"American Greetings Delivers the News...and I Got Resources!!"

I knew it was only a matter of time.  At least Eddie waited 'til after my birthday to send me this.  I was all excited with my e-card from him --thinking perhaps it was a belated birthday greeting, since my "gift" from him that he borrowed my credit card to pay for it with , seems to still be "lost" in the mail. As I was saying, I was pretty excited until the cat started talking....(please click on link below)

Click Here

"I Got Resources!!"

Okay, I know my English stinks. But heck, it don't matter-- 'cause I got resources!!

I probably need to explain. It all started with me thinking. Thinking has gotten me in to trouble more times than I care to think about, but it hasn't stopped me from doing it. But I digress. I was thinking I wanted to do a better job on the presentation side of my small works that I ship out regularly-- which I really do think was a great idea (there I go, thinking again). However, I made one fatal mistake. I told my friend Leslie Saeta what I was thinking. And while I was still in the thinking stages, she was in her car driving to the Container Store (people, I am serious here--she was in the car driving there while we were still on the phone!!) and buying everything in sight to do a bang up job of wrapping up her small paintings. That very self same day she wrapped, photographed and POSTED -- her now beautifully presented artwork on her blog---while I was still thinking about it. And then she got to feeling guilty so she called me to tell me what she had done. Which of course, got me to thinking--I can't do this, I can't wrap my stuff like Leslie. I got no resources! I live in Kentucky. We just recently moved into wearing shoes and such. Forget the Container Store and wholesale ribbon places.

Cut to my birthday, July 28th. Guess what shows up at my door?? A box packed full of goodies. All kinds of stuff to pack and ship my paintings with, CD's to put my art on, note cards to say hello with---all with my art on them. And guess who it was from?? One amazingly terrific artist and friend. Leslie Saeta. My buddy, co-host on the radio show and general partner in crime. Which set me to thinkin'. How wonderful it is when we have such sunshine filled people in our lives as in the likes of Leslie. People who go out of their way to do something kind, make someone feel extraordinarily special.

If you would like to read further on the resource debacle and steal the idea for your own use--you must promise to send me a box of all your "resources" in return for the idea.  Now, head over to Leslie's blog by clicking here and you can hear her side of the story...:)))

In Other News:

• 
  
  Just mailed out my monthly newsletter this morning--if you would like to receive it, be sure and sign up for it here. 
• Sign Up For Newsletter
• 
  
  Next week's show on Artists Helping Artists internet radio show that I co-host with Leslie Saeta will be on improving your blog and we will be making suggestions --yours could be one of them if you put your name in the hat by leaving a comment on our AHA blog--
• Click to go to Artists Helping Artists Blog 
• 
  
  Check out all the details on my September workshop in Pasadena, CA with Leslie Saeta. 
• Click Here and Click Here 

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"Line Dancing in Venice" SOLD

"Line Dancing in Venice"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality canvas

$200

Over the centuries, you have to wonder--how many articles of clothing have swung in the breeze and how the styles of what was swinging has changed.  The minuet, the waltz, swing dancing....and ahem...line dancing.  Styles of dance and styles of clothing change many times.  Wonder what will be hanging off those lines 100 years from now???

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"France, the Cat's Meow" (According to Eddie) SOLD

"France, the Cat's Meow"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Okay, it was late, I had been painting all day and in a weak moment, I asked Eddie to name the painting.  And yeah, that's him, up in the window, doing what Eddie does--acting catty.

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"What Happen's in Italy Stays in Italy..." SOLD

"What Happens in Italy Stays in Italy"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

  And there it was.  Glimmering and  shimmering-- like a soda fountain in the middle of the dessert.  Me 'n' you, bicycling and talking our way down old Italian streets.  We were, in effect, a gelato incident waiting to happen.  I told you not to get the third cup (one has to build up a tolerance for this-- I have been cultivating mine for quite some time).  You should never listen to Eddie's suggestions.  He always has an agenda.  Thankfully he didn't have his camera on him, so no matter what he tells to whom, we can deny the details to our dying day.  What happens in Italy stays in Italy.

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"La Bicicletta Blu" SOLD

"La Bicicletta Blu"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Your ride awaits.  Sun on shoulders, mind clear, heart light.  It's a great day to be pedaling on centuries old streets.  You know what this means.  You will need to stop for some gelato to cool off with.  Girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.  Just a warning.  Eddie wants to ride with you--something about letting the breeze blow through his whiskers and such.  Whatever you do, don't let him talk you into it.  It's all fun and games 'til someone gets their tail caught in the spokes.  I'm just sayin'.

In other news:

• 
  
  Join me and fellow artists for the Paris Artwalk this Friday, July 23 from 5-9.  I will have some of my work at the newly formed gallery of Brian Privett's Law Offices on Main Street. 
• 
  
   Join Leslie Saeta and myself for "Artists Helping Artists" Internet radio show today at noon, EST.  Today's topic is Christmas in July and it's loaded with great ways to market your art for the holidays!

Ciao!


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"Trust"

"Trust"

24 x 30 oil on museum quality panel

$2260

Detail of "Trust"

I thought I would give you a chance to do your laundry before we head out again to Italy and France, so I took a detour to share one of my paintings from the "Let There Be Love..." collection...:)  But don't put your stuff on hangers--go ahead and put 'em back in the suitcase -- we will be heading out again tomorrow..:))

And in other news...

• 
  
  The "Artists Helping Artists" Internet radio show that I co-host with Leslie Saeta is being featured this week on Empty Easel, click here to check it out--Yeah! (Plus all past shows can now be downloaded from ITunes so busy artists can listen in while painting..:))
• 
  
   November workshop in Lexington, KY is full up, but never fear--there is space left in Maysville and Pasadena (click here for details)
• 
  
  Be sure and check out the new blog with artists tips at http://artistshelpingartistsblog.blogspot.com/
• 
  
  I will be drawing this week for the winner of my monthly painting give-a-way.  If you haven't done so yet, be sure and register for a chance to win by signing up to receive my blog and newsletter.

Eddie and I are working on some new paintings of Eddie and friends.  Well, at least one of us is working....I'm not sure what this is about.....

It's good to be Ed.

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"French Countryside Laundry" and Girls in Paris..:) SOLD

"French Countryside Laundry"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Natural beauty--fresh laundry mingled in with the gardens.  It's great to escape the heat of Paris in July and head for our summer house.  Don't  waste any time.  Just sling your things in the suitcase and catch the next flight here.  I've got your room ready, and if you're nice, I'll let you help gather in the laundry..:))

"Girls Gone Wild in Paris"

Well, as promised, here's the complete group!  Sarah, Asher, Susan, Brenda, Barbara, Barbara, Pris, Kay, Judith, Ann, Mary Louise, Ann, Becky, and Ann (Yep, 3 Ann's, 2 Barbara's, a Becky and a Brenda--testing my ability to paint and get the names right...but they were all uniquely wonderful ladies, so it was easy!) A supremely wonderful workshop--now, only two months until I head for California to team up with Leslie Saeta for our workshop...I am bristling with excitement.  Kind of like a Jack Russell Terrier......only with two legs and no collar.

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"Paris Workshop and Other Delights"

"Delightful Detour"

12 x 12 oil on canvas, Day Two Demo 

$350

Have you ever noticed how quickly time passes when you're havin' fun??  Well, the second day of the Paris workshop is history and there's  only one day left, which is almost impossible to believe.  What a beautiful group of artists I have!  Seriously-- I think I get the nicest, most generous, kind hearted, loving, smiling, talented groups of artists each and  every time I have a workshop--and this bunch of girls is no different!

"A Day At the Beach--Recreated"

12 x 12 oil on canvas, Day One Demo

$350

Most of the Girls (full photo tomorrow..:)

Bobby, at Frames on Main, has hosted us once again for the workshop, and once again, we have harassed the daylights out of him.....he is woefully outnumbered, so he has no choice but to put up with us..:))

Tomorrow is "jam session" time at the easels--will post some more photos and smiling faces! 

Wish you were here with us...:)

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"The Color of Italy" SOLD

"The Color of Italy"

6 x 6in on museum quality panel

$200

Remember when you were a kid and the smell of a new box of crayons?  That heady moment of pristine, unbroken magical sticks waiting to be pulled out?  The possibilities of what you could do with that box of color seemed limitless.  Well, here you are with your "box" of Italy.  What are you going to color yourself into today? 

Pure magic.  Go make some for yourself...:)))

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"Artists Helping Artists Debuts Blog"

A new blog to go with the show..:))  After realizing that over a 1,100 (and counting) of you listened to last week's show (gulp!) we (me and my co-host Leslie Saeta) got to thinkin' that Artists Helping Artists needed its own home base so to speak.  So Leslie, while on the road in Austin, and me,hanging tough in Paris, worked like dogs over the holiday week-end to get it all together.  Actually one of us  worked really hard--and one of us ate cupcakes while doing so, but that's another story.  So this is where all the stuff is parked, recorded shows, links to neat "helps", listing of upcoming shows, info on how to be a guest, or suggest a guest and/or topic.  You can sign up to receive updates too if you like.  Here's the link to check it out.  If you like it, I was the one who worked like a dog.  If you don't like it, I was the cup-cake eating part of the team.... Pin It

"France, Friends, and Sunshine" SOLD

"France, Friends, and Sunshine"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Certain things bring a smile to my heart every time I see them.  French windows are one of them.  If eyes are windows to the soul then French windows like these surely must open into happy places.  Window boxes bursting with blooms means someone has a generous heart.  If you have ever grown plants in a window box you know it takes much diligence and attention.  They dry out much faster and of course, getting water to them is not as easy.  So for many reasons (including color and sunshine) it gladdens my heart when I see them.  Someone is loving their plants and sharing them with all of us.  Just a reminder when we are doing the things we love, everybody benefits..:))  Keep doing the things you love and let it slosh over onto the rest of us!  Thanks to each of you for the joy and warmth you bring to the world.  We need each other's sunshine.....:))!

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"European Delights 1" SOLD

"European Delights 1"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Last night, as a reminder,  I wrote on a post it note two things.  Cupcakes and mice.  I know, not your typical "to do" list.  Being so famous and all  one would expect notes to remind me to "have my people call Oprah's people" or "cancel Thursday's appointment with Brad".  But no, I had a  very short list. 

Why the cupcake thing came floating through my mind I haven't a clue.  Maybe because it's my birthday month.  Maybe I have been hanging out in the French patisseries in my mind just one cupcake too long.  Maybe because I am happy and feel like I am on an extended holiday even when working.  Whatever the case--be careful what you ask for.  I took a ride today, ended up in a place I never frequent, parked beside a place called "European Delights" that had only opened two days ago and guess what they had to sell???  No, not mice (that's another story)  Creamy iced  cupcakes with shaved white chocolate and a strawberry on top.  I don't know what you would have done but I took it as a sign.  How often in life can you have your cupcake, paint  and eat it too?  And then write it off as a business expense.  I love my job.

Now, I wouldn't want to leave you dangling on the mouse thing.  Again, life keeps serving me up these things so what's a girl to do?  As I had warned mentioned to you last week that I will be doing some new paintings of Eddie--guess what comes in the mail??  A request from sculptor Steve Worthington to take part in a book project he is doing.  It involves placing a sculpture of his in one of my set ups and painting it.  The book is going to be sold with donations going to animal shelters.  I had my choice to choose between Chubby, Sprightly, and Nosey.  They are, of course, all mice figures.  My note today was to remind me to go "mouse shopping" to select which piece I wanted Steve to mail me so I could pose him with Eddie.  After consulting with Ed, the mouse of choice is now making his way to Kentucky. 

Well, that's all for now.  I hope you had a wonderful week-end.  I'm off now to make my list for tomorrow...

P.S.  I do want to share my new discovery to those of you local to the central KY area.  "European Delights" is a family owned operation (when I was in, it was all sisters and they are so nice!!)  And I did buy more than just one cupcake.....
P.S.S.  I just ate the still life.  It was an OMG moment.

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"Accessories From Italy"

"Accessories From Italy"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

I have a friend named Jeffrey .  Jeffrey makes jewelry.  He tells me the only thing that separates me from the *animals (see Eddie) is my ability to accessorize. 

Which I used to believe 'til I saw Eddie wearing my beaded scarf.  So much for that theory! 

However, when it comes to the Italians--they do know how to accessorize.  Color around a window doesn't just have to come in the form of flowers.  It can be fresh laundry, full of color, softly stirring in the breeze.

Now that's something you don't see on HGTV...who knew you could get fashion tips for yourself, your house,  and take a mini trip to Italy all at the same time....
And just so you know that I always tell the truth-- here's Eddie with my scarf. Haven't worn it since then. I hate it when someone looks better in my clothes than I do.....

Note: It was a great show on Artists Helping Artists with Carol Marine, the premiere daily painter.  If you missed it, just remember , they are recorded!  Just click here then scroll down to On Demand Episodes.  Click play and enjoy~

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