Fall Open Studio

Well hello again. So I never really got things going on my new blog location. I can't seem to figure things out . . . I'm not feeling too tech savvy these days. And besides, blogger has just been so easy to manage. So I guess I will not be leaving any time soon and thus, I will try to update this blog like I used to. I really kind of just gave up after I mentioned that I'd be moving. And besides, it wasn't too easy to update from my phone! What's up with that?

So anyhoo . . . I'm hosting my annual Fall Open Studio on October 20th and 21st. If you are local, I hope you will stop by. Lots of new paintings . . . I'll be posting them here in the weeks to come.

I'm Moving!

Hello all, I've decided to move my blog over to my website account. That way everything will be in one place and I can update it from my phone when I need to.

I'm a little sad to leave blogger -- it's been very good to me and I really like how user-friendly it is but sometimes one just has to move on. I hope you understand.

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and hope that you will all join me at my new cyber-location:

https://www.karakbigda.com/blog

See you at the new digs!

Belchertown Art Walk

I will be at the Belchertown Town Hall from 1 to 4 pm, tomorrow, Saturday, April 28th as part of the Quabbin Art Association's participation in the Belchertown Art Walk.  If you are out and about . . . come visit!  I will be painting and have a few items for sale and display.

Happy Friday!

When I'm Not Painting

I made reference recently to the fact that I struggle with marketing and keeping up with all the "other" stuff that goes along with running an art business: like blogging, posting to social media, entering shows, writing newsletters, etc. I often set a schedule only to follow it for a short time and ditch it after a while. 

So here I am, once again, arranging an editorial calendar and organizing my business responsibilities for myself so that I can maintain more consistency in my bookkeeping and marketing efforts. I have some great mentors in this arena and am hopeful that I can improve my organization and follow-through. Sometimes it's hard to be me. Ha!

What part of your art business do you struggle with? 

New Braintree Sap

"New Braintree Sap"
16" x 12"
watercolor on clayboard

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted. Good grief! As you well know, my consistency with blogging isn't always the best. Marketing and social media maintenance is my Achilles heel with regards to my art business. For me, the painting is the most comfortable part. While I enjoy posting, keeping up with it and "marketing" is tough for me. I have to really work at efficiently scheduling my time and when life gets in the way, it's the first thing that suffers. Just know that I will forever be working at this because I guess it's "just how I roll."  Ha!

That being said, even though some of my priorities have been shifted the past few weeks, I managed to finish a couple paintings and enter some shows. I'm also working on a solo exhibit that I'll be having this summer. I'll let you know more about that soon.

So . . . for now I'm sharing with you my new painting, "New Braintree Sap" and I'm excited to say that it's already found a "forever home." I'm so lucky to have such wonderful collectors.

Have a great start to your week!

Doggy Paddlin'

"Doggy Paddlin'"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on clayboard)
$275

I finally finished this little painting yesterday so that I could hang it in a local exhibit at the Palmer Library in Palmer, Massachusetts. It is part of the Library's Community Collaborative "Rivers" Art Exhibit. A reception is scheduled for Wednesday night from 5:00 - 6:30 pm with a poetry reading event following from 6:30 - 8:00. You can find more information here if you are interested in attending. It should be a lovely event.

Have a great day!

Tomato Progress ...

I've been a little remiss at posting . . . my goal is to post 2-3 times a week, but I don't always do it. Ugh. I thought you might like to see how this painting is shaping up. I'm still not done, but it's close. Lots and lots of layers.

Have a delightful day and enjoy the groovy music!

Portfolio Review

I spent some time recently revising and re-designing my Artist's Statement, Biography, and c.v. so that they all reflect my new brand. I needed to do this and the fact that I was going to be attending my first Portfolio Review last weekend hosted by the Cambridge Art Association at the Lesley University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts presented me with the necessary deadline.

I had never participated in a Portfolio Review and was a little nervous as I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. But it proved to be a great experience. I met with three reviewers, two individuals from local museums and one gallery owner. My reviews were a mixed bag with some overlap but all very helpful. I found that I "clicked" most with a gallery owner who's basic outlook on art seemed to match mine, which is probably a more pragmatic, business point of view. I mean, I have an appreciation for making art that feeds one's soul, but let's face it, I gotta eat. For me, painting what I love is paramount, and improving my skills as a painter and editor of subjects and how they are conveyed is important to me. Lucky for me I've been able to connect with my many collectors who share this appreciation for and my depictions of, the simplicities of life. They have purchased my painting, supporting me in this wacky endeavor to document my time in history, for which I am extremely grateful. Overall, I left the review feeling encouraged, inspired and ready to take the next steps necessary for gaining more exposure.

Cambridge Art Association did a wonderful job hosting this event and preparing artists through a Portfolio Review Preparation Workshop a couple weeks before. 

Below is a little slideshow that I put together of the work I showed at my reviews.  Thank you for following me on this journey!  Now I better get back to my drawing board!!

Big Tomatoes

"Big Tomatoes" - work-in-progress
24" x 24"
watercolor on clayboard

We're getting there! Hope to have this one finished up very soon. Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by.

Making Some Progress

"New Braintree Sap" - work-in-progress
16" x 12"
watercolor on clayboard

Well we received some more snow here in the Northeast yesterday. Hard to imagine that spring is on its way. Good grief! But a snowday makes for a good painting day. Here are my works-in-progress.

work-in-progress
14" x 11"
watercolor on clayboard

"Big Tomatoes" - work-in-progress
24" x 24"
watercolor on clayboard

Have a great day!

New Ones

work-in-progress
24" x 24"
watercolor on clayboard

I was absent from the blog last week, but I was busy in the studio. In the midst of finishing up old paintings I began some new ones.

The first is a 24" x 24" painting of tomatoes. My first version of this composition was on some kind of illustration board many years ago and although I was close to finishing it, I just didn't like the way the board was taking the watercolor. So I scrapped it. Then I painted a smaller version on watercolor paper -- I think around 10" x 10" -- of the same colander with tomatoes, a few years later. However I knew I always wanted to do this painting bigger than life. So I decided to jump in last week on the clayboard. I'm looking forward to sharing my progress with you ... and I can't wait to see what it's like all done!

Last week I also decided to turn my sap bucket sketch into a larger painting on clayboard. I so love painting on this surface!

New Braintree Sap - wip
16" x 12"
watercolor on clayboard

Lastly, I drew out three white pitchers.  I'm much further along on this one, but you'll just have to wait to see . . .

work-in-progress
11" x 14"
watercolor on aquabord

Happy Monday -- have a great start to your week!

Sketching Spring

sap bucket - sketch
watercolor on paper

Well, technically it's not spring yet here in the Northeast, but it's been brilliant like spring so I'm going with it. The sap buckets are out and the light was just right as I drove by the other day, so I snapped some photos. I want to practice more on my trees, so this seemed like the right subject.  I think I'll do a larger painting of this on clayboard.

Have a great day!

pasted into my sketchbook

Cutler Road - sketch
watercolor on paper

Grape Demo

wip
watercolor on clayboard

Thursdays are my teaching days here in the studio. Most of the time my students work on independent projects and I guide them and (hopefully) help them when they need it. Sometimes though, they all decide they want to paint something together. Last week we began this little 6" x 6" painting of grapes on clayboard. I did a little more work on it over the weekend and videotaped my process, so stay tuned!

Have a great start to your week!

Pasted

I decided to paste this little sketch into my watercolor sketchbook for reference. I don't keep a regular sketchbook but am once again trying to get into the habit as I'm always impressed when I see others' books. They're so inspiring and sketching in general is just a good way to practice skills.

So I will once again, try to do more sketching. I can't promise I will, but I'm going to try. Do you keep a sketchbook? How often do you sketch? What kinds of things do you sketch . . . and how much time do you devote to sketching? I'd love to read your responses!

Cutler Road sketch
8" x 8"
(watercolor on paper)

Happy Friday, Happy Sketching, and Have a great weekend!

Trees and Time-Lapse

I worked on this little sketch today. It's on an Arches hot-pressed watercolor block. Paper is not my favorite to paint on, but it's always good to practice. Trees are a challenge for me, so I decided to give them a little time today.

I've also been messing around with my new iPhone. I've never owned one (crazy, I know). But I broke down and got one about a month ago and have been having a lot of fun taking photos, and planning out animated Instagram posts not to mention some stop-animation video of my Fisher Price Little People. My time-lapse of today's sketch is below . . . enjoy the funky jams. Ha!

Happy painting and I'm heading back to the drawing board!  

Work-In-Progress

work-in-progress
12" x 12"
(watercolor on clayboard)

I was recently reminded how important critique is. A dear friend and fellow artist came for a visit and as usual we got around to talking "art." We were in my studio and I was voicing my plans for future paintings and what I hope to accomplish and achieve with regards to my artistic growth. It was so enlightening to hear an objective perspective and she helped me clarify what things I need to work on to strengthen my work going forward, putting words to my feelings; giving me a concrete path to follow.

We spoke in generalities and then specifically about this painting, which has been vexing me for a few days now. I'm looking forward to applying the direction I received and excited to execute what we talked about and finally finish this painting!

I was reminded that my paintings aren't the only "works-in-progress" in the studio. 

detail

Have a great start to your week!

The Crush -- Happy Valentine's Day!

"The Crush"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on clayboard)

Aaahhh . . . remember the days of school Valentine's? The doily-decorated box of valentines in the back of the room and the party at the end of the day. I always had chips and popcorn stuck to the frosting on my cupcake that I'd stuff in a bag to bring home for later. Ha!

For all intents and purposes I'm calling this one done. I'll probably tweak it a bit, but will have it up for sale on my site in a day or so. Wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day!

No Travel Today

"Blueberries Revisited" - SOLD
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I thought I was going to be traveling to Concord today to pick up my painting from the Concord Art Association's Members Juried Show, but I was informed last week that "Blueberries Revisited" sold! A big thank you to my new collectors and to the Concord Art Association for including this little painting in their show.  

Wishing you all a good week . . . I am off to paint!

Church Street Progress

4 1/2 Church Street - wip

Just giving you a little update.  It's shaping up nicely I think. Still have plenty of work to do though.

Revisiting Old Paintings

wips

I don't know about you, but I have plenty of paintings laying around the studio that I need to finish. So I am slowly working my way through them, while of course still starting some new ones. (Ha! I just can't help myself.)

4 1/2 Church St. - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

This is my first night scene. I started it sometime ago but abandoned it because it looked so lousy. But I'm back at it . . . trying to get it to a place that satisfies me. So far so good, I feel like it may come together after all. 

Thanks for stopping by.

All "Dressed Up" With Somewhere To Go

"Dressed Up"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

This little ditty will soon be heading to its "forever home." I enjoy painting packaging and this one was no exception. This commission is joining five other paintings I painted for this collector last year. I'm sure it will fit right in. Here's the rest of "the family."

Many thanks to my collector.  This was such a fun series to paint!

Have a terrific weekend. 

The Crush (cont'd)

"The Crush" - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I made a little more progress on this last week and hope to finish it up this week.  Stay tuned . . .

Nora

"Nora"
8" x 10"
(watercolor on aquabord)

While this little lady is no longer here on earth, I'm sure she is spending time in doggy heaven looking down upon her mom and still protecting her. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to paint Nora -- many thanks to my collector. This one was a pure joy to paint.

Have a great start to your week!

"The Crush" . . . the beginning phase

Last week, while doing some shooting for the RHOFP (Real Housewives of Fisher Price) I decided to take a break and plan out a new Valentine's Day painting. No time like the present for killing two birds with one stone: next year's calendar and this year's Valentine painting. Below is a behind-the-scenes at my photoshoot...

and the new work-in-progress.

"The Crush" - wip
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Enjoy your day!

Flying By The Seat Of My Pants

Happiness is . . . a vintage Fisher Price toy collection!
(Although for all you purists, this is the Playskool McDonald's)

I tend to like routine and plans but for a little over a year now I've had some life things get in the way. Nothing bad, just the way things go sometimes. I'm sure you all understand. And in the midst of tending to unexpected life events I decided I still must focus more on my art career and not let the momentum I've worked so hard to achieve, slow down. That means staying consistent . . . which can be really difficult when life gets in the way.

Part of that consistency includes marketing and consciously setting time aside to devote to just that, something I've never really done. (While I have a love affair with routine, I often have a tough time sticking to it). It takes loads of discipline, something I've always struggled with.

And part of my new marketing plan is a new instagram account: "Real Housewives of Fisher Price." (There really is a method to my madness, even though this seems completely random!) 

I've created a crazy cast of characters with storylines a la "Real Housewives" and have been posting little "episodes" for a couple of weeks, I hope you will check it out. I've also created a new Facebook page for the #RHOFP which you can access here. It's fun and challenging and different. But most of all, it takes time and while I try to stay disciplined and ahead of the game, somedays I still find myself flying by the seat of my pants! 

Shipping Packages ... Continued

AWS Postal Scale

Friday I left you with some information on mailing that wasn't totally complete.  So over the weekdn I took a photo of my scale (which will weigh up to 55 lbs. and costs somewhere between $20-30.) You can find this scale (and ones like it) on amazon or the OfficeMax or ULine sites.  Purchasing a postal scale is definitely worth the small investment as it will make your life much easier. 

Here's some other information that took me a little while to figure out but has helped streamline my process:

I find that if you're shipping something that was paid through PayPal it is easiest to click on the button that indicates you'd like to ship that package, while on the PayPal page that shows the sale. You will then be taken to a page where the sender's information is already entered. (It's been so long that I can't remember if you need to set anything up on your end, so forgive me if I'm leaving anything out). From here, you basically just follow the prompts on the page that will ask you what kind of shipping you'd like to use. I generally use Priority 1-3 days -- and if you are using your own packaging/thick envelope it will then prompt you to enter the weight and dimensions of your package.  (You can also use the USPS flat rate shipping envelopes/boxes that you can pick up or order from the Post Office). 

Next, decide if you want insurance, and then just calculate your shipping. It's pretty much, that easy. Print out your shipping label and you're done! Your shipping cost comes directly out of your PayPal account. And you will have a tracking number that you can click on at any time to check on the status of your shipment. You can also opt to have an email sent directly to your buyer, letting them know that their shipment is on its way.

I find using PayPal to ship is easier than going to the USPS site, which confuses me. However, I have managed to use it and it works fine. It just takes me a little longer because I'm not that familiar with it and there are so many ways to mail a package I find it more time-consuming to find what I need. But you might not find it as confusing.

And here's a final important trick:

If you weren't paid through PayPal but want to ship through PayPal (because you find it easier like I do), this is what I do:  you can go to www.paypal.com/shiplabel/create/ -- you just have to already be signed in to PayPal. Then just follow the prompts. I have never been able to find a menu item on PayPal's site that indicates how to ship a package. Thus, I've bookmarked the link above so that I can easily go there when I want to ship something.

I hope this information helps you find the easiest method for you!  Happy painting, selling and shipping!

Shipping Packages

It's been a busy week, shipping calendars and paintings -- thank you to my collectors and patrons! 

If you are an artist and have just started selling your work online you may want to devote some time into learning how to package your work and mail it from home. In addition, investing a little money into purchasing a few packing supplies will make your life much easier as well.

It took me a little time, so be patient with yourself, but figuring out how best to package your work, whether in boxes or bubble wrap mailers or with the USPS flat rate shipping envelopes and boxes will save you lots of time, $ and frustration in the future. Research how other artists ship their work -- there are plenty of blog posts from artists who are happy to share what they do and how they do it, so others don't have to reinvent the wheel. Just find someone whose style resonates with you or combine a couple helpful tidbits from various artists.

ULine, Nashville Wraps and PaperMart are a few of the companies that provide wonderful shipping materials.  Check out all their goodies . . . but try to limit yourself so you don't end up spending a bunch of money on things you don't need. Figure out the size of the majority of work that you'll be shipping and find a packaging method that works for you. 

A good scale is necessary if you are going to prepare and ship from home.  I use one that I purchased either on Amazon or through Staples (I can't remember) but it weighs items up to 50 lbs. 

SOLD!

"Cutie Pie"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)
SOLD

I'm happy to share that "Cutie Pie" has sold!  Valentine's Day is on it's way folks . . . I have a few notecards and a couple paintings that would make lovely gifts for your special Valentine.  Visit my website to see what's available.

"A Missing Whitman"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

"Giggle Giggle, Wink Wink"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)

"Paper Heart No. 1"
6" x 6" (framed to 11" x 11")
(matted and framed watercolor on paper)

The Little People Are Here!

2018 Little People Calendars
$12.00

Click here to purchase.

The Little People desk calendars are finally here! I  hadn't planned on doing one this year until sometime in December.  Yeow!  I needed a few more paintings to make it complete so hence the delay.  For all my Little People still life fans out there, I promise that this year I will do better.

If you click on the link above, even if you don't want to purchase, you can at least get a better look as to what's inside. 

Have a great day!

Another Day at the Office

"Another Day at the Office"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)
$200

Click here to purchase.

By the time you read this post, I should have my Little People calendars in! I'm excited to see them. It's a little late, but at least it's still January.  (yikes) 

In the meantime, here is one of the paintings in the calendar. For busy flight attendants, a trip to a foreign destination is just "another day at the office."

Enjoy your day!

The Budding Artist

"The Budding Artist"
12" x 12"
(watercolor on aquabord)
$350

Click here to purchase.

I guess we can call this my first painting of 2018. It may have been started some time ago, but it's the first one finished this year. I think this would make a really cute addition to budding artist's bedroom, don't you?

Have a great day!

Winners and Losers

"Blueberries Revisited"
8" x 8" - (watercolor on aquabord)
on exhibit Jan. 11 - Feb 10, 2018 -- Concord Art Association - Massachusetts

I am happy to share that "Blueberries Revisted" has been juried into the Concord Art Association's 2018 MJ1 Show. 

For those of you who are new to painting and thinking about selling your art, joining local art groups is a good way to meet other artists and try out entering juried exhibits. The art world can be intimidating but I've had such lovely experiences with the groups I've joined, that I would encourage anyone starting out, to give it a go. You will learn a lot. 

One of the things you will learn is that getting juried into a show is not guaranteed. BUT don't get discouraged when a work is rejected. (Wow . . . that sounds harsh, doesn't it? Rejected. It will happen but don't sweat it.) 

"The Attorney's Door"
18" x 24"
(watercolor on aquabord)
$1850 - payment plans available

So now I'm going to share with you the "LOSER" from my post title. "The Attorney's Door" was rejected from the Concord MJ1 Show. To me, the notification was just part of another work day . . . I didn't take it to heart. Artwork can be dismissed for all kinds of reasons, it certainly doesn't mean it's a "bad" piece. So try not to take it personally. (Incidentally this painting was juried into a very selective national show last year and received very high praise.)

The most important thing is that you are doing what you enjoy doing and if you so desire to exhibit in a juried show . . . keep trying. Aside from the $ and travel that you expend when you enter, you shouldn't feel like you've lost anything . . . especially confidence. It's a hit and miss thing and rejection happens to every artist putting herself out there.  

Happy creating!  Have a good start to your week.

To see more of my work or to make a purchase, visit www.karakbigda.com