"It's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it."-Somerset Maugham

A couple weeks ago I was invited to join an on-line gallery (which I have never done before, I prefer the standard 'brick and mortar" gallery), but this invitation and new start up company intrigued me...AND they are based out of Santa Fe, New Mexico.   I called the owner, asked many questions, pondered the offer for a few more weeks and then just this week decided to be a part of this small, on-line gallery.  All artists on the site are asked several questions...so that art collectors in a way can 'get to know the artist' and one of the questions had to do with the 'best advice you ever received'.  Todays quote by Somerset Maugham resonates with me...the answer to my question was when someone/several people actually always told me to "shoot for the best, reach for the top"...advice I find myself sharing with my children and artist friends.

As soon as my art is available on the on-line gallery, I will be sure to let you know!

I  think, sometimes, that 'small' is the ticket...I tend to do the best at galleries that represent a 'small' number of artists that are all masters at what they do!  I am looking forward to this new adventure, but continue to be represented by galleries that have built up my career to a point that I never imagined possible!

 It takes team work when working with a gallery, it takes trust!  Thankfully, I have only had great experiences with galleries, I know other artists have had bad experiences, but I have 'done my homework', researched, worked hard and kept communication open.  I also believe in some good karma floating around.

So, as we come upon the week of Thanksgiving...let us all remember how lucky we truly are!

"If you really want something you can figure out how to make it happen" - Cher

SOME DAYS ARE JUST SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL...THROUGH AND THROUGH!

Yesterday was one of those days...I was actually working all day on three huge paintings and they were just 'really happening'...things were flowing, so you wonder how can I get so excited about that???  Well, that just doesn't happen every day, so when it does, I am thankful for it!  I started early and when I looked at my clock it was already 4:00, I wish I could bottle these days up!
Also a fun part of my day was all the visitors to my studio, especially the two new collectors that instantly fell in love with my work after seeing it hanging in their friends homes.   It was great to have a little 'art chat' with them and  a nice little break from my painting focus.
BUT TO TOP THE DAY OFF...that evening I went to our local Wild Rice Concerts, which are home concerts by independent musicians and they are ALWAYS FABULOUS!  So as an independent artist (painter) myself, I know how hard these musicians work at their passion, thus I wish to share with you the wonderful group, Small Forest, out of Door County!  The mother, Jeanne Kuhns, and daugher Marybeth Mattson have magical voices, sweet personalities and an AMAZING TALENT!
To end the concert they had played the song Cowabella (mustang lullaby) and here is a youtube video of it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPcPRh8R4KQ
It is amazing and has beautiful scenery...please take the time to watch it.  and then there is the daughter,
Marybeth Mattson (http://marybethmattson.com/) who is just as talented as her mom and is making a name for herself in the music world as well!  Her song "Glory" was one of my favorites, if I had to choose a favorite that is.
So, as I work in my studio on this overcast Sunday, I am thankful for independent artists everywhere that make this world such an amazing place...thank them and support them...you have no idea how hard they work!!!

This image is a photograph that a friend had taken for me...a sky view shot of Door County...I can see a painting happening here...

"Trust in yourself.  Your perceptions are often far more accurate than you are willing to believe." - Claudia Black

Last week I attended the annual "Northern Exposure" juried show exhibition at the amazing William Bonifas Art Center in Escanaba.  This annual show was juried by artist Richard Kooyman and in his juror statement he stated "I was responsible for selecting pieces that display the best of what contemporary Upper Peninsula artists and craftspeople are focusing on today."

The show always amazes me and humbles me to be included in such an excellent group of U.P. artists.  This year, I won a few small awards, and am thankful to Attorney Michael Manning for his purchase award of my piece titled "Wings".  This year's first place went to a fabulous and well deserving artist from Manistique.  Martha Fieber uses hand dyed fibers/threads to create amazing little landscapes...They are so exquisite that from a distance you would think they are photographs.  Her work is amazing and I have always loved it!  Martha definitely deserved first place!
                                   Martha Fieber and myself by her beautiful 'thread landscapes'

Another wonderful artist at the show was Pasqua Warstler.  She always amazes me with the pieces that she comes up with..Here is a close up of her encaustic piece on found wood.  Her work is always so original.
                                                   Pasqua Wartsler's award winning piece!

On the upper floor of the gallery were two more wonderful pieces that I would like to mention.  Candace Zebell's acrylic piece and Carol Irving's weaving....wow what wonderful colors in both of these pieces!

Here is a panoramic shot of the gallery...congrats to all!!!!