Rejoice in the Day II

I spent the morning on this latest work. It is a painstaking process that requires a lot of concentration. Painting is my favorite part, though I like cutting the mat and framing.

Work in Progress

Rejoice in the Day is a small image, just three by five inches.

Work in Progress

I spent a good amount of time in the studio today. I worked on the quote from the Qua'ran about loaves of bread and hyacinths. Probably five hours were spent on it. Sometimes I can be a harsh critic. I just did not like the finished product. There are three weeks left to complete seven works. There is a tendency to rush and the results are disappointing. I found out today that three of my works were purchased at the gallery where I sell my work. This is great news. I can't help but be grateful for sales in this economy. I am selling more work now than I've ever sold in the past.
I am reading "Van Gogh Blues" by Eric Maisel. The book focuses on healing depression, something I have struggled with for years. The book talks about finding meaning in ones life as a way to heal from depression. I am not sure that I agree with everything in the book, but it makes sense. My work is devoted to lifting people's spirits. I find meaning in making people smile. But most of the time I don't feel better, even when I hear that someone purchased my work. When I got my check from the gallery today I was really happy. But when I realized that I would have to complete many new works for sale I got depressed. My happiness was short-lived. There is a passage from the Bible sitting on my desk. It is about being thankful. This is God's will for us in Jesus. This is difficult. Finding the good in every situation is not easy. I sometimes take things too seriously. I can see the downside of selling more work than I have ever sold in the past. God tells us to be thankful. Be grateful for the things that are occurring in my life

Slow & Steady

My old dog got sick two days ago and had to be taken to the vet. She was okay, just an inflammation, for which the vet prescribed meds. Needless to say, between vet trips and various errands, nothing got done. The Goethe quote is waiting for me. I want to do something other than usual but I have a deadline. I have twenty-four days to finish seven works. I think the reason I am dissatisfied with recent work is the timetable thing. I have to finish pieces too quickly and quality suffers. Recently I did several graphite and watercolor works and they sold almost immediately. I was surprised, I really wasn't expecting them to sell, I just needed to take some works into the shop where my works are displayed.
Tomorrow is another day. It is time to ruminate on the next piece and get some rest.

Complete

The finished work. The clarity on the scanned image needs work. This is not quite up to par. This drawing is not as good as I'd like, I may continue to work on another version. What I hoped to accomplish I did. I wanted to post work and it worked.

Let us be Thankful

This is a work just finished today. I just have to frame it. I find quotes everywhere and this one spoke to me. There is a lot to say for being grateful, and this one says it better than most. I have a problem at times with seeing the silver lining and this reminds me there is a lot to be grateful for.

No Title

This is my first attempt to add visual elements. This was an old drawing done two years or so ago. I tried to insert a newer work but could not find the image. I started to post a work last night, but when I blew the image up everything disappeared. There is a lot that I have never done before so some patience is required. My work is somewhat simple and speaks for itself. I am not a great draftsman so visual elements are kept at a minimum. I try to make my work of archival quality, but this is a work in progress. I worked in a frame shop for a little while and learned the basics. I use Arches W/C paper, Winsor and Newton paints and a Rapidograph pen. Schooling was a local art school for six months and a local college in which I earned a two year degree. This may be boring for some, I hope not, there is just an inclination to document what has become a very pleasant pastime. Most of my work is sold at a local shop that specializes in artwork of various kinds. Some are craftsman and some are artists.