Cleaning to avoid my real Work

This weekend I attended a wonderful workshop "Mastering the Business of Art" with Jill Banks. It is overwhelming to think of all of the things I need to be doing. It is hard to fit painting into my schedule as a mother let alone the hours of marketing needed to make my painting turn into a successful business. Successful Artists spend approximately 50% of their time painting and the other 50% of the time marketing.
I spend 80% of the time cleaning and caring for children and 20% of my time on painting, where are the marketing hours supposed to come from?

If anyone would like to join my mailing list please let me know. Also please share my blog and website with anyone who might be interested. My best marketing comes from all of you and your recommendations and referrals.

Here are some of my commissions and sales from the past year.

"Henry and Tom" 12x16

"Mike Mullins Rocking Chair" 24x24

"Heidi's Grandparents" 16x20

"Tide Pool"  14x18

"Pope Francis" 24x36

 

And two a little older

"Grandpa's Barn" 24x30

"Babes on the Beach" 24x36

When I feel overwhelmed I often have a hard time getting started. I have been putting off painting by cleaning my studio and my supplies.  If I keep putting it off I might start making a dent in the pile of laundry I need to fold. That would make my husband happy!

Busy Days and Busy Walls

The last several days have been very busy preparing the house for an appraisal. We are hoping to refinance and were given three days notice for the appraisal. I have been patching walls, cleaning up clutter, hanging pictures, painting, replacing a broken tp holder, etc. I put the kids to work cleaning the floor with spray bottles and rags and sent Nathan outside to pick up sticks. Till tomorrow afternoon I have told them toys are off limits.

 

 

One of the pictures I have finally gotten around to hanging is this Cityscape painted by my grandmother.

I have hung more than 15 new pictures on our walls, both photos and paintings. It is fun to just sit and enjoy the new atmosphere.

Ongoing progress on "Preparing the Todah"