The Creative Process

Analyzing Local and Atmospheric Color

Knowledge will not always take the place of simple observation
-Arnold Lobel

The sky is green and the grass is blue.

Yes, you read correctly, and not just in my little private Idaho, but in certain realities.

Prior to and during a thunderstorm, a greenish cast appears through out the sky. And even on the sunniest of days, in the shadows in grass is a blue-violet.

Analyzing color and seeing the subtleties in an object then translating it to represent your vision or interpretation of the subject could be the hardest challenge the artist faces.

Local color is what we know about the object. Local color is the actual color of the object without outside influences.  Atmospheric color is added by outside influences such as; natural or artificial light, smoke or dust particles in the air, shadows or reflections cast by nearby objects, weather, distance, and light and shadows of the texture within the object itself. If you have a person wearing a blue sweater, a little bit of that blue, will be reflected onto your sitters skin.

What we know about the object often gets in the way of what we see and how we depict it. Beginning painters will often paint in large masses of one color giving a very amateurish look to the painting. While experienced painters will depict more variation and modeling in the highlights, mid-tones and shadows which, in turn, gives the subject more depth and dimension.

The artist sees what’s there, but can render the subject any way that pleases him or her. The artist can represent it accurately, idealize it, simplify it, dramatize it, or distort it.

I do not take color reference photographs but rather I make notes of the colors I see in the scene or an object. I do not want to be held hostage to a labs representation of a scene. You are dependent on the film type, the age & storage of the film, how fresh the processing chemicals used, if the technician is competent, and a host of other variables. I have found that all the subtleties are lost. That’s one of the main reasons I began hand coloring. I have total control.

Color Temperature & Perspective

Reds, oranges and yellows are considered warm while blues, greens and violets are considered cool. However, it is not that simple. There is a warm and cool variation of each color. Carmine is a cool red with violet bias while Vermillion red has an orange bias.

Objects in the foreground are brighter, sharper and warmer. They will advance in the scene. Objects in the background are paler; details are less defined and cooler. These objects will recede in the scene. Notice how the objects in the foreground are sharp and bright while that mountain range in the background is cooler, paler and bluer and as the mountain ranges progresses into the background they become more muted than the one in front of it. Distance subtracts the warmth from an object. A tree in the foreground will appear much warmer and sharper than the same tree placed in the distance.

JMW Turner often broke this rule by adding a bright light at some distant object, making it the brightest and most dramatic object in the image. Degas, on the other hand, often painted objects in the foreground cool colors and placing them against warm, vivid backgrounds. So you can see (pun intended), there are no rules.

Seeing the Light

A “tourist” sees the leaves in a tree as green - just green, while an artist sees the mid-tones as a variation of greens and the highlights as yellow-green while the shadows are blue-green. Analyzing what you see and translating that vision into paint isn’t based in any rules but rather how one artist may view color and form.

Every object has a mid-tone, a highlight and a shadow regardless of shape.  In general, highlights lean toward the warm, white-yellow side and shadows lean toward the cool blue side. This is just a point of departure, not the rule. Objects must be examined individually for the highlight and shadow colors.

Become aware of all the colors that make up a simple object. The color of an object can also be influenced by the color of the neighboring object. Neighboring colors can enhance or subdue each other. Notice how an apple on a white tablecloth will reflect some red into the shadow.

Don’t just look at what colors should be mixed together to make up the desired color, but also look at how colors relate to one another. Do they merge together? Do they sit on top or next to another color?

The color of light is constantly changing and is dependent on the time of day and season. Evaluate how objects are affected by atmospheric color. At pre-dawn and on rainy or overcast days, the overall color is bluer than at sweet light as the sun crests the horizon. Light is ever changing. Monet was fascinated by the changing effects of the light and revisited the same view of a subject at different times of the day and under different weather conditions.

Great artwork should never be accidental, but rather be created from an understanding of the materials, color behavior and techniques. Fore thought and planning will give you repeatable results. If a successful image was accidental or dumb luck, you will never know how you made such a successful image and can never duplicate those fabulous results.

Developing Your Power of Observation

For more information on analyzing color, find something you like and just sit and look it. Go to a favorite location or find an object in your home. Bring a notebook and a pencil. Find an element or scene and jot down all the colors and their relative location. Draw it out, don’t worry about your drawing skills, reduce the object to the most basic shapes, use stick drawings.

Pay attention to the color of the light and the colors in an object as the day progresses. How does it change? Move around the object, how does it change when the light source changes directions and angles?

Objects are comprised of shape and color. Relative placement of the colors and their relationships to one another will give shape definition and depth to an object. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and experiment with different color combinations.

No one can tell you what is the perfect green for a Pine tree or the right pink for a child’s cheek. This is totally subjective and offers many variables. One size does not fit all and it never will.

Before you begin applying color to your print, it is important to take a few moments to think it through. Pre-planning is important regardless of whether you are working with layers.
 
Ask yourself a few questions:

What is the overall feeling or mood that I am trying to create?
Do I want to create a fantasy or do I want realistic colors?
What colors are in the highlights, mid-tones and shadows?
What colors will enhance or carry the mood?
What local or atmospheric colors will be left in and which colors will be excluded?

As you go on with your daily routine, observe the everyday objects in your life. Take a moment to examine the colors in the highlight, mid-tones and shadows. Keen observation and practice will bring your vision to fruition.

Ramblings from Rosemary

Making The Most Of Holiday Events

It’s Holiday Season! Parties, Art Openings, Festivals and other gatherings fill our calendars!

No doubt, you will meet several new people over the holidays. Some of them may be new collectors, others could prove to be great friends. Taking the time to follow up can make you stand out from the pack.

Collecting business cards at events and making notes about each person you meet is a great first step in building a network. Get business cards from every one with whom you met in order to get the titles and names right. Scribble something interesting or significant about the conversation on the card's back. Keep a small note pad just in case someone doesn’t have a card to get thier contact info.

The next step is to follow-up with your new contacts to build the relationship. Relationship building is one of the most important elements of success in business. Giving people a reason to remember you positively helps to develop positive rapport with folks, and you have a marvelous opportunity to begin the process with thank-you note and follow-up correspondence.

How many people remember to thank you or take the time to keep in touch? Most professionals don't bother to send a thank-you note to the people they meet at events. A sincere note expressing your appreciation may tip a new contact in your favor. A personal note showing your appreciation is always a great way to build relationships. Besides making them feel appreciated, people love to be remembered.

After the event take time to send each person you met an e-mail, note or greeting card letting them know you're glad you met them at the event. Ideally, send a note within 24 hours after meeting. However, if this is not possible, send it as soon as you can. "Better late than never" applies in situations like this.

Send notes telling people how much you enjoyed meeting them. Refer to something they said or to a common interest you discussed with them and be sure to mention ways to work together near future. You'll be on your way to building a tribe.

Sending a greeting card with your artwork is a creative way of standing out and top of mind from your competition. Emails are a convenient way to quickly communicate, but there is a lot of competition out there in that sea of emails and they are often deleted. Greeting Cards and personal notes are warm, personal, and heartfelt. They an ideal tool to build & nurture warm relationships while quietly promoting your artwork. They are often displayed on desks and bulletin boards or used as a bookmarks.

Letting people know that you enjoyed talking with them helps them remember you -- and it helps you recall the reasons you wanted to stay in touch with them.

People need to be reminded that you care about them. WE equate relationships with regular communication.

Developing a warm relationship is critical We need to develop warm relationships with the people you meet at these events. People do business with and refer to People they Know, Like and Trust.

It may seem hard to find the time for these follow-up techniques, but stick to them. A well-composed, friendly note has a lasting influence on recipients and marks you as conscientious and courteous--just the kind of person folks love.
 

Fortune is in the follow-up.

 

Art Marketing ~ Life on the Dark Side ~ Power of Lists

Last month, I shared an article by guest blogger, Linda Tomsho, CIO of Different Drummer Coaching. Many of you have written how much you enjoyed her article. My personal, big A-Ha moment was to think of my day-job as a business loan.

This month, I have the pleasure of having The Effective Detective, Matt Tomsho sharing a secret to the power of your list. As a child, I loved the Sherlock Holmes. If you share my love, then you’ll find Matt’s unique story telling in the manor of Sherlock Holmes will amuse and enlighten you.

The Power of Your List

Guest article by Matt Tomsho

I noticed that The Effective Detective looked particularly contemplative, and more out of curiosity than concern, I asked about it. “Sir, you look very thoughtful. Is there a particular insight you are considering?”

“Eh? Oh Watson, sorry. A particular insight yes, but interestingly it is coming from a discussion I had today that taken at face value, could have been considered quite depressing. A friend and colleague was feeling rather cynical today. The trajectory of their business life was not quite what they had hoped for. In particular they have found themselves rebuilding once again,” The Detective began.

“That does sound rather depressing sir,” I agreed.

“Yet from that dreary beginning came a rather illuminating insight Watson. You see, they had started reaching out to connections, and even at this time of the year, when most people are not thinking much about business, had arranged some meetings to discuss some new opportunities,” The Detective continued.
“During the holiday season and so close to the end of the year sir? That is quite surprising,” I interjected.

“Quite so Watson, but the true insight comes from the phrase reaching out to connections. There is an old quote attributed to Andrew Carnegie, I am not sure of the exact wording but the basic idea is that even if everything is taken from you, if you still have a list of contacts, you can rebuild it all. My colleague down in the dumps as they might be, is leveraging their contacts to rebuild. How easy it is for us to forget the power of our lists, be it a contact list build through years of networking, to a list built through patiently speaking to people, and advertising. If you nurture that list, what you can create from it, no matter what has happened in the past can be astounding. The two keys of course are building and nurturing. It does one no good to sit and wait for people to realize our genius. We must go out and proclaim it to the world, and build a tribe. But then we must nurture that tribe, feed it if you will. Those who are willing to do that, reap amazing rewards,” The Detective concluded.
“Sir, I must admit, I have nothing to add to that,” I replied, surprising the Detective and myself for admitting it.

“Well then Watson, let us pour ourselves drinks, and salute the holiday season, and in particular the new year!” The Detective exclaimed as he smiled at me.

“Happy New Year sir!”


- See more business building mysteries unravel at:mjtomsho.com

Ramblings From Rosemary

How I Spent My Summer Vacation 

or 

Five Stages To Unplugging At Gunpoint

Denial

Oh No! I couldn’t have forgotten it, it has to be in the blue bag . . . but its not there!

Anger

[ A Very Long String Of Expletives Deleted ]

OMG! HONEY . . . I forgot the [Expletive Deleted] power cords for the laptops!!

Planning a ahead for a week at the beach with some rain in the forecast, I brought my two laptops with the intention of getting my newsletter out on time, working on the layout for the workshop book and the daunting project of cleaning out my email. The best laid plans . . .

Bargaining,

Honey, I will call Tatiana and have her express the power cords. I have an express shipping box at the bottom of the stairs, we can have them here by Wednesday.

Depression

What am I going to do when it rains and we can’t hang out on the beach? OMG, I can’t get my recipes for Buttermilk Biscuits or Lemonies.

[ Another Very Long String Of Expletives Deleted ]

My husband, Paul, very calmly turns to me and says, Honey, it won’t kill you to unplug for the week and really be on vacation. You have enough charge to open up and hand-write your recipes.

Acceptance

No, it won’t kill me. I can still write part of the newsletter – old school – in long hand.

WOW . . . A whole week unplugged !?! That’s seven days without a computer. It’s kind of scary . . . and a bit exciting! Maybe I can get that illusive Third Eye to open.

So, I went for a walk on the beach to work off some nervous energy. I collected tons of pretty shells and pebbles. I walked so far I had to use my GPS to find my way back.

And we walked some more. We even walked the beach during the pre-hurricane storm as high tide rushed in.

I sat on the beach and watched the Sandpipers and Plovers scurry along the surf’s edge and they pecked out tasty morsels.

I studied the waves turning and tumbling over each other with the fury of a raging redhead.

    

I analyzed all the shades of whites and grays in clouds. Have you ever noticed how the leading and trailing edges of a storm front paints the most intense and fascinating cloud formations?

So, this is what it feels like to Turn Off! I like it!

A week is too short. I wish we had more time here. Until next year. . .

Joy, Laughter . . . and Apologies for being late with the newsletter.

~Rosemary

Art Marketing ~ Life On The Dark Side ~ Are You a “HO” or a “BO”?

Making Money From Your Art
Are You a “HO” or a “BO”?

Guest article by Linda Tomsho

“Being good at business is the most fascinating kind of art.  Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art.” – Andy Warhol

Every summer I look forward to the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Pittsburgh’s big art event of the year, where hundreds of artists and performers come to show their best work.

While visiting the Festival, I attended a talk by Rebecca Harris, Director of the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University called “Women Artisans to Entrepreneurs.”

Her point was that many women artists (and men as well, in my experience) neglect the business end of things. “I don’t understand all that business stuff, and I don’t have time for it. I’m an Artist, and if I create great art, people will seek me out.”

If that sounds like you, the question my business coach, Suzanne Evans, would ask you is this…

“Are you a HO or a BO?”

In other words, are you a Hobby Owner who creates art but doesn’t effectively monetize it? Or are you a Business Owner, serious about growing your market and making a real living?

Essentially, if you don’t see your art as a business, you’re probably indulging in an expensive hobby instead of creating a viable livelihood.

If you really do want to become a serious working – by which I mean self-employed – artist, then you need to treat your artwork or your crafts or whatever it is that you produce, like a real business.
After all, there’s a lot of competition out there. So if you want to break out of the pack and make a real living doing what you love, you have to leverage your talent with sound business practices – and thinking.

1) Think of yourself as a professional artist – right now

You may need to begin by changing your mindset about who you are and what you do.

Even if you’re still paying the bills by waiting tables or telemarketing, you need to define yourself as an artist and therefore as the owner of an art business.

That means you should be studying everything you can find about how to succeed in your industry. For example, how to get your work into galleries or how to sell on Etsy…

Depending on what kind of art you create, you should be educating yourself about the lucrative world of art licensing.

You also need to have a website and a social media presence.

Finally, you should always be thinking about building your portfolio and actively looking for opportunities to promote yourself and your work. That means networking at least once a week and attending events where you can expand your connections.

2) Don’t quit your day job (yet)

Obviously the plan is that someday your art will earn enough to support you. But the fact is, most artists or performers I know who are on their way up have a day job.

Maybe you have what career coach and author Barbara Sher calls the “Good-Enough Job” – a job that 1) isn’t toxic and 2) doesn’t demand more than 40 hours a week.

In other words, you can support yourself without getting stressed out and still have time to work on your goals. Or you can have a side gig that pays the bills.

Either way, if you can think of your j-o-b as a “business loan” for your art business it will make it more tolerable!

3) Always be looking for multiple income streams

Something that you enjoy doing that hopefully fits in with your creative work and what you want your life to look like. You could offer lessons to others… start a podcast… write a book… or sell your work to a greeting card company.

Use your imagination!

Start small with just one or two “alternative profit centers,” then add more if you want to. If one doesn’t work out, you can always bag it and try something else!

4) Create your personal brand

What do you want to be known for? What’s your niche?

You could be like Linda Barnicott, a pastel artist whose claim to fame is beautiful nostalgic paintings of Pittsburgh scenes.

Or you might become famous as the photographer who creates those distinctive images of newborn babies, post-industrial landscapes, or maybe even dressed-up Weimaraners (it worked for William Wegman!).

When you have a recognizable brand or niche, you become more memorable.
l design principles, and how to code your own email templates.


ABOUT Linda:
Linda Tomsho is the CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer) of Different Drummer Coaching. As a licensed Profiting From Your Passions® coach, she helps clients connect the dots between their interests, skills, and experience to discover their “right livelihood,” then guides them through the process of starting their own business using Valerie Young’s “Life First, Work Second” philosophy.

Linda started her career in the corporate marketing world but soon realized the cubicle life was not for her. Being a self-bosser allows her the freedom to pursue multiple passions including blogging about movies, writing, dog rescue, cooking, travel, and curating her eclectic collections.

Linda lives near Pittsburgh with her husband Matthew and canine companions Bijou and Zelda. She is the mother of 3 adult children, each following a unique path of their own.

As a cancer survivor, Linda understands the importance of making the most of our time on this earth. If you dream of creating a life that suits you and working at something you love, don’t waste another minute!

Visit her at Different Drummer Coaching, and to book your FREE 30-minute Discovery Session, send an email to linda@different-drummer-coaching.com with your phone number, time zone, and best time to reach you.

Art Marketing ~ Life On The Dark Side

SMARTER Goals

7 Steps To Help You Set Goals For Your Creative Life

So many artists are disappointed with their creative careers. They are frustrated by day jobs that suck the life from them. They struggle to get to the “next level”.

Why is that? They have talent. They show and enter contests. Folks like their works.

The real problem is far too many artists do not have goals or a plan.

A Goal is a well-defined target. A Goal without a plan and timeline is just a dream. The truth is the bigger goal is really comprised of many little goals. The goal is the destination and the plan is the road map.

Here are seven steps to help you set SMARTER goals and develop a workable plan to achieve them:

1. Specific

Exactly what is it you want to achieve in your creative life? If your goal statement is vague, you will find it hard to achieve because it will be hard to define what creative success means to you.

A well-defined goal will give you clarity, direction and motivation towards what you want. A specific goal will usually answer question; What do I really want to accomplish?

Andrew Simonet, of Artists U, goes into more details in his free e-book: MAKING Your Life as an Artist. You can download it for free!

2. Measurable

You must be able to track progress and measure the result of your goal. Some goals are easy to measure while others have no apparent qualities.

Tracking your results will help you determine if you are headed in the right direction. A good goal statements answer the question: How will I know when I achieve my goal?

3. Attainable and Action-oriented

An Attainable goal should stretch you a little. When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true.

Develop an Action plan to reach them. Ensure the actions you need to take to achieve your goal are things you can do and control. Within in each big goal, there are smaller goals. What steps are needed to Achieve your goal? Identify the requirements and constraints. Setting lofty goals can be very intimidating. By breaking down goals into smaller, bite-sized pieces makes it easier to achieve the end goal.

4. Realistic, Result-Oriented, Record and Resourced

A Realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both represents a willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. Be sure that every goal states a Result.

Record your goal and progress towards it. Written goals are visible and have a greater chance of being completed successfully. Recording is necessary for planning, monitoring and reviewing progress. Is your goal written down?

R also stands for Resources. How much money will this project require? Where is the money coming from? Does your budget match your goals? What shoestring solutions can I implement? Can I barter services? Can I crowd-fund this project?

5. Time-Bound

Goals must have a deadline. Without a deadline, it's easy to put goals off and forget them. As well as a deadline, it's a good idea to set some short-term milestones along the way to help you measure progress.

A time-bound goal will usually answer the question of When? What can I do six months from now? What can I do six weeks from now? What can I do today?

6. Excitable, Enjoyable, Engaging

Goal must Excite you. You must really want this with all your heart and soul. Goals must also be Enjoyable. If you are not having fun then you must ask yourself is this really the goal you want?

Goals must also be Engaging to you as well as others. You must find your audience. Who wants what you create?

  

7. Rejoice, Relax, Review, Reevaluate, Regroup, Repeat

Rejoice in your efforts and results. Relax to Renew your energy.

Review the good and bad results. What could have been better? Reevaluate your goal and the steps needed. Then Regroup the action plan and Repeat.

A final thought. Once you have your goals written down and a plan in place. You must keep your goals CLEAR.

Commit to the goal & the action plan

Look outside the box for solutions

Keep your Energy high. Get enough rest, eat properly and remember to have fun.

Attitude is Everything. Stay positive and focused.

Reward yourself when goals are met. Do not under any circumstance reward yourself for disappointments & failures. What I mean is, saying to yourself: I didn’t achieve my goal so I’m going to go out to dinner or buy a new pair of shoes to make me feel better. That dinner out or new pair of shoes should be the reward for “getting something done”.

Don’t wait until New Years Day to create a plan. Start now and take the time to create a road map to your creative success. Below are links to some excellent resources to helping you to identify and articulate your goals and to create the plan.

Art Marketing ~ Life on the Dark Side

7 Things Network Marketing Taught Me About Marketing Art . . . or Anything Else!

Mention Network Marketing at a party and watch the fur fly. It's an explosive subject. Folks either Love it, Hate it, or just don't understand it. I am not going to debate any of that. I simply will comment on the skills I developed while building a Network Marketing business and how it helped me to improve my art marketing.

The term Network Marketing is commonly associated with a type of home-based business opportunity like Avon, Mary Kay, SendOutCards and Tupperware. But in reality, it encompasses any business that is built on relationships.

First, What is Network Marketing? I found the most accurate definition on Investopedia.com:

A sales strategy in which a salesperson attends meetings of organizations whose members are likely to be interested in a particular product or service in order to develop a book of business. The three major components of network marketing involve prospecting (finding sources of potential customers), following up with inquiries from interested parties, and selling the good or service to the prospect. Once prospects are cultivated, the salesperson will try to use his or her relationships with the prospect to get in contact with other individuals that the prospect might know.

Yes, Dears, we are Network Marketers. We must find people that like what we do, build relationships and follow up, and sell our work to them. That is the basic 3-step plan of (any) business building model. Simple, but not easy.

Here are the seven things I learned:

1.  You need unwavering belief and commitment to yourself, your artwork, and the value of your craft in the marketplace.

• You: You need an unwavering belief & commitment to Yourself. Do I need to repeat that?
• Your Artwork: Is it any good? Technique, Skills, Uniqueness. Are you constant working to improve and grow?
• The Marketplace: Who is interested in what you do? Who already uses what you do?  There are Riches in Niches. Belief that there is a real market for what you create. Did you know DaVinci, Renoir and Warhol all did commercial work.

2.  It's a big world outside of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to explore it. Get out of the BOX and Stretch!  Network, Volunteer, Go to shows and TALK to people. Networking is critical! Meeting people, developing relationships, then staying in touch. Hundreds of books are written on this alone. I really, really like Bob Burg. Both personally and professionally. Bob Burg is truly the Master of Networking.

3.  Have your One-minute speech committed to memory. Hey, You never know who you might meet or WHO they can lead you to! Don't forget to Always ask for their card First then hand them your business card. The key is to stay in touch!

4.  Develop your listening skills. This is the one that trips me up every time. I get so excited when someone asks about my artwork, that I'll forget good manners and dominate the conversation with me, me, me, meeee. I have gotten better at catching myself - hopefully before they are lost to me. 

5.  Nothing Happens Until Something Moves. Develop an Action Plan and work it everyday. Plan, Do, Review. Then Rinse and Repeat.

6. It's all a Numbers Game. I've written about this already, but it bears repeating; You have to get a lot of NOs to get to the YESs. You just have to keep putting it out there. The more you do, the more things happen. Some things will work while most will not. Don't beat yourself up. Review Number 5.

7.  The Master is Always The Student. Never stop improving your people skills, your communication skills and most of all your creative skills. My dear friend and mentor Jim Briggs, taught me the mantra of Continuous Improvement. Never stop learning. Never stop working to be a little bit better everyday. Both your skills and your head.

Hundreds of books have been written about each of these aspects. In the months to come, I'll discuss what has worked for me and a few other artists in more detail.

One fails forward toward success. ~Charles F. Kettering

Ramblings from Rosemary

Evolving out of the Stone Age

I finally broke down and decided it was time for a smart phone. Not because I really wanted all the cool technology but because I sent my ancient flip-phone through the permanent press cycle. Four days in rice and I was able to rescue the phone enough to use, but only when plugged into the wall charger.

OK, laugh if you want to. I know a few of you have similar horror stories of destruction.

I guess its time to step out of the stone-age and get new technology. I’m not sure why I need all that crap on a phone. Sure, it would be fun to quickly take snap shots of my friends, cats and culinary treats and share them on Facebook. But really, do I need a phone for that? I’ve got a little digital camera for snap shots. I prefer working on my laptop, after all, that itsy-bitsy screen is waaay too small for this old bat.

But texting will be much easier on a smart phone. I won’t have to hit the number keys multiple times for the letter. That’s cool.

OK I guess its time

The adventure begins . . .

I checked out online specials on iPhones and found a .99 special for an iPhone 4. So, I trot down to the Verizon store and explain to the 12 year old that approached me that I really wasn’t really to step out of the stone-age but I can’t fight progress any longer.

He tells me that they don’t have the .99 special but pulls out a chart of about 300 phones and costs. Then launches into a well-rehearsed pitch. Ninety minutes later, I walk out believing I just ordered a pretty new blue iPhone 5c for $61 and my monthly bill would only go up by $20.

OK I can deal with that.

But all that day I had this awful, sinking feeling in the pit of my gut. My husband and friends tried to reassure me that I was just a little afraid of new technology and I would learn it quickly.

The next day the new phone arrived, but it was late and I just opened the box, looked at the phone and said: Oooo, Pretty Blue then promptly put it back in the box. The next morning, I grabbed my coffee and the box, pulled out the phone and thought again: Oooo, Pretty Blue. I took out the papers and saw a bill for $548.

Five Hundred and Forty-Eight Dollars!!!

*#@& &#* %#&$ 

What happened to the $61 dollar phone???

Obviously, I had no idea what I just bought. Dinosaurs should NEVER buy new technology alone. I should have asked one of my niece, Mallory, to help me. After all, Mally worked for Verizon for a while and she is constantly on that device doing who knows what.

I am not ready for new technology.


I trot back down to the Verizon store, return the phone and got full credit back.

I am not ready for new technology.

My old flip phone still works . . . only when it is plugged into the wall charger . . . but it works . . .

I am not ready for new technology . . . yet.

Now, keep in mind we are in process of selling our home in Pittsburgh and moving to North Potomac, Maryland. Paul still is working in the Burgh till at least the beginning of December.


The adventure continues

The problems with my old flip phone didn’t get any better. I held out as long as I could. I talked with family and friends, got opinions from everyone!

I went on line again and found the same .99 iPhone special on the Verizon website. So we called Verizon directly and spoke with a pleasant representative. We ordered the iPhone 4s for 99 cents.

The next day, It arrived but was programmed with Paul’s number not mine. The representative assured me that was no problem and would be corrected upon activation.

So, I trot down to a Verizon store in Maryland. I was helped by an adult. A relic about my age. Imagine that! Told him I need to activate the phone briefly explaining the numbers mistake and I would need help understanding how to work the phone.

Two hours later, I walk out of the store and rush off to the grocery store. (God, I’m starving) When I finally get home I call my husband to update him. But when I dialed him I got directly into voicemail. I plugged my pin and got Paul’s voicemail.

OMG! That means they did not activate my phone number and Paul has no Phone!!!

$#!&

So I trot back to the Verizon store (I am really starving at this point, but I remained pleasant) and they spend the next Ninety minutes correcting the phone number mistake.

Finally. It’s done. I have a new smart phone.

I first thought: Am I smart enough for a smart phone? But this auto correct feature has made many, many, many bad choices for me.

I don’t think this phone is smart enough for me!


Afterward:
Many of you know the horror stories about DC traffic and drivers. They are an understatement. It’s worse that anything you can image. Six lanes of really bad drivers. Some going really fast, others going really slow, the rest are cutting in and out really fast and really slow. It’s no wonder there are so many accidents on the Beltway.

I decided to take back roads to avoid sitting in that crap.

Anyway, my first night of driving home, I missed a turn. It was almost dark. I’m lost and alone.

$#!&

Then I remembered: Oh yeah, I’ve got maps on my phone.

It took me about five minutes to figure out how to use it but it showed me the way home from where I was.

Technology is really cool.

I’m glad I finally pulled the trigger. It was time.

Christmas Stocking Drive - Military Connections

How Important it is for us to Recognize and Celebrate our Heroes and She-roes!  

~Maya Angelou

Please Join us on Wednesday, September 18 for an Evening To Support The Troops.

Business Leads Exchange Networking group will sponsor a fundraiser to raise money for Military Connections Christmas Stocking Drive.

Military Connections ships all types of items overseas; primarily food, snacks, healthcare items, athletic socks, and entertainment items such as compact discs or magazines.  The list is really endless.
  

Every year, Summer Tissue and her merry band of volunteers, collect, package and mail over 15, 0000 Christmas Stockings to deployed troops.

All items are donated, but shipping costs are astronomical! Last year the costs topped over $8000.

Show these brave men and women there are people back home supporting them. Please don't let them to go without things such as toilet paper or Tylenol.

If you can't make the fundraiser, but still want to help our troops, you can send your Tax Deductible donations to:

Military Connections
312 Auburn Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Christmas Stocking Drive 

Date: Wednesday - September 18, 2013
Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Place: Comfort Inn - RIDC Park Fox Chapel
Price: $15.00 before September 15th. $20.00 after or at the door, space permitting.
Price Includes: hors d’oeuvres, a door prize ticket, and exceptional networking. There will be a cash bar.
Who Can Attend? Any adult interested in supporting our troops. (Must be 18 to enter).
Tickets Can Be Purchased In Person: At the BLX Networking Lunch Meetings using cash or check.
Through The Mail: Send a check made out to BLX Networking to Northwest Savings Bank,
Attention: Beth Hastings, 905 Main Street, Sharpsburg, Pa. 15215. (Your tickets will be held at the door).
Stop In At The Following: Purchase tickets from the Oakmont Chamber of Commerce, Oakmont or
Cheswick Floral, or Northwest Savings Bank - Sharpsburg Branch.
By Credit Card: Go to BLXNetworking.com and click on the Military Connections Event Link.


Military Connections is a Non-Political, Non-Profit, all volunteer organization. Military Connections sends goodies to our deployed men & women at no charge to the family or Service Member.

My God!  How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!  

~Thomas Jefferson

Art Marketing ~ Life on the Dark Side

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Let’s be real here. Art does not Sell Itself.

Most Artists stink at marketing their own work. It’s hard to sell yourself. It’s hard to sell your baby. Not everyone thinks your baby is as cute as you do, but that’s OK. Many folks will see what you see, but sometimes you have to gently help the process along.

There are so many great books on art marketing, that I don’t want to rehash the obvious. I will provide you a few recommendations of my favorite business building books.

Over time, I’ll share with you some things I know to be important in marketing my art and developing a following and collectors. I’ll share with you the Good, the Bad and the Ugly tactics and results of my efforts.

Stay Tuned!

Joy & Laughter
~Rosemary

I'm aiming for the emotional honesty of Van Gogh and the promotional skills of Coca-Cola!

 ~Dion Archibald

Must Have Books

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul by Caroll Michels

Guerrilla Marketing for Artists: Build a Bulletproof Art Career to Thrive in Any Economy by Barney Davey

Pulling a Rabbit Out of a Hat

It Only Took 18 Days

On June 9, I was offered a One-Person Show at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, PA with an (original) opening reception day of June 28.

OMG! That's ONLY 18 days away!!!

The gallery space has two separate areas and could fit around twenty-ish pieces of framed art. I had seven pieces framed. 

First Stop:  Panza Gallery!  Mark and his daughter, Jennifer worked with me to frame eighteen pieces within my practically non-existent budget and my absurd timeline.
 
Next on the list was designing an exhibit invitation. Designing the invite was easy. Agonizing over printers - well this is a post (rant) in itself.

Then comes the supporting marketing collateral for the exhibit. My Biography & Artist's Statement just needed to be printed on nice stock and framed. My dear friend and Marketer in Crime, Nadine Ostrowski, helped me whip out a Press Release. All that's left is the exhibit catalog and artwork tags.

Monkey Wrench! We found out that we had a conflict of dates with the PGA Seniors Tournament held across the street. They close the road except to PGA VIPs. So we had to change the dates for the opening reception. However, my timeline didn't really change. I was scheduled to escape to the beach and the only day I could hang the show was June 27.

On June 27 we pick up framed art. Twenty-one pieces total were framed, one of which was a triptych and two others were diptychs.  My incredibly awesome husband, Paul, helped me hang the exhibit in just a few hours.

The real work was done in just 18 days!

Now I could relax and enjoy a previously planned beach vacation

Last on my task list was promotion. I hit all the local newspapers and online calendars in a few hours then promoting the exhibit on all the social media until the opening on July 11.

Understand one very important thing here. I Could Not Have Pulled This Off WITHOUT the Help of a AWESOME Support Team. 

If you don't have a great support team, that could help you pull a rabbit out of a hat, then begin to build those relationships immediately. You Never know if someone is going to offer you a prime opportunity to showcase your work.

BTW, The opening reception was a hit!

Thank you to all who helped me pull this off and those who support my artwork

Joy and Laughter
~Rosemary

Numbers Game

Developing a fan base is a numbers game. If you throw enough stuff at the wall, something is bound to stick!

Typical marketing reach is you need to touch a prospect at least 3-10 before they even think about buying your stuff. Reality is more like 25 times before they take action.


If you're my friend, it's OK not to LIKE my Facebook Fan Page, but I will be eternally grateful if you SHARE my link with all your friends.

You see, it's all a numbers game, the more people I can reach, the quicker I find my fan base.

I don't need Everyone to LIKE my work, I just need a few people who love it enough to buy it or share it with their friends.

 Please help me reach my audience. I don't know where they are! They aren't sporting tattoos on their foreheads saying I love Hand Painted Photography. There are no neon lights over their heads flashing Art Lover.  My only chance of reaching them is with your help. Please share the links to my Facebook website and my website with all your friends.


Who I Want to Reach:
Gallery Curators & Owners
Interior Designers & Decorators
Art Consultants
Corporate Art Buyers
Art Lovers
People that like pretty places

If you know someone from the list above, I would really be grateful for an introduction.


And Don't Forget to:
Sign Up for News & Updates:    http://eepurl.com/AtCA1
LIKE  Facebook Fan Page:   https://www.facebook.com/HandPaintedPhotography
Visit my Website:    http://www.handpaintedphotography.com/


Thank you for your support. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me. I hope you can also take the time to promote other American Artists.


Joy & Laughter
~Rosemary

I get by with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
With a little help from my friends.
~The Beatles

Reprieved!

Elysian Fields

New Opening Reception Date!

Due to conflict with the PGA Seniors Tournament, the opening of the Low Tides & Bucolic Daze exhibit at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts has be rescheduled to: 

Thursday, July 11, from 7pm - 9pm

Hopewell Rocks

 You see, The Fox Chapel Country Club is hosting the 2013 PGA Seniors Tournament. The Hillman Center is across the street from the club and much of the parking is needed for the PGA. Couple that with limited access to Fox Chapel Road and you have a nightmare. And to be quite honest, I would like to have some warm bodies show up for the opening!

The exhibit will be unofficially open for viewing if you want to take a break from the Tournament and wander across the street to the Hillman Center.

If you are attending the Seniors, you'll find me trailing Freddie Couples, Mark Calcavecchia (although Brenda is really my hero here!) and of course Greg The Shark Norman.


Joy & Laughter
~Rosemary

Whirlwind!

In just 18 days I have a Art Exhibit opening at the Hillman Center for Performing Arts.

Now, this all happened in the last few days. On Wednesday I was offered the opportunity to exhibit my Hand Painted Photography through the Summer!

Verklempt!

No Time to be Verklempt! Too much to do. Framing, Press Release, Postcards, Catalog.

Extra Special Thanks to Mark Panza, Framer Extraordinaire!( Be sure to visit his website http://www.panzagallery.com)  Without his expertise I would not be able to get it done!

More Soon! Info: www.HandPaintedPhotography.com

Low Tides and Bucolic Daze

Pinfish Point

Elysian Fields

 

Hand Painted Photography

Opening Reception: Thursday, June 27 from 7 – 9pm.

The Hillman Center for Performing Arts
423 Fox Chapel Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

 

Joy & Laughter
~Rosemary

It took a while, but I finally found my blog!

Way too many email addresses & passwords!

Back Soon

Joy & Laughter
~Rosemary

Hurry! Good People On Sale!

Trend is men will go first and women will be hired at 70% salaries

Remember in the 70s when our dads got laid off? Our moms went to work while our dads did work that was below their skill set and well below their salaries.

Well, it’s happening again!

What are you gonna do?

FIRST and Foremost, Get your list of connections in order before you are asked to hire your replacements.

Understand the importance of your contact list. Most folks undervalue the LIST.

What if your competitor offers you a choice position? Now how important is your List?

Or what if you realize the cutbacks your current company is implementing will sacrifice quality and you decide that you want to start a competing company and bring your Top clients with you. Now how valuable is that List?

Don’t just consider if they can offer you a new position or business, but can they connect you to the RIGHT person. It’s not just who you know, but rather who THEY know.

Next, start reconnecting, let people know that things are shaky at your current employers and you are exploring your options.

Referability Expert and Author, Michelle Donovan, wrote a great article on activating your network after a layoff. This is a MUST READ ever if you think you’re safe!

In the last week, I’ve heard three different very successful professionals talk about the importance of relationships in achieving their success.

Think about it for a moment.

Relationships, both personal and professional really matter. In business, Word of Mouth is still the most effective way to find quality products or services.

How many times have you asked friends, family or co-workers, Who do you know that . .

People Do Business With People They Know, Like and Trust.

How strong are those relationships? Both Personal and Professional Relationships. What can you do to strengthen them?

How about sending a Real Greeting Card? It’s on me! FOR FREE!

Take a few minutes to send a real greeting card to someone you care about. Let them know how important they are to you.

NO OBLIGATION! NO RISK! Really

Go to:
1. www.GreetingCardsB2B.com
2. Turn your speakers on
3. You will be guided through sending a Real paper card!

You Click Send and We Do The Rest!

*Be sure you have the latest browser as we are using the newest technologies.

Until next time
~Rosemary
Come See What’s Brewing at
www.MadHattersTeapot.com

www.GreetingCardsB2B.com
www.HandPaintedPhotography.com


“ Fasten your seatbelt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

Life Is Too Short!!!

Arrggh! First Marvalyn, now Aunt Mary!!

Mary Randa Balster was an extraordinary woman! She was all about Family. Her family always came first. Aunt Mary’s home was warm and relaxed. She opened her arms and her home to everyone that walked through her doors. She made you feel special. Aunt Mary’s love wasn’t conditional. She just loved you because you were you! Not many people are like that.

Aunt Mary always hosted all the holiday celebrations. On average, there were between 30 to 40 or more people at any party. So much food that you just couldn’t help over eating. Oh and all the desserts! Pies! Cookies! Cakes! Then maybe if it were nice out, we would play a little Bacci. But the real fun was after dinner, after the dishes were cleared and we all sat around the table and laughed over old family stories. We would laugh until we cried and our sides hurt.

With her passing, my fear is the family will splinter off and we’ll only see them at weddings and funerals. I don’t know if anyone is up for the task of trying to fill those BIG shoes!

(How 'bout it Suz, you think you're up for it?)

Aunt Mary is back with Uncle Hank now.

We Love You and We Will Miss You Aunt Mary!

~Rosemary


www.MadHattersTeapot.com
www.GreetingCardsB2B.com

Tomorrow may be too late.

Yesterday, my friend, Marvalyn Germany, passed away in her sleep.

Marvalyn had a unique perspective on life and was well, she was quite a pisser!

She had it tough but overcame the crap life tossed her way. Marvalyn married at a very young age to an abusive man. She ultimately left with her children to start a new life. She ran several small businesses before become one of Pittsburgh’s Finest. Marvalyn did find love again with a good, gentle man, Jeffery, who loved her dearly. (We all loved Marvalyn, but how can you not!) Then a job related injury forced her into early retirement.

Marvalyn made me laugh. There isn’t enough laughter in this world.

Now, I am angry.

I am angry with myself.

You see, Marvalyn just had a birthday a couple of weeks ago and we were planning to get together for lunch to celebrate.

First she had to cancel, then I cancelled and we just never found the time to get together as we had planned.

I was planning to call her tomorrow, but it too late now. There is no tomorrow.


Life is too short to let the piddley things get in the way of the relationships that you value.

Pick up the phone and call someone you care about. Invite them out for a coffee or a drink or what ever, just don’t let another day go by.

Tomorrow may be too late.


Farewell my friend! I will miss you Marvalyn!

~Rosemary
www.MadHattersTeapot.com
www.GreetingCardsB2B.com