It only took 5 years...

I picked this painting to hang in my first office at White Plume when I started (it will be 5 years ago this January). Just this weekend I FINALLY framed it! It may be my favorite painting so I should have done this a long time ago. Besides that fact, I basically look at it for hours every day!

I have to say, Hobby Lobby remains my old faithful. I went for a frame and they special ordered one for me. The frames tend to get busted around in the store. I learned a valuable lesson after I started to paint. Always buy a canvas in a standard frame size if you ever intend on framing it. I was able to find a ready-made open-backed frame for $20 when a custom frame would have been $90.

Onto a different subject. I was at my fav place to go when bumming around on a Saturday night, Barnes & Noble (to buy a nonfat caramel latte and to wander when I found a Jack Vettriano book on the sale rack. It includes all his favorite paintings and is a mini biography. It was very interesting to say the least...(and more scandalous than I imagined).

I've always been drawn to his style paintings. His were the first I tried to imitate (like this one framed). Little did I know HE learned by imitating other impressionists as well. So there is hope. I am trying my hardest to find my own style and subject matter. Last night I got rather frustrated. Do not worry, Seth. I will fix it.... but I did something to the Alabama painting that I do not like. It is on the bottom two corners...I was trying to make it shadowed. The last time I had such a 'disaster' I ended up with the end result of the painting above. I almost gave up because the sky was frustrating to me and I thought I "messed up." This just goes to show sometimes the best mistakes can be for a reason. So yes, I am telling myself that once again!

The website - sneak peak

So, I have the website up and running. Check back often for updates.

http://shelleyscollection.showitsite.com/

#3 on my list - check

(I am struggling with some of the gallery photos I've taken of my artwork over the years. I don't have the artwork anymore and the pictures aren't all that great!)

2010 Goals

MAYBE my longest to date...so brace yourself...

I mentioned in my previous post I have goals for next year. This year, once again, I attended the Bluff Park Art Show (and once again with Carrie by my side). We talked, did some thinking, and I came to a realization. I really CAN do this. I WILL do this. I like to think once I put my mind to something, I complete it (this is what I tell myself regarding my MBA decision lately...but that is another story). So with the decision to exhibit at a show came some other necessary puzzle pieces. Without further ado here is the list, to my friends, and the blog world. No turning back!

2010 Goals

1. Exhibit at the 2010 Bluff Park Art Show
Is there anyone in Birmingham with an extra 10x10 booth available the first Saturday of October 2010? :) I believe I know how I will hang most the paintings and I believe I will frame a good many. I need to determine pricing and a few other details. I hope to complete at least 15 paintings. Please mark your calendars and come see me....first Saturday in October. If there are football games on the tv, I will have a radio for you to come listen. You can't beat October weather.

2. Determine my niche
I tend to be all over the place in what I paint. I need your help deciding what to paint for sale. I will be placing a poll on the blog. PLEASE give me your opinions. The hardest part of a painting to me is determining where to begin!

3. Create a (non-blog, grown-up) website
I actually have gotten underway with this project (my love of computers also helps this goal). What about my blog? Isn't that a website, Shelley? This will be more professional and a page intended to print on business cards and one you can send people to find current and past artwork. But don't worry. There is a link on the page to the blog.

4. Purchase business cards
This will naturally follow after the completion of the website. I have high standards on what I want to do with these. I am looking on Etsy and other places for ideas. Do you know of anywhere? Please advise.

and last but not least...
5. Attend Double Decker Weekend in Oxford
Mom and Dad talk about this each year and they are certain I must exhibit. For those of you wondering where this is...it is in Oxford (MS) of course. I do not feel like I can exhibit until I have attended (you know, to scope out the scene).

I think that is a long but achievable list. I am hard at work on it already. Nothing like getting a jumpstart on 2010.

Intimidation!

Never have I been more intimidated in my LIFE about finishing a painting as I have been with this stadium. I've procrastinated painting players/spectators on the sidelines until last night. And then when I got down to it, wasn't sure what colors to paint the uniforms and had to seek advice from an avid fan. Here is a taste of the people that are appearing...

Happy 2 Years, Blog

I started thinking this past weekend about my blog and how many times I've mentioned the Bluff Park Art Show (which I will mention in its own post later). Then I looked. My first blog post was October 10, 2007. WOW. Has it been two years? Really? I am sure we all feel time has flown by but at the same time it feels like the two years have been a century long. I think of what I've done (and where I've been) over the past two years and I am amazed.

In honor of shelley's collection's 2 year blog anniversary I have done some research. Have fun with the results:

First post: October 10, 2007 - almost exactly 2 YEARS
Total posts: 88
Total comments: 44
Total paintings blogged: 13
Kids paintings: 3 (Caedmon, Eleanor, and Katelyn...which only touches on how many friend spawns I've gained over the past 2 years)
Trips mentioned: Seattle, DC, Skiing, Minneapolis
Projects tackled: map-making, calligraphy, poulty wire jewlry holders, chair recovering, rehearsal dinner ribbon bouquets, and HARDWOOD FLOORS

I have some goals for this next year. Pretty ambitious but it is about time I do something. More to follow!

last stop...

I promise. The posts will get more exciting soon. :) This guy will be done this weekend!