Thursday, November 29, 2007

OPEN STUDIOS




Well, I had a very successful Open Studio event! The newspaper blurb certainly didn't hurt. There was a steady stream of people Fri & Sat--Sun was a bit slower. The number of people was almost overwhelming at times. Being downtown, plus excellent weather made for lots of visitors.


I had such lovely comments on my work.........even people who stopped in briefly "just to look" said how my images moved them. It was very gratifying to hear that my work affected people so deeply.


I had wanted to do a "virtual studio tour" here with pictures that I took, but they didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. It was already dark when I took them & the lights in the studio reflect into the glass on some of the frames. So I decided to just post one or two. I didn't have time to fool around with it as I had to break down the show into working studio mode and get ready for the show for this weekend! The car is almost all packed--set up is tomorrow & I'll be heading out at 6:30 AM. Onward & upward!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

PAY IT FORWARD


I read about the "Pay it Forward" game on Tracy Helgeson's blog. Unfortunately, I was too late to be a recipient of one of her paintings. (I am a fan of her work) However, I followed the thread and found Mary Ann--who is one of the lucky ones to get a creation of Tracy's----and, lo & behold---I was in time to sign up on Mary Ann's blog. (As of the time of this posting, Mary Ann is still looking for her third person, so check it out!)
Here's the deal for "Pay it Forward"---
"I will send a handmade gift (it will probably be a small painting)to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!(You will most likely get it in the beginning of 2008, considering my current schedule/state of overwhelm) The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."
How fun! I think it will be a great way to bring in the new year & get me started on a whole new group of paintings!
Image: "White Pelican" Gouache on paper--original painting in private collection. Giclee prints available.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

DOWN TO THE WIRE


I am frantically preparing for the upcoming shows. (See sidebar) I feel like I haven't slept well in weeks & I am living & working amid the chaos of papers, boxes, artwork & everything else strewn around.


Several days ago I got an email from Tess Elliot, Managing Editor of the Point Reyes Light. She said, "I see that you will be part of the Celebration of Craftswomen event in San Francisco. We have a Celebrations section in the paper each week, and I thought it may be some nice free publicity as well as a nice way to be honored in the community to have your photo in there, with a paragraph about your work. If you're interested, just send a high-res photo, and a blurb about you... "


YIKES! I was already up to my ears. A couple of days went by & then I remembered--"I have to get something in to her & not let this opportunity pass by!


Of course, they wanted a people picture & I didn't have one--but I have my new digital camera (YAY!) & I thought--what the hell! Let's see what I can come up with. So I took a bunch of shots of me in front of a large painting--most of them looked like I should have a serial number on my chest, but I finally got one that looked acceptable. So I did a little blurb about the show & how long I have been doing it & what my work was, and emailed it in.


Here's my blurb:


"The Celebration of Craftswomen is celebrating its 29th year as the largest Women’s Fine Crafts Show in the US. Point Reyes painter Christine DeCamp has been participating in this event since 1991. Christine’s paintings are richly colored and intricately detailed visionary images that have roots in symbolism , mythology and storytelling. Our local West Marin landscape often serves as a backdrop to her tales. Christine will be at the Celebration of Craftswomen during the second weekend, which is Dec. 1 & 2 from 10 AM to 5PM. The show is held at Fort Mason in San Francisco.
Christine is also participating in Point Reyes Open Studios during Thanksgiving Weekend - Nov 23, 24 & 25 from 11AM -5PM and at the KPFA Crafts and Music Fair on Dec. 8 & 9 at the Concourse at 8th and Brannan in San Francisco"




Tess was kind enough to let me know that she had received it & was enthusiastic about the photo as well as the painting. So I am keeping my fingers crossed that it gets in next week's paper. Wish me luck!!!




Image: Photo of me in front of "Oxum, Queen of the Waters" acrylic and mixed media on canvas 40" x40" $4800.

Monday, November 12, 2007

DAFFODILS FOR TAMMY


A few days ago, Tammy mentioned on our class blog that with the darkness of the winter season, she needed to be thinking of the reemergence of spring and the return of the daffodils--so these are for her.


Today's topic for our Promote your Art class with Alyson Stanfield is a "Promotional Menu" worksheet with about 15 different areas to choose from, and spaces in which to put your goals and deadlines. Alyson recommended that we post it on our blog as a committment to our goals.

Here are my immediate plans, some of which I am already working on:

1. Update my website---I am in the middle of doing this right now and hope to update it about every 6 months.

2. Blog---- work on my blog--this is ongoing and I will be continuing it--I love doing it!

3.Open Studios--I already do Open Studios twice a year with our local Pt. Reyes group--will continue & see what I might do to make it better--how else can I promote myself as a part of it?

One thing I need to do is to get some pictures of me in my studio to add to our website---which I will do before the next Open Studios.

4.Mailing List---I have started putting my mailing list on a "real" program on my computer---I have all my new people on this list & in January when I have more time, I am going to work on transferring my old list to the new program.

5.Grant applications--I intend to apply for a grant with the Marin Arts Council in February. I need to talk to Lance Walker, who is the head of the grant program, and find out what I need to do to apply.

6.Gallery Representation---I have 2 galleries in mind that I intend to apply to--this has been on the back burner for about 8 or 9 months. Will work on this in January and also look for other possibilities.

My intention is to work on these projects and check back to this post sometime--perhaps in March, and see what I have accomplished and what else needs to be done. And then I will update my list & see what I would like to work on during the Spring season.

What's on your Promotional list?



Image: "Daffodils" Gouache on paper 18" x 26" framed $795.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

COCOONS & COINKYDINKS




This blogging world is so interesting........I am amazed at the connections/similarities of paths taken/coincidences that appear. Andrea just visited my blog recently & when I looked at her work (she has lovely drawings and fiber arts), I saw some drawings for what she calls "Cocon Spirits" that look very much like some "Cocoon" paintings I have done. So I am posting them here for her enjoyment and yours as well.

Monday, November 5, 2007

COUNTDOWN TO OPEN STUDIOS


There's less than 3 weeks before Point Reyes Open Studios--and so much left to do (nevermind cleaning the studio!) This time of year unfinished projects pile up on work spaces, & things (like the bills I was supposed to pay last week--OOPS) go by the wayside. I fantasize about maintaining a calm and ordered existence, but it seems my creative energy flow demands this crescendo of activity to some form of chaos, and then a regrouping, reordering and organizing phase. I'm making magnets, more cards (there's never enough!), tons of prints to mount , and still one original painting (above) to frame. As I produce more, it becomes more of a chore to do the finish work--framing, mounting, etc. It might be nice to have some help with this part of the business. Funny.......I just opened my fortune cookie from my Chinese takeout dinner (twice-cooked pork--Yum!) and it said "Focus on your long term goal. Don't hesitate to act now." So, as I think ahead to 2008, I will envision having that help..........in the meantime, I had better get busy.



Image: "Dance of Spring" Gouache on paper 19" x 15"

Thursday, November 1, 2007

HALLOWEEN


Halloween was a lot of fun this year--sort of like Mardi-gras without the alcohol. Lots of people crowding the streets. I went to Petaluma with some friends, and it is a big deal there. People create entire installations in their yards and all around their houses. Everyone was in a happy mood, lots of great costumes & fun. This photo was one of the best ones we saw........an entire horse skeleton with a carriage and a real person "driving" it. There was a wonderful cackly witch on the porch, giving out candy. Definitely one of the high points.

CECROPIA MOTH


I thought I would share this Moth woman image..........I saw a lovely big butterfly photo on a blog by Zooms & it made me think of this painting. So I left her a message that I would post it. And here it is!



Image: "Night Moth " Acrylic on canvas with mixed media Original in private collection Giclees available