Monday, October 28, 2013

Letting Go of the of The Art of Letting Go

Me
opening night of The Art of Letting Go exhibit

It went beautifully.  I could not have asked for more.  So many friends and family came to give their support.  I spoke with numerous art enthusiasts, collectors and artists, and their comments about my work was very uplifting...the kind of words that make you want to keep painting.


The two Featured Artist walls in the front area of Tessera Fine Art Gallery

Three 9 x 12" paintings sold that evening.

One of the back walls at Tessera Fine Art Gallery

 On the following day someone went back to the gallery and purchased two of my larger works.


The Eight in Payne's Gray series

In the above photo, many of you probably remember the Eight in Payne's Gray series of 16 x 20 inch paintings I did last year for a one night show called Art In-laws done with my brother in-law Dewayne Horner .  These ladies have not found a home yet even though they have been shown at Dock 410, City Arts and Rebecca's and people seem to love them.  They are pretty funky, but I just know that some day the right person(s) will come along and buy them. 


One of the front walls at Tessera Fine Art Gallery

You have not seen the painting in the upper right in the photo above.  She is called Medicine Maker and she made her debut at this show.  There is a special story to go with her, but that is for another blog post.


A precious family...among the first friends that stopped by opening night

My only regret of the evening is that I did not take pictures of all the people that were coming and going.  I took the picture above of our sweet friends at the very beginning with every intention of taking lots more like it, however after that point it was nonstop visiting.  I literally forgot about taking pictures...and my camera was in my pocket!!!  I missed SO many photo opportunities!  Our son KC came and played his keyboard during the event and it added such a nice ambiance to the evening...but not one picture of him either!  Next time I will designate someone to take pictures.  

 As a help for those of you wanting to start selling your art too, I will tell you that I did price my work relatively low for this exhibit.  It was a hard decision to come by, but after discussions with the gallery owner and reading hours of numerous articles online, it felt like the right thing to do since 1.  my art is still evolving and  2.  I am an unknown artist.  And now some of my larger pieces have been released into the world which means as much (maybe even more) to me as earning the dollars for the work that was done on them.  It was a good sacrifice to make I think.

Did I forget to tell you anything?  If I did...leave a comment and I will answer here on the blog. I am open to any questions you might have, especially if it will help you launch your art into the world if you have not done so yet.

So that's it.  That's how it all went.
I am still feeling exhausted...but it's a good kind of tired.  

Thanks for reading everyone!  I am going to start trying to make some rounds this week and get caught up with you my artist blogging friends.

♥ Lisa

48 comments:

  1. glad you had a great time and CONGRATS on your sales! yes next time PLEASE let someone else take photos! also thanks for the insight!

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    1. Hi Myra! I hope the insight will help someone! I think next time YOU should come to Kansas and be my photographer. :)

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  2. What a wonderful show! Congrats on your sales, too!

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    1. Thank you Judy! Can't wait to see where you go too now that you are in the gallery. :)

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  3. everything looks great, lisa... and you know i'm smiling about the sales. : )

    shine on, bright one...

    xoxo

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  4. ...but the photos you did take are fantastic! It is always so nice to mingle with the public and hear their thoughts about your work. It was one of my favorite parts of doing Art Show venues years ago.

    Congrats on the sales! I look forward to seeing what the uplifting words and encouragement do for your production :)
    Knowing everyone wants and likes to see your creations makes it so nice to give them what they want!

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    1. Thanks Cam. I didn't know you did shows...that's awesome. It was a joy to mingle with all the people that came through. I was exhausted for two days afterward because I am an introvert, but I've recovered nicely and I think I could do it again and again. :)

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  5. Congratulations on selling your work and having such a beautiful show. I am sure your heart was so obvious to people seeing your work and then meeting you. xox

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  6. Congratulations, Lisa! You are doing such an awesome job at showing your work via galleries and coffee shops etc. It's been pleasure to watch your art emerging from within you and growing along the way. I'm so glad I bought "Reflection" (who says hi by the way!) when I did! Soon you'll be famous and I'll be able to say.....oh yes, I knew Lisa when she was an emerging artist!
    Hugs and more congrats to you. xo Carole

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    1. What a wonderful comment Carole...thank you! I don't know about famous...but I will take the sales every now and then...it pays for paint and canvases...oh and books! Say hi to Reflection for me. I think of that one a lot. So glad she's with you. xoxo

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  7. Oh Lisa, your artwork looks fantastic at that lovely gallery and huge congrats on the sales. Pricing....ain't is a bugger? Sounds like you found your perfect price point. Just stopping in to say how proud I am of you and how you are getting out there with your charming art. Brava!

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    1. The pricing was the hardest part! It took forever to decide what to do and when you have to consider that you sell art online too, it makes it that much more difficult. A Heartfelt thank you my fellow exhibiting friend!!

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  8. Another artist's success is always uplifting. The happy vibes are contagious. The very classy gallery looked beautiful and showed off your work to perfection. Congratulations on your sales. I think, especially during these times, it was smart to make them affordable. I have seen well known artists reduce their prices by painting smaller sizes than they ever painted before. I would say your instincts were spot on!

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    1. Thank you Julie...happy vibes are contagious...and so are experienced insights which you always share with us on your blog. Thank you for being such a great example and teacher!!!

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  9. It looks great, Lisa. This must have been really exciting for you.

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  10. Hi Lisa,
    Please accept my most hearty congratulations on a wonderful show. The photos are really nice, but like many of your fans, I wish there were more. It's so good to see an artist's work in such a setting. Putting paintings in the context of a "living room" really makes it easier for potential collectors to visualize one of them in their own home.
    Maybe this would be a great new way to photograph your art. Simply hang it in a spot in your home and fire away. Feel free to ignore this idea if you like. :)
    Enjoy your week, Lisa, but I know you will.
    Sincerely,
    Gary.

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    1. Thank you so much Gary! No, I like your idea very much! I have attempted this whenever I list new work in my Etsy shop, but our house is too dark because of all the trees around it, so there are shadows everywhere. I could probably invest in some lights or something, but for now I just take the pieces outside and lay them flat and photograph them that way. Thanks for your comments and constant encouragement! :)

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  11. I am so happy for you. You deserve every bit of the happiness and success you are experiencing. Joy.

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  12. Lisa, seeing all of your paintings on the wall is SO impressive. I knew your exhibit would be successful... Congratulations again!

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  13. Congratulations Lisa!
    Your paintings look great and the place is beautiful, I love it!
    congratulations again!

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  14. Your excitement is palpable! Well done and I hope you continue to have the success you deserve and the enthusiasm never dies.

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    1. Thank you Rachel! Staying enthusiastic is a big part of it, isn't it? There are so many down times to go with. But we won't talk about those today, right? :)

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  15. Definitely designate a cameraperson next time:) Your work looks great on the walls. I knew you would do well in such a nice venue. Congratulations!:)

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  16. Yepeeee! I am so happy for you girl!!! Big Hugs ;o)

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  17. What a grand show Lisa, congrats! The joy and exuberance from your work is inimitable, your greatest plus!

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  18. well, I'm lucky I have a photographer that follows me all around! (seriously...he takes all my event photos). You definitely should get a designated photographer. You did a superb job, however, despite the fact you forgot to photograph some things. It's neat that you were so engaged with everyone that you forgot---that tells us that you had a wonderful time! Your art looks awesome. Thanks for the great report. :)

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    1. You ARE lucky Celeste! I have designated a person with the camera in prior events...but in my family, I am the one that always has the camera, so you know...:) Thank you for your nice comment. Yes..it was good to be engaged with visiting...met a lot of nice people that night.

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  19. Lisa,

    CONGRATULATIONS!! Everything looks absolutely amazing!!! What a feeling this must be!

    Have a beautiful day.


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    1. Thank you Joan! A great feeling indeed to give these paintings homes. :)

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  20. Oh wow -- impressive show and congratulations! so happy that it was a success and you sold many pieces :) You did not let them go -- you let them be special for someone else :) Enjoy!

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    1. Thank you Meera! And you are so right. I had the opportunity to hear from a couple of people what they saw in my paintings...one lady saw herself with her sisters...another said she saw herself walking in the field....I love it when something I paint triggers feelings and memories for others. That makes letting the paintings go so much easier.

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  21. That is such happy news. I am so happy for you. So glad to hear you did well. I know I love your work.

    Hugs~

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    1. Thank you Linda! I hope you are enjoying your travels!!!

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  22. It's good to read your show was such a success. I'm super impressed and thrilled for you. I'm sure you could get a lot more, even as an unknown artist, in a larger city. I also think about the art lovers out there who I know, and the ones I don't know, but who complain about what Wichita spent on some of their public art. It goes to show the mentality of some Wichitans. I'm so glad you attracted the OTHER type for your show. Way to go, dear.

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth. At first I was pretty sure my art would not fit in Tessera Fine Art Gallery very well. I worried my art was too immature, but I was wrong. It just goes to show there are different tastes for everyone and it makes me happy that my humble creations have a place in this world other than in our closet. :) Thanks so much for stopping by! We really need to meet since we live in the same city!!!

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  23. This is a wonderful exhibition, i love the Eight in Payne's Gray series! congratulations Lisa!! you're working a lot and you deserve all the best. :)

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  24. I sounds like it was a wonderfully successful show! All your work looks great! I love the wall of the portraits. :)

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    1. Thanks Jennifer! It's been a great experience. :)

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  25. many congratulations lisa... you sound and look very happy with how it went ...the your collection looks so impressive ...all best wishes for your son's wedding :)

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