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