Studies for a Commission

Pictured here are a couple of small studio studies for a commission client with whom I'm working to create a fall landscape for her home. She wanted something colorful, sunny, and with water in the composition. We met last week and she chose a third option, which is not yet pictured here. The two pieces pictured here are from local state parks, Black Moshannon and Whipple Dam. Ultimately, my client chose a piece inspired by Ricketts Glen State Park. You will see the larger, finished piece in a couple of weeks when I finish that up and post it here.


Study, Whipple Dam State Park, Fall 8 x 12 pastel on paper.


Study, Black Moshannon, Fall 8 x 12 pastel on paper.

Meanwhile, winter arrived in central Pennsylvania in earnest. I was able to ride my bicycle up until about 10 days ago, but now the snow is flying past my office window at warp speed as I write this. On a personal level, this relegates me to swimming laps for exercise. From a professional standpoint, the winter season means a few things for me as an artist. First, I've been taking some time off and working reduced hours in my studio. This past year was one of my most successful years ever and I am extremely grateful for how well everything went. I'm using this time to recharge some depleted batteries because life hit a very fevered pitch for me from late July through the end of October. If there's one thing I've learned over the past several years of creating artwork, it's that "down time" is very valuable to keep my creativity flowing.

Secondly, this quieter time of year is a chance for me to attend to some of the details that will (hopefully) pave the way for continued success in 2011. For example, I've already applied to several 2011 summer art shows. Earlier this week I learned that I'm on the waiting list for admission into a South Carolina show in May. Though not as good as being admitted, it's better than an outright rejection. I shall wait and see with that one.

Next, I'm exploring some new avenues for next year. I'm planning to take a painting workshop and a photography workshop to enhance my skills. Planning these things requires plenty of lead time because I have to stitch things together around my tentative art show schedule as well as studio time to accomplish what I need for 2011.

Finally, this is the time of year when I assume the persona of an office manager and stock up on things like new pastels, paper, business cards, and other materials that I will need for the upcoming year. I'm in the market for a new computer, as well, because everything in the art world has gone digital over the past 5 to 10 years and my old desktop is wheezing to a slow demise. Inevitably, new hardware also means new software together with a steep learning curve, so I take these winter months as a time to re-tool in many ways. This past weekend I even cleaned out my old 35mm slides because no juried shows want those anymore (thankfully). I plan to donate my Kodak slide projector to Goodwill this week. I think I've had that thing since I was an art student back in Wisconsin, so this is quite a momentous change. But a welcome one. I've always been a proponent for computers and digital technology and I'm happy to let go of the old way of doing stuff.

Tomorrow, I'm visiting Pittsburgh to gather some source material and to visit one of my frame suppliers in a quest for a new landscape frame that I will incorporate into my artwork for 2011. If the weather cooperates, I may even scout some galleries. This is helpful for my creative insights to keep a pulse on what's happening in the world outside of central Pennsylvania.

I will post again before the end of this year. But until that time, I hope that you are enjoying a safe and happy holiday season with your family and friends.