Lessons from Hercules

By nature, I'm a shy person until I get to know someone. You may even be the same. As an entrepreneur, you can imagine how this is a huge obstacle for me; "What, talk to strangers?? What if I'm rejected?"

That fear can control your destiny. I took my husband up on his suggestion today, take our dog Hercules to Starbuck's. This exercise was just to help me overcome my shyness, extend myself to others, & embrace the possibilities.

Here is what my dog taught me today:

1. Every stranger is worth your genuine smile, even a paw "shake".
2. Nearly every smile is reciprocated.
3. Those that don't smile back still get a smile, it's a gift.
4. People can approach as strangers, & leave as new acquaintances, friends.
5. Those that extend gratitude themselves get "extra special attention", maybe even a hug.
6. Earnest gratitude breaks through any barrier.
7. Never underestimate the power of your earnest intention, & where it can lead.

Hercules was a gift to all he met, as I was and meeting others in return was also a gift. I made a handful of acquaintances today and even handed out my card!

Have a wonderful evening everyone,

Deborah

http://deborahpetersart.com

2010 Goals

Greetings Art Lovers & Friends!

September is nearly here, before you know it, it will be Halloween, with ghosts and goblins trick or treating at your door! Has 2010 been rewarding to you? Did you find places for your resolutions? I started a goal list myself in the new year, and this month in particular has been devoted to research, paperwork and preparing for those submissions. Enclosed below are the shows and some snapshots of the entries for each.

American Women Artists National Juried Exhibition 2010
Dallas, TX

The National Wildlife Museum of Art 2011
Jackson, WY

The Charlie Russell Museum Benefit & Sale 2011
Great Falls, MT

Very excited to be entering these competitions, great company to be in. In the meantime, I'm also working on some new 10x10 Cougar Studies, first stages here:

I LOVE these expressions coming through; & oddly enough - I can see my very own cat Oliver, on the right - he has that same devilish smirk before terrorizing my other cat, Ashley!Pouncing Lessons. My poor Diva stuck with a kitten. That sums up what I've been up to, a few more things checked off my list! Oh, and bear with me, I'm overhauling my website. As we enter Fall and the next quarter, I hope all is singing with harmony in your world, not much of 2010 left! 

Until next time, God Bless,

Deborah

Majestic Faces: That Inner Voice

Over 10 years ago, an animator shared with me how the change in just one line on a drawing changes the entire picture. I believed him, but had not experienced it. These enclosed studies have been very serendipitous. A new story emerges simply by exposing a line, or rendering shadows in select places another version doesn't have. The use of color, values, scale. The largest lion...has an entirely different feeling than the other two. He's also 4 feet tall! 

Majestic studies 1 & 2: 24x24, Majestic 3: 48x36

We cannot forget The Queen! 40x30

Really love the light on this, eerie how one eye is lit up, the other lies in shadow....the huntress. Simplicity; it's taken 4 years in oil painting to feel "right" exposing the original sketch in the finished piece - work this transparent. That nagging critic on the shoulder..."Just one more thing, one more..." So you work, & rework, work some more. Suddenly without knowing where exactly you did it, what made the work "alive" has disappeared beneath the changes....the animal staring back is lifeless. It may appear finished to some....but the life is gone. And you know it. You can't revive it. There is no where to go but back to starting over...and bury this one. 

The secret behind a good painting - is not to think about it! Your voice has to direct; not the critic's.

Why don't we listen more to that intuitive inner voice? Dare to try something different - have a little faith? I suppose fear; of failure, to the critic, peers. But what about the fear of failing to ourselves? So often I see this overshadowed, less than. Criticism will always be present, whether one decides to try or not. One must not be afraid; failures must happen in order for success.

Years after my animator friend revealed it - this computer "cookie" regarding "the line" was pulled out of my filing cabinet. I hope your ah ha! moments in life also have an oportunity. Life is so much richer with them shared! Have a wonderful week my dear friends and art lovers!

A man paints with his brains and not with his hands. -Michelangelo

"Presence"

Oil Painters of America 2010

Western Regional Exhibition

       Presence in the Woods

We get a glimpse of her world for just a fleeting second; something nearby has caught her attention. The snap of a branch, a movement within her peripheral vision....the next noise will alter her course this morning. The story is unfolding - happening to her. The moment is quiet and soft as a whisper.

The Presence in the Woods

The story has shifted from the "presence" of something the viewer does not see from the first image - to the main subject we do see. This piece is direct, focused - about stealth, the predator. The expression and lines have changed, along with the environment. She is visible but can also disappear among the abstract trees - the story is her. The moment is a deadly silence.

Dear Art Lovers & Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. There are hundreds of wonderful stories within these majestic animals, I've been graced to share but two....I get lost in their wonder, what adventure and journey must pass through their lives, their eyes. What hardships they'll endure; what peace? Which one speaks to you? Enjoy them, they're to enrich your moment, wherever you are, whatever you're doing.

God Bless,

Deborah

"Don't be afraid to see what you see." -Ronald Reagan

Freedom Series

Good Morning Dear Art Lovers & Friends!

I hope all is great and your summer is full of exciting adventures! There's just not enough hours in the day, days in the week for all one would like to do! I've been working on a Freedom Series that I'm sharing with you, more to come in the future, though for now, enclosed for you are Studies 1, 2 & 3.

Freedom of the horse, Freedom with my hand.

A little backstory:

This beautiful horse breed is known as Gypsy Vanners - is that not the coolest name? The breed came to the U.S. in 94' from Europe, known as Gypsy Ponies. Gypsies would use this horse to pull their Caravan wagons, because the breed is a small draft horse, they're incredibly strong. They are very "showy" visually (very appealing to Gypsies), with massive manes and extensive feathering on the legs & feet. And last, but not least why the Gypsies adopted this as "their Horse" - because the horses would be spending countless time near their children, these are the Gentle Giants with a childlike spirit themselves - the perfect companions!

When I photographed them, it's an amazing time not only during the shoot, but when you get home and see the direct "look" they gave you directly. Hundreds of shots go clicking by and you see the real gems later. I love the eye contact, something so soft and trusting about a horse's eye. They look through you. The beauty and spirit of horses in motion is absolutely timeless! Enjoy them, they're to brighten your week.

Signing off till next time-

God Bless,

Deborah

All work is available for purchase on my website:

deborahpetersart.com

Rodeo Faces

Dear Friends and Art Lovers,

I do hope this letter finds you in good spirits and all is well. I have fallen behind on the blog while starting a newsletter; bare with me, I will work on getting them BOTH updated and posted at the same time. For the past weeks, I've been working on inventory of new studies to take to my aspen gallery. Enjoy! Here is Study 1 and 2 of "Rodeo Faces" 16"x20" oils on canvas. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

2010 Projects!

My apologies that it's been nearly a month since I've written!

Since the Annual 10 week Celebration show, it has taken me this long to finally emerge into the life and schedule I now have before me. To keep work in front of clients and admirers, I dove right back into work with a new horse series and began a newsletter. Of course that couldn't begin until there was something to show! There's so much to stay on top of now: Newsletter, Website, Emails, Facebook Pages, LinkedIn, and Twitter and the Blog. The latter 3 got neglected here for a bit. And of course there's the ever present time invested researching and pursuing more gallery representation. The horse series are new works for the Aspen Gallery. The economy has hit everyone hard so I'm pulling out all the stops. I'm bringing them not only work for the horse clientele they have but the new works are appealing to those that aren't necessarily "horse people".

Most important, it gives me the opportunity to experiment and grow, take the work into another chapter. The beauty of it so far, is as different as the new work is - horse people love it as well. A friend at the show shared with me, "Those buying art right now represent a very small margin of the market - and they're buying only things unique - things not been seen before..." And not that my prior work didn't have its own look - but I believe it fell right in the middle somewhere. Not different enough on either side (traditional or contemporary) for this market. I'm learning and growing, that is always ideal!

Enjoy the new series featured: if time permits, I may do a 4th Study. This is the Andalusian Fire Series, this breed of horse was the finest war horse in the world. Study 1 is Spirit, Study 2 is War, Study 3 is Peace. Enjoy!

The Celebration Art Show is over; but not the celebration!

What a ride. 10 weeks, 7 days a week. You enter a buzzing tent full of energy and people. People from all over the country visiting, and 100 artists busy at work in their studios. Each day you face yourself, what angel or demon may be on your shoulder. How far a simple smile can get you. How much your smile can lift another. Facing the truth of what is in your control, and what is not.

The show is living a chapter of life; not only your own, but experiencing with new friends and peers at the show. You share everything from homemade cupcakes to dreams. Strengths and weaknesses. Triumphs and tragedies. A few friends lost dear ones this year; we hurt for their loss; and were reminded of our loved ones as well. Good time to reflect and put proper things in perspective. The show itself is living art.

Life does not stop because you're working overtime for a quarter of the year; it just folds itself right into it. Things become concentrated, more challenging. I recall a quote I once heard:
"If you want to hear God laugh, just tell Him your plans!" That ALWAYS brings a smile!

It's a time to have faith; be strong and accept, be open. It was magical every time I met a new person that connected with my work; how the animals "spoke" to them. One older gentleman said it brought tears to his eyes! And he had tears in his eyes. Those things really move me. These are truly the greatest rewards. This is about the journey - not the destination.

The seeds are planted, let time and opportunity let them manifest. Speaking of which, I will share 2 great artistic influences I have to thank for the latest "layer" of growth in my latest works. Bruce and Gunther. More of this direction to come! I'm attaching one for you here, completed on the last day of the show. A balance of abstract and realism:

The King II
48"x36" acrylic/oil on canvas

To my Celebration friends, safe travels and a prosperous 2010 year! Until next time,
Deborah

It made me feel on top of the world! Week 7

After 7 long weeks; a new collector walked into my world at the art show. Mind you, not a new art collector, but new to me. Selling my work is the hardest thing I've ever done. Sometimes the worst scenario is to have the artist sell their own work, but then again - who is more qualified to speak about it to another?

While painting at my easel one afternoon, I heard someone say over my shoulder, "Wow, that cat is looking at me!" I noticed a polished gentlemen in a nice suit walking by with a fellow artist. I smiled at him and he looked at the other artist like, Just when I thought I was done with art purchases...? Now what am I gonna do? The other artist smiled and agreed, telling him: "Yeah she does killer eyes!"

I was boosted for the rest of the day, seeing how supportive another artist was, even with his own collector. Clearly the gentlemen was there to see his art, and mine also caught his eye. Later I thanked the artist who responded : "I wouldn't have said anything less."

A week went by. Then one afternoon a voice over my shoulder says: "That cat is still staring at me! I just love this piece." I look over and smile at the new familiar face. The rest couldn't have happened more natural, he loved that painting as much as I did painting it. I painted this piece last April, knowing she was special, I painted her for me and then to share. I didn't know it'd be nearly a year later before she'd have a new home, all the way to New Hampshire. Before he left he gave me a hug and made sure to tell me: "I knew that painting was mine from the first time I saw it." I told him "I did too."

*The funny part about this is, by now I've spoken to hundreds of people, some who "flee" out of the booth if you make eye contact or say anything to them. Maybe they feel they're going to get "sold". So often you blame yourself when one walks out of your booth with nothing to go on; you believe you did something wrong or didn't do enough. Somehow you didn't meet their needs. And it's true, but the reasoning reversed. I didn't meet their needs because they had no needs to be met; they're not in the market, nor interested in collecting the work in the future. If they were, they'd either take a card or wish to be on my mailing list. Those scenarios are not in your control, can't believe you've failed here. It's a reminder to be yourself, the rest is a numbers' game. "You're selling art - not shoes!" - as a dear friend put it.

I'd also like to share here something unmistakable: this all happened in week 7. The number 7 is a perfect number with our Lord. Faith is a wonderful thing, especially when we're reminded to have it.

My Youngest art collector

A very cool story I will remember always and worthy of sharing.

I was painting in my booth yesterday when a young family came in to view my art. Mom and daughter when right in while Dad and brother cautiously watched from the main aisle (sidelines). I greeted them and continued working, giving them the space they needed to look.

The daughter went right over to the Petite Series display; (miniature framed art) and says: "I like the top one Mom, I'll pay for it with my money!! It's $55". My little art collector has spoken.

She couldn't reach the top shelf for she was only about 7 years old and under 4 ft, so I went to get it for her so she could see it up close and hold it. Mom goes over to Dad, "She really wants it and wants to spend her money on it, but her purse is in the car."

Mom checks with me that the prices includes the frame and everything and I look at the little one, "This piece is called Faces of the Rodeo, I photograph these horses in Prescott every year." She smiles and slightly rocks back and forth on her feet, holding the piece close to her heart. I ask her: "Is this your very first piece of art?" She shyly shakes her head yes and smiles. I tell her I'm honored by that and how wonderful it is to meet her.

I've always loved children and sometimes connect with them more than adults. How awesome it is that we're two strangers decades apart in age but truly connected with our love for horses. It's what I love about art; the walls come down. Strangers become friends. I will always look back on this unique, beautiful moment.

"Do you collect art?"

That is the question of the day. Or week, month, I should say. It's a very reasonable question to ask every patron who visits this show, who is interested in my work.

I shouldn't be embarrassed by it, everyone coming through the doors knows the show is full of artists selling their art; it's not a museum. I've done all but ask this question and have received my answers from body language the majority of the time. A few kind souls were gracious enough to share that they were only looking, not art buyers at all and they understood respectfully my position. That is rare. Art can be enjoyed by all, whether they're collectors or not. At the same time, this is my livlihood and I have every right to know who I'm communicating with. I'm patiently waiting for my buyers, and like matchmaking, I'm sure I'll know them when I see them. We are exactly 1/2 way through this show.

The public venue is very colorful, to put it lightly. 97% of the people are very kind in their critique of your work. I have run into a few, however, that, for whatever reason, just choose to be insulting. Maybe they had a quarrel before the show, maybe you represent something they never tried and for the moment, you have a bullseye on your back, kinda like that bully from gradeschool. Somehow you find it in yourself to be diplomatic because truly, their problem doesn't need to become yours.

I think the sweetest comments I've had involve what I've achieved while young. Funny, in art I tend to see the skills people have, age doesn't enter in at all. Heart and passion can bend time, speed it up or slow it down depending on your will. I will share that while exhibiting in the show, I always do my best work. The artists and new friends you make push you in ways you don't even realize may be your strengths. It's like one huge workshop! Until next time-

Animoto.com

Going in to week 3!

It's nearly 9pm and I'm exhausted!! In a good way! I'm entering my 3rd week at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale. Despite the colder weather and even rain, there has been great traffic at the show and success.

I'm very pleased to share that I've had some sales and added a dozen new clients to my mailing list who have shared an eager interest in my work. The Big Cats and Deer have especially been getting lots of attention, as much as my horses - which is fun because they are a passion I wanted to paint and people are responding to it, truly in the way I'd hoped. My Snow Leopard has been referred to as the "Mona Lisa" of cat paintings because the eyes follow you from every direction. I'm seeing the connection people have with the work; they admire the technical side, softness of brush strokes and playful color palette - but most importantly they love the story - these animals are "real" and speaking to them, which is that 4th wall I like to push and engage the mind. Very exciting stuff!

I was also introduced to a couple of new clients for another realm altogether: potential licensing - also very exciting. They were particularly interested in my water lillies. I have to say, the fella that introduced me - great guy. And everyone in this show has really made me feel welcome as a new artist. Like a big family.

With that, I'm signing off so I'm refreshed and rested! The time is flying, hope all is well in your world!
Until next time-
Happy Painting

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions...

...Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great". 

-Mark Twain

I have learned the hard way the past few years that sometimes those you admire, respect, hold of very high opinion - even in your field - may very well act in ways and do things that are not in your best interest. It's important to take it for what it is, not try to deny it or change it - but accept it and most of all, rise above it.

Camaraderie is great; and we all want positive reinforcement with our growth and our work. We want to connect, feel a part of something special, yet have our unique stamp and recognition. We want to belong and yet be respected as an equal, and an individual. It has been my experience, the more I challenged myself through the years, the obstacles increase - and on this personal note I'm referring to people, not just the art.

Sometimes the lines will be blurred and hard to see, but it is most important that when  your peace of mind and approach to work suffers - identify the source, it may very be the one closest to you in the field. A previous mentor of mine that helped me grow tremendously, turned out to be a very dangerous force - a ticking time bomb, emotionally. This person would turn on a dime; and smear my work if his foul mood gave him permission. Another colleague showed complete lack of support when I decided to try another art show to exhibit in and sell my work. It's not one he ever did himself, but chose a loyalty somewhere else and somehow my choice was enough to throw mocking, childish insults. He insulted the show and myself along with it. It's not easy to swallow that those you truly supported do not return the same feelings. This is where you accept it, as hard as that is. Lots of Ego, lots of Politics, lots of Games - nothing to do with the art itself.

When your peers and supposed friends begin to hold you back, it's time to cut them loose. Each experience will be a layer of resilience, necessary for your growth & survival.

Celebration of Fine Art 2010

I've been painting and preparing for this Annual, juried exhibition, check in is tomorrow at 10am! The rest of the week will not be glamorous; patching, painting the walls in the booth, installing carpet, lights...this set up is much more work than the previous show I'd been exhibiting at the past 3 years. They did all this work for you, but the walls were black and the only choice. Due to my financial circumstances changing, I had to take a good hard look at both exhibits, and truly, the new one I'm entering this year has a great advertising campaign promoting the show, it came down to that. These directors have ad placements in the top publications not only local, but regional & national. I'm so blown away and impressed! It's exciting.

It also is fun to be able to choose an appropriate wall color that suits best to complement your work, helps people envision it in their home. Took weeks just to decide the wall color! I needed something that went well with both the warm toned pieces as well as cool; ended up with a rich port wine. My good friend Sharon is coming to help out and share the adventure!

All the rest of the details to follow: finishing paintings, wiring them, creating price tags, prints. It all comes together in the end. I just finished the Mountain Lion; it took longer than I anticipated, causing delay in other new painting ideas I had for the show but those can be done during the exhibit, so we're in good shape. I'll post her on the website this week, after she's been photographed for Giclee prints for the Big Cat Rescue's.

celebrateart.com

Happy New Year,
Till next time!