Artwork in Homes

I love seeing my artwork in the homes of clients. I especially love to hear that they still appreciate my artwork years down the road when I bump into them at different events.  Art can be moving, uplifting and soothing.  Clients who have my paintings in their homes or workplace, have told me that they dream into the paintings when they are feeling stressed out.  Here are a couple of my paintings in their homes:

Painting: Rose of Sharon II, 6" x 6"

I take a daily break from painting by scouring the yard to see what flowers are in bloom, what needs watering or pruning, and what subject I can paint next.  I painted this flower from life using one of the last Rose of Sharon flowers of the season.  I wish I didn't wait so long, because I would like to paint another one using a different set-up.  This painting is framed and will be for sale at an upcoming group exhibit on Long Island.

Here are some work in progress photos:

Displaying Art in Model Homes

 

Artists need to be as flexible as possible regarding opportunities to sell artwork.  My husband and I recently jumped on the opportunity to hang artwork in a model condominium that is for sale in our town.  The furnishings are included in the price of the model home, and hopefully, the future owners will decide to purchase some of our artwork that was hand picked for the space.

  Since the condominiums are on the Connecticut shoreline, they are being advertised as great weekend escapes for people living in nearby cities, like New York and Boston.  With the potential client in mind, we chose artwork with either a beachy or outdoorsy feel.

For interested art buyers, we left a framed a price list on display as well as greeting cards with our artwork and websites listed on them.  The future "Open Houses" will also be a great way for us to meet potential art buyers.  A girls night out is also planned for the condominium in which I will be able to talk about our artwork.  Let's see what happens.

Painting: "Last Blush" Oil on Linen, 10" x 8"

Every year I look forward to watching the daffodils spring forth in my front yard.  These daffodils were left by the previous owner who passed away, but her flowers come back to life every year.  I'll have to wait for next year to paint them again since these were some of the last to flower.  Now I'm looking forward to painting the lilac that is almost fully blossomed and teeming with flowers this year.  This painting will be on display at the Old Lyme Country Club, CT this summer.

I found a more pleasing composition by slightly changing the flower arrangement in my painting.  The middle flower was raised in the painting in order to create a more dynamic triangular shape. I also changed the relative dimensions to make sure that the painting fit properly on my canvas.   For purchase information, click here.

Painting: "Bright as Sunlight", Oil, 22" x 19"

I've always enjoyed gazing at flower paintings.  They immortalize the flowers that will inevititably wilt and die. 

I began this painting from life.  I eventually had to step away and revisit the painting with fresh eyes in order to make the final touches.  For purchase information, click here.

Book Recommendation: "The Art Spirit" by Robert Henri

Now that I'm teaching art, I have been on the lookout for good material to use in class.  This book has many wonderful quotes and teaching lessons that I will pass on to my students.  Robert Henri (1865-1929) was an artist and inspired teacher at the Art Students League of NY.  The book is a compilation of his theories and beliefs about the art of making art.

Here's an excerpt that I find meaningful for students who don't want to put in the hard work necessary to acquire the tools necessary to express themselves properly through their art :

"I have heard it very often said that an artist does not need intelligence, that his is the province of the soul.  All very lovely, but heads painted by such artists are very flat and a great medium of expression is lost to them.  They recognize and make much of the measures across their flat surfaces, but miss all the wonder of depth... If the man has the soul of an artist, he needs a mastery of all the means of expression so that he may command them, for with his soul in activity he has much to say."

"Breakfast with Fellini II", Oil, 6" x 6"

                               

This oil painting depicts an espresso cup with the image of Federico Fellini, the great Italian director, painted on the front.   I paired the biscotti with the cup, keeping with the Italian theme.  The painting includes the 3" pewter frame.