Final painting

Here is my final version of latest painting from last post...

I did a few more small, but important, details on the woman and background area.

Waiting and looking at piece towards the end - I think - is more significant than just finishing it to get it done.  In this case, stepping away really allowed me to "see" what few details were needed.

Pastel painting in stages

Here's one of my recent pastel paintings in stages.

First I use a reddish pastel surface to work on.

 ... since the Cenote Azul photo has a bright green.

Beginnings are always rough.

In this one, I have added more layers of color...

This stage you can see my bold swipes across pastel surface with different parts of my hand...

More layered color, final details & hits of color... Is it finished??

Or should it be a square?

Some lessons learned

I can't believe it has been so long since I've posted. But, it has turned out to be a great busy summer! Started out with a real vacation to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and when we returned, some fun business projects were coming my way.

My thoughts today are to encourage other artists to work hard, but learn business strategies to constantly improve yourself and to follow your strengths and passions. It's been five years since I left my safe public school teaching job and this summer I have enjoyed a few fruits of my labor in the form of some opportunities coming my way.

I love the written word. Writing has served me well as a teacher and grant writer. I believe because of seeds I've planted and many hours spent networking, people have kept me in mind for some writing opportunities. (Though I am not painting as much as I usually do, I enjoy the creativity of writing too!)

I have been covering the Charlotte Arts scene for KnightArts.org. Check out some of my work here. I recently wrote my first article for Charlotte Viewpoint (though it hasn't been posted yet).

But, best of all, I just won an Arts & Science Council grant to be the first curator of the gallery at Packard Place. Packard Place is a hub for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Community in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina (currently their building on S. Church Street and 3rd Street is undergoing renovations). This building will be home to many innovative companies and is already establishing itself as an integral part of the business community through it's Meet Ups. (You don't have to be connected with Packard Place to attend the Meet Up sessions.)

I am now working with their creative team on the inaugural exhibition of some of the best regional artists to coincide with their grand opening later this year. (I will share more as it unfolds.)

It is true that we are in the midst of a difficult economy, but this can also be an opportunity to re-evaluate what is working or not, as well as look at your true passions. And, it is always a good time to network, meet others and learn from them too!

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   "The gallery at Packard Place is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council."

Blogging is fun.

Most artists have multiple revenue sources. It makes more sense-especially in an economy like our current one. I am happy to share that I am now writing for the KnightArts.org Charlotte blog. (This is both a little extra income and a chance to be regularly inspired and challenged by the work being created in my own back yard!)  
 
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is a national foundation with local roots. What started out as a mission to fund journalistic endeavors has grown to also encourage and support the transformational power of the arts. In a nutshell, the Knight brothers set up this foundation in the major cities where they owned newspapers and it has taken off from there. It is very encouraging that they have put their money where their passions lie and are serious backers of innovative projects that have impact on the larger society. 

I hope you will stop by and check out my writings (twice a week) about some of the cool art happenings in my own home town. Although in a city the size of Charlotte, writing a couple times a week will barely scratch the surface, it does present me with a great opportunity to highlight some of them!

Mmm, Modern Masters Metallic Paint

I have been enjoying creating loose expressionistic water paintings.  I want to share that I love Modern Masters Metallic Paint!  This is one of my detail shots of a recent abstract, water inspired painting on cradled panel.  I am mixing artist acrylics and these Modern Masters Metallic paints too.

But I might not have ever discovered-among other things-these great materials... metallic faux finishing paint and inexpensive "chip" brushes had I not worked with artist Chris Craft.  He is my husband and business partner and has years of fine art and commercial art painting.  He turned me on to these metallic paints when I was helping him with some of his amazing faux metal ceilings.  (This was when he was "Brushmark Studios.")

Below is another detail of my newer work.  I am exploring "Water" in a more experiential, more expressive and unplanned way... as compared with my better known women in water paintings.  I create depth by painting a layer and sealing it with a layer of gloss varnish.  (There is a richness with the layers, and metallics, and contrast between opaque and translucent that cannot be captured with a picture.)

chriscraftartist.com

www.modernmasters.com

Another reason to love pastel painting!

Inspiration for your work.. whatever you are painting!  I just discovered Tony Allain.  I hope you will check out this fantastic artist!  His pastel paintings are amazing.

http://tonyallainfineart.blogspot.com/

Carmella Jarvi is finalist for McColl Award

I am excited to share that I am a finalist for the McColl Award.  This is the first time it has been offered to individuals, so the fact that I am competing with local arts organizations and still made the final round is admirable!   (More details about the award are at the end.)

I am proposing to do a new large scale body of abstract, water inspired paintings as well as explore water through art, memory, science, etc.  This past summer when I was an Affiliate Artist at McColl Center for Visual Art, I started this new series of abstract water paintings and I also began to think about art as a public process.  

                                              (Detail of one of these new abstract water paintings.) 

Although I have been awarded some artist's grants, I have also heard "no" many, many times.  I would not have applied for something like this probably... but I was encouraged by a couple of individuals who know me and my work.  The pivotal moment for me was in the information session when they asked "what is your dream project?"  

Well, as a self employed artist for five years in a tough economy, my "dreams" in a way have been getting smaller.  So, I stepped back and thought about my passions:  Painting, water and sharing with others.  My dream project would be getting funding for a new body of abstract, water inspired paintings (unlike my safer, collected series of women in water) and to explore water with many others in this community.

So, I dreamed, wrote, networked, brainstormed and edited more hours than I care to admit.  And, finally, submitted the initial application.  To my delight, I am now a finalist for a prestigious McColl Award!  (I will share more about this as I continue the process.) 

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McColl Award Overview: The McColl Award was established in 2001 by the Arts & Science Council (ASC) to honor the significant role played by Hugh McColl Jr. and his wife Jane in advancing arts, science and history in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. This program augments the Arts & Science Council’s commitment to the creative process, and preserves the legacy of Hugh and Jane McColl. 

Award Purpose: The purpose of the McColl Award is to invest in the creation of an original work. Through this award, the Arts & Science Council seeks to:

• Commission new creative works
• Inspire creative thinking in the presentation of creative product. Areas could include a unique approach to presenting programming or scientific/historical research projects resulting in exhibitions and/or publications.
• Increase awareness, recognize excellence and build a greater appreciation for the creative process among the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

 

Carmella Jarvi, Artist: Painting a Woman in Water - Part 1 by Carmella Jarvi : Pastel Painting

This is not a brand new video... but I am just learning to use more tools and wanted to post.  This clip is from a DVD that Cheap Joe's Art Stuff (through their Artist Palette Productions division) created.

It is for sale through Cheap Joe's as well as other vendors.  Check out the Title "link" to see purchasing details.  (It's not yet available for downloadable streaming, but they are currently working to bring this choice to the market!)

This is the final completed painting that you see me beginning here on the YouTube clip.  (Notice you hardly see the original reddish pastel surface.)

                                    (Patience too, pastel on board.  24x18".  Private collection.)

Painting water & people bring up good memories

Painting water and people bring up good memories.  This is a new painting... someone gave me a photo of their grandmother at the beach.

Since I also spent many hours at the South Carolina beaches growing up... also many of those times with my own grandmother... it ended up being quite a fun piece.

I have not painted the ocean in many years, but honestly really enjoyed the freedom.

So, here it is in a few stages:  The top one is detail of almost completed painting.  (I might add a touch of something else...)

(This is almost final stage... notice the shoulder is fixed and I brought out light in hand, neck and some other colors in water...)

                          (Earlier "roughed in" stage... getting motion, light/dark)


(This is a 12x9" Richeson Premium Pastel Board-originally reddish color-that had a previous pastel on it.  I rinsed off most of the previous painting... but had some cool 'ghost' markings remain-like the turquoise in her shorts.  I used mostly Unison Soft Pastels, but added a little Sennelier metallic soft pastel too!)

Balance and Pressure

Balance and pressure are what many business owners and many artists [insert "small business owner"] juggle. 

My day today was certainly unbalanced, but worth the extra effort.

I spent about six hours on the phone with my website host and FedEx...

Trying to fix a problem that was supposed to be easy to fix!

But, in the process I learned more about websites and how technology is quirky.

I also now finally have an E-commerce website.  Anyone-from anywhere in the world-with an address, computer and love of art can buy my paintings!  Check it out...

http://www.carmellajarvi.com/

Finally, I just got into the March issue of the new Professional Artist Magazine (formerly Art Calendar Magazine).  I was inspired by the article "Entrepreneurial Thinking for Artists" by Robert Moskowitz.  I highly recommend this magazine if you are an artist wanting to grow your business.

http://www.professionalartistmag.com/news/2011/feb/03/march-2011/

E-commerce and art.

Who has bought something online? Have you?

I have quite often and don't know many folks who have never made an online purchase. (My grandmother, who is in her 80's, is the only one I can think of off the top of my head.)

Too many traditional galleries are closing, taking on more artists or diversifying by selling "other than original art" products. Most everyone is feeling the pinch of this economy.

The trick to success in tough times is to learn, grow and adapt your business practices. There ARE people making plenty of money in spite of this crazy economy. What are they doing that is different? How can we as artists-who make AND market our products-make more money?

First, follow the trends. How do people purchase and take care of details of their lives? Why online of course!

As an artist, I just got on board with technology in the past five years and I came kicking and screaming. But, once I figured out some basic similarities and strategies for folding technology into my regular business practices, I see the value.... and, honestly, I do enjoy facebook, working on my website and online research.

Still, I don't update enough and may spend too much time on the silly side of fb, but any business person has to balance their day to day operations and adding technology tools is no different.

So, Happy New Year to everyone. As for me, I'm venturing out into uncharted waters with a brand new website (coming soon!) in which all my paintings will be for sale online.

And, I am happy to announce my business is now a division of Brushmark Studios, LLC. My husband and fellow artist, Chris Craft and I are now "officially" business partners.

My prayer is for all of us hard working individuals to have a prosperous 2011!