Thank You, Vistaprint!

desktop calendars and lined notebook

I just had a great experience with Vistaprint's customer service -- they were very helpful and accommodating on an order I had just placed (some more new merchandise for my Open Studio and online store I'm creating).  I told them I would pass along via my blog, my pleasure with their quality and service.  I use a few different online printing sources for different items and I'm definitely going to use Vistaprint more in the future.  I'm very excited!

In addition I wanted to share images of my new Vistaprint desktop calendar and a lined notebook I ordered.  I'm working out my pricing and will have these items up soon for sale.  I'll be sure to let you know.  I'm very pleased . . . I hope you like them too.

cover close-up

Thanks for popping by.

No Cavities! -- WIP"

"No Cavities" - wip
11" x 14"

I'm sorry I haven't been posting too much lately. Within the past few weeks I started a couple part-time jobs, so my time has been a bit limited as I try to work out my new schedule. I think though it's finally starting to come together -- although it has cut down on my painting time. But not to worry . . . I'm still painting . . . just not finishing things as quickly. So please bear with me while I work on my new routine.

In addition to the new jobs, I've had some other interesting opportunities arise and as I'm sure all you working artists understand, sometimes we have to stretch ourselves a little thin every once in a while to help get ourselves out there. Although when that happens to me, I just need to take a break.  I think I may have already explained, that after Easter I did just that. Well . . . I was all set to finally get back to my painting/blogging routine, when last week my husband and I had a great opportunity come our way. We were contacted by WCVB Boston's Chronicle -- a local news program that features different topics from all around New England. The show has been on forever and is quite iconic; we watch it all the time, so you can imagine our excitement! They were putting together a show featuring our town in Central Mass. and wanted to come visit us as one of their locations. My husband has a large train layout in his barn and between that and my studio, they decided to come interview us for the show. That was last Monday morning (before the terrible marathon events). I had a few days to do the extra special Spring cleaning (thanks to some help in the yard from my dad and my friend June who planted lovely flowers outside my studio!) needed for these special visitors, in between my other commitments. Anyway . . . it was a wonderful experience and we met two lovely ladies -- the producer and her camera-woman, although admittedly I was more than a little nervous. Hopefully it will come out well. Chronicle also visited a few other places in town - the Salem Cross Inn, Troubadour Mercantile, and a mini-horse farm.  I'll be sure to let you know when it airs, and link it here.  

In the meantime . . . I'm still trying to revisit some unfinished paintings. I really want to finish up these Fisher Price pieces that I began oh so long ago! Here's the second one from my series of three. Although, because I just sold the first one (In Line At The Theatre) . . . I think I may have to start a couple new ones!  :)  

Thank you for coming by and have a great day -- and happy painting!

New Workshop, New Painting, New Prints and a Shameless Plug

Good grief!  How'd ya' like this post's title?  I would LOVE to share with you the painting I'm finishing but alas I can't.  It's a gift and I'm not sure if the recipient reads my posts. So to be on the safe side, I'm just going to have to wait until after Christmas. But believe me it's all I can do to contain myself . . . in fact I'm having a heck of a time keeping the secret. This is why I can never shop early: I get so excited I want to give out all my presents early.

Oh . . . and so I'm sure you're wondering why I have posted a picture of "Steam Heat." I've decided that this is going to be the subject of my next Watercolor Workshop. You can read about the specifics of this 5-week course under "workshops" located on the navigation bar above. Students can choose their own "wallpaper" and color -- so at least they will have some choice while we all tackle basically the same project.  I think it should be fun and am really looking forward to it.

At the end of January I'm also presenting a workshop at the Concord Art Association on online marketing and social media -- sharing all I know about blogging and Facebook, DPW, printed marketing materials, how to make a website, and anything else that could help artists sell their work. I'm still learning myself, as it's a very long and never-ending process, but I'm looking forward to passing along to other artists, whatever I can, including great resources I've found. I'm finding the journey into becoming a "self-employed" artist VERY challenging, but extremely exciting and rewarding. And I just love and appreciate all the online support from other artists and art-lovers (you all!) and want to share what a positive online experience I've had with others. You can read about my upcoming workshops and other shows under "news and events" on the navigation bar above.

Hmmm . . . what else . . . oh yeah, the "shameless plug" part.  I just want to remind you that I have calendars and notecards for sale -- they can make great teacher gifts and/or stocking stuffers. And I also have a few prints. So check out the nav bar above for links to these items. In fact below are four new small prints. They are $10 each (plus tax and shipping where applicable). I'll be putting them up with their specs and links for purchasing later today or tomorrow -- so keep checking back. You can always email me if you'd like to make an order.

"Fireside Chat"

"Best Friends"

"What Not To Wear"

"Nostalgia I -- First Day of School"

Sorry for the long post -- just lots to catch up on!  Thanks for visiting!