The Joy of Original Art

Welcome to a world filled with the Joy of Original Art. Before I elaborate, gentle reader, I want to welcome newcomers to this post and blog. Alrighty?

Transitions

Welcome! Each year, I select a theme for my weekly paintings. This year’s theme is Transitions. I am expanding on last year’s theme. 2021’s theme was “Small Spaces Special Places“. Since we were all spending a lot of time in or close to home last year, it made sense to me to keep paintings small and simple.

Why Transitions? So many reasons. Here are one or two. I plan to transition to larger paintings this year. In fact, the first painting I posted this year was huge (for me.) It measures 8×24″…wowza. Here’s the painting and post for that week. Second, I am focusing on transitions within my painting process, too. This includes transitions from light to dark. Something I love to think about as I compose a painting. I also love to think about the negative space around an object. An example of this is the painting I shared two weeks ago called “Blowing in the Wind.”

So there you have it! The scoop on transitions as the theme for 2022.

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Why Joy of Original Art

Have you ever seen those tags on clothing that suggest there are imperfections in the material? The thinking is that these imperfections suggest uniqueness and a ‘one of a kind’ feeling to the outfit.

Or maybe you have purchased an old handmade piece of pottery? If you look closely, there are times when you can see finger prints at the edge of the glaze where the potter dipped the vessel into to the glaze. I just love seeing that!

In paintings, you may see the actual canvas where the paint is applied ever so thinly. I love seeing these imperfections! They suggest that a human being made each of these items. And, this is one of the many joys of seeing and owning original art work.

How to Acquire Original Art

You may feel as if original art is beyond your budget and so, not a fit for your home. Or, you may feel, like I have, that going into an art gallery might be a bit intimidating or pressure-filled or even filled with snooty people.

May I offer a thought here? There are so many ways to buy original art. I actually made my foray into buying original art by visiting an art festival many years ago. People were friendly and laid back. And, I found a beautiful, framed etching of evergreen trees in moonlight. I can practically smell the evergreens when I look at that image. Yes there it is: a real life experience of the joy of original art. That etching does still bring me joy 40 years after I bought it.

So consider visiting an art festival in your area this year. Even if the pandemic variants loom, an outdoor festival is a sure fire way to see some wonderful work by artists and crafts people.

Other Original Art Resource Ideas

Of course, you can be brave and decide to visit nearby galleries. Or consider visiting your community arts council. These venues offer friendly opportunities for artists to show work for a reasonable price.

In fact, that’s where I will be showing my work for six weeks starting in May. To be exact, from May 16 through June 30. The Stokes County Arts Council (SCAC) is truly a beacon in the middle of North Carolina. Why? Well, first, it’s a good hour or so drive from all the larger metropolitan areas of North Carolina. Located at 502 Main Street in Danbury, NC, it is a hub of creativity where there might not otherwise be! And, SCAC is truly a community resource for arts education, music, and more for children and adults.

Oh and did I mention the coffee and ice cream and amazing gift store at SCAC? Oooh la la! The coffee is delish and the ice cream choices are luscious.

So, if you decide to travel the 2 hours or so west from Raleigh to visit SCAC for the opening on Friday, May 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, you will have some delicious and sweet visuals and victuals to enjoy.

How Can Artists Help

You might be wondering if artists think about ways to help people get comfortable with the idea of buying original art? You bet! One way artists help encourage people to purchase is with price.

I am excited to share that I will be offering many wonderful color sketches, matted and framed, at reasonable prices for the upcoming show at SCAC in May. Many original paintings will be for sale for $100 or less. It would warm my heart to think a new collector saw one of my paintings, and decided to bring it home.

Sneak Peak

Here’s a sneak peak of an oil color sketch of a landscape from imagination I did this year. It’s small, just two inches by 8 inches. But it’s mighty! And, if you look closely at it, you will see the brush strokes and the surface upon which it’s painted. You can be sure it will look it’s best, all dressed up in a mat and frame and ready for purchase.

If you get the chance, please share the information about this show with your family and friends. Especially share if they have never purchased artwork before, I promise they will be delighted at the original artwork for sale.

How about you? Do you have an original art work story to share? If so, please share in the comments below. Thank you as always for reading here today!