Promoting Your self.

OK  I keep hearing you have to get yourself out there.   The more you are seen the better.  So how do we go about promoting our selves?   Create a blog or a web site.  Check, did that.  Get your work in the public eye.  This is difficult in times of recession.  Most galleries are struggling to sell what they have and are reluctant to take on more work.  So when I was approached by my local bank to exhibit my work for one day.  I said tell me more.  The Bank of Ireland is promoting small local business for the week and they wanted to know if I would like to promote mine.  Well why not my art is my business, and it will give me some exposure in my town.  So Monday the 7th of December from 10am to 4pm I will be exhibiting some of my soft pastels and hopefully sell one or two.  If not I am putting my self out there.  If you are in the area, please stop by Bank of Ireland on New Street In Killarney and say hello.

Chilly morning but what a beautiful view to wake up to. I feel a painting comming on.

140 Hours of Fame on TWITTER

140 Hours of Fame!  First on line art auction on TWITTER.


 YOU can purchase original artworks from an international collection of fine artists, photographers, and sculptors. 140 Hours is re-inventing the art auction business and making it ready for the 21st century. To celebrate the success of the first event held 11.5.09, they are holding the world's first 24-hr online twitter art auction commencing 11.27.09 @12:00 noon EST and ending 11.28.09 @12:00 noon EST.  I have entered this pastel painting.  I wanted to represent Ireland with a painting that show the beauty of the Kerry landscape

http://www.140hours.com/

Getting ready for a show

Getting ready for a show is both exiting and nerve racking.  Picking the painting you want to show and then the framing.  Oh I hate the framing.  I am not set up to do it myself so off to the frame shop I go.  I am always sooo nervous about leaving my pastels.  I have had a few disasters.  And the cost!  How will I ever be able to afford to frame all of them?  Out comes the over extended credit card, I say to myself  "I will pay it back when the paintings sell"  and then you pray to they will. . Then the labeling the hanging and the show it's self. Standing around your paintings feeling a bit awkward not knowing what to do with yourself.  sometimes I stand back so I can hear the comments being made with out them knowing I am the artist.  (hint be careful when you are commenting on art work you never know who is listening!)  Anyway it has to be done and I can only hope for the best.  Wish me luck!

Rotary Wine and Art Evening. The Malton Hotel Thursday 26th Of November @ 7:30

The Rotary Club Wine and Art night in this Thursday the 26Th of November 2009.   30 percent of all sales goes to charity.  I would like to invite you to drop by and take a look.  This year I have decided to reduce my prices to reflect the economic down turn.  I am hoping people will then be able to donate a small amount to charity and have a paining to enjoy as well.   In any case if you buying great art or just looking, it's an event not to be missed.  I hope to see you all on Thursday.  http://www.christmasinkillarney.com/

What is good about the Irish weather?  Nothing!  I need to start painting rainy days.  I feel like I am misleading people by painting sunny paintings and colorful sunsets.  They are far and few between.  I go out with my camera on those rare occasions when the weather is good and snap away.  On days like today I lock myself away in my studio, photos in hand and paint away.  I try to remember those sunny days as I put pastel to paper. Then.... after awhile... I have forgotten all about the weather.  I look out my window with the rain and the wind blowing and it's not bad so after all.

Daily painting "Take a bow"

This was painted from a photo I took about a week ago.  My dog and I on our daily walk in the Pike Woods In Killarney.  Its Autumn's last Hurrah! So take a bow.

Soft pastel on Pastelmat 9" X 19" 

Price framed 550.00 Euro

Selling paintings

It is very hard to come up with a price for a painting.  Do I use an hourly wage?  That sounds reasonable.  So I work on that premise then add on my cost for supplies and framing.  OK that's done,  I figured out the price.  Then I Realize it is more valuable than that to me.  The price is reasonable, but its a one off piece.  It will never happen again.  And after all its not everyone that can do this sort of thing.  So I go back and add a few more quid onto the price.  Mmm that's better!  But wait!  No one is going to spend that kind of money on a painting.  Who do I think I am?.  I am not famous after all.  Could I afford a painting at that price?  Then before you know what just happened you have knocked off more quid and now you are selling for less than you first price.  Oh forget the whole thing,  I really like this painting anyway.  I think I will keep it!

Trying differnt pastel papers

Painting No. 1 pastlemat 10"18"

This afternoon I tried to paint the same picture I did the day before on different paper.  Yesterday I painted November walk on Pastelmat on a 10"x18" piece of paper.  I posted it on Face book and someone asked if it was for sale.  Of course I said yes but I was secretly sad because I have a problem letting go.  I always feel I will never be able to do that painting again and would I really want to.  So today I tried to repaint the same picture on 8"10" piece on sanded paper.  And guess what?....I didn't like it!  The first one I thought was better.  Was it because I was bored painting the same subject twice? Or was it because of the paper?  I think a bit of both.  So sadly when a painting sells it is A one off piece never to be seen again.  Selling a painting is bitter sweet.  But it has to be done.

Painting no. 2 on sanded paper 8"x14"

Today I stared a blog.  Not sure what I am doing yet but here it goes.  I plan to post the painting I do on the blog and the experiences I have while Doing them.

Soft pastels by Deborah

 

Gone but not forgotten

Soft pastel on sanded paper 18"x24"

Mahareese Sunset Soft pastel on sanded paper 18"x24"

Autumn Reflections

Soft Patel on sanded paper 11"x17"

Forest path

soft pastel 8" x 17"

Sunset at Ross Castel

Soft Pastel8"x16"

Summers End

Soft Pastel on sanded paper 11.5" X 17"

Teach Tra View

Soft Pastel on sanded paper 10" x 24"