NEWSLETTER 2008 Wow, 2007 was a whirlwind year. We did more shows than every and wore ourselves out. We are trying to rethink things and not spend quite as much time on the road. I found I need more studio time because I am selling more (not a bad problem) so we will be eliminating a few shows. Of course it doesn't look like it yet on the calendar. I'm hoping the health issues are behind us now. George is still in the official recuperation stage from his cancer surgery last spring but doing well and ahead of schedule in his healing. So far all test results are good. It sure makes you stop and think and re-organize your priorities, if they were out of whack! I'm just glad he's here! Can't wait until we are silly again, have been too serious for awhile. I know the fun will return. Meanwhile it has been a gangbuster year for my own career, with awards and the like. I have been named the "artist of the year" for The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, which means T-shirts, banners, posters, bookmarks, ads and even caps with my artwork on it! I am truly honored.
I received another honor as well. Ampersand Art Materials, the maker of Clayboard Black, my choice in scratchboard, has renamed the product "scratchbord" and chosen a piece of my artwork to be the label for the new museum series product line. They will have a student line of boards out this year, too, which will allow many more teachers to provide it for their kids. The price point will be agreeable with most school systems. Then the kids will not get so frustrated having to work on inferior product and will continue on to the professional grade. I really enjoy being a consultant for these people who DO listen.
I don't know if any of you subscribe to Wildlife Art Magazine, but I started advertising my work there last year in the "Websites to watch" section. This year they used some of my how-to-do-it stuff in an article on scratchboard. Glad to see a major publication featuring scratchboard and the artists who use it. It helps the general public in their understanding of the medium.
Kind of nice, huh? Well, we sure hope to see a lot of you while we are out and about doing the shows. Some things have changed. I am mounting all of my paper prints so that you just have to find a frame, if I don't have one for it in the van! They were getting bummed up with too much handling. I have added a bunch to the line, and will try to have a brochure put out. My problem is that I want to make prints of everything now, because I like them all! I'm loving having my assistant, Sara. She really has been a blessing and I have been able to devote much more time to the drawing board with her doing my framing and data entry. I'll be organized someday. I do have a good data base on all owners now but need to get my e-mail newsletter and burst thing happening. She doesn't know how to do the website yet either, so that is why it is slow. I have to wait until I have gotten my specified goal of pieces done before I allow myself to do it. I had so many commissions last year it kept me from doing new works, so I laid out 2 months to get most of the spring inventory done....see my "new" page! I should have 2 more months this spring/summer for new things, just have to get more good photos to work from. Dirty thankless job but I love it!
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photo by Lee Bennack