Getting ready for Artprize and other fall art projects.

Ok, so last year was a lot of fun! I am appreciating my brother and sister -in-law. They so graciously let me hang my painting in their gallery last year for ArtPrize. It was unbelieveable. The crowds were like none we'd ever seen. Well, this year I am trying to keep my spirits up and look for the positive. The gallery is gone, so I looked for a different venue this year. Most of all, I wanted to be able to say I was in it for a second year.  Back in June when I and my family were on vacation in Florida, I got a call from a venue wanting to ask me some questions and then finally asking me if I would be interested in hanging my painting in their business. The business is "O'tooles Public House".  Perfect. My painting is of a stone castle window looking at a castle turret. I used photos I took in England for reference. Later after I got home, I got a contract in the mail from them. I filled out my portion and mailed it to them.  Then my summer got very very busy! It has been quite a summer. This has been the best summer for me as an artist since I started seriously persuing it. At times I found myself going in circles.  Finally, September arrives. The first week was spent getting ready for the Harbor Hospice Benefit in Pentwater, Michigan. I knew I hadn't heard anything from my venue for ArtPrize since sending my contract back and wondered in the back of my head what was going on. The next week I decided I'd better start digging in my files and call someone there. I couldn't find the name of the person that I spoke with in June. All I had was a contract and it was on the internet too. There was a contact name there, so I decided that I must probably call that person. I did so and left a message. A couple of days go by with nothing. So I decided to call the restaurant directly. No one there knew anything and referred me to another office of theirs. I called there and finally talked to the woman that I talked to last June. Unfortunately, she didn't know much about ArtPrize or what I should be doing. Finally figured I should come and hang my painting on Monday. She doesn't have any info from ArtPrize, so I will have to track it down. The contact person that was on the internet no longer works for them, so she was probably still getting all the info from ArtPrize and not forwarding any of it to the proper people. So this has been my experience this year. I'm hoping that people will be aware that my piece is an ArtPrize piece! Please stop by "O'tooles Public House" on Bridge street in Grand Rapids if you get the chance and see my painting. It is called "Window to the Past" and depicts a stone castle gate window viewing the castle called "Leeds". 

Getting Ready for the Benefit Show in Pentwater

This week is going to be a busy week ahead as I prepare for the Harbor Hospice benefit this Saturday, September 11th  in Pentwater, Michigan.  I make small prints for customers to remember their time there and cut my own mats,bag and price each one. Also my husband has been putting together small wooden "plaques" for me. On these plaques I decoupage' prints of some of my fine art pieces. They make great gifts for friends or for yourself. I will need to get a frame for the giclee' print that I am donating to the silent auction at the benefit. I am framing a 12 x 16 of my piece called "Rock On" which is pictured here on this page. So I am going to be busy, busy busy....but that is good.  This whole month plans to be that way, what with Artprize coming up in a couple of weeks.  I am also in the middle of working on a commission.
If you have never looked at my art, please go to my website which is http://www.sowaart.com/. And if you would like more information on the benefit in Pentwater, which is always fun with wine tasting, lots of food, silent auction, artists selling their goods, live band etc. contact Durand Wine at 231-869-5520.