Picasso & I update

As you can see, I am not a photographer, otherwise there would not be the flash reflection in the top and the door behind me would not look bowed. But, I am quite pleased with my progress. I think the likeness is really good now and my hair is not matching my outfit any longer. "Are you happy now, Ryan?"

I still can't figure out why my work looks like a cartoon to me. I wonder if it is a flatness that I don't see until a picture is taken. I will work on that today. Sometimes I think I should have gone to work for Disney. Oh well, at least Picasso is beautiful.

e-mail Advertising - YUKK!

Why do I always learn the hard way? I just spent a year of my life and around $300 to learn that it does no good to join an online portfolio. I joined one a year ago, for illustrators. I heard a sales pitch from the sales person about how every major firm in the world who is looking for an illustrator, uses their online portfolio service. I also was told to be proactive in my marketing outreach and updating my portfolio. Believe me, I was proactive. I read in Art Calendar an article by Molly Crabapple, that also suggested this was a very cost effective means of generating more income and commissions.

Guess what folks????? NOT A SINGLE INQUIREY OR RESPONSE came as a result.
If anyone else out there has had a similar experience, let me know. And if by chance some of you had a positive experience, I would like to hear that also.

I have had my website for over 7 years.....not one single sale as a result. Lets take a poll here.
How many of you artists out there in cyberspace have had a sale as a result of your website?
Lets all communicate and save each other some money!

Ice House Gallery Opens

Ice House Gallery unofficially opened on Feb. 14. Guess who did not go out to dinner on Valentines Day?

More photos to follow, since I am obviously quite busy with my new studio/gallery space.

Isn't it just too cute?

Return to National Gallery

Today I started a new copy at the National Gallery of Art, as part of the Registered Copyist Program. It has been a year and a half since I completed my last copy, Sir Anthony Van Dykes' , The Virgin as Intercessor. I am currently working on Willem Claezs Heda's painting, Banquet Piece with Mince Pie. I have always loved the Dutch Masters and their Vanitas paintings and am finally getting to copy one. This should be a very educational experience for me and hopefully will help me to improve my own still life works.

I am still dilegently working on the opening of my new studio and gallery space in Little Washington. Please come out on March 14th for my grand opening celebration.

New Studio and Gallery

I am working feverishly to get my new studio and gallery up and running by March 1st. Obviously I am not getting much painting time in, but I have managed to paint and fire a few new pieces of china which I will sell through the gallery. Its not looking like I will have an entry this year at the Portrait Society of America annual conference in Reston. I had hoped to finish my Picasso and I portrait in time, but I think it is best not to rush it just so I can have a new entry for this years' competition. I will vow to finish it and two others to submit for next years competition.

Looking back over last years log of works completed, I can justify a bit of down time, since I completed 48 new pieces, 25 of them major works. 2009 promises to be better with my new space to help me focus.