36″ x 48″, acrylic on museum wrapped canvas
“Armed I am with love. Disarmed I am.”
― Manuel Alegre
Tomorrow I am going to speak about my #paint52 project for Alyson B Stanfield’s Art Biz Incubation group. I have taken three of her workshops and been so pleased with the outcome and her standard of quality in anything she offers.
Our topic will be on committing to doing a “big project”. Doing two big projects in a row #paint52 and now Art20K has pushed me in many ways, just due to its natural progression and momentum. I don’t want to elaborate for I will be talking about it tomorrow. But, let’s just say talking in front of a group is pretty “big” for me.
The painting above was also out of my comfort zone. I did something totally unpredictable and unexpected for me. It felt very uncomfortable. I posted it on Facebook and many people enjoyed the painting. I could have left it as is, but I needed to push myself further, even if it was a disaster. I could risk and perhaps still did ruin the painting. Yet, the only way I learn and grow is to push myself.
Now what does doing big projects, talking to Alyson’s group and my painting has in common. I guess first of all I am putting myself in a vulnerable situation. I risk failing. In the end I have to be all right with it not being perfect, exposing who I am and realizing I am still good enough. Isn’t that always the bottom line, “Am I good enough”?
What risk are you afraid to take and why?
*ART20K footage completed 6996 square inches.
*Painting above, Title: “Delicate Vulnerability”, measures 36″ x 48″, Acrylic on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $4320
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
OMG This is beautiful! You are so inspiring Janet!
Thanks so much Shannon, it kind of created itself. It started dripping unexpectedly and instead of wiping it off I just went with it; happy accident.
Hi Janet, I was on the call with you and Alyson. You presented everything so well that there were no questions!
The only thing I would have commented on is that in 2006 I created 1 postcard a day, front and back for a year. The messages were about significant and cross cultural events of that day, then including a relevant stamp. Like you, I must keep my word, but doing essentially 730 collages was daunting! Back then I was not blogging or doing social media, so it seemed to be for myself. That nagged at me, so I made it into a dvd. And now I occasionally blog about a certain day with those images posted. It is a source I can share, and gives me blog ideas.
It gives me great hope that you increased your sales 26%, as I want to increase mine as well. I am happy for you, keep up the beautiful work…
oh, when you say it is better to manually add a link to FB rather than by widget from the blog, do you mean just copy/paste?
Kathleen O’Brien
http://www.facebook.com/KathleenOBrienStudio
http://www.obrienstudio.blogspot.com/
Yes, I mean copy and paste for FB. A postcard a day is daunting; being on social media, probably would have been a great support. Your work is lovely and needs to be seen. You might try selling your work on Daily Paintworks, postcard size is just up their alley.
Thanks so much for commenting and subscribing. I will be sending out a new news letter for my next post, pretty excited about it.
Janet,
You asked for comments on your new software to deliver blog posts. I think it’s great. I really like seeing it as a newsletter with a little intro. If you don’t mind my asking, what are you using for software?
Thanks again. It was a terrific program yesterday.
Ethel Hills
http://www.ethelhills.com
http://ethelhills.wordpress.com
Beautiful painting, warm, modern, trendy and it makes me feel happy, I can almost smell the blossom!
I love this and sense the fragility of blossoms in the rain and yet the pink gives it a sense of joy and celebration. Your stretching inspires us all to be more courageous.
Thanks Ethel, I think its called WISIJA, but don’t have a link to it. My web designer set it up for me. I think it is through wordpress.
Such a beautiful comment Irmgard, thank you!
James always a pleasure to hear from you and what a wonderful thing to say, I like courageous.
I have found that when I am most deeply moved by any work of art the thought that comes to mind is, “That person is fearless” – whether it is a painter or a dancer or a singer or a musician or an actor – when they lay it all on the line and go for broke, I am transported. Taking risks is what art – the arts – are all about . I am not so brave – I carve “be brave” and “practice fortitude” into many of my paintings for encouragement.
Your painting is beautiful. Full of energy and daring!
Thank you Jim, I think you are right about being fearless. I wonder why as artists we can be so afraid of the canvas or intimidated by our materials. I believe that it was easier for me because I changed my goal to paint large and by doing that it gave me so much freedom. In the end I bet you are braver than you think. Hugs and thank you so much for such a wonderful observation and comment.