Sounds of Flamenco By Gina Edwards

It's the digital age. There are many parts of it I love. The fact that I updated my ipad operating system and lost all my play list is not a part I love. There is lots of love and hate with technology.

One thing I love is being able to send my art and art thoughts out into cyber space in hopes that someone will stumble upon them. And not just my faithful reader...also known as mom. I often get comments that surprise me from people that have come upon my blog or website. Thanks all of you who keep checking in.

In an effort to keep you all having art filled days I have added a new feature to my website. I hope to twice a month post a new 'Behind the Easel' painting. Instead of just having paintings on the website I will give you the story behind the creative process, the nightmare wrong turns and the challenges of making a living at what I do. The above painting "Sounds of Flamenco" is first up.

So check out my website and let me know what you thought. Was it too much information? Were you ready to quit reading before it was done? Did you learn something? I appreciate your feedback. Because no matter who you are, you should always have an art filled day!

The Bottom Line

The Little Sue by Mark Wedekind

This stuff is amazing right? Organic and beautiful and functional. The table almost looks alive with it's arm gripping tightly to the rock. Every piece of wood with it's grain and light is it's own art.

This is Mark Wedekind, a friend of mine. Mark did a show with me a few years ago. I felt honored to have my little gallery space representing him. His work is award winning and even sits in the Anchorage museum. But Mark is losing hope of continuing as an artist. I know, it's a horrifying thought. To think that kind of talent would go untapped but it all comes down to the bottom line.

Ug, the dreaded bottom line. With the economy having more bad days than good days making a living as an artist has become an even greater challenge. How do you not get worn down with the weariness of trying to make a buck? I was chatting with Ann, Mark's wife, the other day and I almost felt a bit guilty as we discussed the frustration of making a living creating hand shaped, custom furniture. Why?

A few year back I decided to start making prints of my paintings. Prints became note cards and notebooks and before I knew it I had several items $25 and under. Then I created a book. True, that was a large outlay of money to start with but with $30 here and $50 there I am keeping my head above water. Selling an original is not the regular event it used to be. But with a little here and there I do okay. How does an artist like Mark make that happen?

Mark and Ann have a plan. A good one and hopefully it will bring some relief to the nagging bottom line. It would be a crime to have Mark quit creating his magic with wood. Check out his website and friend him on facebook. An artist like Mark is too valuable to lose.

www.blackstonedesign.com

Making Hay

I grew up a Midwest kid surrounded by farms. My family didn't have a farm but we leased out parts of our land for cows and most my friends had farms. I heard my fair share of country speak. When I visit home I find myself picking it up again. You know things like, " She looked as dazed as a fresh, sheared sheep". But today we will talk about the phrase, " Making hay." It isn't the full phrase, I think it is, " You need to make hay while the sun shines." ( I need to call my sister in law who is a master at country speak) The point is this, when the hay is dry and cut you don't linger. You get it raked and baled, in the barn before the rains come. If you don't beat the rain your goose is cooked.

I have been busy making hay. Trying to find the balance of getting sales when there are sales to be had and not running myself self exhausted into the ground is tough. Here I am at the book fair, three days of hard work.

The next weekend I did a First Friday show at Gallery 31 Fifty which continued over to Monday. I did a special promotion with the Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage at this show. Anyone who came to the show on a bike got a free print.

I painted over 10 new paintings to feature at all these events. And I got to tell you, I am as tired as a stud horse in spring time! I am as freaked out as a chicken with a fox roommate! I am....okay, I have tortured you enough.

I am SO very grateful for all my customers old and new that help me 'make hay'. Being an artist full time is a dream come true and even the rough patches don't dull the fun of this job. You could say I am as happy as a lark.