and this year was no exception. There is a nest inside a large bush that is located to the right of this smaller one that he takes turns sitting on when he has a mate -- no eggs yet! May be he needs to get productive and find a mate-- he is doing a lot of advertising and research but I don't see any products yet...

Paintings and Pickles!

I recently was involved in the ALOC - Artist's League of Orange County Annual Spring show which was held at the Casselberry Art House --to a packed house the night of the reception. The show is up till April 2, 2012-  Go check all the beautiful unique and affordable art on display. My painting "Storm" is there and it sold the night of the reception! I am deeply grateful for this importunity to get back into the art swing!~  I am so thankful for my patrons who showed up for the feast of the eyes and the palate that night. THANK YOU!

"Storm" also was picked  to be in the top 15% on the FASO BoldBrush Painting Competition Winners (February 2012)

http://faso.com/boldbrush/winners/75

Fast Favorite Garlic Dill Pickles
Often called kosher-style dill pickles, these are quick to make. Use either small whole cucumbers or cut larger ones into quarters. You can through these pickles together in the morning and eat them that night! I made them and let them set overnight in the Refrigerator.
2 Cucumbers sliced lengthwise or in chips.
2 cups of water
1/3 cup of white or apple cider vinegar-- I used the white
I slice of onion
6 whole cloves of garlic peeled
5 stalks of fresh dill
2 Tablespoons of salt--- I would use next time: 1 and 1/2 tablespoons --  I used sea salt
I quart container

In a small saucepan heat up: water, vinegar, salt and 1 clove of the garlic until it boils and the salt is dissolved.
While it is heating up, slice cucumbers and pop the garlic peels off Cut 1/4 inch of onion. In your container (I used a clean old Claussen pickle jar) arrange layers, cucumbers, dill, onion, and garlic. The order doesn't matter.
When the liquid comes to a boil, pour slowly into container. I set the container down in the sink and used a funnel so I didn't have to clean up a mess if I spilled it. Let it fill to the top and over flowing! Let the mixture stand for 2 minutes and then put the lid on. Shake it up well. and refrigerate for 4 hours. These are better the longer you let them sit.
*You can also add 1 tsp of mustard seeds and /or up to one tablespoon of sugar if you like a sweeter pickle and lesson the amount of the garlic

Tips From Epicurus
Garlic may turn blue or green in the jar. Nothing to be alarmed about, it is only the effect of the acid on the natural pigments in the garlic.
Extra! Tips from Epicurious:
• Pickling salt is free of the additives found in table salt, which can discolor homemade pickles. The popular brand Mrs. Wages is available online at www.canningpantry.com/pickling-salt.html. If you use regular table salt, the pickles will taste fine, but they may turn dark, with cloudy liquid. Do not substitute kosher salt, as the difference in texture can result in incorrect measurements.
• "The proportion of water to vinegar necessary to inhibit the growth of organisms produces a very sour pickle," says Topp. "While you can't change this proportion, you can safely add up to one tablespoon of sugar if you want to slightly sweeten the pickles."



"A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires."
Hedy Lamarr