Tuesday, November 8, 2011

HOT WAX!

 I had the pleasure of taking a trip into SF last Sunday to see the final day of SF Open Studios, which was at Hunter's Point in the old naval shipyards. The idea of artists holding open studios began in San Francisco, & that's where I first started doing open studios way back in the 80's. Looking back on it all now---it seems like that was the beginning of artists taking back their power and taking responsibility and control of their work and careers--before the internet.


It was a great day--saw lots of interesting work and made some nice connections with artists. One of the studios that really intrigued me was Howard Hersh's painting studio. Howard does encaustic and his working set up was somewhat mysterious, as he had 2 sawhorses set up in front of his griddle for the hot wax & those sawhorses were coated with thick layers of wax. It all made me very curious as to how he worked--and I found this wonderful video of him working and talking about his work and philosophy. It's very nicely done & he is quite fascinating--so I had to share it with you! Enjoy.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

INTERVIEW with ERNESTO SANCHEZ for Left Coast Artists Video Project

As this interview was a bit long, I made it into two parts (You Tube was rejecting it) It's a great view of Ernesto's studio and his unique work. You will enjoy it--and don't forget Part 2!



Sunday, October 23, 2011

Two Coats of Paint: A rolling conversation: Pricing artwork

Two Coats of Paint: A rolling conversation: Pricing artwork: Everyone begins taking their seats before the Rolling Conversations get underway. Dr. Paul D'Agostino of Centotto and Rolling Conversat...


This is a great post from artist & teacher Sharon Butler's blog
"Two Coats of Paint"--well worth a read, esp for you artists out there. From a live discussion about  pricing artwork---& I LOVE what she said about OCCUPYING OURSELVES...check it out!
Christine

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

ANNOUNCING.....



THE LEFT COAST ARTISTS VIDEO PROJECT!!! This is something I have wanted to do for awhile---but it's been (and continues to be) a steep learning curve for me. I am a total newbie at video and editing and all that goes along with it. But I am having a blast doing this and I am so passionate about the possibilities of this for artists that it has propelled me forward.
The idea behind The Left Coast Artists Video Project was inspired by another blog I subscribe to called Two Coats of Paint by Sharon Butler. Sharon profiled a similar project, entitled "Gorky's Granddaughter"--which inspired me to begin.
Video is a fabulous way to document and communicate--and there are SO many interesting artists in our local area here in Northern California on the coast--many of whom are technologically challenged (Ha! I can relate!) and don't do self-promotion well (or at all). So I intend to do what I can to share the creative riches of West Marin and environs.
A huge THANKS goes out to painter Sue Gonzalez, who has been my first victim um, featured artist. Hope you enjoy these! I will be posting more often! :-)

Friday, July 29, 2011

THE BUSINESS OF ART AND THE ART OF BUSINESS


This has been a tough time for artists. Sales are down, funding has dried up & galleries and shops are closing. A pervasive uneasiness is in the air.

So what’s an artist to do?

Remember WHO you are & Remember your WHY. At its most basic level, art is communication. ( Drawing pictures in the sand may have been the first communication!)

The world needs art & artists now more than ever----to inspire, to lift spirits, & to empower. It’s about communication AND it’s about serving. And communication is interactive.

Artists are notoriously inept when it comes to business. The cultural icon of the starving artist who can’t function outside the studio is so strong that many artists believe this of themselves without ever questioning it. (I know–I have been there!)

I have been showing and selling my artwork since the 1970's. It has taken me a very long time to learn strategic ways to promote my business and to know that I do have a real business. I’m still learning. So how does one move forward?
I use a combination of Clarity, Mindsets, Personal Responsibility, Accountability and Strategy.

Here’s the deal:

Clarity means getting clear on your purpose, your audience and your goals.

Mindsets–this is about discovering and healing the false beliefs that hold you back from your success.

Personal Responsibility is about your ability to respond, and the necessity of a personal response.

Accountability is having either an accountability partner or a mastermind type group you work with who will hold you accountable to your goals and encourage you to stay on track and keep moving forward. This also gives you a sounding board to bounce ideas around.

Strategy is making a plan and creating a roadmap for your success so that you know what the next step is. Success is created one step at a time.

One of the things that has helped me to move forward on this journey while using these tools is to have the support of like minded individuals. By this I mean other entrepreneurs who are creating their own businesses around their passions and dreams. Being connected to a group of people with a wide range of talents, experience and business focus presents a fountain of knowledge.
I have been working with a mastermind group led by a fantastic business coach and it has been an inspiring journey. The blueprint of the mastermind group is a proven formula for success and a manifestation of the best aspects of community.

If you are looking for some help with promoting your art or staying plugged into your creativity, here are some ways you can work with me:

Painting with Gouache Workshop (Tapping into your Creativity)
A one or two day workshop for adults
Sun Aug 28 & Mon Aug. 29
10 am to 6 pm both days-- supplies are included


Individual Art Business Coaching
Call or email me for details

Coming Soon

“The Artist’s Self Promotion Toolkit” Ebook

Art Business Teleseminar
sign up on my website to get the latest updates

website christinedecamp.com
email christine@christinedecamp.com
phone 415-663-9646

Sunday, May 15, 2011

WILD SPIRIT WISDOM CARDS




WILD SPIRIT WISDOM CARDS are a brand new project I have been working on. Inspired by the Tarot Deck, which I have always loved and used for many years--my WSW cards are a different kind of divination deck created with images from my paintings and a viewpoint of feminine spirituality and connection with nature. I have always wanted to do something like this and I am so excited to be able to share it with all of you!



I am offering a Privileged Preview (and FREE Download) of each card as it is completed to those who sign up on my website. Go to http://christinedecamp.com/ to sign up.



Once the design of the entire deck is completed, my intention is to first make it into a virtual online deck where you could go and give yourself a reading. I love this idea! Then it will also be published as a 3D deck that you can use and hold in your hands and work with.



This first card will go out to those who sign up before Wed. May 18. The free downloads of the card images will not be repeated-----so sign up now to receive all of them. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.






POINT REYES OPEN STUDIOS



Our annual Memorial Day edition of Point Reyes Open Studios is coming up Saturday May 28 through Monday May 30. Studios will be open 11:00am to 5:00pm each day. It's a wonderful event and we have 19 artists participating this time. Don't miss it!



My studio is in the Greenbridge Gas Station building in Point Reyes Station at 11401 Hwy 1.



Call 415-663-9646 if you need directions

Thursday, May 5, 2011

THE FERTILE SOURCE INTERVIEW



Tania Pryputniewicz is a wonderful poet.....I met her when she wrote to me a few years back and asked if I would like to see a poem she wrote that was inspired by my painting "The Rescue of Ophelia". I felt very honored that someone was moved enough to write a poem in response to one of my pieces, and I was amazed when she sent it to me......it was very beautifully written and I loved it instantly. We have stayed in touch, and recently she shared that she was poetry editor for an online magazine called "The Fertile Source". The magazine deals with issues regarding motherhood, pregnancy and being a woman in today's world. They profile artists and writers in each issue.



Tania recently contacted me, wanting to know if I would like to be interviewed and show some of my work. I was delighted to be asked and my work and interview is now online. Please check it out at http://fertilesource.com and enjoy!


Image "Rescue of Ophelia"

Thursday, March 31, 2011

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

And it's about time. Thought we were going to float away last week. High winds, torrential rain, hail, thunder & lightning--it was all pretty crazy. We came close to having flooding and there were a few significant mudslides. But now things are drying up, the sun is shining & all of a sudden it's WARM out there. Amazing. WHAT DO YOU CONTRIBUTE? Sometimes we think that what we have to offer is not significant. There are so many huge issues and desperate needs in the world. And maybe your special talents and gifts don't address those particular needs. No matter. Your unique light was meant to shine brightly and be shared. It is not our job to be critics of our own talents---those gifts are meant to be expressed, created, acted out, sung and danced to. Whatever your special talent is---- I encourage you to share it with the world. Image: "Dance of Spring"

Friday, March 18, 2011

LOTUS BUDDHA



Like most people I know, I have been thinking about the recent catastrophic events in Japan. And I have been sending positive energy that way and joining with everyone I know in visualizing a positive outcome to the nuclear situation and help for all the people there who are suffering during this crisis.
I just recently finished this Lotus Buddha painting, which is all about Transformation and Transmutation both much needed at this time. So I thought it was a good time to post the image and share it with you all out there in the blogosphere.

I also have some GOOD NEWS to share: I have been working on a NEW WEBSITE......and I am almost finished. A bit more tweaking, some photos need to be redone and few other things. It is all very exciting. It is a completely new look---very easy navigation and has ALL my work on it, from paintings to prints to cards and magnets and ceramics. I also have a shopping cart, so now it is easy to stock up on cards or magnets---or even purchase a painting! If you want to go take a peek, the address is the same as my previous website: http://christinedecamp.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SETH GODIN & POKE THE BOX



Poke the BoxThis workbook was written to ask one basic question: What would our world look like if more people started projects, made a ruckus, and took risks?

I am one of "The Tribe"---Seth Godin's tribe, that is. I have been getting his daily blog posts for some time & I rarely delete one without reading it. I am often inspired, entertained, educated and thrilled by the ideas he shares. His newest book is called "Poke the Box". And it reminds me of the writings of our American forefathers who were in rebellion against Great Britain to create a new world for themselves. I think that we, today, are at a similar crossroads. Everything is moving even faster now and we are talking global change. Many people I talk to are fearful about what is happening and looking at the dark side. But Seth Godin gives me great hope. He and a following of young internet savvy hip intellectuals are forging ahead to create a brave new world. Kudos to them!
Here are some excerpts from Seth's creation "The Domino Project" which is a new vehicle of book publishing and idea spreading.

About The Domino Project1. What happens when a publisher has a tight, direct connection with readers, is able to produce intellectual property that spreads, and can do both quickly and at low cost? A new kind of publishing, the brainchild of Seth Godin, and powered by Amazon.
The Domino Project is named after the domino effect—one powerful idea spreads down the line, pushing from person to person. The Project represents a fundamental shift in the way books (and digital media based on books) have always been published. Eventually consisting of a small cadre of stellar authors, this is a publishing house organized around a new distribution channel, one that wasn’t even a fantasy when most publishers began.
We are reinventing what it means to be a publisher, and along the way, spreading ideas that we’re proud to spread.
Our core beliefs:Exceptionally high quality ideas, created without regard for what bookstores and middlemen want.
Ideas packaged with cogency and urgency in mind, not a word wasted, no filler.
Permission at the heart of the model. Ideas for our readers, not more readers for our ideas.
Virality first. An idea that requires a direct sale won’t thrive in a world where the most powerful ideas spread from hand to hand. Create content that works best when spread, and then package it so it’s easy to spread.
Reward the sneezers who stand up and spread these ideas.
No patience for obsolete institutions. Bestseller lists are not worth compromising for.
Speed triumphs. Rapid time to market, rapid evolution, rapid response to reader feedback.
Format agnostic. Kindle, audiobook, paperback, collectible… all good.
Different products for different customers. A variety of price points and formats to match audience desires.


As a life long lover of books and ideas and a former bookseller myself, I am happy to see that there IS a future for books---perhaps not how we envisioned it, but maybe how the world really needs it. Christine

Friday, February 18, 2011

FEB 27 OPEN STUDIO & SOME NEW VASES

Here I am at the ACGA Jury night with some of my newer ceramic pieces--some vases and a few cups. I didn't get in this time around, but will probably apply again in the fall. I would love to do their big show in July at Palo Alto in 2012.
In the meantime, there's no rest for the weary (or was that the wicked?!) Either way, things are full steam ahead here at the studio. Getting ready for my next
Open Studio on Sun. Feb 27 from 1 pm to 5 pm.
This will be a milestone event, because-----
my prices are going up as of March 1.
Yes, that's right. I have not raised my prices in years. So this will be a great opportunity for you to get that piece you have always wanted at "yesterday's" prices. And this is good news for you who are faithful collectors of my work--it means the value of the pieces you own is going up as well!
Other exciting news----I have a group of new paintings simmering away here in the studio---some acrylic on canvas & some gouache on paper. (We like to mix it up!)
AND (drum roll please..........) I am working on a new website which will incorporate both my paintings AND my ceramics. Estimated completion date is the first half of March--it may go *LIVE* in an unfinished state--we'll see. So far I have been making good progress.
Check back in here for updates--OR if you are already on my email list, you will receive notification of the new site. If you would like to be on the email list, just send me a quick email at christine@christinedecamp.com

Saturday, February 5, 2011

2011 STARTS OFF WITH A BANG!

In Blogging Land, I am going back & starting up with my "Stories about the Paintings" Series again. I just wrote about the above image--"Clyde" and that story was published on a website written by artist Heidi Van Impe, who is a new friend and one of my fellow Gold Mastermind members (see below) Heidi is currently working on the illustrations for a children's book called "The Great Crow Party"--and as part of this endeavor, she has invited people to share their crow stories. You can see the "Clyde" story and Heidi's Crow Party website HERE. And be sure to click on her blog to see her great videos of her Crow collages for the book.



January was not only the start of a new year, but also the start of new associations & friendships, business coaching programs and big plans for 2011. The photo above is of my Gold Mastermind group at an Uplevel Your Business conference in Asheville, NC with coach extraordinaire Christine Kane. Our group is multi-talented and overflowing with wisdom, experience and enthusiasm and committed to helping each other attain our goals. This is a year long program, which includes several of these "live" conferences, as well as webinars, teleseminars and online forums. I am SO glad I signed up for this---Christine is an incredible mentor and our group is fabulous!

I also participated in the "Smartist" Teleseminar, which was a week long teleseminar , created by Ariane Goodwin. It is a fountain of business and marketing information for artists with 13 speakers presenting on all different aspects of the art biz. I am still going through all the information and trying to absorb it all.


Monday, January 3, 2011

PICK A WORD OF THE YEAR




I heard about this idea on Christine Kane's blog--she calls herself a "Mentor to Women Who are Changing the World". (I love that idea!) For the last couple of weeks, she has been running guest posts on her blog--people writing about their choice of a word for 2010 and how that word has affected their lives in the past year. The posts are inspiring, soulfull and addictive! After reading a couple, I decided I would give it a try for 2011. I shared the idea with my friend Linda & we both got excited about it. I made up my own word by smooshing 3 words together, followed by an exclamation point Goforit! is my choice for 2011 and it is perfect for the plans I have put into motion. (More about that in a later post) If you want to check this out, you can see the guest posts in the current offerings on her blog here. And to read her earlier post talking about what the Word of the Year concept is, why it works WAY better than trying to make resolutions, and some tips for coming up with your word, go here .




Image above is me in my booth last month at the KPFA craft fair. (I finally just downloaded my pics off the camera!)