On Being Vulnerable

I was talking with my mom yesterday about how I need to blog more. I am reluctant. Is there only so much of myself that I can put out there or should I be an open book?
As a painter, I put my images on Facebook, often times before they are done, for everyone I know to see. Then I immediately regret it. Then I get feedback, which is usually helpful. I make adjustments, and re-post. Then I regret it. No matter what the response it, I want to take it down. Sometimes I do.
The most recent painting I posted was a self portrait. This kind of painting (for me) is probably the most difficult thing to do. Not only is it tricky to really "see" myself and make a painting that has a remote likeness and personality and aliveness, but it could possibly be the essence of vulnerability. I have the urge to share it with the world and a nagging inner voice to hide it away forever. I suppose it's how I generally feel in the world. Notice me! Stop looking at me!
Turns out I care way too much what everyone thinks. Who knew?!
Blogging is just another avenue of being vulnerable. I will try to keep it up, you know, to push my "comfort zone", or whatever.

It's taking everything in me to not delete all of this.
Anywho, this:

Summer Art Market provides a relaxed environment where you can purchase original art from emerging to professional local artists. With art from classic to contemporary in a range of media, you're sure to find something you love.
Come visit me in Booth 118 to see new paintings and some great bargains as well.

New Paintings

Ever since my "art wife" Kirsten Savage and I have decided to kick it up a notch with our art, things have actually been getting accomplished. Starting with our amazing workshop with Jeremy Lipking in California, I decided it was time to become a real artist and stop messing around once and for all. I know, famous last words that I think I may have uttered ten years ago. This time I am serious. So, for my accomplishments for far, I have finally been juried in as an Oil Painters of America member, submitted to three shows including the Summer Art Market, and have started painting in a classroom setting again. Oh yeah and I signed up for a Career Counseling for Artists class. Not to mention I have actually been painting! So here are some of the newbies to my collection. I also have a few unfinished portraits haunting my studio at the moment. I will be working on said portraits today, and post shortly.

Posting in my blog is like writing in my journal. I am always amazed at how long ago my last entry was. As always, there is a lot to catch up on and I don't know where to start. I suppose I should begin with when I stopped painting and started crafting. I always thought crafting was for the talentless and unemployed. Turns out, I was half wrong. It takes tons of talent to make crafts look arty and not like a blob of shit. And, while I am technically unemployed I am definitely busy making sure my two year old boy doesn't kill the cat, wander into traffic or swallow magnets. I am also working on our family business (www.SecretCompassCollectibles.com) and organizing our Bed and Breakfast/Wedding venue (www.OhanaValley.com). phew, I am exhausted just writing that.
So during kiddo's nap time, I have discovered how much crafting is really possible.
I started with decorating and painting desks. My first desk was a cute little secretary desk with a writer's theme. I gave this desk away to a friend and forgot to get pictures of it. Typical.

My second project was bath products. Bath bombs shaped like cupcakes and sugar scrubs. I made some money at it at a fair and then sort of lost my passion for it. Unless someone makes an order on Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelsArt) hint hint.

My third adventure has been refurbishing lighting into awesome chandeliers. These turned out to be way more tedious than I first anticipated. However, the transformation is really cool. I like them. The hardest part seems to be taking a decent picture of them. So once I do, I will edit this and add it in. This is the draft/beginning stages of the one I am finished with now. I will post a finished pic soon.
This was the first draft

Final Product:

So all this crafting has inspired me to paint again, somewhat. My newest painting is this "Showgirl" and can now be purchased at Etsy HERE. This is all for now my friends. Take care and write soon.

Vintage Wallpaper = Obsession

I found some vintage wallpaper and have been obsessed. I am making paintings on them, wrapping outlets with them and pasting them on everything I can find. Here are my newest creations. I am going to start an Etsy shop with the outlet covers. Stay tuned for that announcement. Until then, I will be getting my fingers sticky with glue.

A Bird in Two Hands
I'm Horny.

Where's my Peeps?

I will be participating in the Summer Art Market in Denver this weekend! Come by and visit me in BOOTH #3.

Below is a special sneak preview of some of the work I will have at the show:

Spring

In anticipation of spring, I painted this little number. I believe I already have a buyer for the original, but I will be making prints if you are interested in having a bit o spring in your home. Stay tuned as I will be painting more of these spring themed gems!