The Good and The Bad

First for todays "positives".  My paintings at Art du Jour.  Was so happy to have some of my larger pieces up.

I almost tripped walking into the gallery when I saw my painting in the window.  I wasn't expecting that.  Nice surprise.

And I changed a few paintings at Organic for my final month of the exhibit.  Now for the "negatives".  Ugh, why do I let this stuff get to me so much?  My goal for 2012 was to submit for 5 different gallery exhibits.  I got two rejections in one day.  And one was from BAM, which is the art museum I really wanted to be part of.  The skin gets thicker and thicker...

Surrounded by Immys

Production has started.  I'm surrounded by Immys!

Immy and Immys.

I think this will be her logo.  I'm making a webpage for her, but it's going to be on mine, rather than a separate website.  There's only so much I can handle.  I wanted it to have a similar look to mine, so I used a petal from the flower of my logo and distorted it for the background.  I may play a bit with the size of the pawprint and maybe the outline.  I tried so many fonts!  I think I like this one though.

Immy after Immy

Still working on the prototype but I think I'm getting closer.  I like the size of this one.  I like using an actual photo of Immy rather than just the silhouette.  I think I'm going to paint the bowl silver.  Once I get this figured out, then I will need to start making them, Immy after Immy after Immy.  I wonder if I will get all Immy'd out?

I also made a big change to my marketing plans.  I'm going to market the pet tags and any future pet products under the Where's Immy? name.  What can I say, people are more drawn to Immy than my art.  ;)  So, I will combine the two.  Maybe cammydavis.com for Where's Immy?  Hmm...awkward.  I'll figure it out.  No wonder I feel like my brain is spinning all the time and I can't remember anything.  It really is.

Wig Head as Necklace Display

I also need to come up with a display for my necklaces.  I want to do something similar to the concrete wig head I have in my room.  The one I use to photograph my necklaces.  I am considering getting wig heads, texturizing them and painting them, probably silver knowing me.  But then, I need something to hold the necklace and card sets.  This is my first attempt.

I don't want to make it so big that it will deter retailers from putting it on their countertops.  Originally I wanted to put two rows of the card sets, but I think that would just be too wide.  So, I went with one.  But I only made it 4" deep.  I'm going to try it at 6 inches and see how that looks.

The actual wig head will be smaller at the base than my concrete one (the concrete kept dripping down the wig head so it became wider at the bottom.)

And most of the day I've spent trying to make friends with the scroll saw and  making another attempt at the pet tag display.  I'll get there someday!  I enjoy the creative process, the part that scares me is having to make the same thing over and over after I finally get the design finished.  Ugh, I hate doing something more than once.

Who Needs to Clean Her Room?

I think I have about five projects going at one time in my room.  Sigh, I feel like a teenager, a messy teenager.  Anyway, still working on the dog display.  I have decided for one thing, that I'm going to make it about 1/3 smaller.  I went to Home Depot today and looked at different ideas for texturing the display.  In the end, I went back to what works for me....mod podge and tissue paper.  I don't know how it's going to turn out until I paint it, but I think it's better than it was.  I want to try the silver, ultimately that's the color I want to use, but I may have to try black if it's shine shows all the textural changes.

I'm also starting to think about doing a display for my necklaces.  I like the idea of the concrete wig head I did for myself, which is what I use to photograph my necklaces for my etsy site.  So I think I'm going to start with wig heads, but need a different finish.  Hmm...

And I also worked on some custom ideas to show to the retailers.

Painted silver.  I think I like it!  I may add texture to the bowl as well.  I don't want to, I like the contrast in texture, but it's so easy to see every little inconsistency when it's smooth.  Can't wait for the paint to dry so I can put the collar and tags on and see how it looks finished.

I think it's actually getting worse rather than better.  I decided the silver looked like tin foil so painted it black.  Sigh, probably time to sleep on it, hopefully my subconscious will come up with something better than my fully awake brain did.

Building a Display for my Pet Tags

I'm working on a way to display my pet tags because I think it will help sell the product.  I figured otherwise they are small and will get lose on the shelves.  Hopefully this way retailers will consider placing them on the counter or someplace where they will get noticed.  So...I've been turning the ideas around in my head for about a week and it's finally coming together.  Can't wait to see how it looks when it's finished.

Of course I had to add texture...because, well...I just HAD to!  Figuring out the dog bowl was the most difficult.  Wood that bends?  Not so easy.  After Home Depot snapped a bunch of thin wood trying to find something that would make that tight of a bend, I gave up and went to the pet store.  Chopped some doggy bowls in portions and tried that.  Had the right look, but didn't attache very well and looked kinda "crafty"...which is something I try to avoid.  So after wandering through store after store, I finally decided to try the round tubes that you use for pouring concrete posts.  It's working!

Course I have to modpodge it to get it smooth.

And be patient while it dries (never been my strong suit), then I will paint the entire thing silver (of course) and put black webbing for the collar and finally attach a bunch of the pet tags and jewelry.  Oh, I also need to put something on the back of the display that will hold the post card order forms for personalization and also something "about the artist" so the retailer/staff will be familiar with the fact that these are tags made with art.

Well, not as happy after painting the silver.  It shows all the textural differences.  I'm thinking of getting silica sand to add to the paint and I might end up changing the color to black.

I do like the way it's turning out, if I can solve the textural issues.  I want it to look artistic but not craftey and handmade.  Ugh.  Of course, once I get it figured out, then I get to make one for every retailer that will be selling my product.  Forget painting, no time to create!

New Logo Almost Done

Well, I think this is it for the new logo, although I'm still not sure.  Ugh.  I do want to paint the text portion so once I do that I guess I'll know.

Now that Immy has her "I heart art" tag, it makes me laugh even more when she poses by my art.  I did sit her down for this shot, but often when she sees me with camera in hand she'll come running and turn towards the camera and be still.  It's so funny.  What would I do without Immy to make me laugh?

And this is the painting I'm working on now.  Part of my 2012 goal was to enter 5 contests so I keep browsing through the calls to artists.  The subject for this contest is completely unlike me, but the graphic ideas that came to mind interested me.  I love simple, linear shapes, geometrical shapes and bright, contrasting colors.  I'm going to leave this painting really simple, enter it and see how it does.  I'm not sure if I'll ever post the entire piece.

Tonights Medford Art Walk

I love it when I pull out the paper and my name is in it.  :)  Doesn't happen often.  Anyway, tonight is Medford's friday art walk and my work is in three places downtown.  Art du Jour, Organic Natural Cafe and the Rogue Gallery.  I won't be there sadly, because there is no one to stay with Grams tonight, but I hope a lot of people stop in at the galleries to check out all the art and Organic for dinner!  The art work show in this article is by my close friend Boni Kettering.  So different than my style, but so beautiful.  I really respect artists who can do realistic plein aire paintings so beautifully.  I think if you paint what you love, it turns out.

Profile Pic

Asked Teri (my sister and photographer extraordinaire) to bring her camera and take a new profile pic for my artists bio.  She's so good with lighting!  Is it weird that I actually like my wrinkles?  Well, at least in this soft light.

Still working on Heron's for Tera's tattoo.  She wants one thats flying now.

Traded photography session with Teri for a painted ladybug sign for her photo studio.  One would think I would whip this out in a few minutes.  Not so much.  It would help if I would have picked up a plate and drawn around it....but no, I freehand the circle, thereby incurring tons of time spent correcting this little jag and that little jag.  I often notice in my painting though, that 'simpl'e is actually more difficult than 'complicated'.

Love Revolution

This is my newest retailer, Love Revolution on Main St in Ashland.  Very cool store.  They are going to carry my heart necklace and card sets and possibly some of my art.

The Heron

I started out my morning by dropping off Elvis necklaces at one of my new retailers, Apparel For Two, in downtown Medford.  The Elvis impersonator was making an appearance at 4:30 so she wanted to set up a display.  I spent the rest of the day at Art du Jour Gallery, putting in my one day per month sitting at the gallery.  I made a few sales, including one of my necklace and card sets, so that was good.  I also FINALLY drew a heron for my oldest daughter, Tera.  She's been asking me to do this for her probably for at least a year.  She wants a heron tattoo because she used to fish with my parents, who were commercial fishermen, so it's sentimental to her.

I talked to my printer about the possibility of personalizing the pet tags and this is what he came up with.  He said the font is really small, it's 6, but that they are readable.  I like them.  It's an option for my retailers, so I'm going to work on an order form.  I also dropped some samples off at a pet store I'm hoping to work with.  Wish me luck!!  Tonight, glue, glue, glue, package, package, package Valentines necklace and card sets.

Hocking My Wares in Grants Pass

Today I visited Grants Pass with a friend of mine, Wibby, who grew up there.  Nice to have a local human showing me around!  I found an adorable boutique on "G" street to carry my necklaces.  It's called Tierra del Sol and is at 129 SW G Street.  Make sure you visit it if you are in Grants Pass.  They had some other jewelry I was lusting after.  Note to self; must spend commissions on business rather than jewelry!  I also spoke with Bruk at Urban Renewal, they are going to carry my necklaces, but are moving this weekend, so I'll visit them next week and drop off a selection.  On the way back to Jacksonville, we checked out the teeny, tiny town of Rogue River and found a little pet groomers, Personalized Grooming by Tarey, who are going to carry my pet tags.

All in all a productive day.  I also walked Immy around Jville this morning with Jeanena, my local contact and friend for all things "Jacksonville".  Then I ran into another friend and artist, Ron Moore, (fantastic photography!) who recommended I go by the Catholic Rectory.  It's one of my favorite historic buildings.  They were having it re-roofed and I was able to grab some of the old shingles to incorporate into my art work.  I'm DYING to create!

Wibby getting shingles out of the dump trailer for me.

The beautiful old shingles from the Catholic Rectory.

The Catholic Rectory.  One of my favorite buildings in Jacksonville, it's so sweet.

Two New Retailers

Today I went to a few stores to place my Valentine necklace and card sets and take orders for the pet tags.  I've been taking this part of my growth fairly slow, trying to determine which stores I want to be associated with, how to place my product where I get exposure but don't over-saturate the small town market.  I'm happy with how the day went.  My two new retailers are The Crown Jewel in Jacksonville, who will be carrying my Valentine sets and a collection of my pet tags.  They have a really cute shop-dog who will probably sell them for me.  :)  Apparel For Two is the other store I will be working with.  Adorable store in downtown Medford with a great collection of vintage and designer clothing.  When I was visiting with the owner, Kim, I mentioned I had just come from Rogue Gallery and met the Elvis impersonator.  Turns out, he's going to be at her store on Thursday.  So I quickly pointed out the Elvis necklace I was wearing and offered to bring some to her store prior to Elvis' visit.  Now I just need to make them by tomorrow.  ;)

Elvis is in the House

The Rogue Gallery Elvis Exhibit starts tonight.  Elvis is arriving at 3:30 and the reception starts at 4:30.  This is the painting I've entered.  Rogue Gallery is also carrying necklaces I made with the image.

These are the Elvis necklaces, pre bail and neck chain.  I also decided to make a paperweight and list it on etsy.

Elvis by Clint Ingbretson during the artists reception for the Elvis exhibit at the Rogue Gallery.

Immy Hearts Art

Immy posing in her new pet tag.  I will be taking her around town tomorrow to model the new art pet tags, with samples and order forms.  Wish me luck!  I will also need to pose Immy and get some good shots for the etsy site.  This picture cracks me up because I plucked her off of G's bed and made her model for me.  Although she still posed when she saw the camera, you can tell she's sleepy and even modeling is not worth waking up for.  What is that model quote from back in the 90's?  Something like, "I don't get out of bed for less than $10.000".  Maybe Immy will start coming up with demands.  ;)

Valentines Day Production Continues

I find process almost more interesting than the finished product.  Almost.

Let the fun continue.  At least while I'm producing, my mind is free to wander.  I have paintings swirling around in my mind.  Oooh, sketchbook.  The way my mind has been working live a sieve lately, probably a good idea to jot them down.

New Logo for cammydavis.com

I'm working on a new logo for the biz.  When I started the art business, I thought I'd be all creative and call it "It's All About the Art", which in theory is a good idea since my focus is on taking images of my artwork and creating "affordable art" for purchase (such as necklaces, cards, etc).  But...I realized it confused people.  They seemed to remember my name more than "It's All About the Art" and...as an artist your name is on all of you paintings, etc.  Plus, at this point, all of my websites are: cammydavis.com, cammydavis.youtube.com, cammydavis.etsy.com, cammydavis.blogspot.com.  So...it makes sense to call the business cammydavis.com.  God, even I am sick of my name now!  ;)  Anyway, as I'm coming up with new products, I've decided to make a logo that is similar to the sun and tree on a black background that I started with, but incorporates the name "cammydavis.com" and start incoporating the new logo into the new packaging.

Tutorial on Making Brackets for Heavy Paintings

Another riveting tutorial.  ;)  I've been thinking about this one for a while though.  When I started making larger, heavier pieces of art, I wanted to figure out a way to hang them flush against the wall so that they were secure and I didn't need to worry about them falling on the kids.  The art bracket systems for purchase were expensive and I wanted to offer my clients a better option for hanging art they purchased from me.  So, I came up with this idea and have included a bracket with larger pieces I have sold.  Hope it helps other artists as well.