New Year...another new beginning.

2018...where does the time go?

Once again I'm trying to look at it as a brand new start. Crossing fingers that it's a year of great new things in store.

Last year there were a few fun trips that happened.
In Jan. of last year, you may remember, I went with my daughter to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show. She was working the show for her company and afterward, we spent a few extra days and enjoyed the town and visited the Grand Canyon. What a great time that was and so nice to have had that mother/daughter time together.
In May my husband & I spent a lovely extended weekend in Vermont, first visiting friends, then just time together. Fell in love with the sweet town of Chester.
Then in Nov. we I also got away for a short trip to New Orleans. What a blast that was, and one bonus was the chance to finally meet an art friend in person for the first time that I'd known "online" for years!! Such a fun city and always full of surprises!
This year....who knows were we'll go!!

As for art, I've certainly been busy with my Torn Paper Paintings. While the economy has seen better years for art sales, I've kept positive and continue on...making and marketing my art as best I can.
I'd certainly love to find an additional art gallery or two as well as maybe booking more workshops.
It would be a win/win to travel & do workshops in other locations since I enjoy both so much.
Hey, if you have (or know of) an art group or venue who sponsors visiting artists for workshops...contact me.
I'd be happy to see if we can arrange something.

I've also had the opportunity to create a whole new website this past year. Check it out... www.TornPaperPaintings.com.
Let me know what you think. It's a new format that much easier for me to keep up to date and change as I'd like. The previous one was much harder to use.

Well....being a brand new year along with being in the winter season right now, it's time to start working hard on those goals.
Time to get lots more art created, research galleries, and get more of the word out on workshops.

Being your own rep. makes it difficult sometimes to do it all...create & market...but we're on it!!!

Stay warm, and think of spring and new beginnings!!!

Really???

Is it Dec already??? Well....it will be in the morning!!!
Wow....I never seem to know where the time goes. If Dec. goes as quickly as Nov. did....I'd better get really busy...now!
The beginning of the month started with getting my new car...well, "new to me". She's a 2012 Mini, and in the most yummy color!!
Then, I finally got to hold the workshop for a private club...The Providence Handicraft Club. Had to cancel the previous date due to that being the day my old car got hit on the highway while trying to get there that morning. It was a great group of gals and a beautiful old building. This is just one (swimmer) of the works created that day!!
Well....I did manage to get some of my own art done.
I've been creating not only some 6"x6" Torn Paper Paintings ornament "paintings"....but I've also been doing some actual 3D ornaments. They are created on paper mache forms and layered with paper and varnish just as the paintings are. They are already a bit of a hit and I've got a batch going off to The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis tomorrow! I also dropped off two more Whale Tail paintings at the gallery just over a week ago!
Then of course....Yes....we've just had thanksgiving!!!
It was a really lovely day. My husband & I & my MIL were invited to spend this holiday with our daughters new in-laws! It worked out beautifully and made for a nice way to all be able to enjoy the day together without the issue of who is going to who's house to see who!! We all know how tough that can be on newlyweds!! For this event I was to bring the cake. Well....I saw one on pinterest that caught my interest....and just had to make it. Almond/choco fudge shaped into pinecones with sliced almonds were the top of the cake.....a winner!
No....didn't get into the Black Friday thing....but I do plan to take a bit of advantage of Cyper Monday tomorrow!!
Soo....I do believe I've caught you up on what's been happening! Will try to do better :)
If you ever find me going MIA again....check in on the Torn Paper Paintings fan page. You don't have to have a Facebook account to see the page.
It'll bring you right up to date till I get back here again!!
Happy Dec!

Oh my....it's May!!

How in the world does time pass sooo quickly??
I had no idea I hadn't posted in so long. Sometimes I think I need to get out of my artroom more often! In fact, during a recent Dr. visit, I was told I was low on vitamin D....so yes, I do need to see the sun on a more regular basis.
At least I can say I've been busy and productive. That's good....right?
Been booking workshops....and taking one myself. Took a new beading class that was all about beading around the edges of seashells!! I'd been wanting to do this one for quite some time. Now I have a new way of creating some "wearable" art from all those beach treasures!!
I did also restock all the art for the new upcoming season at The Little Beach Gallery in Hyannis, Ma.
Every year they freshen up the gallery and paint and redecorate....so it's fun to put up lots of fresh artwork!
Been also keeping busy making more art!!
This is the start of the busy season....or at least it's very soon to come...so I want to be ahead.
Just finished another of the "Whale Tales" since the first two sold at the gallery.  It's a beautiful subject and they always looks so great. This new one is 12"x24".
Right now...I'm in the middle of making another of the Seaside Cottages. The first one sold at a show last year on the very fist day.
I also created a piece called "I'll Take Manhattan" for a good friend. This is her favorite drink....so it was certainly well received!!

Today was my day to catch up on a lot of online work. Art...on a serious basis...needs lots of marketing!! There's always sooo much to do besides the job of actually creating the art.
FaceBook, websites, blogs, etc....that's just the start.
I also had to stop and create new business cards and marketing materials. I am going to be the "guest artist" at another local gallery...the Art Stable Gallery in Westport, Ma during the July "Open Studios" weekend. That's a very busy and heavily visited event in this area...so I need to be prepared.

Now that I'm a bit more caught up I can hopefully return here again sooner.
Rest assured...if I'm not around for a bit, it may be a good thing. At least it means I'm very busy...and that's not all bad.

Getting close...

click to enlarge

Just a gentle reminder that there is still a little bit of time left to sign up for the next Torn Paper Paintings workshop in Peace Dale, RI.
We're getting close....so if you'd like to have a fun filled day of messy art making and a chance to return home with your very own masterpiece.....call them now and get your name in.
Hope to see you there!!!

The Schedule....so far

The long hard winter may finally be breaking!! Spring seems to be trying really hard to make it's way back.
I've been trying to summon up spring in my art room as well. Spring birds landed upon some recent canvases with little music notes visible in their bodies!!

With the season starting to change....it is time to be gearing up for new workshops. I am happy to report I've had more interest happening this year and folks requesting more info.  I hope that means we'll have more workshops to look forward to.
Right now....here are the first few happenings...

April 8th....7pm  Talk/Demo at Wickford Art Assoc., RI
May 10th...10 - 5 pm  Full one day workshop at Peace Dale Neighborhood Guild, RI
June 7th... 10 - 5pm  Full one day workshop  at Wickford Art Assoc., RI
Here is the fun colorful flier that the folks for the Peace Dale workshop created...
Aug 8th...10 - 5  Full one day workshop at Peace Dale Neighborhood Guild, RI

There are a couple of other workshops being planned right now to schedule into the summer....but I wanted to give you a chance to book ahead for these now!!
As always...space is limited.
Love teaching these classes and hope to add many more to the list as time goes on.  It would be fun to add some longer workshops into the mix. Certainly, if I line some up that I need to travel for, they will be multi day workshops.

Soo...if you want to keep up with the latest news...the newest artwork...and up-to-date events....go to the Torn Paper Paintings FaceBook fan page and "like" it. You will then get all the updates on classes by clicking on the "events/workshops" tab at the top of the page! All the information and links will be posted there for being able to register.
Hope to meet you at a future workshop!

Time on the "Left"

Not all art "work" is right brained. Nope...sometimes it's incredibly left brained. Ouch!!
Being in the art field is not always about "painting pretty pictures". Nope. Sometimes it's about all the actual research and details that need doing if you are in fact doing it as a "business".
I love doing my art, but have hopes and dreams of making it a much bigger thing than it is already.
Of course..."hopes and dreams" won't make it happen!!
In order to do that I need to invest left brain time.

Sadly...this is not the stuff that I can post pretty pictures of that the "fan page" followers enjoy seeing. This "stuff" means doing inventory spreadsheets, keeping records, creating new marketing materials such as brochures - postcards - business cards, website updates, sending emails, networking, and lots of research into the directions I'm trying to go and the opportunities available.
I have high hopes of taking on more teaching possibilities and looking at some unique directions in doing this.
Sometimes it's a wonder that an artist can get any artwork done at all.

Sooo...if you do see stretches of time where I don't post up those lovely shots of the newest paintings and you are wondering if I'm even doing anything.....I just want you to rest assured that I am. It just happens to be coming from the other half of my brain...and you don't want pics of that...trust me...lol

Fall Adult Classes.....sign up now!

Be sure to sign up early for classes at ArtWorks!!!

First Workshop

I had been asked a few times in the past if I would do a Torn Paper Painting workshop. Not feeling quite ready to do that at those times I kept turning down the idea.
Well....yes...it's time. My very first Torn Paper Painting Workshop will be held May 20 & 21 at the Fall River Art Association.
If you're in the area at this time....book a spot. I'd love to meet you :)