Don't blink you'll miss it.

~ The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot. ~   --Michael Althsuler

Today I'm wondering where this year has gone, and how it went so fast!

It makes me wish I was a kid again, when the days were longer and there were only two dates in the year that seemed to take forever to come:  my birthday, and Christmas. Now as an adult, they're the two dates I seem to be the least prepared for. One because in no uncertain terms it means I'm a year older, and the other because it means the holiday season is encroaching, and soon undoubtedly I'll be armed with shopping lists and hitting hot, crowded stores that are filled with tired, cranky clerks and moreover; tired cranky children.

As of my last post I had just started my new job, which turned out to be a high-note of this year. I work with truly amazing people and I've been successful in implementing some helpful tools to streamline the processes in the department, which in turn made us more organized team and makes me enjoy my work even more.

I created some paintings that I'm really proud of this year, including this one of Cody and Kramer (I miss you buddy):

And this one of Stockdale United Church:

Both were highly detailed endeavours, creatively challenging and took what seemed like en eternity to complete, but both ultimately successful in the end.

I'm looking forward to starting a new commissioned painting this week, a portrait of a Cocker Spaniel. I haven't had a paint brush in hand in almost a month, so it's time to get back at it. Next year I hope to take part in a couple of art fairs in an effort to promote myself and sell some of my paintings. The last art show was a bit of a disappointment because I didn't sell anything.  Not because my paintings were not well received, but because of the show itself, although it was well attended, it was clearly not attended by those with the intention of doing anything other than browsing and visiting with each other on a rainy October weekend.

Finally, I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to our family– Murphy the Bouvier des Flandres. He is growing up fast and has become quite a character. I hope he brings us as much joy as those who came before; Bozley and Kramer.

Murphy at 6 months old

Udder Disorganization. Really.

I was elated, as you know from my last post, when I was notified that I was to be a top ten artist in the Royal Winter Fair's art showcase.

Due to (in my opinion) some gross incompetence by the art showcase organizers, things have changed significantly from my last post.

Here's what happened:  (Forgive me if I sound bitter, but my blood boils every time I think about it.)

It started Monday when I emailed the RWF art show coordinator to find out which cow painting I submitted had been chosen for the top ten.  I received an email later that day that it was Curious Cow.  Wonderful! My favourite painting. So happily I write my blog to share the great news with my friends and fellow artists.

Things started to unfold when on Wednesday night I got an email from the show's coordinator. By reading between the lines, I determined that there was some kind of mix up and somehow both paintings that I submitted got accepted to the show, and therefore Curious Cow was not chosen, but my other submission, Closeup Cow, was. They will only hang one framed piece per artist. Don't bring Curious Cow she says, it will not be accepted.

Fine, mistakes happen. Both pieces were already at the framer anyway.

I was kind of happy that I was accepted twice, it was their oversight that they didn't notice this earlier.  I emailed the lady back to ensure my other painting was still part of top ten.

So this is when the bomb hit.  I got an email back saying that my painting "had slipped below the threshold of top ten" because of an addition error on the Jury sheets.  I was one point out of top ten. COME AGAIN?? Apparently math isn't their strong suit.

I was furious, seeing red, and embarassed that I had self-promoted as top ten and now had to retract my statement. I called the Marketing Coordinator of the Fair, (to her horror) ranted about how grossly unprofessional it is to notify an artist they have received this honour, and then say "oops" our mistake, and take it away. She promises to get to the bottom of it and get back to me, because her sheet says I'm in the top ten.

The art show's coordinator (different lady) called me back full of apologies and explanations and tried to convince me that one point out of top ten was "pretty good" and I should be happy.  Really? NOT.

As some kind of peace offering she offered me the opportunity to be a "demonstration artist" on the Monday afternoon of the show.  For two hours I would be painting on the demonstration stage and answering questions by show visitors. Since like most people, I have a job, this was never an option. I tell her I'll think about it and I'll get back to her.

By this time I am furious and I vow not to attend the show at all. The whole thing be damned. A personal vendetta. I cried and wondered how things could be this disorganized. I consider withdrawing from the show on principle. (There were other miscommunications to the artists that I won't go into detail about because they didn't involve me, but only reinforce my feelings of udder incompetence.)

Fast forward to today...

The love of my life left with my painting this morning to deliver it to the Royal's offices.

Having had the weekend to reflect on the week's events, I have decided to attend the show despite the way things were handled. I notified them that I would not be a demonstration artist and thanked them for extending me the opportunity. (I have to be the bigger person here, right?)

I will go to the art show presentations on Friday the 13th (how appropriate) after all, because I still want to see the other artists work, and represent myself as one of the chosen entries.

In the beginning, my only goal was to be accepted into the show, and I should be thrilled that that was what happened. So I am.

Who knows, maybe Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles will comment on my painting as they tour the Royal this Friday... so Close Up cow, you will be graced by the presence of Royalty. Hang proud.

Here is the painting that will be actually hanging at the show. (Sorry Curious Cow, you're outta here!)

Holy Cow! I Made the Top Ten!

Friday was a big day for me as an artist.

Back in September, I dutifully filled out entry forms, wrote an Artist's CV, burned CDs and submitted two of my watercolour paintings to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair's artist showcase. Since that day I have been anxiously waiting the results (to say the least), to which I hoped would come in the form of an acceptance of one of 40 paintings featured in the art showcase. I must admit I was prepared for rejection, as this is show is open to all Ontario residents, and it was only my second time entering an art show.

Well, Friday morning it came. The news couldn't have been better.

There it was in my email's inbox staring me in the face.

The subject line read: RAWF Showcase Acceptance. I swear my hands were shaking as I clicked the link to open the email. I was so excited I could hardly believe my eyes.  I called everyone I could think of.

I think I was on the phone with my Dad when I started reading him the email, when I realized in my exuberance, that I had skimmed over the most important message in the whole thing: Since you are on this mailing you have been accepted to the top ten in the 2009 RAWF Fine Art Showcase. I could hardly get the words out to my Dad on the phone. I was like a giddy little school girl...

In retrospect, it kind of played out like this:  
"...you have been accepted to the top ten..."

What?!

Top Ten?!
**Blinks eyes**

Whoa!!
OMG!
I did it!!
**Heart Rate Skyrockets**
**Permasmile :)**  

For those who are not familiar with the Royal, it is the world’s largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition, and draws more than 300,000 visitors to Toronto annually to see thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and International breeders, growers and exhibitors, over 4,500 large and small animals, shows and activities.

For an emerging artist like myself, that kind of publicity and exposure is hard to achieve.

Granted not all visitors will stop by the art show, but a good percentage are bound to, and my painting will be there featured among the top ten! The show is getting higher exposure and better floor space this year, thanks to a grant from the Canadian Government.

I can't wait to go to the Awards ceremony, not because I want to win a prize, but because I want to be in the company of some really outstanding visual artists, to appreciate their work and maybe learn a thing or two from them.

If you happen to be attending the Royal this year, be sure to stop by the Direct Energy Centre, Hall C, Exhibition Place, Toronto. The show runs from November 6 through 15, 2009.

To readers of my earlier blog post about finding inspiration, rest assured:  I found it. Truly the beginning of good great things to come.

This is the painting that was accepted, titled "Curious Cow".

My First Art Show

Well, this weekend I participated in my first ever art show.

By my own standards (which are usually pretty high) the show went pretty well. The two-day show was part of the annual Applefest weekend, which brings thousands of visitors to the little town of Brighton for the festival. The art show had a steady stream of patrons, who shared their stories and comments when they stopped by my booth.

I sold one painting, which was my goal for the weekend, so I can't complain there.

Even more important than selling the painting, was the knowledge I gained from talking with veteran artists who show their work all the time... watching how they interact with the visitors to their booths and generally just how their displays were set up, helped me a great deal.

Next show I will come armed with a full arsenal: business cards, some ingenious way display more paintings on the wall even if they're not framed, matted limited edition prints of my work that have already sold. (In this economy, it seemed people were looking for lower-priced options. The other artists seem to sell more prints than originals.)

Thanks to my S.O. Rod who stayed all day Sunday with me, who now has lots of ideas to make my next show even more of a success!