Finding the right conditions to work
I’m very pleased I can finally publish my newest fall art. If you read my posts, you probably know, we have to go through a live-in renovation. It hasn’t been easy, in fact, I had to take a break from anything I was doing for a while because it just wasn’t possible. I can only work in silence and when there’s no direct presence of anybody. I normally do not answer phone and also do not talk while painting. I’m all consumed and taken away by the creative process. I paint in silence without any music, but I open the patio doors and listen to birds and other sounds of nature if the weather is good.
Strict preventive measures prevent public access
My show should have been on from October 1st. After visiting the exhibition site, we decided not to go ahead with the real show. We have new restrictions in Ontario, and it basically comes to this: if hardly anybody is attending the exhibition site and they have to go through a strict procedure to be allowed on the premises, there’s no point in putting up a show. It is time-and effort-consuming process, and I just don’t see any value in exhibiting my art at this time.
Show and sale move online
The show will be all online. People, who reside in Ontario and can make an appointment to come to the studio, one person at a time, would be another option. I have numerous Thanksgiving pieces of art: from ecological prints to handmade unique cards, boxes and more. The ecological prints are created using nature materials like flowers and leaves and arranging them on thick watercolor paper. The process involves boiling and drying and then framing this art or using it in mixed media pieces.
Time-consuming creation process
My large paintings usually take up to month to finish, some – even longer, like 2-3 months. For medium size art, it’s approximately 2-3 weeks of work. I have never painted anything just in 1 sitting in acrylic. That is because of acrylic paint properties. Acrylic paint dries darker, much darker with some colors, therefore, I am glazing and adding new layers as I go. I want my art to be something impressive and something where one can literary feel like they are walking into the painting. I also take about 200 pictures of each painting, download, cut, resize them, then watermark and chose the most appropriate. That’s why I usually cannot post sooner than every 2 weeks at the best.
The birch valley
The birch valley is a large painting, its size is 81 x 66 cm or 32 x 28 inches. Here it is on the easel. On the monitor screen, a picture of another fall painting is visible.
Birch valley, textured, large acrylic painting. As always, I have painted around the edges and painting is ready to hang on the wall.
Fall in the hills
Fall in the hills is 61 x 51 cm or 24 x 20 inches in size. It is one of the most tranquil paintings I’ve ever created.
I suppose it would look great on any wall. It depicts excellent mood and I think my color choice supports that. The first layers on this canvas were put down in 2015. It’s amazing how long it took me to add the final touches and turn this art into something I wanted to.
Fall in the hills, beautiful soft colors and good composition
New red barn
And finally, the “New red barn’ which we started painting during art classes exactly a year ago. Just recently, I decided to finish it up so that one more painting is completed. Students were rushing, but I decided to work out this painting properly by adding enough layers and some detail.
The new red barn, acrylic painting on canvas, 20 x 16 in or 50.5 x 40.5 cm
Beauty has no price
I assume, my paintings when sold from the studio are not expensive. I don’t think you know anybody who’d work for $25-$40 a day and add even materials. Compared to all abstract and animated, as well as very amateurish art out there, my paintings are very recognizable on this background since I use certain colors, paint certain subjects and have a distinctive personal style. The truth is that fewer and fewer people can draw or create somewhat realistic looking art nowadays, and that works for me and lets me stand out.
Updating website and tackling shipping
I will work towards making my sales pages better in the upcoming weeks. They need update big time; I just didn’t get to that yet. Unfortunately, shipping is always what Canada Post charges me. They give great deals to huge customers so that their clients get free shipping, but a single person business pays way above the global average and also about 40-50% more than in the US.
Only original art
I am only selling originals for now. The new fall art looks amazing. For prints, I can order them myself and then resell, but that’s a risky process. I trust sites which specialize in creating and framing prints, such as Fine Art America, for instance. They do good job and nobody could ever compete with options for frames, as well as prints on numerous materials including wood and metal.
Art prints and other artistic products:
Your paintings are beautiful! The colors are so inviting that it makes me want to walk down those roads and see for myself! Good luck with the sale 🙂
Hi! I am sorry the show will not happen and ugh! The COVID changes are impacting so many things.
I already had started filling in title cards and sorting out all 65 paintings, but, no, it made no sense. Each person which enters the building after signing in is allowed to walk strictly from point A to point B, and they also allow only a few people inside. If hardly anybody can see the exhibition, it wasn’t worth all the hassle with hanging and adjusting and so forth.
The good thing is I completed many paintings which were all around waiting for final layers and touches.
That is good news and Inese – you have such a healthy attitude that seems adaptable
I stick to belief that everything has 2 sides.
I’ve become also much calmer with age, and I don’t panick or go crazy about things which don’t matter to me. I’m just enjoying the fantastic atmosphere in my studio, beautiful flowers, room plants, numerous pieces of art, artworks in all stages of completion, it’s such a self-contained, complete and satisfying world on its own.
Have a good weekend!
Your work is truly beautiful, Inese. It’s a pity about your exhibition. All mine were cancelled too .But I’m trying to be optimistic- I’ve just arranged with a gallery to have a little show in 2022 ! We have started to go to local exhibitions here but, as you say , there’s hardly anyone looking at the moment.
Thanks Margaret!
Art has no expiry date and just as wine becomes better with age. Every time when there is a show I get done lots of things which I otherwise wouldn’t. That’s a plus.
Our numbers here show that it is rather going towards more lockdowns, not openings, so, it would be silly to go for all the trouble.
The show will be re-scheduled for the next year.
Meanwhile, I can still have showings in my studio, but I’m not that much into that.
I think people are getting tired with everything online. I remember when I had live classes all the previous years, some said it was easier to just learn online. Now, everybody wants real live classes because it is true that online learning is limited and with drawing, it’s almost impossible to teach without seeing what student is doing.
Stay safe!
Beautiful pieces, Inese! I enjoyed learning about your creative process.
Thanks very much Lisa!
I’m kind of old school, and my paintings take lots of time.
Acrylic isn’t the easiest medium for the type of art I’m doing, but since I cannot use oils (I’m totally allergic to oils), I’ve learned adjusting acrylic paint to my needs. It didn’t happen right away, it took about 8 years to be able achieving in acrylic what I was always able to do in watercolor. Problem with watercolor is that it always requires some mounting and framing.
I too love the sounds of nature while working. Beautiful new art. Hoping this finds you safe.
Thanks very much!
I was doing exactly that this morning: watching birds, listening to their chatter and nature sounds and enjoying the great day we have!
I hope you’re also safe!
Beautiful artworks!
Thank you!
I appreciate your nice comment.